16 DAYS, HIGHLIGHT OF LAOS AND CAMBODIA TOUR

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY1.   ARRIVAL - LUANG PRABANG

Upon arrival at the airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. After a short rest, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY2.   LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU - LUANG PRABANG

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the potent local rice wine. On return, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand made of Jute Sar paper. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

DAY3.   LUANG PRABANG – KHOUANGSI WATERFALLS

Breakfast; this morning you may want to rise early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-givingbowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene drive to the beautifulKhouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths, return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well known weaving village, return to the city by late evening observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)

DAY4.   LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE

The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and the Central Market are not to be missed. We visit these sights, this morning before we catch a flight back to Vientiane. Upon arrival, we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane.. (B)

DAY5.   VIENTIANE- CITY TOUR
Breakfast, AM: you are met to continue exploring Vientiane capital city , we start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. PM: continue to visit the rest of Vientiane by walk, visit Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng, Wat Haisok. Then we pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where the major goods display; including fresh food, household, textiles, gold, silver and ancient souvenir varied display and return to Mekong Riverside and late evening.,  by late afternoon observing sunset by Mekong. Overnight in Vientiane.(B)

DAY6.   VIENTIANE – PAKSE – KHONG ISLAND
Breakfast, we take an early flight to Pakse. On arrival, we drive on the National Road No. 13th south to Champassak and visit the ruins of Wat Phu, which is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th –13th centuries. Here is also a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines, after a shortstop visit, we continue to Khong Island by road.  Overnight in Khong Island. (B)

DAY7.   KHONG ISLAND - TADLO - PAKSE
Breakfast; upon leaving Khong Island, we continue our journey towardsTadlo, through Boloven plateau where famous tea and coffee plantation and other lush vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil are incredible all along the way. En route, there are some opportunities to explore a part ofBoloven plateau and visit some hill villages of the Katu, Alack and Nge ethnic minority people, return to Pakse by late evening. Overnight in Pakse (B)

DAY8.   PAKSE – SIEM REAP
Breakfast; there is a free time for your own exploration of Pakse Town before catching either flight to Siem Reap. On arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. The town of Siem Reap is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which was l the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. After checking into hotel, we drive to the archeological area to visit the Roluos Group of temples including Lo Lei, Preah Ko, Bakong. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY9: SIEM REAP – EXPLORATION
Today, we continue exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. A view of the Atacular contrast colours of the sunset over these sandstone monuments is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B)

DAY10: SIEM REAP – EXPLORATION
The temple of Ta Prohm, with enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embracing themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature is an incredible sight. We explore this masterpiece as well as its surrounding temples of Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, TA Keo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit including Preah Khan, the Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, TA Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup Temple is also visited, this afternoon before we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill for the sunset watching. Overnight in Siem Reap.(B)

DAY11: SIEM REAP – EXPLORATION
Heading out of the town, we visit some outlying sights including the Preah Dark village, the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei, the River of 1000 Lingas, locally named Kbal Spean and the Banteay Samre Temple, with its impressive relieves depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. The remainder of the day is free for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping area. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B)

DAY12: SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH 
An early morning start to navigate by hydrofoil on the Tonle Sap River to Phnom Penh (from January to June, it is difficult to cruise by boat due to the water is very low in Tonlé Sap Lake). The cruise is long; however the picturesque scenery changing along the way makes for an interesting journey. The capital city of Phnom Penh was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm. A half day city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are now home to the royal family and are therefore very close to the public. At the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, which is the most sacred temple in the country. We visit both structures as well as the National Museum, with an excellent collection of actefacts illustrating the splendor of Khmer history. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B)

DAY13: PHNOM PENH
The sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh begins with a visit to the Royal University of Fine Arts where the young Cambodians learn the ancient arts of their ancestors. The most interesting part of this structure is the Dance Academy. Here, many young children practice the graceful movements of the beautiful national dances. We then continue to one of the city's lively open markets, Psar Toul Tom Pong, all called the " Russian Market" where anything and everything is for sales. The Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek are not to be missed. A visit to these sights provides us a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B)

DAY14: PHNOM PENH – SIHANOUK VILLE
Today, we travel by road to Sihanouk ville which boasts Cambodia's most important sea port .Although the recent development of tourism; the beaches of Sihanouk Ville are some of the most unspoiled in all Southeast Asia. After checking into hotel, we take a short guided tour to catch a glimpse of the city and spend the remainder of the day on the turquoise water enjoying swimming or lazing on a beach. Overnight in Sihanoukville. (B)

DAY15: SIHANOUK VILLE – PHNOM PENH
A free morning on beach. As an option, we visit the Ream national park with its mangrove forest and ecosystem before driving back to Phnom Penh. Along the way, you can make stop as you please, to stretch your legs and admire the scenic countryside. An ideal way to spend your last evening in Cambodia is to relax in a cafe by the riverfront. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B)

DAY16: PHNOM PENH - DEPARTURE
There is a free time for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to Pochentong Airport for departure. (B)