GRAND INDOCHINA DISCOVERY: LAOS - CAMBODIA
The Spirit of Indochina
- Information
- Tour Itinerary
- Maps
- Additional Info
- More Information
What's included
- Accommodation in twin or double rooms
- Essentials: Bottled water provided daily
- Lunch
- Professionally guided tour
- Transport
- International Air, unless expressly paid for
- International flights
- Medical insurance and emergency insurance
- Personal expenses
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Single Supplement
- Tips to guide and driver
- Visa arrangements
The Spirit of Indochina: A Heritage Journey
Discover the soul of Southeast Asia in this deep-dive 21-day itinerary. Traverse the diverse landscapes of three nations, exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites like Wat Phou, Luang Prabang, and the legendary Angkor complex. Beyond the temples, engage with local traditions through artisan village visits, freshwater dolphin spotting, and immersive stays, all supported by expert private guidance.
- Day 1
- Day 02
- Day 3
- Day 04
- Day 05
- Day 06
- Day 07
- Day 08
- Day 09
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
- Day 16
- Day 17
- Day 18
- Day 19
- Day 20
- Day 21
Hanoi – Arrival (--/--/--)
Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, welcome by your guide and driver, followed by a transfer to the city center. Early check-in at the hotel. Free time at your leisure. Note: Standard hotel check-in time is from 2:00 PM.
Hanoi – Vientiane (Flight at 09:30) (B/L/--)
Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Vientiane at 09:30 AM. Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver. Transfer by private car to visit Wat Sisaket, likely the oldest temple in the capital, spared during the Siamese invasion due to its unique Bangkok-style architecture. Check-in at the hotel. Continue to discover Wat Phra Keo, a former royal temple now serving as a museum of religious art. Finally, visit the iconic Pha That Luang, the golden symbol of Laos, before returning to the hotel.
Vientiane – Vang Vieng (approx. 130 km - 2h30) (B/L/--)
Departure for Vang Vieng through grand landscapes of mountains and rice paddies. Arrive mid-afternoon in this town nestled along the Nam Song River. In the late afternoon, enjoy a dugout canoe trip down the river to admire the lush nature and limestone karsts, reminiscent of Vietnam's "Inland Halong Bay." Overnight at the hotel.
Vang Vieng (B/L/--)
Visit the famous Tham Jang Caves, once used as a hideout from Chinese invaders. Continue through rice fields to the Tham Phoukham Caves, beautiful limestone caverns surrounded by forest. Along the way, meet local villagers to observe their daily life. Enjoy a swim in the natural pool in front of the caves. Overnight at the hotel.
Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang (High-Speed Train - 1h00) (B/L/--)
Transfer to Vang Vieng station for the high-speed train (TGV) to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, explore the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia:
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The National Museum (former Royal Palace).
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Wat Xieng Thong, considered the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang.
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Wat Aham and Wat Mai.
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Ock Pop Tok Textile Gallery to learn about Lao silk weaving. Late afternoon: Embark on the River Sun Cruisefor a sunset journey on the Mekong. (Note: Train tickets are confirmed 3 days prior; luggage limit is 20kg/adult. Strict safety regulations apply regarding prohibited items like sprays, knives, and certain foods).
Luang Prabang – Khuang Si Waterfalls (B/L/--)
At sunrise, witness the Alms Giving ritual (Tak Bat) as monks walk silently through the streets. After breakfast, drive to the stunning Khouang Si Waterfalls. Enjoy the turquoise pools and lush jungle. En route, visit H'Mong and Khamu minority villages (Ban Thinkeo and Ban Tha Pane), and the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong. Evening free at the H'Mong night market.
Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves (B/L/--)
Take a 1.5-hour traditional slow-boat cruise to the sacred Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting and Tham Phoum), home to thousands of Buddha statues. Cross the Mekong to Ban Chan, a pottery village. Visit Wat Xieng Mene and hike to Wat Chom Phet for a unique view of the river. Overnight at the hotel.
Luang Prabang – Pakse (Flight) – Bolaven Plateau (B/L/--)
Fly to Pakse. Drive to the Bolaven Plateau(1,250m altitude), Laos' prime agricultural hub for coffee, tea, and rubber. Visit ethnic stilt-house villages and the magnificent Tad Fane Waterfalls in the heart of the jungle. Overnight at the hotel.
Pakse – Champassak – Khong Island (B/L/--)
Drive to Champassak to visit Wat Phou, a 9th-century Khmer "Mountain Temple" and UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to Khong Island, the gateway to the "4,000 Islands" (Siphandon) region, where the Mekong reaches 14km in width. Overnight at the hotel.
4,000 Islands (Siphandon) (B/L/--)
Explore the 4,000 Islands region by motorboat. Visit Ban Khone village, the Li Phi Falls ("Ghost Gulf"), and the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls—the largest in Laos. End the day by searching for the rare Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins. Overnight at the hotel.
Khong Island – Stung Treng – Ratanakiri (Cambodia) (B/L/--)
Private transfer to the Dong Kalor border. After immigration formalities, meet your Cambodian guide and head to Banlung, the "Red City" of Ratanakiri. Visit the stunning Yeak Laom volcanic lake surrounded by virgin forest. Overnight at the hotel.
Ratanakiri – Kratie (B/L/--)
Visit the local market and Kachang Waterfall. Drive to Kratie through beautiful countryside. Visit Prek Kampi to take a small boat onto the Mekong to observe the protected Irrawaddy dolphins. Overnight at the hotel.
Kratie – Kampong Thom (B/L/--)
Depart for Kampong Thom via Kampong Cham. Visit the "Men and Women hills" (Phnom Pros & Phnom Srei) and a rubber plantation/factory. Discover the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk, a 7th-century capital scattered within a lush forest. Overnight at the hotel.
Kampong Thom – Siem Reap – Tonle Sap (B/L/--)
Drive toward Siem Reap. Visit the authentic stilted village of Kampong Khleang on the edge of the Tonle Sap Lake. Experience the local market and pagoda while learning about the lake's diverse ecosystem. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Siem Reap – Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom (B/L/D)
Full day exploring the Angkor complex by tuk-tuk:
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Angkor Thom: Victory Gate, Bayon (enigmatic smiles), Baphuon, and the Elephant Terrace.
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Ta Prohm: The iconic "Tomb Raider" temple overgrown by giant tree roots.
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Angkor Wat: The 12th-century masterpiece of Khmer architecture. Sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Dinner includes a traditional Apsara dance show.
Siem Reap – Battambang (approx. 170 km) (B/L/--)
Drive to Battambang through picturesque rice paddies. En route, visit a pottery village in Kampong Chnang and marble carving workshops in Pursat. Overnight in Battambang.
Battambang – Phnom Penh (B/L/--)
Visit the Battambang market and take a rural walk to see local crafts: knife-making, Karolann (bamboo sticky rice), and Prahoc (fish paste). Visit Wat Ek Phnom before driving to the capital, Phnom Penh. Overnight at the hotel.
Phnom Penh – Kampot (B/--/--)
Private transfer to the riverside town of Kampot (approx. 2 hours). Explore the charming French colonial architecture and red-tiled shophouses at your own pace. Overnight in Kampot.
Kampot – Kep – Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) (B/--/--)
Drive to Kep to visit the famous Crab Market. Board a local boat (35 mins) to Rabbit Island for a day of relaxation, swimming, and fresh seafood on the sand. Return to Kep in the afternoon. Overnight in Kep.
Kep – Phnom Penh (B/--/--)
Breakfast and return drive to Phnom Penh (approx. 3 hours). Free time for the rest of the day. Overnight at the hotel.
Phnom Penh – Departure (B/L/--)
Visit the Silver Pagoda within the Royal Palace grounds and the National Museum. Visit Wat Phnom, the city's historic birthplace. Transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for your international departure flight.
More about Cambodia
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More about this tour
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Please take note of the following important points regarding this travel proposal:
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Nature of the Proposal: This document is a travel proposal and does not constitute a booking confirmation. None of the services described in this program have been reserved yet; they are mentioned for indicative purposes only. No reservations will be made until we receive your final confirmation.
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Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your scheduled return date and must have at least two (2) blank pages available.
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Availability of Services: Should one or more services mentioned in the program become unavailable at the time of booking, we will make every effort to find alternative solutions of similar quality and price.
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Travel Insurance: This quote does not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend that travelers obtain personal insurance (covering, in particular, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation) before their departure.
