Diane & Colleen’s 13-Day Friends’ Journey Through Cambodia and Laos
A two-country friends trip built around the places they most wanted to see.
Diane and Colleen first contacted Indochina Tour in January 2026, interested in an 11-day Cambodia and Laos tour. They wanted a private journey for two friends, with comfortable accommodation, cultural sightseeing and local guides.
Once their international flights were confirmed, they decided to make a few changes. They wanted to add Battambang to their Cambodia itinerary, skip Vang Vieng and finish in Vientiane in time for their return flight.
Working with their travel consultant, Ivy, they developed a 13-day journey covering Cambodia’s ancient temples, countryside and historical sites, followed by Laos’ cultural landmarks, Mekong scenery and local farming experiences.
Diane & Colleen- Travelers 2 friends
- Nationality Australia
- Travel Dates 13-25 February 2026(13 days)
- Countries Laos, Cambodia
Customized by
Ivy
Our senior consultant
How Their Journey Came Together
Diane and Colleen began with a straightforward request for an 11-day Cambodia and Laos tour. After receiving Ivy’s initial proposal, they confirmed their international flights and asked whether the itinerary could finish in Vientiane on February 25.
They also wanted to include Battambang on the way to Phnom Penh without losing the main experiences already planned.Ivy revised the route, adding an overnight stay in Battambang and removing Vang Vieng. The final 13-day journey allowed the friends to explore their preferred destinations while keeping the departure arrangements aligned with their flights.
What Ivy Worked Around
- Diane's final 13–25 Feb travel dates
- Limited flight days between Laos and Cambodia
- Adding Battambang without losing the main Cambodia and Laos highlights
Diane2026/1/17“We would like to add Battambang on the way to Phnom Penh and keep the rest of the itinerary as planned, we will leave Vang Vieng off the intinerary so we can finish our trip in Vientiane on Wednesday 25th February;
"After Diane and Colleen confirmed their flights, I revised the route to include Battambang and finish in Vientiane. Diane also noticed that two days had repeated sightseeing activities, so I corrected the itinerary and added other stops without changing the price.”
IvyTravel ExpertThe Journey They Finally Took
The final journey began in Siem Reap, where Diane and Colleen explored the Angkor temples, visited rural villages by Jeep and took a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake.
From there, they continued to Battambang and Phnom Penh, combining countryside experiences with visits to Cambodia’s historical and cultural landmarks. Their Laos journey took them to Vientiane and Luang Prabang, where they explored Buddhist temples, cruised along the Mekong River and experienced traditional rice farming.
- 13 Days
- 2 Countries
- 2 Friends
Route: Siem Reap – Battambang – Phnom Penh – Vientiane – Luang Prabang – Vientiane
Final Itinerary for Diane & Colleen
- Arrive in Siem Reap and transfer to the hotel
- Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat and Apsara dance dinner
- Siem Reap countryside Jeep tour, local village visit and Tonle Sap Lake
- Travel to Battambang, Wat Ek Phnom, local food producers and Phnom Sampov
- Bamboo Train ride, local markets and transfer to Phnom Penh
- Phnom Penh's Killing Fields, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
- Fly from Phnom Penh to Vientiane and enjoy free time
- Vientiane city highlights, That Luang, Patuxay and Buddha Park
- High-speed train to Luang Prabang and free time
- Luang Prabang temples, weaving villages and Mount Phousi
- Mekong River cruise, Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Waterfall
- Rice farming at Living Land Farm and train back to Vientiane
- Transfer to Vientiane airport for departure
Moments They Remembered Most
Diane and Colleen's journey brought together Cambodia's ancient temples, a countryside adventure in Battambang and the natural scenery of Laos. Their own photos capture moments from Cambodia, while the Laos highlights show two more destinations included in their customized 13-day itinerary.
SIEM REAP · CAMBODIA
Seeing Angkor Wat Up Close
During their stay in Siem Reap, Diane and Colleen explored Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat with their local guide. Their sightseeing day introduced them to the architecture and history of the ancient Khmer Empire.
One of their photos shows Diane standing beside the reflecting pond, with Angkor Wat's famous towers rising in the background. After exploring the temples, their day concluded with a traditional Apsara dance dinner.
BATTAMBANG · CAMBODIA
A Bamboo Train Ride They Added to Their Trip
Battambang was not part of Diane and Colleen's original tour plan. They specifically asked Ivy to add the destination when customizing their itinerary, giving them time to explore another side of Cambodia beyond its major cities.
During their stay, the two friends rode the Bamboo Train along railway tracks through the countryside. Their photo shows them sitting together on the colorful platform, enjoying one of the local experiences included before their journey continued to Phnom Penh.
SIEM REAP · CAMBODIA
Ancient Ruins and Giant Tree Roots at Ta Prohm
Another stop on Diane and Colleen's Angkor sightseeing day was Ta Prohm, a temple famous for its enormous tree roots spreading across ancient stone structures. The site offered a different view of Khmer architecture from the grand towers and open spaces of Angkor Wat.
Their photo captures the two friends standing in front of a doorway surrounded by tangled roots. The trees have become part of the temple's appearance, making Ta Prohm one of the most distinctive sites on their Siem Reap itinerary.
LUANG PRABANG · LAOS
Following the Mekong to Pak Ou Caves
In Luang Prabang, Diane and Colleen's itinerary included a boat journey along the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves. Known for the many Buddha images placed inside, the caves offered an opportunity to explore Buddhist traditions in a setting overlooking the river.
The day also included a stop at Ban Xanghai to learn about traditional rice wine production, followed by a visit to Kuang Si Waterfall. This part of the journey combined cultural visits with the riverside scenery and natural landscapes of northern Laos.
LUANG PRABANG · LAOS
A Change of Scenery at Kuang Si Waterfall
After their Mekong River cruise and visit to Pak Ou Caves, Diane and Colleen's itinerary continued to Kuang Si Waterfall. Surrounded by forest, the waterfall is known for its cascading streams and turquoise pools, offering a contrast to the temples and historical landmarks earlier in their journey.
The Luang Prabang section brought together river scenery, Buddhist heritage and outdoor experiences. On another day, the friends also had a rice farming activity scheduled at Living Land Farm before returning to Vientiane by train.
What They Said After the Trip
Diane ’s Tripadvisor review
“Really enjoyed our 13 day trip to Cambodia and Laos. Our guides were exceptional, very polite and knowledgeable.”
“I would really recommend Indochina to everyone wanting to visit this area.”
What stood out to Diane
Diane's review particularly highlighted the people who supported the journey. Traveling across two countries meant working with different local guides and drivers, and their knowledge, courtesy and assistance left a positive impression.
The People Behind the Journey
Ivy
Travel Consultant
Helped Diane and Colleen adjust their route, add Battambang and finalize the itinerary around their flight dates.
Lance
Operations Team
Handled travel documents, reservations and pre-departure arrangements after booking.
Would a Journey Like This Suit You?
Diane and Colleen wanted to explore Cambodia and Laos within a fixed holiday period. Their 13-day itinerary combined cultural sightseeing with countryside experiences and several travel days.
For a slower journey, we would recommend spending more time in fewer destinations.
A good fit if you...
- Have around 13 days
- Want to visit Cambodia and Laos
- Enjoy culture and local experiences
- Are comfortable with an active pace
We’d adjust it if you...
- Want more travel days
- Favor a slower travel pace
- Need more free time
- Prefer longer stays per destination
Start With the Places You Really Want to See
Diane and Colleen started with an 11-day tour idea and adjusted it around their flights and preferred destinations. Tell us what matters to you, and we can plan a journey around your dates, interests and pace.
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