Best of Laos and Cambodia 13 days

Arrive in Vientiane, where you will meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Vientiane.

Meals: N/A

Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Vientiane

After breakfast, visit Wat Sisaket, a temple featuring thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple that once housed the famous Emerald Buddha image. On the way to the famous and sacred That Luang Stupa, stop to take photos of the imposing Patuxai Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe. Overnight at the hotel in Vientiane.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Transfer to Vang Vieng, enjoying spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful landscapes, and visits to local villages along the way. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel.

Enjoy a short tubing experience on the Song River, lasting approximately two hours. Tubing in Vang Vieng can be as relaxing or as adventurous as you wish. Bars along the river offer inexpensive beer, rope swings, zip lines, and spacious decks for socializing. Floating leisurely along the river and stopping at riverside bars can be a way to unwind and enjoy the afternoon scenery. Take in the stunning views of the town.

Alternative: Enjoy a walk amid the spectacular mountain scenery and visit the surrounding caves. Admire the breathtaking landscapes of Vang Vieng.

Overnight at the hotel in Vang Vieng.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

After breakfast, drive to Xieng Khouang, a region devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Later, visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered across the plateau. In the afternoon, explore the former provincial capital of Muang Khoun and nearby villages inhabited by Hmong and Tai Dam communities. Discover their distinctive local cultures and rich histories.

Overnight at the hotel in Xieng Khouang.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: hotel in Xieng Khuang

Early in the morning, visit Phonsavan Central Market to observe different hill-tribe communities bartering and trading goods.

In the afternoon, drive to Luang Prabang, enjoying the spectacular scenery and panoramic views along the winding mountain roads. Several stops will be made along the way to admire the landscapes.

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, check in at your hotel. Then explore the former royal capital and crown jewel of the ancient Lane Xang Empire (pronounced “Lan Sang”), known as the Land of a Million Elephants. In the evening, browse the stalls at the Night Market.

Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, visit Wat Visoun, home to the impressive That Makmo Stupa. Its rounded dome reflects a style that is more Sinhalese than Lao. Continue to Wat Mai, built in 1796. Its five-tiered roof and wooden Sim (chapel) exemplify the graceful architectural style of Luang Prabang.

Next, visit Wat Xieng Thong, another landmark that highlights the city's distinctive architecture, with its roofs sweeping low towards the ground. Admire the impressive “Tree of Life” mosaic and the gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicting episodes from the Ramayana.

Climb Phou Si Hill, located in the heart of the city, via its 350 steps to enjoy panoramic views of Luang Prabang and the surrounding landscape. At the summit, visit Wat Phu Si and see the remains of anti-aircraft guns from the Indochina War.

Continue to the Hmong Market, where Hmong vendors display their handmade handicrafts.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, visit the National Museum, formerly the royal palace. Inside, discover a fascinating collection of personal artifacts belonging to the royal family, including photographs, musical instruments, and gifts received from dignitaries from around the world.

Then, embark on a Mekong River boat trip with your guide to visit the famous and sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. Overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Ou Rivers, these caves house thousands of Buddha images placed there by local people since the 16th century, when King Setthathirat discovered the caves and declared them a sacred site.

On the return journey, visit the traditional paper handicraft and textile workshops in Ban Xang Khong, including Por Sa paper handicrafts.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive approximately 30 km out of town to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls, where you can swim, relax, or take a gentle trek to the top of the falls. On the return journey, make a short stop at a Black Hmong village, where you can browse handmade handicrafts offered as souvenirs to visitors.

Alternative: Elephant Village Experience

Accompanied by a local guide, travel to the Elephant Village, located approximately 15 km outside Luang Prabang, in a lush natural setting on the banks of the Nam Khan River. Here, you will be introduced to protected Asian elephants and enjoy a scenic 30–40-minute elephant ride through the beautiful riverside surroundings. Experience the tranquil landscape and lush Lao nature while supporting efforts to care for former logging elephants.

Lunch will be served on a riverside terrace overlooking the Nam Khan River and the surrounding landscape. A short boat ride will take you to the beautiful Tad Sae Waterfalls (not accessible during the dry season, from January to August). Relax beside the refreshing waterfall cascades before taking a short boat trip back to the Elephant Village.

After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

In the morning, visit Angkor Wat, the most famous of all the temples in the Angkor Archaeological Park. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are featured on the Cambodian flag, and this 12th-century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be a prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Later, enjoy a wonderful sunset from the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill.

In the afternoon, explore Angkor Thom (literally meaning “Great City”), the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer Empire, located in present-day Cambodia. Begin your visit at the South Gate, with its impressive statues depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Continue to Bayon Temple, famous for its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. The visit also includes Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

In the morning, visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in Angkor. Ta Prohm has remained relatively untouched since its discovery and retains much of its mystery. Continue to Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool representing a paradisiacal Himalayan mountain lake, and Ta Som, a small but classic temple built in the late 12th century CE and located at the far end of the Grand Circuit.

Next, visit Preah Khan Temple, built by King Jayavarman VII. Like Ta Prohm, Preah Khan features towered enclosures and narrow corridors with walls close to one another. However, Preah Khan is in a relatively good state of preservation, and ongoing restoration efforts are expected to maintain and improve its condition.

In the afternoon, take a sightseeing boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake, the Great Lake of Cambodia and one of the largest lakes in Asia. Enjoy a short cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure in Phnom Penh.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

In the morning, visit the notorious Choeung Ek Killing Fields, located 15 km southwest of Phnom Penh. This site was the location of the brutal execution of more than 17,000 people, most of whom had first endured interrogation, torture, and deprivation at Tuol Sleng Prison during the Pol Pot regime (1975–1979). Continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison). The site was formerly a high school before being converted into a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. It became the Khmer Rouge’s largest detention and torture center.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Phnom, the most famous Buddhist temple in Phnom Penh. Continue to the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town. Visit the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace and named after its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles.

After that, visit the National Museum, one of Phnom Penh’s architectural gems. The museum is instantly recognizable by its warm red terracotta walls and gracefully curved roof, topped by dozens of guardian nagas. It was designed in the Khmer style in 1917 by the renowned French architect Georges Groslier and the École des Arts Cambodgiens.

Overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

After breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and transfer you to the Victory Monument for photos. Then, we will drop you off at the Russian Market for shopping before heading straight to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals: B, L

Accommodation: N/A