Journey Through Cambodia And Laos

Meet your local English-speaking guide at Siem Reap international airport, your guide will  be carrying a signboard printed with your name. Transfer to the hotel for check in, where you room is available anytime after 1:30 p.m. Then, discover one of the oldest sites of the region, about a half-hour from Siem Reap: the Roluos group. Begin your visit with the impressive Bakong Temple of the ninth century, then see Preah Ko and Lolei, which today houses a small monastery. This visit is an ideal introduction to Angkor because it illustrates how this Khmer city was structured. Return to your hotel at the end of the day. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Discover the marvelous temple of Angkor Wat, the World Heritage Site whose soaring tours and extraordinary bas-reliefs are not to be missed. Angkor Wat, erected in the 12th century (1112-1152) in honour of Vishnu, is considered one of the most amazing monuments ever conceived by man. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, travel to Banteay Srei to see one of Khmer art’s most impressive jewels: the Citadel of Women, a small pink sandstone temple which was erected in the 10th century and contains some remarkable carved lintels in very good condition. Andre Malraux brought fame to this temple in 1923 when he returned some Apsara heads that he had previously removed. On the way home, visit the ancient Ta Prohm Monastery where immense roots have taken hold of the stones. Beyond this amazing vegetation you’ll find splendid sculptured Devatas and an atmosphere befitting this marvelous temple and others built during the reign of Jayavarman VII. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, leave by tuk-tuk for the northern end of Angkor to begin the day by visiting Preah Khan Temple, built by Jayavarman VII in 1191 in honor of his father, who is represented as the saving god of Mayahan Buddhism. This monument was both a city and a place for Buddhism studies. Of the same era, Neak Pean, the only island temple of Angkor, is also referred to as Nagas Entwined. It is said to symbolically represent Anavatapta, the mythical sacred lake of the Himalayas, venerated in India for its waters’ curative virtues. The large central basin is linked with four smaller ones representing the four great rivers emerging from the earth’s four cardinal points, each with its own gargoyle: a lion, a horse, an elephant and a man. Of particular interest is the superb statue of Balaha, which represents the legendary savior of shipwrecked boats. Continuing your exploration of Angkor, you’ll move further south to two very beautiful temples – Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, which date from the 12th century and were constructed under the reign of Suryavarman II. They feature beautiful sculptured images honouring Shiva and Vishnu. The Devatas here have an exceptional grace, especially those at Chau Say Tevoda. In the afternoon, visit the Great City of Angkor Thom, beginning at the southern gate’s famous Bayon Temple built in the 12th and 13th centuries and dedicated to Buddhism. Bayon comprises 54 gigantic towers featuring 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Then visit the 350-meter-long Elephant Terrace, which was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and a base for the king’s grand audience hall. Also see the raised terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century and presenting many of the city’s most admired Apsara sculptures. Meals on your own. Evening at the hotel.

* Rainy season program: August to February

Transfer to the pier at Chong Khneas village, then cruise on a private boat on the great Tonle Sap Lake until Prek Toal at the mouth of the Sangke River. Here you will see floating schools and pagodas together with many different fishing techniques including fishing and crocodile farms. Enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. Continue your cruise on the Sangke River with plenty to see along the way, including the black wood Chheu Khamu Pagoda and the floating fishing village of Bak Prea. The river is bordered by wooden stilt houses and wonderful vegetation. You’ll then arrive back at the pier at the end of the day and return to your hotel. Dinner on your own. Evening at the hotel.

* Dry season program: February to July

Leave by road from Siem Reap for Battambang. traveling through rice-growing Cambodian countryside featuring traditional houses. You’ll take the road via Sisophon in the province of Banteay Meanchey, about 68 km from Battambang. On the road, about 15 km from Siem Reap, you’ll visit a silk farm where you will see the stages of traditional silk making, from raising silkworms to weaving the fabric and dyeing it. You’ll also stop along the way meeting stone sculptors and seeing how they work. Arrive at your hotel around 1 p.m. and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Tour the city, visiting the market and colonial style houses along the river. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Note:

- Battambang is not yet highly developed. Its restaurants, hotel service and other services in general are all quite local.

- The small traditional Cambodian boats are noisy and have no toilets. Several rest stops at villages are planned. Despite these small inconveniences, the journey is one of remarkable beauty.

Discover the charming town of Battambang. Here you’ll see the elegant colonial French-style houses all along the river with an initial tour by tuk-tuk. You’ll then visit the province’s museum and a beautiful wooden pagoda before heading to the 11th century temple, Wat Ek Phnom. This road will take you through a number of small traditional villages. You’ll get to make rice pancakes with a local family and meet with local village people to learn about their daily life. In the afternoon, travel along the river and see its suspended bridges joining each village to the other. Cross the orange orchards and arrive at the superb Prasat Banon Temple (12-13th century) on the summit of a small hill which you reach by a long staircase. From here you’ll get a great view of the countryside, its villages, its fields and pagodas. If you wish, you can then take a walk through the massive papaya fields that surround the temple to really appreciate the serenity of this lovely place. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Travel in the early morning through Cambodia’s countryside on a good road to Phnom Penh. Along the way you’ll see magnificent vistas of rice fields dotted with immense sugar palms and wooden stilt houses. Arrive at Phnom Penh in the middle of the day. In the afternoon, discover the city of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, situated at the confluence of the four arms of the Mekong River. Visit the National Museum, a splendid example of Khmer architecture, which was officially inaugurated in 1920. Here, you’ll see a great range of sculptures dating from different periods in Cambodia’s history. Then visit the Royal Palace, built in 1866 by King Norodom. Its various structures group together in one area the remarkable art of the Khmer. You’ll visit the Silver Pagoda, found in the confines of the Royal Palace, which features major works including a massive golden Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and weighing 90 kg, and a Buddha of emerald and Baccarat crystal dating to the 17th century. Afterward, visit the central market where you can stroll around the stalls and try your hand at bargaining. Here you will find fabrics, jewels, jewelery, homewares, handcrafts and much more. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Leave by road for Kompong Cham. 124 km away, it is one of Cambodia’s most populated provinces. A small local boat will take you to a Cham village specializing in making silk, and then a Khmer village specializing in tobacco production. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the village. You’ll then cross the Mekong River by a bridge built by the Japanese and visit a rubber tree plantation at Chup and its factory, 17 km from town. Years ago this plantation belonged to the French company Michelin. Finish your day with a visit at the temple of Nokor Wat, which shelters a colourful modern pagoda. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel. 

Note: During low water season, you can visit an island by crossing a bamboo bridge which is rebuilt every year.

Attention: Kompong Cham is not yet developed and the quality of its restaurants, hotels and general service is still very local, especially its hotels.

In the morning take the road to Kratie via the ancient colonial town of Chlong. Walk in this little town along the Mekong River, where the main street is full of old buildings dating from Cambodia’s days as a French protectorate. Continue on the road to Kratie. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we suggest a bicycle ride in the countryside around Kratie, which is very different from other Cambodian provinces. At the end of the afternoon, we’ll take to you discover the last freshwater dolphins of the area by small local boat. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Please keep in mind that Kratie is not yet developed and its restaurants, hotels and general service are still very local.

Note: Kratie is not yet developed and the quality of its restaurants, hotels and general service is still very local.

In the morning, travel to Stung Treng at the Laos border where you’ll go through immigration and customs for both countries. Lunch in a local restaurant. Then visit Pa Peng Falls where fishermen frequently fish among amazing rapids. Arrive and check in to your hotel at Khong Island. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Ride in dugout canoes around Si Phane Done (4,000 islands). Cross to Done Det Island on foot across a bridge linking it to Done Kone. Visit the fishing village of Bank Khone and stop among the ruins of the old French railway and locomotive. Lunch during the visit. Walk until Liphi Falls (those who don’t care to walk can take a local version of a bus). Return to Khong Island for free time to walk around the village or take a bicycle ride. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, travel toward Pakse. Stop to visit the temple of Vat Phou, an interesting collection of pre-Angkorian Khmer architecture which reminds you that this region was once part of the Kingdom of Tchen-La within the Khmer nation. This temple, devoted to Shiva, leans on a sacred mountain and is an early example of the mountain temples of Cambodia and Thailand. Continue on the road until Pakse, arriving around midday. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, fly to Luang Prabang, where you’ll be met at the airport and transfered to your hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Visit this city on the left bank of the Mekong River. Previously a religious capital, Luang Prabang is home to more than 100 temples, some of the most beautiful in Laos. You’ll discover:

- Vat Xieng Thong, the Temple of the Royal City, a vast collection of sacred buildings, one of the jewels of Laotian art and the most beautiful temple of the city.

- Vat May, built at the end of the 18th century, a capped sanctuary featuring a five-sided roof topped by three parasols.

- Vat Visoun, the oldest temple of the city, unique on its own with its wooden windows inspired by the Khmer Temple of Vat Phou.

- Vat Aham, located just beside Vat Visoun, framed by two large Banyan trees.

- Vat Sene, the first monastery with a roof covered with yellow and red tiles.

Towards the end of the afternoon, climb Mount Phousi to watch the sunset. Coming back down, discover the H’mong Night Market which sets up every day in the main street between 5 and 10 p.m. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Suggestion for early risers: Go to the roundabout in the town center at sunrise (about 6 a.m.) where you will see saffron robed monks from temples from all over Luang Prabang walking in long, silent procession to collect offerings made by the faithful. Please respect them by watching in silence and not disturbing their walk.

In the morning, visit the Royal Palace, now the National Museum, before making an excursion to the Khouang Sy Waterfall (a round trip of 70 km). The road is bordered by villages and rice fields. Stop along the way in villages. Lunch around the waterfall, which is frequented by local people. Those who wish may swim in the warm waters of the waterfall, which spills into a number of smaller basins. Return to Luang Prabang and continue your discovery of the town. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Embark on a long slow boat in the morning and ride the current of the Mekong River to the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which for centuries have stored and protected hundreds of Buddha statuettes from floods and pillagers. Return to Luang Prabang around midday. Spend the afternoon on your own until transfering to Luang Prabang airport for your departure flight. Your room is available until noon.