Laos And Cambodia Luxury Holiday

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport you will be met by your guide for the transfer to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure.
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 centre 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 townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.
In 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.

Following breakfast, the full day city tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Today, we also visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek before we then return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. Then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we disembark the boat to visit traditional villages, and continue taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving
This afternoon, visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, Khmu villages. Then takes us to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. Get back to Luang Prabang and overnight in Luang Prabang.

Following breakfast, drive to Vang Vieng and stop along the way to take a beautiful landscape, before approach Vang Vieng then check in. Take a rest and get started an excursion to visit Tham Jang Cave then enjoy a boat trip along Nam Song River. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Today, take a 3-hour-drive to Vientiane and stop on the way at finishing villages (Ban Houimor) and Hmong Market at KM 52 before we reached Vientiane then check in and after that we start we explore the town; with Wat Sisaket which is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha images. We continue sightseeing by visiting Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple of Laos monarchy, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Statue. Then visit the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph before continuing to the famous That Luang Stupa. Overnight in Vientiane.

Following breakfast, free at your leisure until the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival and after clearing immigration and customs, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel for check in. Take a rest and free at your leisure in the remainder of the day.

An option for early-risers is a very special dawn visit to discover the jungle-covered temple of Ta Phrom at sunrise then return to the hotel for breakfast. Then begin the temple exploration today at Angkor Thom near west gate. From the enigmatic faces of Bayon Temple to the intricate base reliefs of the Terrace of the Elephants, Angkor Thom is filled with fabulous monuments. After lunch, drive to Banteay Srei, it is also one of the most beautiful temples; built in 967 AD by Jayavarman V’s guru, it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture, and Preah Khan meaning “Holy Sword” is one of the largest temple compounds in Angkor and is defended by four concentric walls. The main shrine and its adjoining buildings are richly decorated with Buddhist motifs and scenes from Hindu epics. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon so you can enjoy your free time shopping and relaxing. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Following breakfast, head out to a Khmer Village, your chance to see what real life is like in Cambodian a village. Spend time helping a poor village family go about their daily life. This scenic drive takes you through local countryside providing some great photo opportunities. For a few hours you will have rare chance to see inside the life of Cambodian villagers. You may help plant the rice, make a roof or harvest bananas– life revolves around the seasons, so it will vary depending on when you visit. A lunch box will be provided by one of the villagers. Following lunch, drive further to Beng Mealea Temple and explore the abandoned temple (11th century), strangled by the jungle.
After all the walking, you will receive a voucher for a 60 minute complimentary foot massage for some relaxation before the drive back to Siem Reap. This evening is free so you may enjoy evening tea, dinner and walk around on your own. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Following breakfast, take a break from temples and go on a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. Go to visit the “floating village” – boats that have been converted to look like houses and the “village” moves from place to place according to the water levels. Then continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chass, called the “Old Market”, where you can see the locals shopping and going about their lives! Then transfer out for departure to Phnom Penh by plane, on arrival we meet you again and transfer you to a hotel in the center of Phnom Penh city. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Begin your morning with breakfast at hotel then set out to see the capital city of Phnom Penh which was once considered the loveliest city. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerably charming. A city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek are not to be missed. A visit to these sights provides a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, enjoy the cyclo ride to visit Royal Palace, which is now home to the royal family. In the northern section of the palace grounds lies the Silver Pagoda, the most sacred one in the country and The National Museum. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Leaving Phnom Penh, drive to the seaside resort, Kep-sur-Mer, a favorite getaway of the French in the early 1900s. Following breakfast at the hotel then begin our journey southwards, making our first stop at Phnom Chisor Temple and dating back to the 11th century. Climb the 500-step path to the top of the hill to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Continue on to the quiet town of Takeo before taking a short cruise to Angkor Borei, located just a few kilometers from the Vietnamese border. Here we visit a small museum displaying several reproductions of sculptures from the nearby ruins and a selection of artifacts dating as far back to the 4th century. After visiting the museum, we embark on our boat for a trip to visit the pre-Angkorian temple, Phnom Da, and a nearby temple Asram Maharosei. We arrive in Kep in the evening and check in at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then board a local boat for a 30 minute sail to Rabbit Island. Spend the afternoon bathing in the warm waters and snorkeling around the surrounding rocks hiding many colorful fish. Return to Kep in the late afternoon and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Following breakfast at the hotel, head to Sihanouk Ville, home to some of Southeast Asia most pristine white-sand beaches. With a 10km stretch of beaches and a smattering of coastal islands, Sihanouk Ville is the perfect tropical, beach getaway. Check in to your hotel then enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Sihanouk Ville.

Enjoy an entire day free for basking in the sun or bathing in the warm coastal waters. This is the time when the dream of spending holidays in an exotic country becomes a reality. Overnight in Sihanouk Ville.

Following breakfast at the hotel until transfer to Phnom Penh’s airport to catch your flight home. Thank you so much for your traveling with us and we wish you all the best and hope to arrange your holiday. Goodbye and see you again!