Cambodia & Laos Discovery

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Phnom Oudong – Farmhouse Smiling Gecko

Today, depart the big city and head into rural Cambodia. Make a stop at the ancient Cambodian capital of Phnom Oudong before arriving at your overnight accommodation, the Farmhouse Smiling Gecko, in time for lunch. Set up in 2015 by local NGO, Smiling Gecko Cambodia, the Farmhouse was established to offer disadvantaged local people a training opportunity to acquire skills that will enable them to earn a living, without leaving the countryside. In the afternoon, a member of the Smiling Gecko team will give you an overview of their other inspirational projects that focus on education, supporting local employment initiatives and promoting self-help among the rural population. By staying here you’re directly contributing to the livelihood of the local people.

Day 4: Farmhouse Smiling Gecko – Battambang

After having breakfast, depart for Battambang which is the second-largest city in Cambodia. Battambang is located on both the highway and railroad linking Phnom Penh with Thailand. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.

In the afternoon, we will depart to Sampov Mountain in time for you to catch the sunset and take in spectacular views of Battambang. Sampov Mountain is a truly special and spectacular place for locals and visitors alike; bask in the tranquility and the cool mountain breeze of beautiful Sampov. The mountain contains numerous killing caves. The caves are now home to thousands of bats and a group of macaques that feed on bananas left by pilgrims beside the cave’s shrines. If you wish, stay until dusk when you can witness the bats pouring out of the caves and heading out across the surrounding paddy fields in search of food.

Day 5: Battambang, ride the Bamboo Train & explore the local livelihoods

This morning, we head to the Bamboo Trains and enjoy a nice ride on a bamboo bed known locally as a Norrie. Here you will catch a glimpse of the gorgeous Battambang countryside. Be sure to take plenty of photographs on this truly fun and unique ride!

Continue cycling to visit with Cambodian families who produce traditional products such as rice paper, dried bananas, and bamboo sticky rice made in the same way they have been for generations. You will learn first hand about everyday life in rural communities.

You will continue on to enjoy a delicious Cambodian lunch at a family home. Then visit a Buddhist Temple to gain an understanding of the principles and practices of a religion that is central to Cambodian life.

Day 6: Battambang – Siem Reap

Today, depart Battambang for a journey to the Ancient Kingdom of Angkor. On the way we can stop at Angkor Silk Farm where you can see the whole silk creation process from growing the food for the silkworms, breeding the worms, silk extraction, spinning & refinement, traditional dyeing and looming. Angkor Silk Farm is part of the Artisans d’Ángkor not-for-profit organization set up to revive Cambodia’s artistic pursuits and provide employment opportunities in poor rural areas.
On arrival in Siem Reap town, check-in at the hotel. You will be given time to rest before we start our walking tour of the city at 4 pm.
Siem Reap is developing so rapidly that it has become a fantastic stopover for tourists to explore. The city has retained the perfect blend of modernity and traditions. What better way to explore all this than with a local guide, keen to show you what our city looks like through their eyes? Not only will you learn a lot about this ancient city, but you will also make friends along the way and create memories to last a lifetime!
You will explore historical places like old town and not to mention, enjoy a nice walk along the Siem Reap river with viewpoints that overlook the local Cambodian lifestyle. There will be plenty of photo opportunities!

Day 7: Siem Reap, tour to the Ancient of Angkor Temples

After having breakfast at the hotel, It’s time for the main event with a whole day to enjoy a guided tour around the unforgettable Angkor temple complex. First, we will visit Angkor Wat, which is the most famous of all the Angkor temples. The temple, built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II contains three stories of libraries, galleries and towers surrounded by a thick retaining wall and an imposing moat. Having your professional historian guide, you will be able to discuss in detail what you are looking to achieve from your time at the temples.

You will then head out into the center of Angkor Thom and enter the city through the ancient Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with elephants and four giant faces. From here, continue to Bayon Temple, found in the center of the city famed as the enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.

Have lunch at a local restaurant for exotic Khmer cuisine. Ta Prohm temple is your next stop before some leisure time in the late afternoon. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found- overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground, and creating one of the most photogenic and atmospheric temples of the entire Angkor site.

Day 8: Siem Reap, explore Rolous Group temple & Tonle Sap Lake

Begin the tour in the morning to Rolous Group, the temple that was the centre of Khmer civilization, built in the 8th century. The group consists of three main temples, Lolei, Bakong, and Preah Ko. Visit the zone with our experienced tour guide, who will be with you every step of your journey.

We will have lunch at the temple complex before heading to the floating village. To reach the Tonle Sap Lake, you will go down dirt roads and take a boat to see the floating village life and the stilt houses where you will experience the livelihoods of Cambodian people living in the floating villages, offering you the opportunity to see how families adapt their life to living on the water. Back on dry land, transfer back to Siem Reap.

Day 9: Siem Reap, authentic Cambodian Cooking Class

Today, we discover the wonders of Cambodian cuisine by going to a village cooking class. Prepare to visit local markets, village life, and landmarks while whipping up delicious dishes. Cook with a private chef in their countryside kitchen, whilst learning the cultural traditions of several small rural villages. For authentic local food, vibrant village life, and amazing people, this tour is the way to go! It will probably be one of the highlights of your trip to Cambodia. What makes it unique and memorable is the opportunity to learn how Cambodian spirit beliefs are connected to food experience and tasting incredible dishes! Return to your hotel in Siem Reap at your own leisure! Then, take an evening flight to Luang Prabang.

Day 10: Discovery tour through Luang Prabang

Today, enjoy breakfast before setting off on this fascinating tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. Start your day in the museum, which is located in the former Royal Palace and houses a collection of antiques and period furniture. Follow the quiet streets to the centuries-old Heuan-Chan house, one of the few surviving examples of the pre-colonial Lao architectural style. Stroll through the museum and relax in the gardens with a glass of refreshing iced tea.

Continue walking to the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the country. Explore the temple grounds and admire the masterfully crafted, curved temple roof. Continue your walk to Wat Khili, an 18th-century temple. The century that now houses Buddhist archives, including an exhibition of historical photos. In the afternoon, make your way to the Center for Traditional Art and Ethnology to learn about the heritage of the country’s various ethnic groups.

Day 11: Luang Prabang, explore Pak Ou Cave & Kuang Si Waterfall

After breakfast, board a private longtail boat. While you glide up the Mekong for two hours, you can enjoy the varied views of the tranquil landscape. Your first stop will be in the village of Ban Muang Keo, where a short hike into the mystical caves of Pak Ou awaits. In the two huge caves facing the Mekong on a limestone cliff, you will find thousands of Buddha images – an unforgettable sight. The statues are sometimes only a few inches, sometimes several meters. On your further journey, you will visit the village of Ban Nongxai before reaching Luang Prabang for lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls. There you can take a refreshing swim in the cool waters of the turquoise natural pool and simply explore the path in the forest. A nearby rescue center for the Asiatic black bear also invites you to visit.

Day 12: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng

Today, we depart Luang Prabang by a minivan through villages and winding mountain roads to Vang Vieng. The drive is among the most beautiful in Laos, winding up and down and offering spectacular views, from jungle to low-lying valleys studded with the limestone Karst formations. We also stop at Phoukhong, with its lively market and fresh air, and visit local hill-tribe villages along the way, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we’ll head south to Vang Vieng, with its lively atmosphere and famous landscape. Have your camera ready out for a photo-op at Pathang you won’t want to miss. Upon arrival, we will discover the surroundings.

Day 13: Vang Vieng, discovering Laos by bike

Today, we’ll see a different side of Vang Vieng, a tourist destination in Laos popular for thrillseekers, with this one-day exploration of the surrounding countryside! You’ll hop on a bicycle and pedal to the first stop of the day: Nam Song River. Relax in the serene beauty of the river, as you bike along it and spot the striking karst rock formations. Explore Phou Kham, a vast cave considered sacred in the country, and see the gorgeous blue-green waters of the hidden lagoon, as well as a bronze reclining Buddha in the main chamber. Make your way to the Blue Lagoon, a must for any travelers, and escape the heat with a dip in its cool waters or by lounging on the green grass all around.
At noon, you’ll get a chance to re-energize yourself with a delicious lunch and learn about the daily lives of the locals from your English-speaking tour guide. You’ll then go through the Blue Lagoon Loop, a 30 kilometer stretch of road that shows you the peaceful scenery and takes you to various villages and farms (make sure to stop by the local shops for some water and snacks to keep you going!) The tour ends once you reach the end of the loop, and you’ll get dropped off back at your hotel.

Day 14: Vang Vieng – Vientiane

This morning, we head to Vantien via Nam Ngum Lake with hundreds of small islands. En-route, we’ll stop to visit Ban Bor, a village where natural salt is produced.
We arrive in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. The city’s fascinating mix of French colonial and Buddhist heritage through its architecture and cuisine. With free time, opt to visit the Wat Sisaket temple, Wat Phra That, or Buddha Park.

Day 15: Vientiane city tour

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day city tour that starts with a stroll through Vientiane, a quaint and relaxed city. Marvel at French colonial architecture and gilded temples. Visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple that survived the Siamese War. In its monastery, you will find 8,000 Buddha statues and Wat Ho Phra Keo, the former home of the emerald green Buddha statue, which now serves as a museum for art and antiques. Then drive down Lanexang Avenue and take pictures of the Patuxay Monument. A climb to the top gives you a panoramic view of Vientiane. Continue on Rue Singha 23 to the golden stupa of That Luang, one of the most important buildings in Laos. At the end of the day, visit the COPE exhibition center for a glimpse into an often neglected subject of the country. Find out more about the problems the locals are facing due to many unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War.

Day 16: Vientiane – Hin Boun – Kong Lor

Today, we will start the journey to Kong Lor town. Our journey takes around 3 hours. We’ll stop en-route to visit Wat Prabath (also known as “Temple of Buddha’s Footprint”), an important pilgrimage site between Vientiane and Paksan. Actually, there are two temples, Wat Prabath and Wat Phonsanh, but to the locals, it’s only known as Wat Prabath Phonsanh. The pagoda of Wat Phonsanh is located next to the Mekong River, approximately 800 meters or less from Wat Prabath which sits right off from Highway 13.

After lunch, continue off the beaten track and into Hin Boun National Park and take a two-hour ride passing through rugged sandstone mountain ranges, lush jungles and pristine rivers to reach our destination, Kong Lor Town.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel then spend the rest of the day free at your own leisure. You could take a walk through the surrounding villages, chat with local villagers and have a simple meal at a local restaurant.

Day 17: Explore Kong Lor Cave – Thakhek

After breakfast, we take a tour to Kong Lor Cave. Here you will board a private boat to explore the Kong Lor Cave. Your guide will safely navigate you through the approximately 7 km long cave. You will stop at a spectacular dripstone gallery that you can explore on foot. Then, you cross the cave upstream and reach the entrance on the other side of the limestone cliffs. Here you will take a walk to Ban Phon Ngam village. We’ll go back by boat through the cave.

We’ll have lunch at the local restaurant and then travel south to Thakhek, a former trading port in central Laos. Here, you will encounter attractive French colonial buildings from the early 20th century. The drive to Thakhek will take approximately 4 hours. If time permits, we will stroll along the Mekong at sunset. Enjoy a relaxing evening.

Day 18: Thakhek – Savannakhet – Pakse

Today, continue our journey to southern Laos. From Thakhek, drive to Savannakhet which takes approximately 1.5 hours, en-route stop to visit That Ing Hang Temple, a nine-meter stupa high with beautiful carving and decoration. This sacred stupa is an important place of worship not only for Laotian Buddhists but also Thai Buddhists who live in northern Thailand.

Continue onto Savannakhet which is well known for its old French colonial architecture and the friendly, sleepy atmosphere of the town which conserves many aspects of Lao traditional culture. Take a short tour of the architectural highlights which include St. Teresa’s Catholic Church and various French villas. There is an opportunity to visit Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum, take a look at the dinosaur fossils in here also known as the “big lizard’s bones” as called in Laos. Your lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Savannakhet.

After lunch, hit the road again for the drive to Pakse which takes approximately 3.5 hours. Pakse, the capital of Champasak Province, is one of the biggest cities in Laos and a major transportation hub for southern Laos. Upon arrival in Pakse, check in your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Day 19: Pakse, explore the Bolaven Plateau

After breakfast, you will take a sightseeing tour to Bolaven Plateau to visit E Tu Waterfall.
The plateau is located in an ancient volcano which erupted millennia ago and is full of lush vegetation, rich soil and a year-round temperate climate that is the perfect environment for growing Arabica and Robusta coffee. Along the way, we’ll stop at the beautiful coffee farms and take an hour to demonstrate about coffee roasting step and finishing by a coffee cupping to Savor the different kind of coffee

The E Tu waterfall is located between Pakse and Paksong, offers a serene place for refreshing swimming. Then visit Fane Waterfall, which is 3 km far from the E Tu waterfall. It is the tallest waterfall in the Bolaven Plateau and probably in Laos. Stop to interact with the villagers of ethnic minorities nearby. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly and welcoming you with waving hands and smiling faces.

This trip will give you the chance to venture off the beaten track and to discover some of the lesser-known areas of Laos, exploring the wild beauty of the southern region. Afterwards, we drive back to Pakse city for refreshment. Relaxing at the hotel and enjoying coffee – specialty of Bolaven Plateau.

Day 20: Pakse – Vat Phou

After breakfast, we head by road to Vat Phou. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Vat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the Baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features quadrangular pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary itself. The temple was built by the rulers of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat. The temple served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.
After the visit, we continue through the small town of Champasak, where French colonial buildings offer a great contrast to Vat Phou.

On arrival in the small Lao village of Ban Kiet Ngong, you will have lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you are free to relax and enjoy the view of the paddy field surrounding the lodge.

Day 21: Champasak, 4000 Island

After breakfast, board your boat for a tour of the 4,000 islands of Si Phan Don. There you will reach the beautiful island of Don Khone. Explore the island by following the route of forgotten railroad tracks and admire the Liphi Waterfall or the Devil’s Corridor. Locals set fish traps here to catch fresh fish.
Visit the spectacular waterfall of Khone Phapheng, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in all of Southeast Asia, which stretches for ten kilometers. From here you can board a boat that will take you along the Mekong to see the rare Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins that roam the deep basins near the Cambodian border. If you are lucky you actually get to see a copy. In the late afternoon, we drive back to Khong Island.

Day 22: 4000 Island – Pakse & Departure Transfer

From the island, you will be transferred back to Pakse. Free at leisure until our guide picks you up to the Pakse Airport to take your departure flight.