18 Days Laos and Cambodia In-depth Exploration

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 Luang Prabang

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

Meals: B

Today, your guide will drive you to the airport for your next destination Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 Flight to Pakse | Bolavan Plateau Tour

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

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will take a flight to Pakse. Upon arrival at Pakse, we will drive to Tad Fan Waterfall which is the largest and most amazing waterfall in Laos.

In the afternoon, you will continue your tour to visit Bolavan Plateau to discover the Alak, Nge, and Katu villages. The trip to the Bolaven Plateau will bring you away from the heats and allows you to observe the cultivation of coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, etc. Drive back to the hotel in Pakse before dark.

Overnight in Pakse.

Day 8 3 Days Vat Phou Cruise (Day 1)

Meals: B / L / D

After 6 days interesting sightseeing for your Indochina tour in Laos, you might be tired and needs relaxing time. Embarking on the Vat Phou Cruise for a 3 days Mekong River Cruise tour will offer you unique experience in the rural Laos.

The cruise boat will starts at 10:30am and heading south to Champassak. Lunch will be served onboard. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a shore excursion to Vat Phou Ruins which is a temple complex built in Pre-Angkorian 10^th century. You will have time to visit the museum at the ruins site, walk up to the largest temple and stroll around.

Transfer to Vat Phou Boat, dinner will be served on board while you are enjoying a beautiful tropical sunset.

Overnight in the Cruise.

Day 9 Full Day Vat Phou Cruise (Day 2)

Meals: B / L / D

Today, you will set sail for the village of Huei Thamo. This is a small village a few minutes walk away from the mysterious hidden forest temple of Oum Muong.

Afterwards, rejoin the boat to continue our cruise southwards. Lunch is on the deck, while leisurely sailing closer to the wild paradise of the "4,000 Islands" Late afternoon we disembark from the boat to walk through Ban Deua Tia, a small Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries.

Today's cruise finishes at the most northern tip of Don Khong, the largest inhabited island in the river archipelago. After dinner, the evening is yours to relax and enjoy.

Overnight on the cruise.

Day 10 Vat Phou Cruise (Day 3) | Back to Pakse

Meals: B / L

While you breakfast on the deck, the Vat Phou boat cruises the Mekong to the small village of Ban Veuthong, where you board a small boat to meander among the 4,000 Islands to Khone Island.

You will visit the old French railway and walk across the bridge that links Khone and Det Islands.

Then, you'll continue on the boat back to the mainland for lunch at a local restaurant in a small fishing village, Xieng Di, on the banks of the Mekong. A bus will transfer you to the historically significant Pha Pheng waterfall, "the Niagara of the East", close to the Cambodian border.

Finally, back to Pakse for the end of the cruise experience.

After disembarking, you will be picked up by your local guide in Pakse.Your guide and driver will escort you to the hotel.

Service end.

Day 11 Full Day Leisurely in Pakse

Meals: B

Today is your relaxing day in Pakse.

Overnight in Pakse.

Day 12 Departure from Pakse | Flight to Siem Reap!

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

Meals: B

This morning, relaxing at hotel until transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap.

Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to Hotel for check in. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13 Angkor Thom Ancient Capital & Angkor Wat | 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 afternoon, 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 evening, you will enjoy a dinner with Khmer traditional Apsara Dancing Show.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14 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 15 Flight to Phnom Penh

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

Meals: B

Today, you will take the fligh to Phnom Penh. Upon arrive in Siem Reap, your private guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and escort you to hotel for checking in. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 16 Full Day Phnom Penh City Tour

Meals: B

Start the day with a TUK TUK ride to visit the Silver Pagoda which has 5,000 silver tiles on the floor and a visit to the Royal Palace where the Khmer royal family lives. You will also visit the National Museum where you will see the large collection of Khmer history, arts and architecture.

In the afternoon, head straight to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to delve into the disturbing past of the country. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide, browse poignant exhibitions then head to the verdant environs of the city to see the impressive Choueng Ek Memorial, a pagoda constructed out of 8,000 human skulls excavated from the Killing Fields.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 17 Free Day Leisurely in Phnom Penh

Meals: B

Today is your relaxing day in Phnom Penh.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 18 Farewell from Phnom Penh

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.