Cambodia & Laos - Itinerary

Day 1: Phnom Penh

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, meet and transfer to Sunway Hotel. Then, set out on a city tour to visit the National Museum and the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom.

Day 2: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the Angkor temple complex. Arrive in Siem Reap and transfer to Angkor Century Resort & Spa. Start exploring the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. Its 50-tower temple is an awesome sight. Further visits to the surroundings of the complex include the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place area. Afternoon, visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world's most impressive ruins. End the day at Phnom Bakheng, the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area. The Bakheng's hilltop location makes it the most popular sunset, offering a panoramic view of Angkor Wat and West Baray. (B)

Day 3: Siem Reap

After breakfast, further visit to Prasat Kravan, Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean and Preah Khan. Afternoon, continue to visit Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Ta Keo, Chaosay Tevoda & Thomanon. These temples are on the same route of Ta Prohm and the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. (B)

Day 4: Siem Reap - Vientiane

Fly to Vientiane, the city of the moon. Afternoon is spent by taking a sightseeing of the city's major historic sites including religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue; Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa, containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land mark of Vientiane. Overnight at Lao Plaza Hotel (B)

Day 5: Vientiane - Luang Prabang

Fly to Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City. Take a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit National Museum, the former Royal Palace, Wat Visoun, Wat Aham and Wat Xiengthong. The 328 steps lead to the summit of Phousi Hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang overlooking the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang. Overnight at 3 Nagas Hotel. (B)

Day 6: Pak Ou Caves

Travel on a long-tailed boat for a few hours on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore and bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Visit Ban Xanghai, the well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky to be distilled and tasted. Lunch at local restaurant on the bank of the Mekong river. Return to Luang Prabang by the same boat, continue by car to visit Ban Xangkhong, the well-known village for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes, where you can do shopping there. (B,L)

Day 7: Kuangsi Waterfall

Take an excursion by land (30 km South) to visit Kuangsi Waterfall. En route, stop to visit Ban Na Oune, a small H'mong village and also visit Ban Tha Pane, a small village of Khmu minority group. Picnic lunch near Kuangsi waterfall. (B,L)

Day 8: Luang Prabang Departure

After breakfast, visit a local market before transferring to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

Key:

B = Breakfast included
L = Lunch included
D = Dinner included