Laos & Cambodia Uncovered

We arrive in Luang Prabang, where you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. We are joined here by our without-flight guests. After checking in, you have the afternoon to explore the hotel and local area at your leisure.

In the early evening, we head out for a welcome dinner in town and visit the night market.

An early bird? There is an optional dawn visit (5:30am) to witness the lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents.

After breakfast, we tour old Luang Prabang town by vintage Tuk-tuk. The first stop of this original sightseeing tour is to explore the city of Luang Prabang with the Mekong River as our backdrop, confirming why it holds World Heritage status.

One of our more interesting visits of the morning is to the local market. Just two lanes, this market is used by locals to sell products grown or made at home.

We finish the morning with a drive to Wat Xieng Thong, the largest temple of Laung Prabang Royal City, best known for its impressive Tree of Life mural.

After lunch, we walk to the Mekong River and use a local ferry to reach Ban Xieng Mene . Here we enjoy the quietness of the afternoon, walk through lush green gardens, listen to birds singing and appreciate the pureness of a Lao afternoon stroll to Wat Long Khoun. We then finish with a heart pumping climb up 123 steps to Wat Chomphet, where we’re rewarded with stunning scenic views over Phousi Mountain and the city of Luang Prabang.

Trekking distance: approx. 5 km
Trekking duration: approx. 2.5 hrs
Day grade: Easy

Today we leave Luang Prabang behind, and head out to Ban Long Lao, (Hmong minority village). As we wander, we’ll learn more about life in this rural lowland Lao and Hmong community. Our hiking leads us through paddy fields before entering dense mixed growth jungle with a remarkable diversity of tree species. After an undulating hike through the forest, we reach Kuang Si Waterfall, where water tumbles over tiered limestone formations into crystal clear pools ideal for escaping the heat. Between cooling off in the pools, you can explore the lush forest setting around the falls. At the famous Kuang Si Waterfall, a short walk brings you down to the pool at the bottom of the waterfall with time for a swim or to enjoy relaxing by the water’s edge. There’s also the chance to visit the ‘Free the Bear Project’.

Trekking distance: approx. 7.5 miles/12km
Trekking duration: approx. 3-4hrs
Day grade: Moderate
Ascent: 600ft/185m

Enjoy a morning cruising up Mekong River to Pak Beng, taking in the beautiful countryside as you pass. We stop on the way to visit Pak Ou cave and possibly some of the numerous villages for a leisurely walk around. This is the perfect chance to learn more about the Laos villagers of the upper northern Mekong River.

In sharp contrast to riverside scenery, today’s hike takes us on a narrow path through the jungle, climbing steadily towards stunning mountain views. After enjoying our picnic lunch in a local village, the afternoon sees us hike through magnificent countryside, across a stream, to another village before we return to Pak Beng, visiting the market.

Trekking distance: approx. 8.5 miles/14km 
Trekking duration: approx. 5-6hrs
Day grade: Medium

Today we head deep into the wilderness of North Laos. Departing Pakbeng, we hit the road to the Northeast towards Oudomxay province and Muang Xay town. Here we visit a temple and enjoy some nice views over the surroundings before continuing to our lodge. Nested in what feels like the middle of nowhere, this is a perfect base for fun outdoor activities.

Today we explore the region further with a walk across the Namkat rain forest. It’s an exciting adventure which includes walking over a total of 13 flying bridges hanging deep in the lush jungle. We will stop by a scenic waterfall for a well-deserved picnic lunch and, if you fancy it, a refreshing dip in the natural pools.

In the afternoon, we continue walking in the shade of some giant trees until we reach the meeting point with our vehicle to transfer back to the hotel.

Trekking distance: approx. 9 miles/15km
Trekking duration: approx. 6.5hrs
Day grade: Easy

After breakfast, we depart to Luang Prabang which will take approx 5 hours. We stop on the way to visit Ban Xangkhong village, where traditional Sa paper and silks are made. Meet the craftsmen and observe them at work as we explore the village. When we reach our hotel in Luang Prabang, you’ll have time on your own to go stroll around the peninsula or relax at the hotel.

Enjoy a morning of leisure. Around midday, we transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will welcome you and take you to a beautiful hotel right in Siem Reap’s center. Check-in and make yourself comfortable before gathering in the lobby where the guide will be waiting for you.

Tonight, we enjoy the vibe of Siem Reap’s old quarter on a walking orientation tour. Our guide will us to the riverbank and the old market, venturing along some narrow alleys filled with shops, cafés and restaurants with the time to stop by and try some local foods along the way.

Get your camera ready for a day filled with amazing sights and experiences as we explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and temples of Angkor, where we visit the most-wanted temples of Angkor Park.

We explore the ancient city of Angkor Thom, surrounded by an 8m high wall. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Continuing to Bayon Temple in the exact centre of the city, this 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur, its exterior gallery walls featuring extensive, superb bas-reliefs, particularly the East and South Galleries.

We also visit the Ta Prohm Temple which, unlike most other Angkor temples, has been left just it was when rediscovered: a photogenic and atmospheric maze of trees growing out of temple ruins amidst jungle surroundings, making it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.

In the afternoon there is the opportunity to further explore Angkor Wat, easily the most famous and best-preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. It is a massive three-tiered structure crowned by five lotus-like towers rising 65 metres from ground level. The centrepiece of any visit to the temples around Siem Reap, Angkor Wat offers many iconic sights for amazing pictures.

This evening enjoy a special treat with a performance from PHARE, the Cambodian Circus. They have long been famous for their performances, and teaching streetkids to become circus artists is a regular at international circus conventions worldwide. Enjoy their interpretations of modern life and issues in Cambodian society.

Trekking distance: approx. 3-5 miles/ 6-8km
Trekking duration: approx. 3 hours
Day grade: easy, flat walking. To climb the temples for the views, you will need to climb stairs. 

We drive to the Kulen Mountain Range, approximately 60km from Siem Reap. Phnom Kulen is considered by Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and is a popular place of pilgrimage during weekends and festivals.

A small Wat at the summit of the mountain houses a large Buddha carved into the very sandstone boulder on which the structure is built. Arriving at the top, we move by foot on trails leading to the area's hidden villages. Enjoy the natural jungle setting while exploring the hidden remains of the Khmer Empire, such as life size elephant statues. Back from the jungle, we have the opportunity to visit a waterfall and take a refreshing dip in its pool.

Trekking distance: approx. 7 miles/11km
Trekking duration: approx. 3-4hours
Ascent: 430ft/130m ascent
Day grade: Moderate

We catch a morning flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival we are transferred to the heart of the wild Cardamom Mountains. It’s an approx 2.5-hour drive to the North and the lands of the Trapeang Rung’s community. Freshen up at the lodge before embarking for the hour’s trip over the Preak Tachan River to the hidden Cardamom Tented Camp. Make yourself comfortable in your private safari-style tent. Follow the guide on an exploratory hike in the jungle around the camp, the diversity of the fauna will amaze you.

Later on, chill at the riverside restaurant as the sun sets over Botum Sakor.

After an early breakfast, Wildlife Alliance Rangers will meet us and, together with an English speaking guide, embark on patrol over a network of abandoned poaching and logging trails through the dense forest. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like Macaque, Gibbon or Hornbill.

The half day trip will stop by the Ranger Station, where confiscated snares, traps and improvised hunting rifles are on display. After taking lunch at the station, you can choose to use one of the kayaks, or hike back to the camp.

Enjoy breakfast at your leisure. If you are an early riser, there are plenty of self-guided hiking trails around the camp, or other activities such as the early morning wildlife boat ride which can be arranged with the guide.

Mid-morning we board the boat back to Trapeang Rung, then head towards to Phnom Penh (approx. 4-5 hours), the capital of Cambodia.

Phnom Penh is an Asian capital; the kind of destination you need to scratch the surface and explore beyond its classic sites to really know what it’s made of. Get ready for a fun and experiential day around some popular but also lesser known corners of the city. The guide picks us up at the hotel and we take off by local remork to an off-center district. Have a coffee on the street, visit a true local market, wander around narrow alleys and immerse yourself into some fascinating daily life. A van loaded with bicycles will pick us up and take us on a ferry to a big island of the Mekong River. There we start a 15-kilometer ride on a small concrete road around the island; the opportunity to soak up a bit of rural life just outside Phnom Penh and to visit a silk weaving workshop.

We stop for lunch at a local home and are hosted by a charming couple of islanders. We return to the city afterwards and will devote some time to dive into History at the Tuol Sleng museum.

We end the day with a stroll in the garden complex of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda before ending our journey in style. Following our exploration of the city, we hop on a small wooden boat for a sunset cruise. Make yourself comfortable while the boat goes gently along the Tonle River. Our final dinner is on the other side of the river, a floating lounge and restaurant, which offers unique views over the city’s skyline. Sip a cocktail while the chef preps the barbecue.

We have the morning at leisure before with-flight guests transfer to the airport for the overnight flights back to the UK.

With flight guests arrive back in the UK