Laos & Cambodia

Friday 1st November

We’ll fly from the UK to Luang Prabang in Laos.

Overnight in flight.

Saturday 2nd November

We’ll meet our guide and driver at the airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is ours to enjoy at leisure. We’ll explore Luang Prabang or simply relax at the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Sunday 3rd November

Early risers can experience the long lines of orange-robed monks who leave their pagodas at dawn to receive food offerings from locals. After breakfast at the hotel, a vintage tuk-tuk will take us around old Luang Prabang, taking in the smells and sounds of the bustling morning market.

We’ll visit Luang Prabang’s largest temple, Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th century masterpiece of Lao architecture and home to the Tree of Life mural. We’ll then learn more about Southeast Asia’s history and culture at the National Museum housed in a former royal palace.

A ferry ride down the Mekong River leads us to Ban Xieng Mene where we’ll stroll through lush gardens to Wat Long Khoun. A heart-pumping 123 steps will then lead us to Wat Chomphet, a temple famous for its 30m-tall gold-painted Buddha. We’ll spend the evening at leisure.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Monday 4th November

A scenic drive up through the mountains and jungle takes us towards Kuang Si Falls, stopping at the Hmong village of Ban Tha Pane (Khmu) or Ban Ou (Lao) on the way. At the falls, we’ll enjoy a refreshing dip or relax and listen to the cascading water.

On our journey back, we’ll visit a rescue centre for the endangered Asiatic black bears, famous for their distinctive white V-shaped fur line across their chest. We’ll then stop for lunch at a private dining area in a local garden.

We’ll arrive back at the hotel by mid-afternoon allowing time to relax. In the evening, we’ll head out to witness a traditional Lao Baci ceremony and help prepare the flower trays ready to receive blessings. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a meal with a group of local families.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Tuesday 5th November

We’ll travel by boat to Pak Ou Caves, an esteemed Buddhist pilgrimage site filled with thousands of golden Buddha statues. We’ll then enjoy lunch as we cruise back to town. Later, we’ll head out to a local temple for a mindful meditation session led by a resident Buddhist monk. Afterwards, we’ll have the chance to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism and meditation.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Wednesday 6th November

We’ll enjoy some free time before our transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. On arrival, we’ll be transferred to the hotel where the rest of the day is free to get to know our new surroundings.

Breakfast included. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Thursday 7th November

The UNESCO-listed Angkor is one of Southeast Asia’s most important archaeological sites and a must-visit attraction. Dating back to the 12th century, it is a sprawling complex of tree-entwined Buddhist shrines.

We’ll explore Angkor Wat, the best-preserved of all the temples. We’ll marvel at its massive three tiers crowned by five towers rising 65 metres from the ground before visiting the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer empire.

After lunching at a local restaurant of your choice (not included), we’ll continue on to the temple of Ta Prohm. This is the most popular and most photographed temples for its enormous tree roots that have intertwined around the structure over the centuries. We’ll then return to the hotel to spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Friday 8th November

Today we’ll visit Kompong Khleang, a floating village 40km from Siem Reap. The water levels in this area change so dramatically that most of these homes are on huge stilts, so in the dry season they tower above the water! Floating villages are a huge part of communities in South-east Asia and not something really seen in more westernised countries, meaning this truly is a sight to see. The village is surrounded by flood plains, rice fields and vast pools of water! If the water levels of Tonle Sap Lake are very low we’ll instead visit the Chong Khneas floating village.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Saturday 9th November

We’ll enjoy a free day with no organised itinerary. We’ll relax at the hotel or spend time exploring Siem Reap. Highlights include visiting the markets, including craft offerings at Artisans d’Angkor and street food stalls dotted all around the city. Alternatively, the Cambodian Landmine Museum and Angkor National Museum are both visit-worthy for those wanting to learn more about the country’s history.

Breakfast included. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Sunday 10th November

After breakfast, we’ll head to Phnom Penh. We’ll break up our journey with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site (meaning “the temple in the lush forest” in the Khmer language). There are over 100 temples in the former capital of the Chenla Empire that flourished in the late 6th and early 7th centuries AD. After stopping for lunch at a local community-run food shop, we’ll make our way to Phnom Penh where we will recuperate for the rest of the day.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Monday 11th November

We’ll start our day at the local market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. We’ll then seek out some of the star attractions, including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom Temple.

In the afternoon, we’ll gain an insight into Cambodia’s recent history at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Housed in a former school, it once served as the main detention centre for the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. We’ll then head outside the city and discover more about Cambodia’s dark history. We’ll arrive at the Killing Fields Memorial site to listen to the stories of survivors and pay our respects to the victims.

Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Tuesday 12th November

We’ll have some free time transferring to the airport and flying home.

Breakfast included. Overnight in flight

Wednesday 13th November

Arrive in UK

If you are a UK passport holder you can apply for an evisa for both Laos and Cambodia. You will need validity of at least 6 months after the day you enter each country and four blank pages in your passport.

For Laos apply here at least 5 days in advance of entry: https://laoevisa.gov.la/index

For Cambodia apply here at least 5 days in advance of entry: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

Any other passport holders please check with relevant embassy.