Kingdoms of the Mekong

Arrival at Phnom Penh airport. Welcome by our guide and driver, then transfer to the city to drop off your luggage at the hotel.

Departure for an orientation tour of the city with a visit to the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom consisting of different structures grouped within an enclosure of remarkable Khmer architecture, the Silver Pagoda (or Emerald Pagoda) located within the Royal Palace grounds which includes gold masterpieces such as a large solid gold Buddha weighing 90 kg, an Emerald Buddha and Baccarat crystal.

Then we discovered Wat Phnom, a pagoda erected on a small artificial hill topped by a magnificent monastery housing sacred relics and an enormous stupa of the former king Ponhea Yat, founder of the capital of Phnom Penh.

End of the day, free time for your personal exploration.

Overnight: Phnom Penh

You will depart in the morning for the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former secondary school that was transformed into a large prison under the Khmer Rouge, known as "S 21", where thousands of prisoners were held, tortured and killed.

Next, a visit to the Choeng Ek massacre field, which was used as a burial site for victims of Tuol Sleng prison during the Khmer Rouge regime.

Then, a bike ride along the Mekong.

In the afternoon, you will visit the National Museum of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, a superb example of Khmer architecture which was officially opened in 1920, mainly exhibiting sculptures dating from different periods of Cambodian history.

At the end of the day, you will discover the Russian Market in Phnom Penh, one of the best places for shopping in the capital, and then the Central Market, one of the city's must-see monuments.

Overnight: Phnom Penh

After breakfast, we will drive to Battambang (290km – 5h) via Kampong Chhnang. On the way, we will stop to visit the Koh Chen artisan village, a small village whose inhabitants specialize in silver and copper work, crafting ornamental objects used during traditional pagoda ceremonies or weddings.

Continue the journey towards OUDONG, stopping to visit the ancient city with its royal stupas on top of a hill.

Another stop in Pursat: a beautiful riverside town renowned for its marble sculptures (souvenirs and Buddhas), with a visit to the workshops. Visit the town of Kompong Chhnang, situated along the Tonlé Sap River, and its river port with its fishermen's houses. Discover its pottery crafts in the neighbouring village. Lunch on your own in Kampong Chhnang.

Arrival in Battambang in the late afternoon, check in at your hotel.

Overnight: Phnom Penh

Discover the city of Battambang, a large and charming city where you can observe the somewhat faded elegance of the French colonial style along the river.

Then you visit the pagoda before heading to the 11th-century temple of Wat EK Phnom. You pass through traditional villages where you can see local flatbread crafts and the villagers' way of life.

Next, you will discover the temple of Prasat Banon (12th-13th centuries), which stands on the top of a mound which you reach by a long staircase. From there, the panorama is superb with its typical landscapes.

Afternoon, drive towards Siem Reap (165km – 3h30).

End of the day, free time for your own exploration.

Overnight: Siem Reap

Departure from the hotel by Tuk Tuk to explore Angkor Thom (Great City), upon arrival at the south gate of Angkor Thom, you can enjoy photos at the entrance to the city with the scene of the churning of the sea of ​​milk.

Visit the famous Bayon, where 54 towers with four gigantic, enigmatic faces represent universal love, boundless compassion, sympathy, and equanimity. 

Your visit continues along the Terrace of the Elephants, which hosted the splendour of royal audiences and public ceremonies, and then you will also visit Ta Prohm, a temple overgrown by the jungle and discovered in 1860 by the French explorer Henri Mouhot.

In the afternoon, we visited Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its soaring towers and unique bas-reliefs, it is one of the most extraordinary monuments ever conceived by humankind, erected in the 12th century in honour of Vishnu. Compared to all other temples, Angkor Wat is the most famous and majestic.

Overnight: Siem Reap

After breakfast at the hotel, depart by bus for a short hike to Kbal Spean (the River of a Thousand Lingas), 49 km north of Angkor. The lifeblood of Angkor, the Kbal Spean, once irrigated the rice paddies of the ancient city.
In its bed, the Khmer carved Shiva statues and stone squares used to bless the waters before they reached the Royal City. 

The tour continues with a visit to the legendary Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women. This jewel of pink sandstone houses remarkable sculpted lintels in an incredible state of preservation. 

Lunch will be at a local restaurant at the foot of the hill.

In the afternoon, on the way back to Siem Reap, visit the palm sugar factory.

Next, transfer to Kampong Pluk Village on the shores of Tonle Sap, Cambodia's Great Lake, where you will observe life in lakeside villages, fishing techniques, fish farms and private crocodile farms.

Overnight: Siem Reap

You will be met by your driver and transferred to Siem Reap airport for your morning flight to Pakse. Upon arrival in Pakse, you will be driven to Tad Fane waterfall, located 38km from Pakse, at the gateway to the Bolaven Plateau and within the Dong Hua Sao protected area.

Next, a visit to the Tad Ngern waterfalls, nestled in the heart of the lush forest, is also spectacular, with its two torrents cascading over 40 meters. You can swim at the base of the falls, but be careful of the current.

Along the way, you will visit a tea or coffee plantation on the Bolaven Plateau.

The Bolaven Plateau, or simply Bolaven, is a gently mountainous region east of Pakse. 

This is where we find one of the world's most famous coffees, sometimes called the "Champagne of coffee." The plateau is also home to ethnic minorities such as the Laven, the Mom-Khmer Alak and the Katu.

The Katu are renowned for the intricate carving of their coffins, which they keep beneath their houses. It's a truly remarkable feat. Among the women, one can still see traditional facial tattoos, although this practice is fading over time. Back to Pakse.

Overnight: Pakse

In the morning, we will head to Champasak to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruin of Vat Phu, the most dramatic of the temples and one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001.

Stop at Ban Khiet Ngong village for an elephant ride to the summit of Phou Asa, topped by the ancient citadel. From there, you'll have a panoramic view over the Dong Houasao protected area and the Mekong Valley.

We will continue our journey by car to Don Khong Island, the largest island in the southern Mekong region known as the 4000 Islands, one of the most scenic areas of Laos.

Overnight: Don Khong Island

Transfer to the fishing village of Nakasang, from where you begin your excursion by local boat through the 4000 Islands to Don Khone and Don Det. The two islands are connected by a bridge, making it very easy to walk between them.

Next, we discovered another marvel of the 4000 Islands region: the Liphi Falls. These falls form churning rapids that the Laotians refuse to approach too closely because spirits are said to have taken refuge there.

Return to Nakasang village by boat, and the vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to visit the other Mekong waterfall – Khone Phapheng, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia (the Niagara of the East). Return to Khong Island for the night.

Overnight: Don Khong Island

Transfer to Pakse airport to catch the flight to Vientiane.

Arrival, pick-up and transfer to the city. Check in at the hotel.

End of the day, free time for your personal exploration of the city.

Overnight: Vientiane

After breakfast, departure to explore Vientiane.

Your day begins with the discovery of Vat Sisaket, probably the oldest temple in the capital.

Wat Phra Keo, the temple that was intended to house the most famous of Buddhas, the Emerald Buddha. 

A visit to Patuxai, Vientiane's triumphal arch. Then, the unmissable Pha That Luang, the emblem of Laos, featured on the national coat of arms and banknotes. 

A detour to visit Vat Si Muang, the Laotian people's favourite active temple. They come to leave offerings in the "sim" after one of their wishes has been granted.

In the afternoon, depart by car for Vang Vieng along Route 10 (160km ~ 4h).
Arrive in Vang Vieng in the late afternoon. Located on Route 13, this small town was built on the banks of the Nam Song River and is surrounded by an impressive karst landscape riddled with caves to explore.

Check in at a hotel on the banks of the Nam Song River.

Overnight: Vang Vieng

After breakfast, visit the local market and the Tham Jang cave before departing for Luang Prabang (230km ~ 5h30 transfer).

Make a few stops to visit villages and take beautiful photos: the M'Hong village in Kiow Kacham and Muang Xieng Ngeun.

Upon arriving in Luang Prabang, take a short tour to explore the spiritual capital of Laos.

Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 in an effort to preserve its elegant Franco-Laotian architecture. Luang Prabang is a peaceful provincial town where the constant movement of monks in orange robes under their parasols sets the rhythm of life in this Buddhist city.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

Optional visit: Around 5:00 AM, monks parade through the streets of Luang Prabang seeking alms. If you wish, you can get up early and witness this beautiful spiritual spectacle in Luang Prabang. Afterward, you can visit the local market.

Breakfast before visiting the city of Luang Prabang:

Discover the Wat Xieng Thong temple, the monastery of the Golden City, whose ornaments, mosaics, and stupas are among the most exquisite. 

The tour of Luang Prabang continues with a visit to the city's historic temple: Vat Visoun, built in the early 16th century. It was partially destroyed by fire in 1887, and the architects responsible for its renovation chose to give it an architectural style inspired by the Khmer temple Vat Phou.

A short walk away, discover Wat Aham, then the city's first monastery, Wat Saen. Finally, visit Wat May, built in the typical Luang Prabang style. Its wooden "sim" and five-sided roof are characteristic features.

In the afternoon, you will learn about the history of the region and the royal family at the Royal Palace, now a museum. The National Museum displays the famous Pha Bang, a golden Buddha statue.

If time permits, in the late afternoon, ascend Mount Phousi for a breathtaking view at sunset.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

Board a traditional junk for a cruise on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. Located on the riverbank, carved into the foot of limestone cliffs, these caves display numerous Buddha statues, left over the centuries by the Lao people during religious festivals. Two caves stand out: Tham Ting, accessible from the pier, and Tham Phun. This is a sacred site, one of the oldest in this region of Laos.

Back to Luang Prabang.

In the afternoon, you will visit the villages of the ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, at Ban Ou, a Laoloum village and at Ban Thapene, a Khmu village.

The journey then takes you to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfall, where you can relax with a refreshing swim in the pool or stroll along the forest trails.

The return to Luang Prabang takes place at the end of the day.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

Free time until transfer to Luang Prabang airport for the departure flight.