Journey through Cambodia and Laos

After breakfast, start the days tour with a visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Your next stop is the Bayon, renowned for the intriguing architectural design as hundreds of smiling face statues grace the side of the tower. The wall sculptures, known as bas reliefs, are impressive features of carved art work and convey rich stories of daily life and great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais. Move on to Phimeanakas, shaped like a pyramid accompanied by two ponds in the rear. The ponds were once used for religious rituals but today serve as swimming pools for Khmer kids. Walk to the top of the temple to witness impressive views of the Angkor complex.

Glimpse at the rows of trunks that form the wall of the Terrace of the Elephants, a platform from which King Jayavarman surveyed his army. Close by is the Terrace of Leper Kings, featuring a detailed statue depicting Yana, the Hindu god of death. Onward to Ta Prohm, one of the most beloved temples in all of the region. This small crumbling temple is essentially held together by giant tree roots which radiate a mystical atmosphere to the temple

Return to Siem Reap for a shaded lunch, escaping the beating sun. Then in the afternoon, explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. This visually spectacular temple is a massive three-tiered pyramid, rising sixty-five metres from the ground and crowned by five lotus towers. The temple is a national symbol of Cambodia and proudly appears upon the country’s flag. End your day with sunset views over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup Temple, before returning to Siem Reap

Drive to the edge of the Tonle Sap Lake and embark on a cruise to Kompong Phluk , an isolated Khmer community compromising of three villages built on wooden stilts, rising from six to eight metres above ground. The community houses approximately three-thousand inhabitants who spend their day, farming  fish and vegetables upon the floating platforms. During your visit, your cruise will meander through the mangrove forests, a unique ecosystem that survives on flooded soil for months. In addition, the Mangroves boast a variety of wildlife, witness a range of regional birds and crab-eating macaques! Driving onward to a small village called Chansar, you’ll stop just outside the village and hop aboard an ox cart for a ride through the fields.

From here visit the home of a local Khmer family who specialises in creating brooms, witness how they make brooms from natural materials, and if you like have a go! Take a guided walking tour around the village, where you have the opportunity to participate in fishing, farming or animal husbandry activities. Delight in a simple Khmer lunch followed by more activities or  spend time conversing with the locals. Funds from your tour directly benefit the community, improving the lives of the people. On the way back to Siem Reap, stop at a Buddhist temple and receive a blessing from the monks.

In the morning, transfer to Battambang taking approximately three hours. Upon arrival, participate in a walking tour of Battambang which will include visits to some of the old French Colonial buildings along the river and to the former Governor’s residence. Merely two kilometres away from Battambang, on the Sangker River, is the village of Wat Kor. Here you will experience a fascinating insight into the Cambodian way of life. Witness the wonderful traditional Khmer housing and structures in the town, many constructed in the early 20th century.

This morning visit Wat Phnom Banan, an 11th century temple built by King Jarvarman VII. Located on top of a four hundred-metre-high hill, the views from the temple are simply breath-taking. From Wat Phnom Banan, continue onto Ek Phnom, built in the 11th century under the rule of Suryavarman I. Although the temple is in poor condition compared to those in neighbouring Angkor, there are very beautiful Hindu carvings that need to be seen. Return to hotel to freshen up and delight in some lunch.

This afternoon, head to a fishing village outside of town before moving forward to explore Phnom Sampeau, a magnificent natural rock formation which contains a series of mystical caves. The area was a former stronghold of the Khmer Rouge. Once here you will be presented with the opportunity to visit the Bat Cave, housing thousands of the namesake creatures, as the  guide presents a history of the region.

This morning you will be transferred to Siem Reap by car, approximately a three hour drive. The rest of day is at your own leisure.

After breakfast, meet a guide and driver who will transfer you to Siem Reap International airport for a departing flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival Sihanoukville, a separate driver will pick you up and transfer you to Koh Kong.

Once in Koh Kong, spend the next two days at your own leisure at this idyllic river location.

This morning transfer to Kep by car. During the golden era of the 1960’s , Kep was a popular haunt of wealthy socialites and Khmer royalty. Although few traces of Kep’s heady past linger, the relaxed atmosphere of the seaside town remains. Once in Kep, wander around the main points of interest between the city and the coast.

This morning, a guide will pick you up from the hotel to visit a local crab market and salt field, before heading to the organic Kampot pepper plantation and fish marker. This tour explores the natural production ongoing throughout the region , exploring a richer and authentic perspective of Cambodian life. In the afternoon participate in a kayak tour along the Kampot river, before transferring back to Kep for an overnight stay.  Spend the last full day in Kep at your own leisure.

Discova highly recommends to stop in Phnom Penh for overnight among Kep to Kratie as the middle way stop.

Free day to recharge yourself.

On this fresh morning, you will have the chance to explore a village in Koh Trong. Cycle around the village and discover the intricacies of life in the countryside. In the afternoon, delight in a Mekong River cruise and observe the endangered freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins swim below. As few as eighty dolphins remain in these waters, and while there are ongoing and comprehensive conservation projects underway, dolphin mortality remains high. Kratie province is known for its pleasing riverside scenery, verdant villages and dense rice paddies fields, a perfect backdrop for a peaceful evening witnessing a beautiful sunset over the Mekong from the mountain top of Phnom Sambok.

Discover the Don Det and Don Khone Islands connected by an old drawbridge. The larger island of Don Det is famous all over Laos for its cultivation of coconut, bamboo, and kapok. Visit the Ban Khon village, the main village of the island featuring ancient buildings dating back to the time of French colonisation. Wander around the village witnessing the Wat Mahanthanaram Temple and Rusting Locomotive. From here visit Tad Somphamit, also known as Li Phi Waterfall, the raging rapids at the western end of Don Khone Island. Continue onto Khone Phapheng falls, the strongest flowing waterfall in Laos, before taking a boat to the pier at Tha Ban Nakasang. From there cruise along the eastern coast of the en route to Pakse.

In the morning take a minivan to the Bolaven Plateau, a fertile area in the region where coffee and tea is grown. On the way between Pakse and Paksong on the western edge of the plateau, witness the magnificent Tad Fane waterfall which is the highest waterfall in the whole province of Champasak. Continue to the nearby Tad Yuang waterfall, tucked into the rich verdant hills producing an idyllic picturesque landscape.

Visit the mystical ruins of Vat Phou located in Champasak, a small district on the west bank of the Mekong. The ruins of Vat Phou originate from the Angkor period, somewhere between the 9^th and 15^th century. This temple is situated in a large area at the foot of Phu Pasak and the name literally means mountain temple. From here continue your excursion to Wat Phu World Heritage Site at the base of Phu Pasak mountain. The oldest ruins at the site date from the time of the Chenla kingdom.

Today you will take a domestic flight from Pakse to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, your guide and your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Spend the rest of your evening relaxing at your hotel or wandering around the town.

After breakfast explore many of the former royal capital’s cultural highlights. Visit the Royal Palace Museum of Luang Prabang, once serving as the residence of King Sisavang Vong and his family during the French colonial era. Designed in the French Beaux-Arts style with many tasteful accents of traditional Lao culture, the palace was converted into a museum in 1995.

The grounds have several other buildings, including an exhibition hall, a chapel – Haw Prabang, and a statue of King Sisavangvong. The royal quarters have been faithfully preserved and offer a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyle of the king and his family. Continue the tour with a visit Wat Xieng Thong, one of the largest and most decorative temples with its beautiful, gilded façade, before heading to The Wat Wisunalat, Luang Prabang’s oldest temple. The temple, also known as Wat Visoun and Wat Visounnarat was founded in 1512, housing an important collection of ancient Buddha images. After lunch, take a slow boat journey to Pha Tad Ke Botanical Gardens, an interesting new spot preserving Laos’ biodiversity and ethnobotanical heritage

Experience the life of a local rice farmer on this half-day trip into the peaceful Laos countryside. Travel from Luang Prabang to the Living Land Farm, a community project in Pong Van Village. In response to the destructive use of chemicals and pesticides, several local families combined their land and adopted alternative farming methods to grow organic rice, vegetable, and herbs. Nowadays, the farm even sells their produce to restaurants and hotels, whilst also supporting the local community through a range of projects.

Surrounded by idyllic mountain scenery, spend the morning in the beautiful rice fields where farmers plough, plant and harvest without the aid of machinery. Experience the local lifestyle as you help plant rice crops and participate in steering the water buffalo that assist in ploughing the fields. Pick fragrant herbs and colourful vegetables and learn to husk rice the traditional way, an authentic experience south east Asian culture.

There is always plenty to do on a farm, so lending a hand is not only appreciated by the local farmers but will also provide invaluable insight into local life in rural Laos! Of course, it’s not compulsory to join in the fields, it’s also possible to take a break on the veranda and watch from afar. In addition, the farm is home to a basket-weaving workshop, a blacksmith and a traditional wooden sugar cane juicer. Witness the craftsmen at work and have a sip of the refreshing drink before relaxing at the farm’s restaurant. Be rewarded with a delicious lunch, reaping the benefits of the day’s hard work, and enjoy a selection of traditional Lao dishes amidst the peaceful countryside before returning to the city.

Do not forget grab your swimsuit and travel a short distance from Luang Prabang to the Kuang Si Waterfall. The turquoise colour of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. Depending on the season the water level varies, and swimming may not always be possible. Next to the falls is the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation centre that rescues animals from the wildlife trade. Meet the cute furry residents and learn about the efforts to protect Sun Bears in the wild.  After back to Luang Prabang stop to visit Buffalo Dairy Farm. The only buffalo dairy in Laos and a social enterprise supporting the local community by renting buffalo and providing additional income to farmers.

After breakfast, you will be picked up a by private minivan to the airport for your next destination.