Laos & Cambodia Highlights Tour Package – 16 Days

General Information

Tour Route: Vientiane – Luang Prabang – Siem Reap – Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh
Duration: 16 Days/ 15 Nights
Date: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish
Start/ End: Vientiane/ Phnom Penh
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Vientiane Arrival (-)
Day 2: Vientiane City Tour (B)
Day 3: Speed train to Luang Prabang – Half day Buddhist Ancient City and Temples Tour (B)
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Living Land Experience (Joint Tour) & Khouang Si Fall (B)
Day 5: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou – Pakbeng with Le Grand Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 6: Pakbeng – Houeixay by Le Grand Cruise (B, L)
Day 7: Houeixay – Transfer to Oudomxay (B)
Day 8: Morning Oudomxay Sightseeing Joint Tour – Speed train to Luang Prabang (B)
Day 9: Vientiane – Flight to Siem Reap (B)
Day 10: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat Tours (B)
Day 11: Banteay Srey & Grand Circuit Exploration (B)
Day 12: Siem Reap – Flight to Sihanoukville – Transfer to Koh Rong Sanloem Island (B)
Day 13: Koh Rong Free Relaxing Day (B)
Day 14: Koh Rong Sanloem Island – Boat Trip to Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh Departure (B)
Day 15: Phnom Penh City Tour (B)
Day 16: Phnom Penh Departure (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Vientiane Arrival (-)

Welcome to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos! On arrival at the airport, we will be welcomed by our local guide and driver then transfer to our city hotel for check-in and relaxation. Check-in to your hotel rooms and enjoy the rest of the day free at your own leisure.
(Note: Hotel’s check in is 14.00, early check in is based on hotel’s vacancy)

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane City Tour (B)

After breakfast then checking out, we will start to visit all the major sights of the capital city. Our first stop will be Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in the city with thousands of miniature Buddha. Built-in the year of 1818, Wat Sisaket has now become the most important heritage temple in Laos. It contains thousands of Buddha statues dating back countries ago as well as ancient sculptures, and paintings. Then, the former royal temple of Wat Phra Keo, 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. Climb up and get the panoramic views of the city. In the afternoon, we take a short drive out of the city to visit the Buddha Park where hundreds of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures brought from India are displayed.

Overnight in Vientiane.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 3: Speed train to Luang Prabang – Half day Buddhist Ancient City and Temples Tour (B)

This morning, after your breakfast at hotel, we will take the speed train to Luang Prababang by C82, departs at 8:50AM, and arrives at 10:52AM. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, we will leave our luggage at hotel and venture out to explore the beautiful city. Our first stop will be the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We will continue the tour to the city’s oldest temple, Wat Visoun then the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, displaying a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign.

Later this afternoon, we will climb up the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable view of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient and once royal city and the Mekong River. This evening, time is free to stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Living Land Experience (Joint Tour) & Kuang Si Fall (B)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving.

Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered).

This morning, we visit the Living Land Farm where we can spend time on the rice farms and get first-hand experience as a farmer, visit local handicraft workshops such as bamboo weaving, blacksmith and sugarcane processing, tour around the organic garden to learn about how natural herbs are used in traditional medicine. In the afternoon, we will visit the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest trails. We will also pay a quick visit to the Buffalo Dairy Farm to see how people take care of the buffalo and using buffalo milk to make dairy products. Have the chance to taste buffalo milk ice cream. Once at the waterfall, you can visit Bear Rescue Center. Swimming at the waterfall is possible.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 5: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou – Pakbeng with Le Grand Cruise (B, L, D)

Note: Cruise departs every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Wake up early this morning and get picked up by your driver and guide. We then transfer to the Le Calao pier (arrives at 06:15AM). We will start boarding at 06:30AM and the cruise will take you upstream the Mekong River to Pakbeng, the estimated duration of your journey by 8-9 hours. Your continental breakfast is served while the boat is cruising to Pak Ou Village, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you will visit Tam Thing Caves of a Thousand Buddha. Enjoy your lunch onboard and we will arrive at Pakbeng around sunset. Upon arrival, proceed to transfer to Le Grand Pakbeng for check-in. Dinner is served on the terrace overlooking the Mekong River.

Overnight in Pakbeng.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Pakbeng – Houeixay by Le Grand Cruise (B, L)

Enjoy your very early morning breakfast then we will be transferred to Pakbeng Pier for our second leg of the cruise upstream the Mighty Mekong River to Houeixay today. We will start boarding at 06:30 AM. En route, we will make one stop to observe the rural life of minorities along the Mekong at Khmu ethnic minority village. Lunch will be served onboard and we will arrive at Houeixay at around 05:00-05:30 pm. Upon arrival in Houeixay, we will be warmly greeted and transferred to our city hotel for check-in and relaxation.

Overnight in Houeixay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 7: Houeixay – Transfer to Oudomxay (B)

After breakfast at hotel, we will transfer to Oudomxay by car. The trip is long with multiple stops along the way. We arrive in Nam Kat Yola Pa Resorts in the late afternoon, check-in to your hotel room and relax.

Overnight in Oudomxay.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 8: Morning Oudomxay Sightseeing Joint Tour – Speed train to Luang Prabang (B)

This morning, we will be riding ATV for about 5 km towards Namkat Waterfall. When reaching the entrance, trek pass the jungle and walk over 13 flying bridges about 1 km. Take your time at the waterfall, trekking to the entrance and riding ATV back to the Tour’s Information Center. At noon, we will return to our hotel stay for check-out and transfer to the train station to take K11 train back to Luang Prabang. Arrive in the late afternoon, check-in to your hotel room and enjoy the rest of the day free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 9: Vientiane – Flight to Siem Reap (B)

Time will be free for you to spend at your own leisure this morning before our driver and guide will pick you up and transfer to the airport in good time for our flight to Vientiane today. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, be warmly greeted by your local-stationed guide and driver then transfer to your city hotel for check-in and overnight accommodation. Enjoy the rest of the day free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 10: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat Tours (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel then we will venture out to explore Angkor Wat. Visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12^th century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Afterwards, we proceed our sightseeing tour to the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

In the afternoon, we will visit Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. We then proceed to visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy wonderful sunset from the top of Phnom Ba Kheng Hill before returning to your city hotel for overnight accommodation.

Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 11: Banteay Srey & Grand Circuit Exploration (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel then we will be picked up by our guide and driver to go out for an exciting days filled outdoor activities. Our first stop will be Banteay Srey, known as Citadel of Women or a Pink Temple, and Banteay Samre Temples.

Visit the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang (“The Royal Baths” was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake) and Preah Khan temple. Built by the King Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation.

Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 12: Siem Reap – Flight to Sihanoukville – Transfer to Koh Rong Sanloem Island (B)

This morning, you will be picked up and transferred to the Airport in good time to catch your flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival at Sihanoukville airport, be warmly greeted then we will proceed to Sihanoukville ferry where we catch a speet boat ride to Koh Rong Samloeum Island. Upon arrival at Koh Rong Ferry, we will go to our hotel for check in and relaxation. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure along the beach.

Overnight in Koh Rong Island.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 13: Koh Rong Free Relaxing Day (B)

Today will be free for you to spend time at your leisure, venture out to explore the island on your own, relaxing or do anything as you wish.

Overnight in Koh Rong Island.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 14: Koh Rong Sanloem Island – Boat Trip to Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh Departure (B)

Enjoy breakfast at hotel then today, we will travel back to Sihanoukville by the afternoon speed boat. You will be picked up at Sihanoukville ferry and we transfer to Phnom Penh city centre. Arrives in Phnom Penh and check-in to your hotel stay for overnight accommodation.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 15: Phnom Penh City Tour (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel then be picked up by our guide and driver. We will venture out to explore the wonderful city of Phnom Penh. Our first stop this morning will be the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields. This was the execution ground for the torture victims of TuolSleng and standing in this peaceful setting it’s almost unthinkable to imagine that to date nearly 9000 corpses have been exhumed from the area. Confront Cambodia’s tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison), a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture center. It’s estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured through interrogations, torture and deprivation in Toul Sleng Prison during Pol Pot regime (1975–1979).

In the afternoon, we proceed with a visit to the National Museum, one of Phnom Penh’s true architectural gems. Housed in a beautiful traditional building, the Museum is instantly recognizable with its warm red terracotta and its gracefully cured roof topped by dozens of guardian nagas. It was designed in Khmer style in 1917 by famed French architect Georges Groslier and Ecole Des Arts Cambodgiens. Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. Our last stop will be Wat Phnom, a peaceful temple situated on a hill for which the city is named. According to legend, a 14th-century woman named Penh found sacred Buddhist objects in the nearby river and placed them here on the small hill.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meal: Breakfast.

Day 16: Phnom Penh Departure (B)

Today, time will be free for you to spend at your own leisure before being picked up and escorted to the Airport in good time for your departure flight back home. Have a safe flight! Thanks for choosing Indochina tour with Viet Vision Travel!

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

• 15-night accommodation with daily breakfast as per detail itinerary
• All transfers for touring and airport pick-up/drop-off by private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced driver
• Meals as specified in the itinerary with Vegan/Western/Indian food available on request. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
• Local-stationed English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees & permits (if have)
• Boat excursions as per mentioned
• Speed train Vientiane – Luang Prabang and Oudomxay – Luang Prabang
• Alms Giving
• Living Land Experience (join in)
• Mini tour at Buffalo Dairy Farm (join in)
• Tour at Nam Kat Yola Pa for 2,5 hours (join in)
• Cruise Luang Prabang – Pakbeng – Houeixay with Le Grand Cruise (join in)
• Government tax and service charge
• Bottled drinking water

Exclusions

• Surcharge for early check-in or late check-out unless stated
• International and domestic flights and airport taxes
• Visa Arrangement
• Travel Insurance
• Other meals which are not indicated above
• Surcharge and Compulsory dinners (if any)
• Beverages in the restaurants where meals are included
• Gratuities to guides and drivers
• Personal and other expenses such as porter, bar bills and laundry not stated in the itinerary