Laos & Cambodia

Day 1: Bangkok

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Bangkok. No activities are planned until your evening group meeting, so you may arrive at any time. Please check the noticeboard in the hotel lobby, located on the ground floor, for a notice containing details of your tour. This will advise you of your tour leader’s name, telephone number and the time and location of your group meeting. Normally this meeting takes place around 6pm. Until your meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Bangkok has to offer, including Thailand’s famous cuisine. Make sure that you take a hotel business card so that you will be able to find your way back to the hotel.

Day 2: Bangkok

Bangkok is home to some of Asia’s most elaborately adorned temples and the modern city’s sights and attractions are so numerous you won’t know where to begin. So we’ll give you a helping hand and introduce you to some of Bangkok’s most famous sights, including a visit to the impressive Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. Near our hotel we jump on board a local boat that winds its way along the klongs (canals), before catching a public bus to Wat Po. This is a great way to introduce you to a couple of the more popular forms of local transport. The remainder of the day is free for us to further explore this vibrant city, and the new, elevated Skytrain service now makes it easier than ever to get around the city centre, by avoiding the traffic snarls in the streets below. In the evening we board the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai (approximately 13 hours).

Day 3: Chiang Mai

We arrive in Chiang Mai early in the morning (as long as our train is on time!) and transfer to our centrally located guesthouse by local songthaew. The day is free to do as you wish, as there is much to see in this northern city, with over 120 temples in the centre alone. A visit to the Tribal Research Institute provides excellent background information on the cultures and customs of the various ethnic groups that inhabit the hill regions of northern and western Thailand and Laos. An excursion to the top of Doi Suthep offers fantastic views over the city and can be combined with a visit to the museum. It’s best to visit Doi Suthep in the morning or late in the afternoon, to avoid the heat of the day, as there are over 300 steps to climb! You may also wish to get a traditional Thai massage, or even partake in a cooking class, beware - you eat what you cook! Your tour leader will be able to offer other suggestions for things to see and do your free time. This evening the Night Bazaar beckons, a shoppers paradise it is a great chance to practice your bargaining skills.

Day 4: Huay Xai

In the morning, we travel by local bus through the picturesque countryside to Chiang Rai (approximately 3½ hours), where we stop for lunch before boarding our next local bus (fan-cooled) for Chiang Khong (approximately 2½ hours). After completing border formalities, we take a small boat across the Mekong River to Huay Xai, our first stop in Laos. For centuries Huay Xai was a disembarkation point for Yunnanese caravans, led by the Chinese Muslims on their way to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, in ancient Siam. Today, Huay Xai is a hustling ferry town on the banks of the Mekong River. There’s time to wander around this small place and perhaps ascend the Naga stairs to Wat Jom Khao Manilat, a fascinating temple overlooking the river and town. There is also the opportunity in your free time to visit a nearby minority village, where they make rice whiskey, noodles and handicrafts.

Day 5: Pakbeng

After breakfast we transfer to the boat pier where we board our slow boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The pace is very relaxed - a perfect way to observe the local lifestyle close up. We arrive in the late afternoon at Pakbeng; a colourful village situated at the junction of the Mekong River and the smaller Beng River, hence the town’s name ‘Pak’ meaning ‘mouth’ in Lao. Hmong and tribal Thais are frequently seen on the main street of Pakbeng, and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicrafts. We spend the night in a simple hostel. Please be warned that the accommodation standard is very basic, but also bear in mind that you are travelling in a remote area. Please have an open mind and come with an adventurous spirit!

Day 6-8: Luang Prabang

We continue on our private slow boat and stop to stretch our legs and explore the amazing Pak Ou Caves, which contain hundreds of Buddha statues, before arriving in Luang Prabang in the evening. We have time here to wander the streets and discover this beautiful town, with its gleaming temple roofs, fading French architecture and stunning mountain backdrop. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. A highlight of our three -night stay is a visit to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls. We will trek into the waterfalls (approximately 3 hours), this is a great opportunity to stretch the legs after 2 days on a boat and gives you a chance at some physical activity.

Day 9-10: Vang Vieng

On Sunday morning we transfer to a local fan cooled bus and make our way to the village of Vang Vieng, located on a beautiful bend in the Nam Song River (approximately 6-7 hours). During our stay we cross the river to explore the huge caves that line the West Bank. These caves are riddled with unexplored tunnels and caverns, and there is plenty of time to make our own discoveries or partake in a day-trip kayaking (additional cost) along the Nam Song.

Day 11-12: Vientiane - Siem Reap

Travelling south by local fan cooled bus we continue to the Lao capital (approximately 4 hours), located on the banks of the Mekong River. Vientiane was originally one of the early Lao valley fiefdoms that were consolidated around the time that Europe was leaving the Dark Ages. Despite early prosperity, Vientiane lost its independence at various times during its history to Vietnamese, Burmese, Siamese and Khmer forces. When Laos became a French protectorate in the late 19th Century, Vientiane was named as its capital. It remains so today, under communist rule. The curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Soviet, French and US influences result in a somewhat exotic atmosphere. As it is easily explored on foot, we take a walking orientation tour to the oldest remaining temple in Vientiane, Wat Si Saket, constructed in 1818. In your free time, you can further explore Vientiane’s other historical sites, including Haw Pha Kaew, the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and home to some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures to be found in Laos. On Sunday, you will be transferred to Vientiane’s Wattay Airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Please remember to have your airport tax money ready, as this is payable on departure (US$10 at the time of writing, but please note this amount may change). Your Laos tour leader will not accompany you on this flight. Upon arrival in Siem Reap Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in town. Please look out for your transfer guide in the Arrivals area, as you exit from the customs hall. They will be holding a Gecko’s sign. There will be a briefing with your Cambodian tour leader this evening.

Day 13: Siem Reap - Angkor

The magnificent Angkor complex of temples is without doubt one of the most astounding archaeological sites in the world. Scattered over an area of 200 square kilometres, only Egypt’s Nile Valley can compare to this vast array of ancient monuments. The ancient city of Angkor served as the royal centre from which a dynasty of Khmer kings ruled one of the largest, most prosperous and sophisticated kingdoms in South East Asia, with a history covering over 600 years, from 802 to 1432. At the height of their powers, the kings of Angkor ruled over a territory that extended from the tip of the Indochina Peninsula northward to Yunnan, and from the Vietnamese coast westward to the Bay of Bengal. Our local tour guide will take us on an informative day long tour of Angkor, visiting the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Elephant Terrace, Baphoun, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Prohm and, of course, fabulous Angkor Wat. Late in the day we drive out to the magnificent Angkor temple complex to watch the sunset from Phnom Bakheng before returning to our hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Siem Reap

Today has been set aside to allow us to do some exploring on our own. You may wish to take an optional tour this morning and visit the rose coloured Banteay Srei Temple or return to Angkor to wander through the ruins at leisure. Banteay Srei is located about 30 kilometres north of Siem Reap over a newly paved road and is considered to be the best preserved of all of Cambodia’s temples, with its intricate carvings. But if you are feeling a bit ‘templed-out’ you might like to consider hiring a local guide and going out into the countryside to discover facets of rural life that have changed little since the time when the kings of Angkor ruled over the land. A local guide won’t cost you much and he or she will take you around the villages and explain local industries and the peoples’ way of life. Ask your tour leader to help to arrange any of the above optional tours. Siem Reap can also be an interesting town and an enjoyable afternoon can be spent wandering around the town visiting its market, shops and restaurants.

Day 15: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

We leave Siem Reap by bus and make our way to Phnom Penh. En route, we stop at the town of Skuon, where the local inhabitants are noted for their love of eating spiders! Later, we follow the Tônlé Sap River, passing through fishing villages and travel through farming communities. The source of the Tônlé Sap River is the shallow Tônlé Sap Lake, the largest of South East Asia’s lakes. Numerous streams feed it and it then drains into the Mekong River just south of Phnom Penh. During the wet monsoon season of June to November, the high waters of the Mekong River reverse the flow of the Tônlé Sap River and increase the size of the lake from about 2,600 to 10,400 square kilometres, as the river flows back into the lake. As it begins to recede again, the lake’s huge stocks of fish are easily trapped in nets and bamboo traps or simply caught in the branches of trees.

Day 16: Phnom Penh

In the 1950s and 1960s, Phnom Penh was one of the finest cities in South East Asia. Despite the wide scale destruction that took place after the Khmer Rouge emptied the city in 1975, Phnom Penh still manages to exude some colonial charm from a bygone era. This is particularly so down on the palm-fringed riverfront where a number of French-era shops and villas still exist and the spires of the Royal Palace pierce the skyline. This morning we travel by cyclo for a sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh to include the Royal Palace and the infamous Tuol Sleng Prison. Also known as Security Prison 21 (S21), Tuol Sleng is a former high school that was transformed into a detention and interrogation centre. An estimated 14,000 to 20,000 Cambodians accused of being traitors were tortured to death or sent to their execution from here. We then join our bus to visit another reminder of the Khmer Rouge atrocities. Just as horrifying, the Choeung Ek killing fields are situated 15 kilometres southwest of Phnom Penh and an estimated 17,000 people met their death at the hands of the Khmer Rouge here, most clubbed to death to save ammunition. A stupa-like tower of skulls was erected here in 1988 as a reminder of the atrocities that took place. After this sobering morning we visit the Central Market. Located in an old French colonial building, it’s a good place to look for clothing or sarongs before having the rest of the day exploring Phnom Penh city by ourselves. There’s plenty to see including the Silver Pagoda, the temple of Wat Phnom, the National Museum and the French Quarter.

Day 17: Phnom Penh

Your tour ends after breakfast in Phnom Penh on Friday morning.

Tour Grade: Walking

Maybe you’re after a ramble through Morocco’s Dades Gorge, or a stroll in Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands. Or perhaps something more energetic, a hike in South Africa’s spectacular Drakensberg Mountains or along a stretch of China’s Great Wall. Whatever you want, the same principles apply: keep it simple, and slow it down. Stretching the legs is a great way to discover somewhere, whether a city’s downtown or remote countryside. You quickly get into the feel for how life’s lived, the local rhythm of where you’re travelling. And there’s no better way of meeting locals – take a walk through African plains or South American valleys and you’ll soon be trying to hurdle language barriers with friendly villagers and farmers.