Best of Cambodia & Laos

Description

2 nights – Phnom Penh
2 nights – Kep (and/or Sihanoukville for an optional extension)
3 nights – Siem Reap
4 nights – Luang Prabang
1 night – Vang Vieng
2 nights – Vientiane

✈️ UK to Phnom Penh (2 nights): You’ll start your holiday in Cambodia’s lively capital, Phnom Penh.  The city offers the perfect introduction to Cambodia, blending modern energy with fascinating historical landmarks. Visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum to learn about the country’s Khmer heritage.  For a thought-provoking experience, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields to learn more about Cambodia’s tragic history under the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. The best place to soak up the local atmosphere is at the bustling Central Market, or for something more relaxing, take a stroll along the Tonlé Sap River.  Here you can enjoy the lively Sisowath Quay or the more peaceful Sothearos Boulevard or explore the floating villages on a relaxing river cruise.

🚗 Phnom Penh to Kep/ Sihanoukville (2 Nights): From Phnom Penh, your private transfer will take you on a scenic drive to Kep or you could extend your journey and head further west to Sihanoukville.  Kep is a quiet coastal town with a stunning National Park where you can enjoy walking through the lush greenery and enjoy some breathtaking views of the ocean. It’s also famous for its Crab Market where a must-try is the famous Kampot pepper crab.  To learn about the cultivation of the region’s Kampot pepper, make sure you visit the family-run Sothy’s Pepper Farm.  Here you can take a guided tour through the fields to see how the pepper is grown, harvested, and processed. If time allows, you could hop on a short boat trip to Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay), with its sandy beaches and clear waters.  You could also extend your trip by spending a few extra days near Sihanoukville, the gateway to some of the country’s idyllic tropical islands such as Koh Rong and Koh Ta Tiev. Here you can enjoy snorkelling, diving and relaxing amid the backdrop of lush green jungle.

✈️ Kep to Siem Reap (3 nights): For the next part of your adventure, you’ll take a short flight to Siem Reap. Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can take in the intricate carvings of Angkor Wat, the many faces of Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm, where ancient ruins are entwined with huge tree roots.   As the sun sets, head out to experience the town’s lively nightlife, including Pub Street and the bustling night markets.  You can also enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance or take a boat trip to the floating villages on the nearby Tonlé Sap Lake.

✈️ Siem Reap to Luang Prabang (4 nights): From Siem Reap, you’ll enter into the heart of Laos and to the UNESCO-listed town of Luang Prabang.  Nestled at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, the town is famous for its preserved temples, colonial architecture, and stunning natural beauty in the surrounding area.  For early risers, a must-do experience is the Tak Bat ceremony at dawn, where hundreds of monks walk silently through the town, collecting alms (offerings such as sticky rice and fruit) from locals and visitors. It’s a peaceful and meditative experience that allows the monks to honour their vows and the locals to gain spiritual merit.  Just outside the town you’ll find the Kuang Si Falls, a beautiful cascade of waterfalls that is perfect for a refreshing dip in breath-taking surroundings.  Another must-see is Pak Ou caves, reached via a scenic boat ride along the Mekong.  These sacred limestone caves are filled with thousands of Buddha statues that have been left by pilgrims over the last few centuries.

🚂 Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng (1 night): A scenic train ride from Luang Prabang will take you to Vang Vieng, a town surrounded by dramatic limestone peaks and lush landscapes. Once a backpacker hotspot, it’s now a haven for eco-adventures and natural beauty. Glide down the Nam Song River by kayak or tube, hike to Tham Phu Kham cave with its golden reclining Buddha and blue lagoon or explore the trails and climbing routes for some wonderful, panoramic views.

🚂 Vang Vieng to Vientiane (2 nights): Your journey concludes with a train ride to Vientiane, the charming capital of Laos. This city offers a perfect blend of cultural landmarks and a relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal way to complete your incredible trip.  Explore the iconic Pha That Luang, a golden stupa and Laos’ most sacred religious monument and also the Patuxai Victory Monument, nicknamed the ‘Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane,’ where you can climb to the top for great views of the city. The COPE Visitor Centre offers a powerful overview of Laos’ tragic history as the most heavily bombed country in history, when for 8 years, a bomb was dropped every 8 minutes, leaving a lasting impact on the landscape and its people.  A short drive outside the city brings you to the quirky Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), a riverside garden that is filled with hundreds of intricate statues blending Buddhist and Hindu influences. When night falls, take a walk along the Mekong River, where you’ll find a night market and also plenty of riverside restaurants.

✈️ Vientiane to UK: As your journey comes to an end, it’s time to head back to the UK, taking with you unforgettable memories of Cambodia and Laos’ culture, history, and natural beauty.