Indochina Adventure | Luang Prabang to Angkor

Day 1 - Arrival in Vientiane and orientation walk

Arrival in the contemporary, Mekong-side capital of Vientiane and stretch your legs with an introductory walking tour followed by riverside sundowners and a local-style welcome dinner in the town’s lively night market.

Overnight: Vientiane Transport: Walk,  Meals: D, 

Day 2 - Luang Prabang - Mekong boat cruise

Departure on a scenic train ride to Luang Prabang. Time to relax before an afternoon boat trip up the picturesque Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou cave temples – overlooking the river and filled with thousands of ancient gold lacquered Buddha statues. Return to Luang Prabang for a local-style welcome dinner.

Overnight: Luang Prabang Transport: Train, Boat,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 3 - Luang Prabang - city walking tour

Discover World Heritage Luang Prabang’s fabulous temples, French-era architecture and sample Lao delicacies (and the famous Lao beer) in riverside cafes. A morning tour includes the former Royal Palace, now National Museum, Wat Xiengthong and the Fine Arts School to see how traditional Lao arts and handicrafts are being preserved. Afternoon at leisure to explore the quiet, picturesque lanes or check out the hill-tribe market.

Overnight: Luang Prabang Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 4 - Luang Prabang - into the countryside

Morning drive into the surrounding hills to visit the spectacular turquoise ponds, cascades and falls at Kuang Si as well as the nearby Free the Bears site which houses moon, (Asiatic black) and sun bears rescued from hunters, the illegal animal trade and private zoos. Return to Luang Prabang after a stop for a riverside lunch at the Ock Pop Tok community weaving project.

Overnight: Luang Prabang Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 5 - Plain of Jars - over the Central Highlands to Phonsavan

Early departure for a drive along mountain roads to Phonsavan in Xieng Khouang province – location of the famous and mysterious Plain of Jars. Stops on the way include Khmu and Hmong villages and a hidden cave temple that served as an army hospital during the Vietnam War.

Overnight: Phonsavan Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 6 - Plain of Jars

Tour of spectacular Jar Site 1 and return to Phonsavan Town for lunch and a visit to the well-laid out Xieng Khouang Museum to learn about the background to the famous jars, as well as the region’s more recent history when it played a key role during the Vietnam conflict. In the afternoon we travel to the picturesque Jar Site 2 and begin our 1-hour hike to impressive Site 3, consisting of over 150 jars and offering great views over the surrounding countryside.

Overnight: Phonsavan Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 7 - Vientiane - tour of some of the City's sights

Short morning flight to the capital and afternoon tour of some of Vientiane’s fascinating sites including celebrated Si Saket Temple with its 1,000 Buddhas and the city’s iconic That Luang monument. A sobering, but highly informative stop will also be made at the excellent COPE Visitors Centre, established to highlight the problem of unexploded ordnance left after the War.

Overnight: Vientiane Transport: Minibus, Plane,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 8 - Phnom Penh - introductory walking tour

Morning flight to Phnom Penh and check-in to a small, downtown boutique-style hotel. Time to relax before an introductory walking and tuk-tuk tour taking in the historic French Quarter and the lively waterfront area as well as giving you a first-hand feel for the bustling street life before finishing, perhaps, with sundowners by the river.

Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Plane, Walk, Tuk Tuk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 9 - Phnom Penh - city tour

Day tour of some of the sites of Cambodia’s fascinating capital city.  The infamous Killing Fields and highly moving Khmer Rouge Museum at Tuol Sleng help to explain the country’s recent tragic history while the picturesque Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda provide plenty of photo opportunities. A visit to the Russian Market offers some ‘retail therapy’ and a chance for a local lunch.

Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Minibus,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 10 - On the road - overland to Siem Reap

Overland through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the provincial town of Siem Reap in Western Cambodia – our base for the next few days while we visit the nearby Angkor Temples. Stops include the famous ‘spider village’ of Skuon (tasting not compulsory), a rarely-visited 11th-century temple and lunch by a scenic lake. A sunset visit to Banteay Kdei Temple completes our day.

Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 11 - Siem Reap - dawn at Angkor Wat

Angkor: an unforgettable tour of this fabulous site with its vast jungle-clad temples and mysterious stone carvings. We begin with sunrise and a morning tour of Angkor Wat. Return to Siem Reap to escape the midday heat and an afternoon walking tour of Angkor Tom: Leper King and Elephant Terraces, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Baphuon and last but not least, (we’ll wait until the crowds have gone), dramatic Bayon Temple with its famous faces.

Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 12 - Siem Reap - jungle temples

Morning visit to the spectacular Phnom Bakheng Temple before moving on to the vast ruin of Preah Khan. Dense jungle, enormous roots and screeching parakeets make this atmospheric temple one of everyone’s favourites.  After a break in Siem Reap, the afternoon continues with a short forest hike to Ta Keo via the remote and rarely visited Ta Nei. Ta Prom – the famous ‘Tomb Raider’ temple – continues our jungle theme and concludes our day’s visit.

Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 13 - Beng Melea and afternoon at leisure

Morning trip to one of the remoter temple sites, the truly spectacular Beng Melea. This huge partially ruined temple, overgrown by jungle, is one of the most impressive Angkor monuments. Return to Siem Reap with an afternoon at leisure to relax by the pool, visit the National Museum, explore the markets or perhaps check out Apopo’s famous mine-detecting giant rats.

Overnight: Siem Reap Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 14 - Sangkar River - by boat to Battambang

Spectacular boat journey across the Tonle Sap Lake, past the flooded forest and Prek Toal bird sanctuary and on down the Sangkar River with its unique floating and stilt villages to the town of Battambang. Stop off on the way to visit the Prek Toal community water hyacinth weaving project.

If water levels are low during the dry season, part of the trip may be overland.

Overnight: Battambang Transport: Boat, Tuk Tuk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 15 - Battambang - village and cottage industries tour

Morning tour by tuk-tuk through the surrounding villages to discover some of their traditional cottage industries and handicrafts, An afternoon at leisure allows time to further explore the friendly provincial town, chill out by the pool or head back into the countryside to visit the area’s famous bat caves of Phnom Sampeu.

Overnight: Battambang Transport: Walk, Tuk Tuk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 16 - Battambang to Phnom Penh - return to the capital

After an early morning trip along the famous Battambang bamboo railway, it’s time to complete our loop to Phnom Penh via a well-preserved 8th century temple on an artificial island, where a local-style farewell dinner awaits us.

Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Minibus, Train,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 17 - Phnom Penh - morning at leisure and end of tour

Morning at leisure in Phnom Penh; relax by the pool or some last-minute shopping and departure at your convenience.

Extra nights in Vientiane prior to, or Phnom Penh after, your tour are available on request.

Airport transfers are included if you purchase the 'with flights' package. If you purchased your own flights, airport transfers can be arranged.

Overnight: Departure Transport: Walk,  Meals: B,