Discover Laos & Cambodia Itinerary

Day 1  Australia - Bangkok
Upon arrival in Bangkok we will be met by our friendly guide and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2  Bangkok
Today we enjoy a full-day tour of Bangkok. Highlights include the revered Grand Palace, the spectacular Golden and Emerald Buddhas and an afternoon cruise through Bangkok’s klongs (canals) where we get an insight into the traditional side of Thai life. Tonight we enjoy an unforgettable welcome dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. [B,D]

Day 3  Bangkok - Luang Prabang
This morning we fly to Laos and the city of Luang Prabang, which is famous for its historic temples and its beautiful mountain setting. Upon arrival we enjoy a tour of the city which includes the Wat Xieng Thong Temple, Wat Wisunalat Temple, National Museum and the markets. [B]

Day 4  Luang Prabang
This morning our tour is by boat to the Pak Ou Caves. The caves are noted for their impressive Lao-style Buddha sculptures, assembled over the centuries by local people and pilgrims. Hundreds of mostly wooden Buddhist figures are laid out over the floors and wall shelves. We travel back via the village of Ban Xiang Hai, famous for the production of the local rice wine whisky. Here there is an opportunity to try this traditional liqueur. [B]

Day 5  Luang Prabang
This morning we visit a local market to see the bustle and activity of daily life before further exploring Luang Prabang. We then travel to the local village of Ban Muang Khai Kuang and a Khmu village at Ban Tha Pene, before continuing to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. These beautiful multi-level falls tumble over limestone formations into clear turquoise pools. A great place for a swim! [B]

Day 6  Luang Prabang - Phonsavanh
Today we leave Luang Prabang and travel to Phonsavanh through mountainous countryside, providing us with spectacular views of the lush valleys below. Along the way we make various stops, including: the historic town of Muang Sui, the scenic Nong Tang Lake and the extensive cave network of Tham Pha Caves. [B]

Day 7  Phonsavanh
We spend the day exploring the mysterious and ancient Plain of Jars. More than 300 huge stone jars carved out of solid rock are scattered around the plateau. The jars vary in size from 1 to 3.25 metres high and weigh up to six tons each. There are several different theories as to the purpose of the jars, which are estimated to be 2,500 to 3,000 years old. Afterwards, we continue to Muang Khoun, an ancient capital which was destroyed during the Indochina War. The town was rebuilt after 1975 with rows of wooden Lao houses and a market area. It’s surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. [B]

Day 8  Phonsavanh - Vang Vieng
This morning we visit the lively open-air local market, before continuing to the scenic river town of Vang Vieng (stopping at local villages along the way). This afternoon there is some time to relax or enjoy an optional kayaking and caving adventure on the Nam Song River. [B]

Day 9  Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Vang Vieng is nestled in a bend in the Nam Song River. It is surrounded by striking limestone cliffs and has an abundance of fascinating tunnels and caverns. We enjoy a short trek through rice paddies, stopping at a Hmong village in Ban Pha Thao before continuing to some of the area’s lovely caves. We depart Vang Vieng and head for Vientiane - on the way we stop at the Talat Fish Market and enjoy a boat ride on the Nam Ngum Lake. [B]

Day 10  Vientiane
Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city with its relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats (temples) and colourful markets. This morning we tour the city, including a visit to Pha That Luang, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps the most important national monument in Laos. The afternoon is at leisure. [B]

Day 11  Vientiane - Phnom Penh
After breakfast we fly on to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. Upon arrival we enjoy a sightseeing tour including the Royal Palace, National Museum and one of Phnom Penh’s great markets. [B]

Day 12  Phnom Penh
Today is at leisure to relax in this exciting city. There will be the chance to take an optional tour to the moving  – and infamous - Killing Fields. [B]

Day 13  Phnom Penh - Battambang
Today we travel to Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, where we will explore temples and enjoy panoramic views over the Cambodian countryside. We then take a relaxing boat trip to Kampong Luong, a village located on a criss-crossing network of canals, where we visit the local church, pagoda, floating school and a factory where ice is made to preserve the day’s catch of fish. We then continue to the bustling provincial capital, Battambang. [B]

Day 14  Battambang
Battambang is located on the banks of the Sangker River. We explore the town centre to get a feel for this modern-day city, strolling past old French houses, and visiting the Battambang Museum and Wat Piphit. We continue out of the city to see the region’s Angkorian past, exploring the nearby hill temples. We also visit the caves of Laan Thom and Laan Kirirum, which houses Buddhist shrines and also mass graves of victims of the Pol Pot regime. [B]

Day 15  Battambang - Siem Reap
This morning we travel to Siem Reap, where we start our sightseeing tour of the amazing Angkor Wat temples. In 1992, the whole of the Angkor Wat complex was granted UNESCO World Heritage status and it is considered one of the world’s most amazing attractions. We spend two days touring this extensive complex of temples, palaces and monuments. Tonight we watch the sunset over the ruins from the upper terraces of an Angkorian temple. [B]  
 
Day 16  Siem Reap
We continue our sightseeing at Angkor Wat and ponder how these grand temples would have looked when first built during the 12th century. This ancient site has been the backdrop to many films including most recently ‘Tomb Raider’, featuring Angelina Jolie. [B]

Day 17  Siem Reap
This morning we continue our touring of Angkor Wat and then visit Ta Prohm. Here the jungle has not been cleared and the monuments look as they were when European explorers first stumbled across them. This afternoon we enjoy an excursion to the floating village of Kampong Kleang with a boat trip on the Tonle Sap Lake. This incredibly rich fishing ground in the heart of Cambodia swells up to seven times its original size during the monsoon season. [B]

Day 18  Depart Siem Reap
This morning is at leisure before we travel to the airport for our journey home. [B]

Day 19  Arrive in Australia

Discover Laos & Cambodia

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