Private Tour: Laos & Cambodia Tours  - 20 days / 19 nights
A journey through Laos and Cambodia will uncover magical moments in places you least expect, from the streets of bustling Luang Prabang to the charm of historic Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh with delight as you floating Village at Tonle Sap Lake . This trip links the tw o countries at the Mekong River from 4000 islands to Stung Treng by land (Main border of Laos and Cambodia). A true discovery of the regions assortment of surprises, this is a journey you will never forget.

Detail Itinerary

Day 1. ARRIVAL– LUANG PRABANG On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang ( Meals: dinner) Day 2. LUANG PRABANG– FULL DAY CITY TOUR Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then 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 represents classical Laotian architecture. Today, we also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. Following lunch, we visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xaengkhong and Ban Xienglek. We then return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. (Meals: Breakfast) Note: the Royal Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Day 3. LUANG PRABANG- KUANG SI WATERFALL AND PAK OU CAVES First we visit the morning Phousi 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 villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, Khmu villages. This then takes us to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang. This afternoon is free at leisure to relax. Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: Breakfast) Day 4. LUANG PRABANG– NONG KHIAW (boat) Today we begin our boat adventure up the Nam Ou, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. We will be able to stop off at a few villages and admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. Along the way we stop to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Late afternoon we reach our destination for the night, Nong Khiaw. Overnight in Nong Khiaw (Meals: Breakfast) Day 5. NONG KHIAW- MUANG NGOI TREKKING AND BOAT TRIP This morning we take a boat up to Muang Ngoi, a picturesque little fishing village 1 hour upstream from Nong Khiaw. We then trek to the Tham Kang, where according to local legend, a Naga resides to the rear. We then continue through rice paddy fields onto the Lao Loum village of Ban Na, which is only accessible by foot, so retains much of its original character. After lunch, our last stop is the Thai Daeng village of Huay Sen, before we trek back to Muang Ngoi, through a mixture of forest and paddy field scenery. Before boarding the boat back to Nong Khiaw, you may wish to do as the locals do and bathe in the Nam Ou. We return to Nong Khiaw by early evening. Overnight in Nong Khiaw (Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner) Day 6. NONG KHIAW- MUANG LA This morning we have time for a short walk to Tham Pha Thok, a limestone cave where villagers hid during the Indochina War. The caves offer a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside. We then get back on the road, this time heading north to Muang La, a picturesque village famous for its hot springs, which you can enjoy, along with a massage at the wonderful Muang La Resort. Overnight in Muang La (Meals: Breakfast) Day 7. MUANG LA– GENTLE TREK TO DISCOVER LÁO ETHNIC MINORITIES Your minibus leaves at 9.30am and takes you on a short ascent through lush green bamboo forests. Upon arrival at the top of the hill, you begin your forest walk towards the first minority village inhabited by the Hmong, who originate from the mountains of Tibet. You will learn about their everyday way of life, more specifically the important role of animals in the village and the way they are tended, as well as discovering the daily lengthy rituals undertaken by the women and girls to adorn themselves in traditional tribal dress and make up. Next, you visit an old military camp which is a harsh reminder of the immense suffering of the Lao people during the Vietnam war, even though it passed for the most part unnoticed by the Western world. After this snapshot of the Hmong culture and way of life, you continue by road towards a village inhabited by the Akha tribe, also knows as the Ikho people, originating from Yunnan and Tibet. A walk through the village will enable you to discover more about this minority group who have remained very close to their traditional roots and methods, and your tour will finish with a delicious meal in the house of the village chief. After lunch you will continue to another Ikho village to discover more aspects of their culture and tradition, for example the methods they use to colour clothes with natural dyes extracted from local plants, and their belief in the spirit world which plays a major role in their everyday lives. Return to the resort at approximately 4.30pm. Overnight in Muang La (Meals: Breakfast) Day 8. MUANG LA– UDOMXAY– VIENTIANE (Flight) Following a leisurely morning we transfer to Udomxay for your flight to Vientiane. En route we have the chance to visit the intriguing Pra Xack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. The 400 years old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers, and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists. Upon arrival in Vientiane you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane (Meals: Breakfast) Day 9. VIENTIANE– FULL DAY CITY TOUR After breakfast, we explore Vientiane capital by visiting 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, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. In the afternoon we continue visiting the rest of Vientiane by foot, including Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. We pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed for sale; including fresh food, household goods, souvenirs, textiles, gold, silver and antiques. We return to the Mekong Riverside in the late afternoon to admire the sunset. Overnight in Vientiane (Meals: Breakfast) Day 10. VIENTIANE– PAKSE– BOLEVAN PLATEAU– KINGFISHER You will be transferred to the airport early this morning for your flight to Pakse. On arrival in Pakse, you will be met and taken by road west into the Bolevean Plateau. The Bolevean Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. The area is famous for its many waterfalls, and the most beautiful of these falls, Tad. We visit Tad Fan waterfall, spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. A trip to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be seen en route. In the afternoon we arrive at Tad Lo, home to another scenic waterfall and numerous ethnic minority groups. We then head south to Xi Pian National Protected Area and the Kingfisher Ecolodge for the evening. Overnight at Kingfisher. (Meals: Breakfast) Day 11. KINGFISHER– ELEPHANT RIDERS SCHOOL Today provides you with a unique opportunity to learn to ride an elephant through the Kingfisher ‘Elephant Riders School’. The morning is spent learning basic techniques, while the afternoon gives you the chance to put your new found skills into practice, by leading your new friend up Phou Asa Mountain. Overnight at Kingfisher (Meals: Breakfast) Day 12. KINGFISHER– WAT PHOU– DONE DAENG Today we leave Kingfisher Ecolodge and travel to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Following lunch, we continue our journey by long tail boat to Done Daeng, and home to La Folie Lodge where you have the rest of the day to relax or to explore the island. Overnight on Done Daeng (Meals: Breakfast) Day 13. DONE DAENG – 4000 ISLANS AND SURROUNDING After an early morning breakfast, we head south by road and boat to Done Khone. Here we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past at Ban Khone, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands by boat and visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng- the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the 'Niagara of the east'. Overnight on Done Daeng. (Meals: Breakfast) Day 14. DONE DAENG– KRATIE After breakfast; you will be transferred back to the water bored of Laos and Cambodia (Mekong River) and then meets our local guide in Cambodia side transfer to continue by boat to Stung Treng on the way we will amazed by the scenery of Mekong River and lunch at Trung Treng Town, after lunch we continue to Kratie and visit to Mekong River Dolphin, Wat 100 pillars. Overnight at Kratie (Meals: Breakfast) Day 15. KRATIE – KAMPONG THOM Breakfast at hotel and transfer along the Mekong River side by our local guide and private vehicle to Kampong Thom Province, the journey will cross the river by local ferry, driving through the rubber plantation in Kampong Cham, on arrival at Kampong Thom, visit the local market and the pre-angkor temples of Sambor Prei Kuk until sunset. Overnight at Kampong Thom (Meals: Breakfast) Day 16. KAMPONG THOM – BENG MELEA TEMPLES – SIEM REAP Breakfast at hotel transfer to Siem Reap on the way we will visit to one of the remote temples in Siem Reap call Beng Melea, it will take you about 1 hour to walk through and visit this ruins in the jungle, continue to Siem Reap and lunch at Stung Tra Chack Restaurant. On arrival at Siem Reap, free and relax at hotel until 18:00 ride on the tuk tuk to visit the local food market and then we continue to a local pagoda for a very special blessing ceremony arranged by Buddhist monks to bring you the happiness, prosperities, peace of mind and pleasant trip. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap (Meals: Breakfast, lunch) Day 17. SIEM REAP – ANGKOR TEMPLES Early morning, visit to Ta Prohm (the Jungle temple covered) and continue to Angkor Wat temple. Back to hotel for breakfast and relax at hotel during the noon time to avoid of the head of the day until 3pm, we continue to visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayong Temple and proceed to one of the quiet temple Preah Khan then return to Siem Reap. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap (Meals: Breakfast) Day 18. SIEM REAP – ANGKOR TEMPLES Heading out of town we make our way by traveling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. Along the way we make stopover at the Preah Dark village and the River of 1000 Lingas, locally named Kbal Spean. We follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. We also have time today to explore one of the local houses in the village to learn about the way of life of the Cambodia people in the countryside. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap (Meals: Breakfast) Day 19. SIEM REAP – TONLE SAP LAKE Breakfast at hotel, today we will enjoy the boat cruise along the Tonle Sap Lake to visit the floating villages, schools, local families, fishing activities of the villager from Chong Kneas Village up to Kampong Phluk Ville, return to Siem Reap in the noon time and free at in the afternoon for your own time at the town. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap (Meals: Breakfast) Day 20. SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE Breakfast at hotel and free until transfer to airport for departure

Tour inclusions

* Private tours with English speaking guide for the entire trip except leisure time * Entrance fee to any applicable tourist sites * All transportation and transfers with air-conditioning vehicle * Boat trip to Tonle Sap Lake * Meals as stated per itinerary * Government tax and services charge * Could water and towel during the tour * Accommodation in twin/double share rooms with air-condition and private bath room

Tour Exclusions

* International airfare & airport taxes (Airport tax from Cambodia now is include in airfare) * Travel insurance * Visa and visa arrangement * Surcharges for compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and * Peak season surcharges (which will be advised at time of booking) , * Personal expenses * Tips & gratuities