Laos Cambodia and Mekong cruise and tribal area 16 days tour

Laos to Cambodia tour Laos Cambodia World of Cambodia Mekong cruise Laos Cambodia
 laos cambodia travel with Mekong cruise Laos to Cambodia by the Mekong river

Luang Prabang-Pak Ou – Ventiane- Pakse -Tadlo- Champassak – Khong island – Mekong cruise – Stung Stren – Kratie – Kompong Cham – Kompong Thom – Siem Reap – Angkor – Tonle sap

Day 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL and VISIT
Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel.
The crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang, is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City. Visit with private guide and car, Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa,Vat Makmo, more Srilankalese style than Lao. Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, dedicated to Deveta Luang (spirit) Pu Gneu Ya Gneu (ancestors). Climb Vat Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the city. Continue to visit Vat Mai, built in 1796, famous for the five – tiered roof of its wooden sim built in the standard of Luang Prabang style. Sunset at Vat Siphouthabath located along the Mekong River. Overnight accommodation at the MUANGLUANG hotel.

Day 2: LUANGPRABANG- PAK OU -LUANGPRABANG
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Vat Xieng Thong, consider as the most beautiful temple. The sim of the Vat represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. In the compound stand several small chapels housing bronze Buddha images, which were displayed in Paris in 1911. Near the East gate stands the Royal Funeral Chapel. Inside are an impressive 12-meter high funeral chariot and various funeral urns of each Royal Family’s member. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts a semi-erotic episode from Ramayana. Then board a traditional riverboat for a trip upstream the Mekong River to visit the famous caves of Pak Ou housing thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha. Return to Luang Prabang .Departure by road to the Khuang Xi Waterfalls (30 kms, approx. 1 hour drive). The waterfalls tumble over multi – tiered limestone formations into cool, clear pools ideal for swimming and relaxing. On the way to the waterfalls, visit the Khmu minority village of Ban Thapaene for a glimpse into their lifestyle. Accommodation at the MUANGLUANG hotel.

Day 3: LUANGPRABANG- VIENTIANE
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family: photos, musical equipment and gifts received from foreign countries. Visit local market/ Transfer to the airport for flight to Vientiane. Meet upon arrival at Vientiane Wattay airport, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Vientiane’s major attractions are the serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the center of town. The city has kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted temples and quaint French architecture.
Visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the sole survivor of an invasion in 1828. Vat Sisaket features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo, once the royal temple of Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been used as a museum since 1970 and contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artifacts in the country. The main structure originally housed the famous Emerald Buddha that now resides in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Keo. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patousay, the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. Another famous Vientiane landmark is the that Luang Stupa. King Setthathirath built this great sacred stupa in 1566. Its central structure is 45 meters tall and echoes the curving lines of an elongated lotus. The original stupa was said to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Acommodation at the NOVOTEL hotel 3 star superior.

Day 4 / VENTIANE – PAKSE – TADLO and tribal villages
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning transfer to airport for flight Vientiane -Pakse (flight time: 1:10 minutes) .Arrive Pakse , check in at hotel .
Visit Tad Phasouam, then continue by car to Tadlo, located on the northern edge of the Boloven Plateau. Tatlo is touted as an eco-friendly resort near the Xeset Waterfall.
Short visit the Katou village of Ban Houeihoun. This minority is a very primitive population that earns their livelihood from forest products. In this village, one thing worth pointing out is that the women do not use handlooms for weaving as in other parts of the country. Visit Alack and Nge tribal villages , Kaleum on the way to Thateng. Afternoon,visit villages of minority (tribal) Souey,Ta Oy at Tadlo. Accommodation at TADLO LODGE

Day 5 / TADLO – PAKSE
Breakfast at the hotel .Return to Pakse via Paksong. The Boloven Plateau, formed by ancient volcano, is famous for its coffee and tea plantations. The plateau has a number of tribal villages, some of them still practicing Stone Age culture. They use extremely primitive agriculture tools and conduct frequent spiritual ceremonies. Short stop for coffee or tea at the village garden. Visit TadFane waterfall . Afternoon arrival in Pakse. Visit Vat Luang, the most beautifull temple in Pakse. Visit local market.. Accommodation at Hotel.

Day 6 / PAKSE – CHAMPASSAK – CRUISE on MEKONG – KHONG Island
Breakfast at the hotel. Board a local long-tail riverboat and cruise down the Mekong River, heading south towards the former royal capital of Champassak. Arrival in Champassak and check-in at the hotel. Visit the pre-Angkorian Vat Phou Temple (6th-13th centuries). Vat Phou Temple lies on a hillside and offers spectacular views on the surrounding plains and on the Mekong River. Hindu Khmer probably chose the site because of the spring that flows from near the top of the hill. Historians say that Phu Pasak was in fact sacred to the pre-Angkorian Kingdom of Chenla (6th century) and may have been the site of human sacrifices.
Vat Phou Temple was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2002.Continue by car to Ban Khiet Ngong village and take an elephant ride to reach the enigmatic Phu Asa temple, which lies amidst the dense jungle. Visit Bane Done Khone by boat
Arrive in Khong Island, transfer and check-in at the hotel. Khong Island, blessed with lush tropical vegetation, serene monasteries and lovely fishing villages, offers a unique opportunity to experience the peaceful Lao way of life.. Acommodation at SOUKSAN HOTEL (medium category).

DAY 7 / KHONG Island , CRUISE – VISITS
Breakfast at the hotel.Cruise along the backwaters to explore Siphandone and visit the surrounding islands of Done Ket and Done Som for a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of the fishermen. Continue to Done Khone Island. Visit Done Khone Island and hike along its ancient railway built by the French in 1897 in order to bypass the powerful rapids when transporting goods from Cambodia. Continue to Sumphamith Waterfall. In the dry season, the Irrawaddy Dolphins, one of the world’s rarest large mammal species, congregate at the base of the rapids to hunt the fish that survive in the deep pools. Spend a relaxing hour watching these extremely shy and endangered freshwater dolphins. Acommodation at SOUKSAN HOTEL (medium category).

Day 8 / KHONG- DONG KRALOR – CAMBODIA – STUNG STREN – KRATIE
Breakfast at the hotel.Transfer to Dong Kralor immigration checkpoint (border crossing to Cambodia). En route, stop at the magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall, the largest cascade along the Mekong River. A fault line caused the cascade, which is 6 km wide at this point, and the astonishing force of the water has cut dramatic gorges through the brittle bedrock. Transfer to Dong Kralor immigration checkpoint (border crossing to Cambodia). Your Cambodian Guide is waiting you at the border and transfer by private car to Stung Stren and Kratie. Overnight in simple Guest house in Kratie (air conditionned and attach bath room)

Day 9 / KRATIE
Kratie its a little colonial town. Visit of an interesting market and around the town with guide and private car. Beautifull typical landscapes In evening we go at 10 Km on the Mekong bank and go by little boat for try to see big Irrawadi Dolphins on the Mekong.

Day 10 / KRATIE – KOMPONG CHAM
Depart morning with guide from Kratie by boat (ferry) to Kompong Cham. At Kompong Cham a private car is waiting you. Kompong Cham is a colonial style town. Visit of Vat Knokor temple (12th centyry) and visit of Hevea forest in Chupp and a Latex factory (latex is not made in June July August)

Day 11 / KOMPONG CHAM – KOMPONG THOM – SAMBOR PREI KUK- SIEM REAP (Angkor)
Departure with guide and private vehicle for Kompong Thom and discovery of Sambor Prei Kuk’s temples, certainly the most beautiful examples of the art Pré-Angkorien of the VIIth century, after visit departure to Siem Reap about (4 hours drive) to arrive in Siem Reap, near Angkor.

Day 12 : SIEM REAP (ANGKOR)
This morning we will visit the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya (preangkorian), which flourished in the late 9th and early 10th Centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred as the Roluos group. The three Roluos temples are Bakong Temple Mountain with wonderful carvings on the false doors and lintels, the funerary temple of Preah Ko, Lolei Temple with the Roluos group’s most exquisite carvings and inscriptions. Then we will visit some temples, Kleangs, Prah Pithu, la Porte de la Victoire, Thommanon, Chau Say Thevauda. End afternnon we go to Phnom Bakhend temple to watch the sunset on Angkor Wat and others temples.

Day 13 : ANGKOR.
Morning you will visit with your prived professional guide, the “Great City” of Angkor Thom, visits include the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Afternoon dedicated to visit the most famous and magnificent Angkor Vat temple.
This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares.With many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana Story and day-to-day life at the time of Angkor’s construction.

Day 14 : ANGKOR.
Morning visit of a selection of temples, including the Royal City of Preah Khan with impressive sculptures, Neak Pean built on a small circular island, Ta Som, East Mebon, Preah Rup.
Afternoon we will continue our visits by Thommanon temple , Ta keo , one of Angkor’s great temple mountains, Ta Prohm with a part of the jungle, Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang a Royal bathing place, Prasat Kravan with unique brick sculptures. We will visit Les Chantiers Ecole, a handicraft center located in the center of Siem Reap. Les Chantiers Ecole was founded in 1992 and its aim is to revive that ancient Khmer art. This organization gives young people the opportunity to learn the art of stone, wood carving, and silk weaving .

Day 15 : BANTEAY SREI/KOBAL SPIEN
Morning we will visit the enchanting Banteay Srei. It appears that the temple was designed to leave no space undecorated, and the fine carvings in pink sandstone are unique. We will continue after by car to a little chain of hills. After one hour, we will arrive in a place near Kbal Spien and continue our journey on foot, following a white sand path which heads up into the jungle. This very pleasant walk takes us through the beautiful forest. Please note that there are several narrow and steep passages on the way. After approximately 40 minutes walk, we will hear the sound of a waterfall. We will discover that the riverbed and the rocks around us are covered with carvings representing the gods of the Brahma religion dating back as far as the 11th century, its the “thousand Lingas Rivers”. The water runs over the sculptures of Vishnu, Lakshmi, Hanuman, Rama and many Lingas, which were carved in stone in the past to sanctify the water and to thank the gods for their gift. After this visit, we will go to Banteay Samre, with elaborate architecture and exceptional carvings, and we will visit of a local village. and visit of Baray Oriental sites, built by Rajendravarman : Banteay Kdey, Pré Rup, Preasat Khleang, Mébon Oriental. When we return , visit of an actual Pagodae-Monastry, where youngs Monks are studiyng..

Day 16: TONLE SAP LAKE / ANGKOR
This morning we will enjoy a boat ride (private boat and guide) on the Tonle Sap lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floatting schools, floatting police station, etc. It is same as a big village floatting on the lake, and the “village” move from place to place following water levels and curant.
afternoon, (depending of your departure time by plane) we will visit Siem Reap central market and the Silk Farm in Puok, established by a French NGO to revive Cambodia’s beautiful silk production. We can see every step of silk production. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport.2 hours before your departure with international flight

Included in above tour price in Laos and Cambodia:
Accommodation in 3 stars hotels with daily breakfast.. Domestic flights Luangprabang- Ventiane -Pakse. Transfers and tours as per program with private A/C vehicles (car, van or coach). Services of English speaking professional guides for transfers, visits and tours. all Entrance fees in museums, pagodas, temples, as per itinerary. Private boat in Pak Ou, during the cruise on Mekong, and for visit floating villages in Siem Reap. Special Angkor permit in Siem Reap. Service charge, all tax and baggage handling.

Not included in tour price:
Laotian visa fee and Cambodia visa fee. International flight from your country. Lunches and dinners. Drinks, tips and other personal expenditures such as telephone, laundry. Personal travel insurance

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