14 Days Best Of Cambodia And Laos Highlight Tour

Discover the highlights of Phnom Penh and the iconic landmarks. After breakfast, your guide will greet you at the lobby and then escort you to explore city tour:

1. the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. The Killing Fields were a place of execution and burial of people considered a threat or enemy of the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979). You'll walk near the fields which have been excavated, and see the monument which now houses the skulls of the victims. You'll also see an old tree which is notable for it's eerie and death-like appearance. You'll also watch a video where you'll learn about the tragedies that happened at this site.
2. Continue to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. Prior to 1975 Toul Sleng was a high school. When Khmer Rouge came to power in 1975 they converted it into the S-21 prison.

Relax and having lunch at local restaurant before continue to visit:

1. National Museum where you will see the largest collection in the world of Khmer history, arts and architecture on display.
2. Next, you will visit the Silver Pagoda, which has 5,000 silver tiles on the floor and then you'll visit the Royal Palace where the Khmer royal family lives.
3. Finally, you'll visit Wat Phnom. When the tour is finished, you'll be escorted to your hotel for the evening.

• Overnight in Phnom Penh

• After breakfast, drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, taking about 7.5 to 8 hours including the stops to visit some attractions along the way.

En route, you will first stop to visit the Naga Bridge built in the 12th century. It is well reserved and is now still used by local people. The second stop will be around lunchtime in Kompong Thom town to visit the ruined temples in Sambor Prei Kuk, the ancient capital of the Khmer between the 6th and 7th centuries.

• Arriving at the hotel our guide will escort you for check-in. Rest in your own leisure.
• Overnight in Siem Reap

In the morning, a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake—Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Spend rest of the morning at Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake, to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.

After lunch, visit APOPO’s Visitor Center in Siem Reap gives you the chance to discover the history of conflict in Cambodia, the impact of landmines on local communities, and the opportunity to meet and see the HeroRATs in action. After that, visit Wat Thmei, Buddhist temple with a glass-sided memorial housing the skulls of victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. The continue to see giant Fruit Bats that live in the Royal Residence Garden and Baddish Temple called, Preah Ang Chek –Preah Ang Chom. After the tour return hotel and rest on your own leisure.

• Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast is at hotel. We depart hotel at 8.00am for full day guided Angkor exploration, start with the south gate of Angkor Thom atop 4 giant faces, stroll to explore Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, terrace of leper king, terrace of elephant & Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning tree roots where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.

After lunch, continue to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest monument in the world. Unlock the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire when it dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia. On your way back to Siem Reap, enjoy the sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Bakheng.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

This morning, take a pleasant 1.5-hour drive through the Cambodian countryside to reach the sprawling jungle temple of Beng Melea. Constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style by King Suyavarman II in the early 12th century, Beng Mealea preceded and may have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way. Accessibility has improved as elevated walkways have been set up throughout most of the temple, although to see all corners does require a sense of adventure as you will need to climb over stone blocks or walk through narrow passageways.

Continue on to the remote temple of Banteay Srei: set deep in the jungle. The Citadel of Women, Banteay Srei was carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale in comparison to the other colossal temples around Siem Reap, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. This temple is considered the jewel of Khmer art.

• Overnight in Siem Reap

Enjoy your free morning until check-out time and flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival escort to hotel for check-in and rest on your own leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum (closed on Tuesday), which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. See the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground and representing classical Laotian architecture. Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

In the afternoon, heading out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. Later this afternoon return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. Finally climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and a sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. Finally visit the famous Night Market, where you’ll find handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe peoplesliving in the surroundings.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang

This morning, embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River. Along the way, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where Laos rice wine and rice whiskey is produced.  You'll be able to try some and learn about the process used to make it. Then on to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Visit The Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary also has enclosures and facilities for many other endangered wildlife species we've rescued including macaques, leopard cats, tortoises, birds, civets, and even endangered red pandas, intercepted after being smuggled from China into Laos.

Continue to explore the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

Lunch will be served near the caves. You'll have the opportunity to try a local dish called "Orlam" which is a soup with vegetables and features a spicy wood that is partially edible. On return, disembark to visit the traditional weaving village of Ban Phanom, famous for its hand woven textiles.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang

Enjoy your morning free leisure until check-out. Upon arrival escort to hotel in Vang Vieng for check-in and rest on your own leisure. Overnight in Vang Vieng

After breakfast, we start our board on a local tractor through paddy field areas heading to Tham Phu Kham, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you have chance to explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can take a swim to refresh yourself from the hot climate or you could explore the nearby area. You will have a picnic lunch enjoying the scenery.

After spending the day at the caves and its surrounding areas, we make our return to the Vang Vieng town, using local transportation or tractor. En route, we visit the ethnic minority villages of Hmong, Souay and Taidam villages meeting the warm and friendly hill tribe people and observing their traditional tribal costumes.

• Overnight in Vang Vieng

We leave this small and peaceful town after breakfast for a southbound journey towards Vientine. We will see some breathtaking scenery en route as we head into the mountains. Starting from cross the Nam Song River to Tham Jang caves and then enjoy a short trek through breathtaking mountain landscape to explore the Tam None Cave and some hill villages. We’ll reach the small and tranquil village of Vang Vieng in the afternoon. Then make a stop along the way at Vang Xang, a famous archeological site dating back to the 11th century. Arriving in Vieintaine for hotel check-in. Overnight in Vientiane

Vientiane, the charming capital city of Laos with rich heritage of Buddhist culture, is waiting for you to discover.

You full day city tour will take you to visit the highlights of Vientiane. Your will firstly get to know some more history of Laos by visiting the temple Wat Sisaket which is the oldest surviving temple with thousands of Buddhist images. The temple Wat Prakeo which housing the famous Emerald Buddha image really amazed the Indochina tour makers. Your full day Vientiane city tour will also visit the symbolic site That Luang Stupa and Patuxay Monument.

In the afternoon Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Laos shaman. The concrete sculptures are unique and intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park. After Buddha Park start driving back to Vientiane. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

• Overnight in Vientiane

Enjoy your free morning until check-out time transfer to airport for flight home. End of service