Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by your guide and driver for a short transfer to your hotel.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Meal included:                    None

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Luang Prabang

After breakfast visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum and the historic Huan Chuan Heritage House. After a refreshing drink in the gardens, we continue up the peninsula to the country’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xiengthong. We wander the temple grounds before crossing the road to Wat Khili where this temple’s charming traditional library building houses a historic photo exhibition of Buddhist heritage.

Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in town as you get your first taste of Laotian cuisine

In the early afternoon, we first visit the excellent ‘Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre’, which gives a great insight into the rich and diverse ethnic and cultural blend of Laos. After transfer out of town and visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Back in town, we continue to Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape.

There are 3 options for the final stop of the day;

1. Sunset at Mt Phousi
2. Or sunset from an alternative, quieter location.
3. Witness evening Monk Chants. Greet the eager novices returning from monk school and take in the meditative chants.

Your guide will meet you in the early evening where you have the opportunity to participate in a traditional Baci Ceremony.  

Meal included:                    Breakfast

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Luang Prabang

Depart Luang Prabang and drive for around 1½ hours north. Board a private boat for a cruise down the beautiful Nam Ou River. We pass by stunning limestone karst scenery and make a stop at Ban Had Kham. Later it is this time for a delicious picnic lunch with a view, perched on the banks of the Nam Ou.

We continue by boat before reaching the Mekong River.  Here, where the Nam Ou meets the Mekong, we have time to visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves crammed with thousands of Buddha images. A final stop at Wat Done Khoun temple, a unique temple situated on an island in the Mekong, before heading back to Luang Prabang.

Meal included:                    Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we transfer out of town and meet friendly farmer Lautlee. Learn about the typical crops in Laos and how they are traditionally produced. Help the farmer at the organic vegetable gardens and learn hands-on how to process Sticky Rice into typical Lao noodles called “kapoen”.

In the afternoon continue to Kuang Si Waterfall, where you can enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the falls.  Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Centre that does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. 

Meal included:                    Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Luang Prabang

Following your breakfast and free until meet and transfer to the airport for your flight to Pakse.

On arrival you will be met by your guide and driver then head east onto the Bolaven Plateau, known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. We first visit Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall, as well as a local tea and coffee plantations where you can try a cup of the local brew.

We then continue to Paksong where we visit Jhai Coffee House. This philanthropic coffee roaster buys from the source and reinvests all profit back into the region.

Meal included:                    Breakfast

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Paksong

This morning we head out to explore a couple of fascinating minority villages. We then continue to the nearby Tad Lo waterfall, where you can go for a swim.

We continue south, and leave the Bolaven Plateau behind after a final stop at the picturesque waterfall of Paxuam. We pass by Pakse and continue to the historical town of Champasak.

Meal included:                    Breakfast

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Champasak

After breakfast, we transfer by car to the nearby Wat Phou Temple, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century.  This dramatically sited temple is one of the highlights of any trip to Laos. We then transfer south to the largest of the 4,000 Islands, Don Khong, arriving in the early afternoon.

Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure or to further explore the island’s quaint charms.

Meal included:                    Breakfast

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Don Khong

We start todays adventure by mountain bike, cycling winding dirt roads to the South, until we pass the temple Wat Phou Din, where we take a ferry that will transfer us to the quiet island of Don Phou Man.

We’ll explore and cross this quintessentially Lao fishing island before taking another ferry to the island of Don Saang Fai where we will visit its ancient wooden Buddhist temple. Another ferry will bring us to the island of Don Loppadi, where the villagers are specialised in weaving both bamboo baskets and the much-used fishing nets in the region. We cross the island, cycling the dirt roads, which lead us to a quaint village where a friendly family has prepared a home-cooked lunch of local specialties.

In the afternoon we continue by boat, cruising along in approx. 2½ hours, passing by Don Som and a world of small, uninhabited islands.

Meal included:                    Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Don Khong  

Following breakfast, we head back onward to the border town of Dom Kramlor, making a stop at the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, which is considered the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia. We then continue to the Border crossing of Dom Kralor for the border formalities. 

Once you have entered Cambodia meet your English speaking guide who will then transfer you to Sra Em, the access point of Preah Vihear Temple. At this point it is necessary to change to the specially fitted 4WD truck that can climb up the steep road to the temple.

Arrive at Preah Vihear Temple, Cambodia’s 2nd UNESCO World Heritage Site after Angkor Wat. This temple and surrounding area have been claimed by both Cambodia and Thailand. However, an international ruling has agreed that Cambodia is the rightful owner of both. 

Preah Vihear is one of the most spectacularly located temples in the world. From the summit there are sweeping views across both Cambodia and into Thailand. There are many temple ruins and steps to climb until the rewarding summit at 625m and its fantastic view.

Meal included:                    Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Preah Vihear 

A scenic ride will take you today to Siem Reap (5 hrs excluding stops). This route is interesting as it was the last stronghold of the Khmer Rouge and where their leader, Pol Pot died in 1998. Brief stops are made at Ta Mok’s house and Pol Pot’s cremation site as you learn about the history of the cruel Khmer Rouge regime.

Leaving Anlong Veng it is a 1½ hour drive to Siem Reap town. Check in to your hotel where the evening is at leisure.

Meal included:                   Breakfast/Lunch(packed)

Accommodation at:          Selected Hotel, Siem Reap  

Today spend the full day enjoying the highlights of the Temples of Angkor. Travel will be by remork (the Cambodian version of the Thai tuk tuk).

This morning begin your exploration of the Temples of Angkor by visiting Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world.

Continue to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Surrounded by walls with a height of 8m and length of 12km, the city was the last capital of the Khmer Empire. Five huge gates with huge stone faces provide access. Angkor Thom holds many important monuments including the Bayon Temple located in the exact centre, the Baphoun, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. 

Following lunch, and the chance to relax a little stop, at Ta Prohm, a unique temple that has been left to nature with trees and vines growing amongst the structures. This is one of the most photogenic temples in the Angkor area and recently gained fame as the ‘Tomb Raider’ temple after featuring in the Angelina Jolie movie.

Meal included:                  Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:         Selected Hotel, Siem Reap 

Head to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Board a traditional wooden boat to visit one of the most interesting villages on the lake. Continue to the area near Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary along a scenic route that few tourists visit compared to other more popular floating villages on the lake. Also visit Saray, a local handicraft project where baskets are made from water hyacinth.

This evening enjoy some modern Khmer theatre at a performance of Phare, the Cambodian Circus by professional artists from Phare Ponleu Selpak. Enjoy an hour long show which is a great, positive example of modern Cambodia and mixes theatre, dance, music, juggling and contortion.

Meal included:                    Breakfast

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Siem Reap  

This morning explore the beautiful countryside surrounding Siem Reap by bicycle. The scenery will provide a contrast to that of the temple visits. Your tour will take you past pagodas, villages and rice fields and seize the opportunity to learn about Khmer cultures and lifestyles and take some beautiful photos. Cycling distance: approximately 20km.

Before midday we head to have lunch with a local host family with the organisation, ‘Dine with the Locals’. The family will prepare three Khmer dishes for you. You can cook with the locals or just watch, and you will have lunch with the Khmer family after.

Following the local experience return to your hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Meal included:                    Breakfast/Lunch

Accommodation at:           Selected Hotel, Siem Reap  

The day is free at leisure until the transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your departure flight.

‘Chum reap lear’ and goodbye to the Kingdom of Wonder.

Meal included:                    Breakfast