Selected: fully customisable

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.

Location
Multi-country
Suggested Length
14 days /
13
nights
Activity Level
Fully customisable
Every trip is unique
White temple with sloped roof and gold walls in Luang Prabang surrounded by palm trees at a quiet hour
Jeep ride in Bolaven Plateau
Wat Phou Temple near Champasak under a cloudy sky
Smiling man on an ox pulled cart near Siem Riep, Cambodia

Ratings

Light

Light mobility requirements as sightseeing activities are done predominantly by vehicle, with light walking

Steady

Ideal for most fitness levels. Sightseeing involves walking and being on your feet for a couple of hours at a time, with down-time included too

Active

Requires a moderate level of fitness. Activities and sightseeing will generally involve walking and being on your foot for much of the day. Often includes light activities such as cycling, kayaking, or hands-on experiences

Adventure

Demands higher fitness. Most days will include a substantial amount of walking and/or activity throughout the day.  

Energetic

For people who love being active. We reserve this rating for active itineraries with substantial movement and adventure activities almost every day.  

Discover city life and cuisine on a backstreet tour of Phnom Penh, a visit to rural villages near Siem Reap and a local barbecue in Luang Prabang

Cycle through the ancient city of Angkor, discover Wat Phou temple ruins in Laos and hike to the Hindu site of Kbal Spean

See Cambodian culture in action at Phare, The Cambodian Circus, and participate in some friendly competition with a boules match in Luang Prabang

The view of a quiet Angkor Wat temple in rainy season with less tourists

Itinerary

All itineraries are fully customisable.

Our destination experts created this trip as an example of a cultural adventure: combining remarkable sights, guided experiences and a slice of everyday local life.

Choose us, and we’ll create you a custom holiday where every detail reflects your pace, passions and preferences. Take as much or as little from this trip idea as you want, talk to us when you’re ready.
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Map showing Laos & Cambodia Entwined itinerary route
Image
Map showing Laos & Cambodia Entwined itinerary route
Day 1-4

Luang Prabang

Temple in Luang Prabang - Liam Koehler
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

Play boules; a national sport that's a legacy of Indochina's French colonial era

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 sindat barbecue and a game of boules at the local club.

Transport

Day 1:
Car transfer from Luang Prabang Airport to Luang Prabang (15 minutes)

Day 5-7

Champasak

Aerial view of Wat Phou, Champasak
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

Your base in Champasak: a boutique property overlooking 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.

Transport

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 8-11

Siem Reap

Vines at Angkor Wat
Highlights:

See Angkor’s famous temples, and cycle to lesser-known atmospheric ruins

Watch a moving acrobatic performance by Phare, The Cambodian Circus

Explore the countryside and take part in a Buddhist blessing ceremony

Welcome to the ancient city of Angkor. You’ll have two days to explore the jungle ruins including the classic sights – Angkor Wat, the stone faces of Bayon and the Tomb Raider temple – as well as lesser-known gems, like the Hindu site of Kbal Spean. Cycling is a great way to escape the crowds as you explore the archaeological zone. Start by biking along the old city walls, then explore labyrinthian Preah Khan and the pyramid temple of Baksei Chamkrong. Away from the temples, Siem Reap has more to offer. Discover Cambodia’s artistic heritage at Phare, the Cambodian Circus, take an oxcart through rural villages and meet a monk for a Buddhist blessing – a wonderful introduction to Cambodia.

Accommodation
Transport

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 (1 hour)

Day 12-14

Phnom Penh

Golden Palace in Phnom Penh
Highlights:

Take a boat trip to the ‘floating’ villages on Tonlé Sap Lake

Discover scenes of everyday life on a backstreet tour of Phnom Penh

Finish with a big night out of food, drinks and music in the capital

Stop en-route to Phnom Penh at Tonlé Sap, Asia’s largest freshwater lake where a boat will take you between the stilted houses of its floating communities. In the evening, you’ll see a theatre piece that weaves tales of everyday life with age-old Khmer legends. Next, a walking tour of the capital. Wander residential backstreets, past little shops, through the market to the waterfront where street vendors and students swap the day’s news. You’ll also visit the Royal Palace to learn about the king’s role in modern Cambodia. Celebrate the final night of your trip in style, bar hopping by tuk tuk to the city’s best pubs, diners and live music venues.

Transport

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)

Decorative collage showing a farmer in conical hat holding rice plants on green patterned background with temple silhouette and dragon illustration

Is this trip for you?

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

What's included?

What's included

  • Breakfast every day
  • Three lunches: 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
  • Four full-day experiences: landmarks tour of Luang Prabang; explore the Bolaven Plateau by jeep; explore the 4,000 Islands by boat & bike; visit Ta Prohm, Kbal Spean & Angkor Wat
  • Six half-day experiences : exploring the Mekong’s hidden side; sunrise at Wat Phou temple; tour of the lesser-known Angkor temples by bike; tour of the Siem Reap countryside; boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake; walking tour of Phnom Penh
  • Three evening experiences: boules and barbecue in Luang Prabang; Phare, The Cambodian Circus performance; food tour of Phnom Penh
  • All entrance fees to sites included in guided experiences
  • All internal transport & accommodation

Not included

  • Visas
  • International flights
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Entrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiences
  • Tips for guides & porters