Laos & Cambodia Entwined
If you like to cover less ground and take time in each place, this is for you. Soak up the culture, history and surrounding countryside in four of the most charming destinations in Laos and Cambodia.
If ever there were places to linger longer over, these are them. The UNESCO treasures of Luang Prabang and Angkor, the floating communities of Asia’s largest freshwater lake, the 4000 islands dividing the Mekong river in southern Laos. Think of this as great starting point to inspire your own slow adventure.
Pricing
Key facts
Transport in detail
This trip includes two short flights. All other journeys including airport transfers are by private car. Most transfers are just an hour, but there’s one long drive between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh of 5.5 hours - we’ll break this up with sightseeing along the way.
What's great
Long stays in just four destinations gives you the chance to really slow down and get under the surface of each place
We’ve designed the trip to include cities, towns and countryside – a great mix that reflects the topography of Laos and Cambodia
If you’re travelling between November and March, why not add some time on the beach? The Cambodian Islands are idyllic at that time of year
Things to consider
Flights in and out of Pakse (gateway to Champasak) do not run daily so this is not the most flexible itinerary. Let us know when you’d like to travel and we’ll advise the best timings
You’ll need a good level of fitness for the outdoors activities, or we can swap those for something more gentle
Although these aren’t the most-visited parts of Asia, they’re not exactly off the tourist trail either. Angkor always draws large crowds, but luckily our guides are skilful at avoiding peak times
The experience
Tell us your ideas. We’ll create a bespoke trip to suit.
Day 1-4
Luang Prabang
UNESCO world heritage centre, Luang Prabang, is the spiritual heart of Laos. The old town is beguiling, its swaying palms and French-Indochinese villas perched on a narrow peninsula above the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. Get the inside track on the city’s 35 templates and Buddhist heritage on a full day tour with a guide who knows the monuments, monasteries and markets inside and out. On day two, we'll whisk you into the hills to Hmong and Khmu ethnic minority villages where traditions continue unchanged for centuries. Day three is all your own. We’ll round off your stay with a food safari of Luang Prabang’s huge night market, plus a little bar hop.
Highlights
Learn about Luang Prabang’s Buddhist history on a guided tour of its most beautiful temples
Cruise down the Mekong to visit Hmong and Khmu villages
A day to spend as you please
Day 5-7
Champasak
Your base in Champasak: an island lodge in the middle of the Mekong. From here, you’ll day trip into the countryside to three very different landscapes. Day one, the cool climes of Bolaven Plateau. Hop in a four-wheel drive jeep to traverse rugged roads which lead to coffee plantations, caves, and waterfalls deep in the jungle. Next up, you’ll get sweeping views of the plains from the pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou, perched on a hillside. Day three, boat and cycle the 4,000 Islands dividing the Mekong River at the southern tip of Laos. Cycle across the larger islands, past rice paddies and hamlets where fishermen doze in hammocks.
Highlights
Taste the finest coffee in Laos on a jeep tour across Bolaven Plateau
Scale the steep steps up Wat Phou temple for views as far as Thailand
Explore the languid waterways and villages of the 4,000 Islands by boat and bike
The finer detail
What's included
- Breakfast every day
- Four lunches: one in Luang Prabang; one during your jeep tour of the Bolaven Plateau; one at a local restaurant in the 4,000 Islands; one picnic lunch whilst exploring the Angkor temples
- Two dinners: Food tour of Luang Prabang; food tour of Phnom Penh
- Five full-day experiences: landmarks tour of Luang Prabang; explore the Bolaven Plateau by jeep; explore the 4,000 Islands by boat & bike; tour of the lesser-known Angkor temples by bike; visit Ta Prohm, Kbal Spean & Angkor Wat
- Five half-day experiences : exploring the Mekong’s hidden side; visit Wat Phou temple; tour of the Siem Reap countryside; boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake; walking tour of Phnom Penh
- Five evening experiences: shared sunset cruise on the Mekong River; food tour of Luang Prabang; Phare, The Cambodian Circus performance; Cambodian Living Arts performance; food tour of Phnom Penh
- All entrance fees to sites included in guided experiences
- All internal transport & accommodation
Logistics and journey times
Day 1:
Car transfer from Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang (15 minutes)
Day 5:
Flight from Luang Prabang to Pakse (1.5 hours)
Car transfer from Pakse Airport to Champasak (1 hour)
Day 7:
Car transfer for the 4,000 Islands day trip (3 hours)
Day 8:
Car transfer from Champasak to Pakse Airport (1 hour)
Flight from Pakse to Siem Reap (1 hour)
Car transfer from Siem Reap Airport to Siem Reap (15 minutes)
Day 12:
Car transfer from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (5.5 hours)
Day 14:
Car transfer from Phnom Penh to Phnom Penh Airport (1 hour)
What's not included
- Visas
- International flights
- Meals not mentioned
- Entrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiences
- Tips for guides & porters