Cambodia And Laos Family Holiday

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. The city was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains much Colonial charm. Today the city buzzes with energy and an air of opportunity as Cambodia advances into the 21st century. The remainder of your day is free at your leisure.

Morning tour of the Royal Palace, situated on the site of the former citadel and built by King Norodom in 1966, the Palace still serves as the King and Queen’s residential quarters. Also within the walls of the Palace is the Silver Pagoda, so called because of five thousand silver tiles that line its exquisite floor.
Continue to visit the National Museum, which houses the world’s leading collection of Khmer art and sculpture, and Wat Phnom the founding site of the city. All are within easy walking distance of each other and are a great introduction to this laid-back city.
In 1975, after years of guerrilla warfare, the radical Communist Khmer Rouge party, under its leader Pol Pot, seized power of Cambodia and declared ‘year zero’. They immediately abolished money and private property, and ordered the entire population of Phnom Penh from their homes and into the countryside to cultivate the fields. Over the next three years an estimated 2 million Cambodians died, many from starvation and exhaustion. Many others were tortured and executed for being supposed ‘enemies of the state’.
The afternoon is spent learning more about these terrible years, through visits to the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and Cheung Ek, better known as the ‘Killing Fields’. It is an incredibly moving experience, but these are two visits you will be glad to have made. During your visit to Cambodia, you will barely meet a single person who didn’t lose a member of their family during these years, yet they are all willing to talk openly about it with you. They wish you to hear about it and see these places, to ensure that it never happens again. End of the city tour and overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, transfer to the ferry port and make the short crossing to the eastern side of Phnom Penh. Start your days cycling with a gentle ride along the banks of the Mekong River, enjoying views across the water to Phnom Penh. The trail takes you well away from the city however, and you’ll soon be passing through a green landscape of rural plantations such as bananas, mangos, papayas and variety of season vegetables.
Continue along quiet roads passing villages, schools and pagodas, stopping to meet locals along the way. There will be a chance to break at the home of a family of silk weavers where you’ll be warmly welcomed and you can enjoy some snacks and a cold drink.
Board a boat and cross the Mekong River, disembarking and riding across the headland and over the iron bridge before arriving at Koh Dach, known as Silk Island.
The village is a typical rural Cambodian stilted village and throughout the morning you will see a variety of silk weaving techniques and observe the local weavers at work. People operate hand looms under many of the houses whilst others busy themselves dying and spinning silk on wheels made of bicycles parts. Many of the silk products sold in Phnom Penh are weaved in Koh Dach thanks to the very high quality of the work.
Having enjoyable lunch at a local restaurant in the village, cross back over the Mekong to the mainland where you will meet your driver and continue to Phnom Oudong, the ancient Cambodian capital during the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowning site of the Kings. Consisting of a series of stupas top a large hill, there are outstanding views across the surrounding plains. Phnom Oudong was bombed and desecrated by the Americans and then the Khmer Rouge, but still possesses a beauty that no war has been able to steal from it.
Return to the city in the late afternoon and Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Morning transfer to Phnom Penh Airport in time for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom( 12th century), the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon you visit to the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares, which is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy a wonderful sunset from Phnom Bakheng Hills. Enjoy dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Seam Reap.

Following breakfast, you will go to Boeng Mealea, the most remote ruin temple situated in the main group of Angkor Wat and was buit in the 12th century by King Suryavarma II. It has primary material, sandstone and has basic layout, three surrounding galleries around the major sanctuary. Having smaller size than Angkor Wat, Boeng Mealea, the main monument of the king, still lies among the largest temples of the Khmer empire. In the afternoon, stop at local communities and witness the production of rice paper before trying some Palm Wine and Palm Sugar. The last destination of the day is the pyramidal Pre Rup temple where you can take the sunset over the beautiful countryside and paddy fields. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Today you leave Siem Reap for Pakse( southern Laos) by flight. Upon arrival you will be driven to the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou, one of South-East Asia’s most dramatically situated temple sites with superb views across the Mekong River. Designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2001, Wat Phou dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Whilst much of the origins of Wat Phou are unclear, it is believed that the original temple was built by the Khmer Hindus who eventually made Angkor Wat their capital.
After some time exploring, transfer to Champasak a delightful Colonial riverside town with a relaxed vibe. Having checked in to your hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure. Overnight in Champasak.

After breakfast, cross over the Mekong River and drive south to Ban Hatsaikhone, where you’ll board a local boat for a tour of the 4000 Islands. Although some of the islands are technically just sand banks, there are still hundreds of scenic spots to enjoy.
Reach the picturesque island of Don Khone and the afternoon is spent exploring the island by bicycle, tracing the route of an old abandoned railway and admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings and the beautiful Liphi Waterfall.
Returning to your boat, head back to the mainland and the impressive Khone Phapheng waterfalls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia, just a few miles from the Cambodian border, before returning to your Champasak hotel and overnight in Champasak.

Early risers may well be rewarded by the arrival of elephants eager for a morning bath in the waterfalls! The area around Tad Lo is home to numerous ethnic minority groups. Take a morning visit to the villages of Alak, Nge, and Katu before driving back across the plateau to Pakse in time for your flight to Luang Prabang.
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be transferred to your hotel and free at your leisure on the rest of the day. n the evening there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from – we also recommend the local river side stalls for some truly authentic Lao flavours, washed down with the excellent Beer Lao. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang, the ‘Jewel of Indochina’, is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site and regularly voted as one of Asia’s premier travel destinations. The ancient royal city is surrounded by mountains and is situated at a junction of the Mekong and Khan Rivers. In the center of the city is Mount Phousi, rewarding climbers of its 328 steps with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills. Luang Prabang, a city where time has seemingly stood still, is also an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional Lao architecture with structures built by the European colonial authorities in more recent times. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved to illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.

Wake up early in the morning to witness the long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from the residents of Luang Prabang. It’s a fantastic experience and for many a highlight of their visit to this iconic city.
After breakfast, enjoy a tour of the city. Your circuit begins at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, continuing on to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-reliefs. During Pimai (the Lao New Year celebrations in April), the Kingdoms Palladium – known as Prabang and normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum – is put on public display in this temple. Continue on to Wat Xieng Thong, perhaps the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang (quite an accolade!).
Continue to Wat Mai and the unique Wat Visoun, entirely rebuilt after its destruction in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa, which is shaped like the fruit it takes its name from.
In the afternoon start with the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which will give you further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. There is also time to visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek before returning to the Old Town to climb Mount Phousi and enjoy the stunning views across Luang Prabang as the sun sets and Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Free at your leisure in Laos until our drive transfers you to airport for onward flight. Meals on your own. End of our Cambodia & Laos Family Holidays finishes up after breakfast.