Itinerary in brief

Day 1     Vientiane - Arrival
Day 2     Vientiane - Vang Vieng
Day 3     Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang
Day 4     Luang Prabang - CRUISE - Pak Ou - Kamu Lodge
Day 5     Kamu Lodge - CRUISE - Luang Prabang
Day 6     Luang Prabang – Elephant camp
Day 7     Luang Prabang - FLY - Pakse - Wat Phou - Champassak - Dong Deang
Day 8     Dong Deang - Khong island
Day 9     Khong island - Khone island - Khone Phapeng
Day 10   Khone Phapeng - Stung Treng - Kratie
Day 11   Kratie - Kompong Thom - Siem Reap
Day 12   Siem Reap – Angkor Thom – Angkor Wat
Day 13   Siem Reap – Groupe Roluos- Tonle Sap
Day 14   Siem Reap - FLY - Phnom Penh
Day 15   Phnom Penh - Kampot - Kep
Day 16   Kep
Day 17   Kep - sihanoukville
Day 18   Sihanoukville
Day 19   Sihanoukville - Phnom Penh - Departure

Itinerary in details

DAY 1: VIENTIANE - ARRIVAL

Met and welcome by the Hanoi Voyages Guide upon arrival at the airport. Then transfer by private car to your hotel.

The rest of day is spent visiting the main attractions of the city by tuk tuk.
Attractions include:

• Vat Sisaket, built in 1818 and the only temple in Vientiane that was not destroyed by the Siamese in the fiery raid in 1828.
• Phraken Ho, the former royal chapel, which was home to the Emerald Buddha, and the power base of the Kingdom of Lane Xang.
• Patouxay, a large monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triumph in Paris. It boasts four archways and was built to commemorate the Lao people who died in pre-Revolutionary wars.
• The large golden stupa of That Luang, founded by King Setthathirah in 1566 and a symbol of Lao sovereignty and Buddhist religion. It is said to contain a hair of Buddha.
• The temple Wat Si Muang, the most visited temple in Vientiane as it is considered the seat of the guardian spirit of the city.

Overnight in Vientiane

DAY 2: VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG

We transfer to Vang Vieng, with a scheduled stop on the way to visit a village. Approaching of Vang Vieng, we board a river vessel on the Nam Song River to get to your hotel.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

DAY 3: VANG VIENG - LUANG PRABANG

In the morning we visit the local market and discover some of the spectacular caves (thams) of the district, including the triangle of limestone rock caves of Tham Sang; Tham Hoi, the Tham Loup, and Tham Nam
We stop at the historical site of Vang Xang, and depending on the season (for a small added cost) experience the fun on the downhill banana boat song nam.

Later we depart for Luang Prabang, traveling on a well surfaced road, through gorgeous scenery, often surrounded by rice fields and mountains. We stop at the village of Meo to visit a tea plantation.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG - CRUISE - PAK OU - KAMULODGE

From your hotel, we head for the pier and board traditional wooden boats for the 1hr 30min cruise along the Mekong River to visit two sacred caves at Pak Ou. The Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves are highly venerated and revered in Laos, and house many thousands of Buddha statues and other memorabilia, placed there by the people who come to visit and pray.
The caves offer a magnificent view over the Mekong and the Nam Ou rivers and their contrasting waters.

During the boat ride you may observe some elephants bathing in the water close to the banks, or some locals trying their luck and panning for gold.

We continue our cruise for another 1hr 30mins through spectacular landscapes, and truly wilderness areas with the rainforests butting up to the river banks, until we reach Kamu Lodge.

Kamu Lodge, constructed in total harmony with nature, is an exceptional site, and while here you will enjoy the original and authentic experiences of the Laotian countryside.

You can participate in activities (optional) such as planting rice, gold panning or fishing in the Mekong, and enjoy a guided tour of an ethnic “Kamu” village.

Overnight at Kamu Lodge.

DAY 5: KAMU LODGE - CRUISE - LUANG PRABANG

After a relaxing morning at Kamu Lodge, we cruise back to Luang Prabang by boat.

Rest of day enjoying an in depth discovery tour of this ancient capital of Laos.

We visit:

• Wat Xieng Thong, in the centre of a small religious complex built in 1560, considered the most beautiful - Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang, where we discover the chapel of the sacred Buddha Pavilion, the Royal
• Funeral Chariot and the Reclining Buddha Sanctuary contained in the complex.
• The temple of Wat Visoun, built in 1515, and the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, which houses numerous gold statues of Buddha.
• The That Makmo stone stupa
• Vat Aham, a major shrine in the city, dedicated to the ancestors of Laos.

Overnigh in Luang Prabang

DAY 6: LUANG PRABANG - ELEPHANT CAMP

Very early in the morning at sunrise, before breakfast, you have the opportunity to witness the everyday ritual of monks collecting alms. The monks, barefooted and dressed in their resplendent saffron robes, walk in single file through the streets, collecting food for the monastery. It is a wonderful, colorful sight!

After alms we will visit some small morning markets, selling produce from market gardens across the region. They also sell insects, bats and snakes for human consumption.
We visit a local food market to discover some typical local Laos cuisine.

Then back to the hotel for breakfast

We depart for the village of Ban Phanom, a charming place and famous for its weaving methods, which are based on ancestral knowledge. Often the typical Laos motifs are unique to each family.
Weavings are 100% pure silk.

We continue on to the tomb of Henry Mouhot, a young French explorer, who set out alone to explore the banks of the Mekong River. He rediscovered Angkor and was the first to reveal it to the world, before dying, exhausted in Luang Prabang in 1861 at the age of 33.
Here, on the banks of the Nam Khan River, you will be able to swim in the fresh water coming down from the mountains, before continuing north to the village of Ban Nonsavat to and the Tiger Trail Elephant Camp and the adjacent Adventure Camp.

Following the stop at the camp, in the heart of a large teak forest, we are transported across the river to the opposite bank, by small boat, where the elephant ride through the forests begins.
After a hour long ride you feed your elephant, partly to thank the animal for saving you from walking!

Taking a small trip to the Tad Sae waterfalls, we can cool off, before our return to Luang Prabang.

Overnigh in Luang Prabang

DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG - FLY - PAKSE - WAT PHOU - CHAMPASSAK - DONG DEANG

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Pakse, south of Laos. Met and welcome by the Hanoi Voyages Guide in Pakse upon arrival at the airport. 

Champassak we visit the Vat Phu (“Temple of the Mountain”), a sacred place dating back 1500yrs, and now a UNESCO protected building. Renovations have been undertaken to return it to its former glory.

Transfer to Dong Deang island.

Overnight in Dong Deang island

Day 8: DONG DEANG - ILE DE KHONG

Cross the Mekong River by ferry to the site of the "4000 islands" and its wonderful peaceful landscapes. The river floods the plain and after it recedes, many small islands appear, hence the name, "4000 islands". There are many permanent, inhabited islands offering fascinating glimpses of tranquil, river-oriented life.

Stopover to visit Det and Som islands to discover fishing life of locals. 

Overnight in Khong Island

DAY 9: KHONG ISLAND - KHONE ISLAND - KHONE PHAPENG

Discover the village of Ban Khong to see the Wat Keo Phouang, and the magnificent Buddha, protected by seven heads of Naga’s. We detour and stop by at the local market to discover the trade of palm sugar and other commodities.

Then taking a motor canoe we cruise through the region of the 4,000 islands to enjoy a look at river oriented life

We stop at Khone Island, to see the old colonial mansions of the French period, and while on the island we visit two waterfalls:

• Firstly the Li Phi falls, known as the “Phantom of the Abyss”.
• Then we visit the spectacular Phapheng Waterfall, the largest in South-East Asia, on the border of Cambodia.

Overnight in Khone Phapeng

J10: KHONE PHAPENG - STUNG TRENG - KRATIE

We breakfast at the hotel and transfer by road to Kralor Dom, on the border with Cambodia.
After completing Customs formalities, and meeting our Cambodia guide, we drive, via Stung Treng, to Kratie. Along the way we have a quick city tour of Stung Treng, and stop to pay a visit to the village of Thala Barivat, before continuing on to Kratie, a small colonial town.

After check-in we visit Wat Phnom Sambok to discover a Buddhist monastery.
Kratie town, along the Mekong River, is famous for the Irrawaddy dolphins.
We take the road to the river dolphins where you will probably see dolphins until sunset.

Overnight in Sala Koh Trong lodge in Kratie

DAY 11: KRATIE - KOMPONG THOM - SIEM REAP 

We cross many varied landscapes during our morning tour including rice fields, forests of rubber trees, and sugar palms, and also find many vendors selling one of Cambodia more exotic culinary delights, roasted spiders. Tasting a little like chicken, the spiders are hunted in holes in the hills, and are an interesting dining experience.

Stopover in Kompong Thom, we will explore the temples of Sambor Prei Kuk, some of the oldest structures in the country, built by King Ishanavaman in the early 7th century. These temples were heavily influenced by Indian art, and are some of the most impressive group of  pre-Angkorian monuments. Set in a shady forrest they have a serene and soothing atmosphere.

Arrive in Siem Reap late in the afternoon.

Overnight in Siem Reap 

DAY 12: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR THOM - ANGKOR WAT

Firstly we will visit the walled city of Angkor Thom, 10sq kms in size. To see :

• South Gate, Bayon built under Jayavarman VII in late 12th century, with 54 towers, each with four faces of Buddha.
• Completing our day we see the fascinating Buddhist monastery of Ta Prohm, invaded by the jungle and truly stunning to see and photograph.
• The Baphuon with its splendid sculptures.
• The Terrace of the Elephants.
• The Terrace of the Leper King with its beautiful carvings of gods, nagas, and dancers.
• The Royal Enclosure and its small temple, Phimeanakas.
• Then we see the fascinating Buddhist monastery of Ta Phrom, invaded by the jungle and truly stunning to see and photograph.

In the afternoon

Visit Angkor Wat, built in the first half of the twelfth century, and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. This huge temple-mountain, built by King Suryavarman II, is considered a masterpiece of art and fine architecture of the Khmer, so much so the five towers of Angkor Wat appear on the Cambodian flag.

If the weather does not permit you to see the sunrise, you may witness the sunset, from the top of the hill of Phnom Bakheng, which offers a magnificent overview of Angkor Wat.

Overnight in Siem Reap

DAY 13: SIEM REAP - ROLUOS GROUP - TONLE SAP

In the morning we travel 15kms from Siem Reap, to visit the Roluos group, Hindu worship temples dating from the late 9th century and representing the beginning of Khmer architecture.

We will visit the three main temples dedicated to Shiva :

• The temple Preah Ko, erected by Indravarman in the late 9th century.
• Temple Lolei, the twin to Preah Ko,and see its sandstone carvings.
• Temple Bakong, the largest of the Rolous group, and served as the city,s central temple.

The Group represents the remains of Roluos Hariharalaya, the first major capital founded in the Angkor region.

In the afternoon, we drive to the fishing village of Chaong Kneas, on the banks of the Tonle Sap Lake, board a boat and take a cruise to explore some of the floating villages on this massive expanse of water. We see the huts of bamboo and straw, built on stilts, to avoid flooding, and practice some of the traditional fishing techniques employed by the locals, on one of largest reserves of fresh water fish known to man.

Overnight in Siem Reap

DAY 14: SIEM REAP - FLY - PHNOM PENH

Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Vientiane, Capital of Cambodia. Met and welcome by the Hanoi Voyages Guide in Phnom Penh upon arrival at the airport. Then transfer by private car to your hotel.

Tour of the capital which has retained its charm with its beautiful colonial buildings, wide avenues, monuments and beautiful Khmer architecture.

• Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts which shows a collection of sculptures exhibited pre-Angkorian and Angkorian
• Visit the Royal Palace, resplendent in traditional KhmerArchictecture
• Visit the Silver Pagoda and its magnificent Emerald Buddha, Gold inlaid with diamonds,
• Visit Wat Phnom, the oldest of the city, and is the origin of the name of the Cambodian capital, and the statue of Madam Penh.

Overnight Phnom Penh

DAY 15: PHNOM PENH - KAMPOT - KEP

Today, we will journey towards Kampot, and on the way visit Kampong Trach to see the concealed caves in the limestone mountains, and their natural water wells. Our stops will focus on the Ang Ang Viel and Thmar Dos caves.

Journeying towards Kampot we find, amongst other scenery, the productive pepper plantations and on reaching Kampot. We see the wonderful colonial French architecture, a reminder of bygone days. Today’s journey continues to the township of Kep.

Overnight in Kep.

DAY 16: KEP

Enjoy at your liesure, the pleasures of the beach.

Overnight in Kep

DAY 17: KEP - SIHANOUKVILLE

This morning, after breakfast we will transfer from Kep to Sihanoukville and after booking into your hotel enjoy a free day to explore and spend time on the famous, pristine beach.

Overnight in Sihanoukville

DAY 18: SIHANOUKVILLE

Enjoy a free day to explore and spend time on the famous, pristine beach.

Overnight in Sihanoukville

DAY 19: SIHANOUKVILLE - PHNOM PENH - DEPARTURE

Free time until transfer to the airport in Phnom Penh for your departure flight.

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