Indochina Discovery (14 days)
The perfect introduction to the fascinating countries of Cambodia and Laos!
Day 1: Phnom Penh (L)
Arriving at Phnom Penh airport, our Phnom Penh guide will meet you and transfer you to your
hotel. Afterwards, we take a city tour of Phnom Penh, including the Royal Place, the Silver Pagoda, the Raung Damrei
Museum, the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Independence monument.
Day 2: Phnom Penh - Departure (B/L)
A visit to Toul Sleng Museum of Genocide plus a trip to see the world famous Killing Fields. (These trips are included, but
optional). After lunch ar a local restaurant, we visit the Central and Russian markets (or at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilites.)
Day 3: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B/L/D)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Siem Reap, where our representative will meet you
at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. After lunch at a local restaurant, we take a boat trip &
on Tonlesap Lake to enjoy the views and visit the beautiful Phnom Krom temple by the lakeside.
Evening dinner will be at a local restaurant with traditional Cambodian dance performance on stage.
Day 4: Siem Reap (B/L)
The antiquites of Angkor are on the agenda today. If you prefer we can visit Angkor Wat very early to enjoy this magnificent
heritage site before many visitors have arrived, or we can visit Angkor Wat after lunch. We visit the ancient royal capital of Angkor Thom: Bayon,
Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, the Terrace of Elephants and Leper King and Taprohm temples, continuing after lunch at a local
restaurant with Angkor Wat, Ta Som, Ta Keo and Pre Rup temples. Return to town.
Day 5: Siem Reap - Phnom Kulen - Siem Reap (B/L)
This morning we drive to Phnom Kulen where the 'River of 1000 Lingas' features thousands of symbols carved into the
sandstone rocks under the water. We also visit the Rock temple, with its large reclining Buddha, and take a picnic
lunch by the waterfall. On the return trip, we visit the oldest temple in Angkor, the 10th century Banteay Srei. This
temple has the best engravings among all the ruins and was used in the film 'Lara Croft Tomb Raider'.
Day 6: Siem Reap (B/L)
This morning visit the West Mebon which is situated on a small island in the heart of West Baray.
Take a long-tailed boat ride to the island and visit the temple. After lunch at local restauarnt we will see
Eastern Angkor by visiting Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei and Taprohm temples, also visit Twin temples of
Thommanon and Chao Say Tevoda.
Day 7: Siem Reap - Pakse - Si Phan Don (B/L/D)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Pakse. Our Laos representative will be at the airport to welcome you
and transfer to the boat landing for a leisurely trip to the former royal capital of Champasak, our base
for exploring the ruins of Wat Phu. This impressive site is well known as the most important Hindu
sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between 9th and 13th century. The festival of this site is yearly held
during the full moon in February and attracts numerous pilgrims from all over southern Laos. After
an enjoyable visit to the ruins of Wat Phu and some nearby temples such as Nang Sia and Thao
Tao we make our way to Khong Island and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Khong Island.
Day 8: Si Phan Don (4000 Islands) (B/L/D)
Heading out of town we embark on a long tail boat for venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong
River from where thousands of islets jut out in dry season, giving this area a lovely name” Si Phan Don ”.
Along the way we will anchor at the peaceful island of Ban Khone for a visit to the many relics of French
colonial period and the marvelous rushing Liphi falls also called the " Corridor of the Devil". The next stop
of our trip is Ban Na Kasang, a very pleasant village where we can see the different local lifestyle. After the
river trip we travel by roads southwards to explore the Lao-Cambodia border at Weukham and the
impressive sight of Khone Phapheng, which boasts Southeast Asia’s largest water falls. Dinner and overnight in
Khone Island at the Sala Phae Floating guesthouse on the river.
Day 9: Si Phan Don - Pakse (B/L/D)
After breakfast we set off on our journey towards Tadlo, which is a great way to discover the real southern
Laos as we drive past many lush plantations, hills, forests and villages. The deep contrast of lush
vegetation and red surface of basaltic soil is incredible all along the way. On arrival at Tatlo we
visit the spectacular waterfall of Xeset and the nearby villages, home of the Kato, Alack and Nge
hilltribe groups. These ethnic minorities still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably
distinct from each other by their dress. We continue our journey through Paksong and Boloven Plateau.
A part of our pleasure of travelling in this region is to observe the beautiful countryside and meet local people.
Dinner and overnight in Pakse.
Day 10: Pakse - Vientiane (B/L/D)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Vientiane, our guide will be at the airport to welcome you
and transfer you to your hotel. After lunch in a local restaurant our city tour includes Wat Hoprakeo,
built in 1566 by King Setthathirat to house the Emerald Buddha, Wat Sisaket, the only temple in Vientiane that
survived the destruction of the city by the Siamese (Thai) in 1828; ThatLuang Stupa Museum shrine
(great Sacred Stupa - the most important national monument in Vientiane) and the Pratuxay Monument.
Finally see the sunset at Mekong riverside. Dinner at local restaurant.
Day 11: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang, where our local guide will meet you and
transfer you to your hotel. Today's city tour of the former Royal capital, Luang Prabang, includes a visit to Wat Visoun,
the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa and Phou Sii hill which stands right in the centre of the small city, where you
can climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views over the Mekong. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of
Indochina war anti-aircraft guns. Then we continue, visiting Wat Mai (1796) with its five-tiered roof, and Wat Xieng Thong which is
considered to characterize the uniqueness of Luang Prabang's local style, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. We see also
the impressive "tree of life" mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes
from the Ramayana. Later we visit the National Museum, which was once the king's palace. Displayed inside is a collection of
personal artifacts of the former royal family. Dinner at a local restaurant and evening walk of the night market.
Day 12: Luang Prabang (B/L)
After breakfast, we board a cruise heading upstream on the Mekong River, giving a panoramic view of the
tranquil countryside. Our first stop is the village of Ban Muangkeo where we start a short trek
(45 mins) to reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold
lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the
village of Ban Xanghai, where the local speciality rice wine is produced. On the way, we also
visit Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek and Ban Nong Xai, small villages well known for silk weaving
and for Saa (jute) Papermaking. Once back in Luang Prabang city we visit a traditional silversmith's
workshop.
Day 13: Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars (B/L/D)
If you like, we can take you into the centre of Luang Prabang at 5:30 in the morning
to watch local people give food and rice to the hundreds of monks who line the street.
You can also give rice to the monks - your guide will provide sticky rice.
(Optional - a very early start!) Afterwards a stroll though the morning market before
returning to your hotel for breakfast. Today we travel by road to Xiengkhouang, which was devastated by
American bombing between 1964 and 1973 during the Indochina War. The journey takes us
through beautiful rugged mountain scenery passing many hill tribe villages. En route, we stop at Sala Phoukhoun,
located on the top of a hill, then a Hmong village at Ban Phouvieng, Ban Nongthang, Muangsuy and Thampra.
Upon arrival in Phonsavanh by late afternoon we transfer to our mountain lodge hotel. Dinner at Lodge.
Day 14: Plain of Jars - Vientiane (B)
After breakfast, we head out of town to visit the "Plain of Jars", an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of
large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. Each of the mysterious jars is thought to have been made more than
2000 to 2500 years ago. If time permits, we will visit the local central market, observing the daily lifestyle
and colorful traders before we catch the flight to Vientiane. to connect with your departure flight to UK.
(An additional overnight stay may sometimes be necessary to take the return flight the following morning.)
Please note that, whilst every effort will be made to carry out the programme shown above, small changes may sometimes be necessary.
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