Temples Of Laos And Cambodia

Your first landing place is at Chiang Rai, a Thai city nearby the famous Golden Triangle and the fabled Mekong River (Mae Khong). Discover the city on your own.

After an early breakfast, start your journey from Chiang Rai to Pakbeng, passing through Chiang Khong, an hour and a half away. Cross the Mekong River and you will step into Laos’ territory at Houeixay, where you will meet your Laotian guide. Then you’ll embark on a seven-hour Mekong River cruise on a traditional boat, and begin to discover the mythical river that crosses China, separates Laos from Burma and Thailand, plunges down through Cambodia and empties into and out of Vietnam. The scenery is magnificent. As the principal route between northern Laos and Luang Prabang, it is heavily traveled and bordered by villages all along the way. You’ll stop at a village. Have lunch onboard. Arrive at Pakbeng at the end of the afternoon and check in to the lodge. Discover this area on the Mekong on foot. It is midway between Houeixay and Luang Prabang and where the H’mong, Lue, Khamou and other hill tribes congregate. Pakbeng is a camp-base for explorations of the surrounding mountains and hilltribes.

Walk for a total of about four hours today and discover the surrounding forest and two beautiful, seldom-visited Khamou villages. The walk is easy, except for the first 15 minutes when the road is very steep. Visiting these villages, you’ll see many crafts practiced by the Khamou – weaving, ironwork, basket making, cultivation and animal husbandry. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the edge of a small river. In the afternoon on your return to Pakbeng, visit a local temple overhanging the Beng River, Vat Si Chom Cheng. 

Continue on your Mekong River cruise to Luang Prabang. You’ll travel around seven hours through beautiful scenery all the way. The Mekong is at the base of a closed valley, with tropical forest invading its banks on which villages appear from time to time. The famous Mekong giant catfish live on this part of the river and it is not unusual to see fishermen waiting patiently their chance.  Lunch onboard. Before arriving at Luang Prabang, stop to visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which house hundreds of Buddha statuettes. The caves offer a magnificent view of the Mekong which, at this spot, mixes its waters with those of the Nam Ou River. Arrive at Luang Prabang, the old royal capital, now classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Luang Prabang is a town of great charm, a combination of centuries-old Buddhist temples and colonial residences stretching on a peninsula formed by the confluence of the Mekong and the Namkha river.

Previously a religious capital, Luang Prabang is home to more than 100 temples, some considered among the most beautiful in Laos. During your today’s visit of the town, 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, which resembles no other 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 Senna, the first monastery whose roof was 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, where you can stroll among all the stalls, try your hand at bargaining and bring home some beautiful Laotian handicrafts.

In the morning, visit the Royal Palace, which today is the National Museum, before heading off to Khouang Sy waterfall, a journey of about 30 km. The road is bordered by villages and rice fields. You’ll stop in some of these villages and continue on to the waterfalls. As you approach the falls, you will feel cooler as the  area is in higher altitude and surrounded by a forest. Have a countryside lunch at the waterfall. These places are frequented by locals and villagers. The waterfall is spectacular, scattering into many clear, turquoise basins in which you can have a swim. Return to Luang Prabang and continue to visit the city. It is sheer pleasure strolling along the riverbank and watch villagers going about their daily life.

Travel by road in an air-conditioned car to Vang Vieng. The road winds its way through splendid mountain landscapes. Check in to the hotel. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Vang Vieng attracts visitors for its gorgeous limestone formations  lining the Nam Song river. Peaceful paddy-fields, quaint villages and karst mountains constitute one of the imagesof Asia that all travelers dream of. In the afternoon, descend the river in dugout boats, cruising through some scenic geography featuring limestone rocks reminiscent of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay. 

Visit the caves nearby Vang Vieng – these are the region’s major attraction. Then take the road again to Vientiane. On the way, visit the site of Vang Sang, which houses 10 high reliefs of Buddha dating from the 16th century. Have lunch in a local restaurant. Stop in some local villages where markets are open. Arrive at Vientiane toward the end of the day. 

Welcome to Vientiane, the quietest capital of South-east Asia! Although in recent years, Vientiane has been a bit waken up by the vertiginous development of neigbouring countries, it has retained much of its leisurely pace, content with its large boulevards and charming villas –a heritage of its colonial past, alongside a number of old, interesting Buddhist temples.

Visit Vientiane, which features:

● Vat Sisaket which, in spite of its Siamese influence, presents architecture all its own. The largest temple in Vientiane, it is considered the most beautiful and its old “Bangkok” style has saved it from destruction.

● Vat Phra Keo, built in 1565, celebrates the Emerald Buddha it shelters. It was rebuilt identically in 1942. Located in a stunning garden, it shelters the Buddha under sloping, superb carved wood panels and elegant colonnades built in typical Lao style with a northern Siamese roof.

● Pha That Luang, a cloister guarding a large stupa that was saved when the city was raided by the Siamese. Damaged by the Ho plunders in 1873, it was restored by the French in 1930. It has become the symbol of the nation, representing both Buddhism and Lao’s sovereignty. This large relic is a masterpiece.

● Patuxai, a monument established in memory of the war’s victims. A panoramic view of Vientiane can be seen from the top.

● Talat Sao, which translates to “the morning market,” is where you can find imported and local items.

Towards the end of the afternoon, walk along the Mekong.

Early in the morning, transfer to Vientiane airport and fly to Siem Reap. You will be met at the airport and taken to the city center. You’ll then visit one of the oldest sites of the region: the Roluous Group. Begin your visit with the astonishing Bakong temple of the ninth century, then see Preah Ko and Lolei, which houses today a small monastery. This visit is an ideal introduction to Angkor because it allows you to get to know how this Khmer city was structured. Return to Siem Reap and check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Circuit temples – Pre Rup of the 10th century offering a nice panoramic view over the plain below; East Mebon, a Hindu temple of the 10th century sited on the small central island of East Baray; Ta Som, a Buddhist temple of the 12th century; Neak Poan, the only island temple of Angkor and also called Entwined Nagas, and Preah Khan (Sacred Sword) which has been invaded by creepers and young trees. 

The Angkor Archeological Park is not just about temples, it is also about the story of men conquering nature and nature conquering men. It is about glories, prides, spirituality and hard labor. Today you are going to discover the incredible temple of Angkor Wat, a world heritage site with soaring towers and extraordinary bas reliefs. It is one of the most amazing man-made monuments and largest religious building in the world. Erected in the 12th century (1112-1152) in honour of Vishnu, this temple has survived destruction by invaders and time to become a national symbol. In the afternoon, visit Angkor Thom (Grande City) starting at the well-preserved south gate and the famous Bayon temple of the 12th and 13th centuries. Dedicated to Buddhism, Bayon comprises 54 gigantic towers featuring 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Afterward, move to the Elephant Terrace which, at 350 meters long, was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and as a base for the king’s grand audience hall. Then see the raised Leper King Terrace, built in the 12th century, which features many admired sculptured Apsaras. 

Early in the morning, travel by road to Beng Melea, where part of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s film “The Two Brothers” was filmed. Beng Melea was built during the reign of Suryavarman II in the middle of the 12th century. Far from the busyness of Angkor Wat, Beng Melea lends itself to daydreams and meditation practiced by the celestial dancers, Apsaras. The symbiosis between plant and mineral at this temple is amazing -- the tree roots which delicately envelop it seem wed to its shapes. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon return to Siem Reap. On the way, visit Banteay Srei Temple, where one of the most impressive jewels of Khmer art is found. 

Erected in the 10th century, this small pink sandstone temple, called The Citadel of Women, contains some remarkable carved lintels still in very good condition. Andre Malraux brought fame to this temple when, in 1923, he returned the Apsara heads he had previously removed. Afterward, visit the ancient monastery Ta Prohm, where immense tree roots have taken hold of the stones. In addition to this stunning vegetation, you will find some splendid sculptured Devatas and an ambience fitting this temple and others built during the reign of Jayavarman VII.  Ta Prohm figures among the top temples on the hit list of every visitor to Angkor.

In the morning, leave for Kompong Khleang, a village about 15 km from Siem Reap and undiscovered by mass tourism. It is a village whose houses are all on stilts. Enjoy breathtaking views of flooded plains, water extending as far as the eye can see and sparkling green rice plantations. Walk through the village meeting its inhabitants, stopping at a house where the family raises crocodiles. Afterward, leave by local boat on the canals heading back to Siem Reap where you will have some free time to spend at the old market until heading to the airport for your departure flight. Your room is available until noon.