16 Days Off-the-beaten-path Laos and Cambodia Tour

Day 1 Welcome to Vientiane!

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Upon your arrival in Vientiane, your private local guide will welcome you in the airport then escort you to your hotel to check in.

Rest of the day at your leisure to relax and explore the city.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2 Vientiane City Highlights Tour

Meals: B

Today, your guide will take you to visit the highlights of Vientiane. You will firstly get to know some more history of Laos by visiting the National Museum. Then, go to visit Wat Si Saket which is the oldest surviving temple with thousands of Buddhist images. This tour will also take you to visit the symbolic site That Luang Stupa and Patuxay Monument.

In the afternoon, head to visit Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, and enjoy a stroll around the park. This unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. Afterward, you will start to drive back to Vientiane.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 3 Flight to Sam Neua

Flight: Domestic flight will be included and arranged by Indochina Tour or upon request

Meals: B

Enjoy some relaxing time in the morning, then transfer to airport for onward flight to Sam Neua. Upon arrive in Sam Neua, you will meet your local guide at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to your hotel in Sam Neua.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Sam Neua.

Day 4 Full Day Sam Neua Adventure Tour

Meals: B

Today, after an early breakfast, we visit a number of local weaving villages, we continue onto the famous Vieng Xai Caves. This is where the Pathet Lao leaders lived during the “Secret War’. After enjoying numerous caves we head back to our Sam Neua accommodation for the night.

Overnight in Sam Neua.

Day 5 Drive to Xieng Khuang

Meals: B

Enjoy some relaxing time in the morning, then we will drive to Xieng Khuang in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check in hotel and rest of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Day 6 Full Day Xieng Khuang Tour

Meals: B

Today, we transfer out to visit Site 1 of the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are scattered all over the plateau.

Then, we will go to visit the interesting Central Market in Phonsavan, visit the MAG exhibition, and Site 2 of the Plain of Jars before taking a short scenic trek to Site 3 via a Tai Dam and Lao Leum village.

Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Day 7 Drive to Luang Prabang

Meals: B

After breakfast, we drive to the Luang Prabang. The journey will take us over mountainous regions until we approach Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8 Luang Prabang City Tour

Meals: B

Today, you will explore Wat Xiengthong which is a symbolic temple of the classic Laotian architecture, visit the Royal Palace Musem to learn some history of Laos. Then visit the Wat Aham Temple which means “ Monastery of the Opened Heart” and the Stupa of Wat Visoun.

Rest of the day at your leisure to relax and explore the city, you can enjoy some drinks in one of the cafés or strolling along the beautiful riverside.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 9 Boat Trip to Pak Ou Caves | Kuang Si Waterfall

Meals: B

Your memorable trip will start from partaking in an alms ritual in the morning, you will accept the blessing by monks who you give the alms. Have breakfast in the hotel and then, visit the Royal Palace Museum to learn some history of Laos. Continue to you will embark on a private boat for a 2 hours boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Cave. During the boat trip, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Mekong River and see the daily fishing life of local people in the riverside.

Then, go to visit the Pak Ou Cave which locates by the Mekong River. Here, you will discover a number of gold lacquered Buddha statues in the cave.

After that, you can have an excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you will enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, have fun in waterfalls and relax.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 10 Full Day Mahout Experience at Elephant Village Camp

Meals: B

Today you will learn how to be a Mahout and then get ready to get wet as you plunge into the Nam Khan river and give the elephant a refreshing bath! (No Elephant Ride)

8:00 am - 8:30 am: Pick up by our English speaking guide from your hotel lobby within Luang Prabang;

Arrival at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants;

Elephant feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants;

Explore elephant village: Visit our elephant hospital, museum, gallery, and dung paper making facility;

One on one experience: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a Mahout! (Notice: 1 person per elephant)

Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water. Swimsuit recommended! (Notice: water levels will vary with seasonal conditions)

Bathe your elephant: Take your own elephant down to the Nam Khan river for an exhilarating and once in a lifetime bathing experience!

Boat trip back to camp: Traverse the Nam Khan River in a traditional Lao long boat from the waterfall back to our Elephant Camp.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Depart the camp. Transfer back to your Hotel in Luang Prabang

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 11 Day Tour at the Living Land Rice Farm

Meals: B

Today, the tour will bring you to experience the process of making rice at a Living Land Farm, a project that supports the local community through the cultivation of rice, vegetables, and herbs.

This organic project was started in response to destructive farming methods that persist elsewhere in Laos, and the farm sells produce to Luang Prabang restaurants and supports education for underprivileged children.

Start by helping out in fields where farmers plow, plant, and harvest without the aid of machinery. Roll up your pants and push up your sleeves as you get knee-deep in the mud to plant rice, or learn to steer a water buffalo to plow the field. Help out with picking the herbs, plucking vegetables, or husking the rice, or just enjoy the view from the shady verandah.

Overnight at Luang Prabang.

Day 12 Flight to Siem Reap

Flight: International flight include and arranged by Indochina Tour or upon request

Meals: B

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you will meet up with our friendly English Speaking guide. Then, your guide will transfer to the hotel and help you check in.

The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13 Angkor Thom Ancient Capital | Apsara Dancing Show

Meals: B

After breakfast, begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, visit the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under a canopy will leave you feeling as if you’d stepped into an adventure movie set.

Then, visit Banteay Kdei ("Citadel of Chambers”). Continue on to the Victory Gate, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, and Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon offers many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

In the evening, you will enjoy a dinner with Khmer traditional Apsara Dancing Show.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14 Visit Angkor Wat & Banteay Srei

Meals: B

In the morning, you will head to visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat.

Enter Angkor Wat and to view its amazing architecture and history. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carvings. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning exploring through the many passages, levels, and chambers that once housed many treasures of the ancient world.

In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to the remote temple of Banteay Srei: set deep in the jungle. The Citadel of Women, Banteay Srei was carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale in comparison to the other colossal temples around Siem Reap, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. This temple is considered the jewel of Khmer art.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15 Full Day Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Phluk

Meals: B

In the morning, a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake - Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Then, you will spend the rest day to visit Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake, to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 16 Farewell from Siem Reap

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon requests

Meals: B

Today, the guide will escort you back to Pakse airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

End of service.