Contrasts of Laos and Cambodia

DAY 1: DEPART the UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Luang Prabang.

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG

Upon arrival, you will be met by your Laos local guide and transferred to your hotel for a three-night stay. You can spend the rest of your day relaxing at your leisure in the hotel or exploring the local area.

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG  - AN INSIDER'S TOUR

Spend the first half of your day enjoying the highlights of the old royal capital. With your private guide, you’ll get an insider's perspective of the temples before popping into the fascinating Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn more about the country’s diverse tribal mix and ethnic traditions.

You will return to the city in time to experience one of the most traditional and ancient Laotian rituals – a Baci Ceremony. In the evening, travel to a local village to join one of these engaging celebrations during which the symbolic tying of a silk thread around the wrists of participants to invoke good luck and wellbeing takes place.

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG - WATERFALLS & RICE FARMING

Experience the life of a Lao farmer through a fascinating visit to the Living Lands Organic Farm and get involved in ploughing, planting and harvesting the rice crops. You’ll also get an opportunity to try some of the local produce, before an afternoon visit to the beautiful cascades of the Kuang Si Waterfall.

DAY 5: CHAMPASAK

Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport this morning for the short flight to Pakse, the principal hub for Southern Laos. Travel by road to Champasak where you check into your Mekong riverside accommodation.

DAY 6: EXPLORING CHAMPASAK & THE MEKONG

Spend the day exploring the historical town of Champasak, the surrounding villages and picturesque Don Daeng Island in the middle of the Mekong.

Journey along the river in the morning, stopping at both ancient and modern temples and meeting villagers along the way as they make rice baskets and fish traps from bamboo. You will then cross the river on a traditional style motorised boat to Don Daeng where you share a home-cooked lunch with a local family. Later, explore the island by cycling along rice fields before making your way back to Champasak town where your last stop will be the Sisumang Buddha Angkorian temple.

DAY 7: TRANSFER TO CAMBODIA

Depart Pakse this morning on the 50-minute flight to Cambodia. On arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to a  lovely hotel for a four-night stay.

DAY 8: SIEM REAP - OFF BEAT ANGKOR

Enjoy an early breakfast before your guide takes you away from the crowds to some of Angkor’s more remote temples. Begin with one of the most atmospheric, Beng Mealea, an ancient temple shrouded in jungle. Many of the temple's original frescoes and paintings have long since worn away, but there are still lovely religious carvings to admire.

Relax by Troay Kot Lake for lunch before heading to another 12th-centurytemple that doesn’t see many visitors. There is also a Buddhist temple worth stopping at before you return to your hotel to relax.

DAY 9: ANGKOR WAT WITH A DIFFERENCE

It’s worth the early start this morning to catch the sunrise at the 9^th century Rolous Temple group. Then move on to Lolei (once an island in the middle of an artificial lake) and Bakong temple before stopping for a well-earned breakfast at a local restaurant.  

The next stop is Kampong Phluk Village, situated on the floodplain of the Tonle Sap Lake. Houses appear to float when water levels are high, but in the dry season when the stilts are exposed, the village soars six metres above the ground. Relax over lunch and then spend the afternoon visiting beautiful Angkor Wat, the largest religious building ever constructed.

DAY 10: DAY AT LEISURE IN SIEM REAP 

Spend the day relaxing in your hotel or exploring Siem Reap at your leisure – the choice is yours!

DAY 11: FLY HOME

You will be transferred to Siem Reap airport today for your flight back to the U.K.

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
• Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
• 24-hour in-country backup while away
• Your dedicated travel expert in the UK