Luang Prabang Downstream Mekong to Angkor 12 days

From $/pax Luang Prabang Downstream Mekong to Angkor 12 days

Attraction:

Luang Prabang - Khone Island - Kratie - Kampong Cham - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

The trip is a journey along downstream of Mekong River from Laos to Cambodia. It brings to you the new experiences and a good chance to explore the culture, history & people in each place you go by. The charming town of Luang Prabang is the first place in your journey, here our well-trained guide will introduce you the beautiful old temples, the mysterious Pak Ou Cave and the picturesque Khuang Si Waterfalls, one of the many beautiful waterfalls near Luang Prabang and we stop at a Hmong hill tri

Duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Country: Laos

Code: LMUT2

Theme:

Multi-Country Tours

After a short flight, you will arrive Pakse, one of the provinces in the South of Laos. The Southern Laos can be an attractive destination to tourist to explore. You will use the traditional boat to discover the sleepy remote villages, emerald quiet lakes, great waterfalls and the islands.

Continue downstream of the great Mekong River to arrive Cambodia territory. En route drive from the border to Phnom Penh along the Mekong River, you will sail boat to see the freshwater river dolphins and enjoy the picturesque countryside. From the charming riverside capital Phnom Penh, speedboat through picturesque countryside of two riversides to the mysterious & dramatic, jungle-clad temples of Angkor, stands as one of mankind’s greatest achievements.

Highlights:

– Visit the Vat Visoun temple, That Makmo, Vat Aham, Vat Siphouthabath Temple in Luang Prabbang/
– Cruise to visit the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum of Pak Ou cave.
– See the wonderful Khuangsi Waterfalls.
– Drive to Vat Phou, a pre-Angkorian temple built between the 6th and13th century and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
– Take the boat to see the Irrawaddy fresh water dolphins in Khong Island in southern part of Lao , cross the border to Kratie in Cambodia.
– Take a interesting speedboat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap to see the scenic scenery of the Cambodian rural life-style along the riverbank.
– Discover the civilization of Khmer Rouge through the giant Angkor Complex

Itinerary in brief:

Day 1, Arrival in Luang Prabang
Day 2, Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave
– Luang Prabang (B)
Day 3, Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfall (B)
Day 4, Luang Prabang – Pakse – Vat Phou
– Don Daeang (B)
Day 5, Don Daeng – Khong Island (B)
Day 6, Khong Island – Khong Phabeng (B)
Day 7, Khone Phapeng – Dongkalor
– Kratie (B)
Day 8, Kratie–Kampong Cham–Phnom Penh (B)
Day 9, Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B)
Day 10, Angkor Temples (B)
Day 11, Angkor Temples – Banteay Srei (B)
Day 12: Siem Reap – Departure

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrival in Luang Prabang

Arrival at Luang Prabang airport, pick up and transfer to hotel in Luang Prabang. In the afternoon, visit Vat Visoun temple with its Singhalese-style stupa, That Makmo, and Vat Aham, one of the main city sanctuaries dedicated to the ancestors of the Laos Wat. Then, enjoy the sunset at Vat Siphouthabath Temple along the Mekong River. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 2 : Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave – Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast, visit Vat Xieng Thong, regarded as the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang with low sweeping roofs. Then set sail on a traditional river boat for a 2-hour cruise up the Mekong River to Pak Ou, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers and visit the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, home to hundreds of Buddha statues. On the way, visit Vat Longkhoune temple, famous for its 18th century frescoes. Then continue to Ban Xang Hai Village and discover the distillation of sticky rice wine. Return to Luang Prabang and proceed by road to Ban Xang Khong weaving village where traditional mulberry leaf paper is also produced. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 3 : Luang Prabang - Khouangsi Waterfall (B)

Breakfast; this morning you may want to rise early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and today you will visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. Time permitting you may also wish to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 4 : Luang Prabang – Pakse – Vat Phou – Don Daeang (B)

Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Pakse (QV513, operated only on Sunday, Wed and Friday). On arrival at the airport, meet your guide and then visit the morning market of Pakse, one of the largest markets in Laos. Transfer to the pier and board a traditional boat for a 2-hour cruise down the Mekong River to the ancient Royal capital of Champassak. En route, stop at Ban Houei Thomo Village and walk to the nearby ruins of the Khmer temple of Oum Moung, hidden in the heart of a thick forest. Upon arrival in Champassak, continue by car to Vat Phou (8 km from the city), a pre-Angkorian temple built between the 6th and13th century and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Then continue by boat to Don Daeng. Overnight at the hotel in Dong Deang

Day 5 : Don Daeng – Khong Island (B)

After breakfast, continue the cruise on the Mekong to Khong Island (approximately 5 hours journey depending on the water level). On the way, stop at Phou Asa Temple ruins and arrive in the tropical paradise of Siphandone “The 4,000 Islands”. During the rainy season, the Mekong River reached a width of 14 km and when the water recedes they leave behind a myriad of islands and islets. Visit Det and Som Islands for a glimpse of the traditional way of life of the local fishermen. Overnight at the hotel in Khong Island.

Day 6 : Khong Island – Khong Phabeng (B)

After breakfast, board a long-tail riverboat for a cruise through the maze of waterways forming the tropical paradise of the South of Laos. Discover Khone Island’s colonial heritage including an old railway built by the French in 1897, built to avoid the powerful rapids disrupting the navigation on the Mekong River. Continue Li Phi Waterfalls, home to a colony of endangered Irrawaddy fresh water dolphins. Proceed to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous Khone Phapeng Waterfalls, the largest cascade on the Mekong River along its 4,350 km journey from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea. Check in to Khone Phapheng Resort. Overnight at the hotel in Khone Phapheng

Day 7 : Khone Phapeng – Dongkalor – Kratie (B)

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Dom Kralor to cross border for immigration procedure to Cambodia. Welcome by your Cambodian guide and then drive to drive to the colonial-style town of Kratie via Stung Treng. Check in to your hotel upon arrival. In the afternoon, visit Wat Phom Sambok to discover the Buddhist monasteries and enjoy a magnificent view on the surrounding countryside from the hilltop. Continue to reach the site of the freshwater river dolphins and observe the dolphins until sunset. Overnight at the hotel in Kratie.

Day 8 : Kratie – Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh (B)

Morning depature for Kampong Cham. This tranquil town has plenty of interesting sights, some of which are old colonial buildings and Wat Nokhor with the ancient temple and modern style pagoda. We include these in a short walk tour before we continue traveling by roads though Cambodia's biggest growing rubber area to Phnom Penh. This riverside town still maintains considerable charm despite its recent turbulent history. Arrival in Phnom Penh. Visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and we climb up a small hill to visit thelegendary Wat Phnom and catch a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. Overnight at the hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 9 : Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B)

Morning we board an express boat along Mekong river for a thrilling trip towards Siem Reap. It is an unforgettable experience as we admire the picturesque scenery changing all along the way. On arrival at Siem Reap pier, you are greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. And then we start to visit Angkor temple by the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 10 : Angkor Temples (B)

We explore the well known Ta Prohm and some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. They almost belong to the small circuit according to the archaeologists’ division. Upon leaving this area we visit various famous temples of the grand circuit such as Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup. We round off our exciting day with a walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 11 : Angkor Temples - Banteay Srei (B)

Morning departure for Banteay Srei Temple. We stroll around this beautiful landmark which was designed to leave no space undecorated. The roads begin to deteriorate but it is still fascinating to drive past the rolling mountain scenery towards Kbal Spean. This interesting site locally named the river of 1000 Lingars, has been largely reclaimed by the jungle; however it invovles a walk to catch a view over its riverbed carvings. The next stop is Banteay Samre which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and Krishna legends. Today we also have a chance to explore the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap

Day 12 : Siem Reap - Departure (B)

Morning visit Les Chantiers Ecole, a handicraft center located in the center of Siem Reap. This art school was founded in 1992 and aims to revive the ancient art of Khmer workmanship as it gives young people the opportunity to learn the art of stone and wood carving, silk weaving methods and polychromic technique. If time permits we pay a visit to this school and the market in town. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap

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Tour includes:

Private English speaking guide.
All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfasts
All transfers & transportation by private car (or van, bus)
Meals as indicated at local restaurant with local foods (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
Boat cruise : Pakse – Champassak – Don Daeng, Khong Island, Kratie
Speed boat : Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
Entrance fees and permits during guided time.
Service charge & government taxes