Adventure along the Mekong – Cambodia & Laos

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Siem Reap - Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh - Kratie - Stung Treng - Boloven Plateau - Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars - Vientiane
Duration:
21 days / 20 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £2,898 per person (excluding flights)

Follow the meandering Mekong River from Cambodia into Laos, stopping in small villages, exploring jungle ruins and soaking up remote scenery along the way. It’s a laid-back and beautiful adventure that will give you an authentic glimpse of daily life on the Mekong. You’ll begin your trip with a bang, watching the sun rise behind Angkor Wat. From there, you’ll learn about Cambodia’s harrowing past in Phnom Penh, look for Irrawaddy dolphins and trek to rainforest waterfalls. This trip will then take you into the heart of Laos, where you’ll puzzle over the Plain of Jars and watch tawny-robed monks file into the temples of Luang Prabang at dawn.

Days 1-4 – Amazing Angkor!

Get lost amongst the overgrown jungle temples and giant carved reliefs of Angkor, one of the man-made wonders of the world. During this trip, you’ll spend three days exploring the temples of Angkor, using Siem Reap as your base. You’ll learn about the ruins with a friendly local guide, but there will also be plenty of time for you to clamber between jungle temples independently.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Siem Reap and journey by minibus for about 3 hours into the countryside to Kampong Thom, from where you’ll then journey by tuk-tuk for 45 minutes to your unique homestay experience. Stay at home with the locals for a real glimpse of life in Cambodia. Tucked away in the countryside, you’ll spend one night in Kampong Thom in a small rural village, where you’ll get a taste of true local hospitality. During your stay, you’ll meeting the villagers, visit ancient temples being claimed by the jungle and cycle through the countryside.

After breakfast you’ll be transferred by tuk-tuk back to Kampong Thom where you’ll board the minibus onwards to Phnom Penh. The bus journey takes roughly 3 hours. On arrival, sometime early in the afternoon, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Explore Phnom Penh, a city that pulses with energy, history and survival. It’s a colourful riot of sights, sounds, monks, motorbikes and tangy aromas, packed with character. During this trip, you’ll visit the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng, both scenes of unthinkable atrocity that bring the horror of Cambodia’s past to life. You can also explore the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda as they sparkle in the sunshine.

Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Phnom Penh and travel by minibus with a small group of other travellers to the city of Kratie. It’s roughly a 6 hour travel time today and along the way you’ll journey through some of the most scenic and remote landscapes in Cambodia. Visit sleepy villages, see gorgeous sunsets and explore small-town Cambodia. You’ll spend four days drifting through the Mekong, staying in simple riverside hotels along the way. With a little luck, you might spot one of the few remaining Irrawaddy dolphins, native to this area and under threat of extinction. Get into the groove of laid-back life in northern Cambodia.

This morning you’ll take a boat trip to one of the most deserted areas of the Mekong. From here, you’ll travel to the Laotian border (Veunkham). After a few stamps in your passport you’ll cross the border from Cambodia to Laos. We’ll arrange for a transfer to collect you at the border and take you to the Bolaven Plateau. Escape into a lush, tropical rainforest peppered with plunging waterfalls, gaze down into emerald gorges and trek through the wilderness of the Bolaven Plateau. Sleep in a secluded bungalow near a gushing waterfall, meet minority tribes and feel lost in the rainforest. During this trip, you can explore the rainforest at your own pace. You’ll stay in a lodge with crashing waterfall views.

We’ll arrange for a transfer to take you to Pakse airport where you’ll catch a flight to the enigmatic town of Luang Prabang. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your central hotel. Step into a heady, spiritual world of golden spires, saffron-robed monks, frangipani flowers and crumbling French mansions. Prepare to be instantly caught in the spell of Luang Prabang, a heartwarming place slung along the banks of the Mekong River. You’ll spend four days getting lost in the magic of Luang Prabang, watching monks file into the temples at sunrise and floating down the Mekong at sunset.

Today you’ll travel by minibus from Luang Prabang to Phonsovan, the gateway to the ‘Plain of Jars’. Puzzle over the ancient mystery of giant stone jars scattered across hilly plains and visit an inspiring community project dedicated to educating young people in north eastern Laos. Nobody knows how, when or why the huge jars appeared, making the Plain of Jars a truly mind-boggling place. During this trip you’ll wander across the bizarre and beautiful plains on a guided tour and meet the spirited students of the Buffalo Foundation, committed to improving opportunities for young people with English classes and football coaching.

Today you’ll fly from Phonsovan to Vientiane. On arrival in Vientiane, you’ll be greeted by a driver who will take you to your cosy guest house. Explore Vientiane, a sleepy, scenic capital curled around a bend in the Mekong River, packed with tuk-tuks, French bakeries and friendly monks. Marvel at temples crammed with thousands of Buddha statues, watch daily life unfold over a croissant in a pavement cafe and stroll along the riverfront. Vientiane feels more like a village than a capital city, with laid-back locals and a languid pace of life. During this trip, you’ll explore the city’s cuisine on a food tour through the colourful markets. Today, you’ll check out of your guesthouse and head to the airport for a flight to Bangkok, where you’ll pick up your flight home.