Laos and Cambodia Expert Led Tour

With this excellent group tour you will be guided through the temples and ancient treasures of both Laos and Cambodia. Your guide, Denise Heywood, leads this tour through Laos and Cambodia, where she has lived and worked. The tour starts in serene Luang Prabang in Laos, filled with glittering temples, followed by a cruise on the Mekong river to sacred caves before flying to Vientiane. Your tour ends with a stay in Siem Reap to marvel at the mystical 12th-century temple complex of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world.

Itinerary 

Day 1: Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos, via Bangkok
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Luang Prabang via Bangkok with Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. (N)

Day 2: Luang Prabang
Arrive and transfer to the Villa Santi Hotel (or similar) for 4 nights. Luang Prabang, a world heritage site with 35 golden temples, is the best-preserved town in south-east Asia. Afternoon at leisure. Evening introductory lecture and welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3: Luang Prabang
Temple tour, including Wat Visoun, Wat Mai and Wat Xieng Thong. Along the way see other temples, fine secular architecture and French colonial buildings. Afternoon visit to the National Museum, formerly the royal palace, with fascinating collections of objects, paintings and costumes. In the evening, see Heritage House, a perfect example of Luang Prabang’s secular buildings, and enjoy a traditional baci welcome ceremony and Lao dance performance at the historic Puang Champa Cultural House. (B)

Day 4: Pak Ou
Today, cruise on the Mekong river to the Pak Ou caves, filled with Buddha images. Have lunch in a wooden cottage overlooking the river before visiting a picturesque village to see silk weaving, sericulture and mulberry paper production. Late afternoon at leisure, with a chance to visit Mount Phousi at sunset followed by a visit to a night market, or listen to a Gavarak storytelling accompanied by traditional music. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Luang Prabang
Morning visit to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre for a special private tour, introduced by the centre’s director. Special private visit to an historic teakwood home furnished with antiques (subject to confirmation). Afternoon at leisure or visit other temples, study murals and iconography or visit The Living Land Company, an inspiring community farm. (B)

Day 6: Fly to Vientiane
Optional visit to Vipassana Meditation Centre to learn meditation skills from the monks and talk to them about their lives. Fly to Vientiane and transfer to Green Park Boutique Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. Visit Patuxai Monument and That Luang, the national symbol of Laos. (B)

Day 7: Vientiane
Visit Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo, as well as a special private visit with silkweaver Carol Cassidy at Lao Textiles Gallery. Optional afternoon visit to a private textile museum (subject to confirmation). (B)

Day 8: Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Fly to Siem Reap and stay 4 nights at the HanumanAlaya Hotel (or similar). Afternoon introductory lecture followed by a visit to Ta Prohm temple, now restored but still shrouded in tropical trees. (B, D)

Day 9: Angkor temples
Morning visit to the early Roluos and oldest group of temples: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei. Afternoon visit to Angkor Wat. Stay until sunset to admire the bas-reliefs of the Hindu epics. (B)

Day 10: Angkor temples
Morning at Angkor Wat. Afternoon visit to Angkor Thom, the Bayon temple, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. (B)

Day 11: Angkor temples
Morning visit to Banteay Srei, followed by Banteay Samre. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursions to less-visited temples.Exclusive farewell dinner with authentic Khmer cuisine and traditional dance performance at the historic Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor (or similar). (B, D)

Day 12: Fly to London, via Bangkok
Day at leisure. Optional visits to the Angkor National Museum and further temples or local markets. Late afternoon transfer to Siem Reap airport. Fly to London, via Bangkok, with Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways. (B)

Day 13: London
Early morning arrival into London. (N)

Meal Basis – As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.