Sunrise over Angkor Wat

Laos & Cambodia Entwined

Trip code
CLE001

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

Price based on 3* accommodation
From
$3,200
pp
Price based on 4* accommodation
From
$3,400
pp
Price based on 5* accommodation
From
$4,300
pp
Let us help plan your holiday and make it perfect for you

Key facts

13 nights/14 days
Discover city life and cuisine on a backstreet tour of Phnom Penh, a visit to rural villages near Siem Reap and a foodie tour of Luang Prabang
Explore the countryside on a Mekong cruise, a boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake, a day trip to the 4,000 Islands, and a jeep tour of Bolaven Plateau
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, as well as a live theatre performance in Phnom Penh
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DAY 5-7 CHAMPASAK DAY 1-4 LUANG PRABANG DAY 8-11 SIEM REAP DAY 12-14 PHNOM PENH
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DAY 5-7 CHAMPASAK DAY 1-4 LUANG PRABANG DAY 8-11 SIEM REAP DAY 12-14 PHNOM PENH

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.

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

A day to spend as you please

Luang Prabang night market

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.

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

Jeep ride in Bolaven Plateau

The finer detail

  • 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

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)

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