From Laos to the Temples of Angkor - 3 Weeks
An epic 21-day journey from Thailand through Laos to the temples of Cambodia
From Chiang Rai in Thailand, cruise the Mekong to Luang Prabang, discover the royal heritage, rice farming, elephant camp, cave tubing in Vang Vieng, Vientiane temples, Kong Lor cave, Boloven Plateau, 4000 Islands, and finally the magnificent temples of Angkor in Cambodia. A 21-day multi-country adventure blending nature, culture, and history.
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Detailed Itinerary
Journée avec guide francophone
Arrival at Chiang Rai airport in Thailand. Transfer to Chiang Khong near the Laos-Thailand border (2h by private minibus). Check-in and free evening.
Journée avec guide francophone
Border crossing into Laos. Private boat full-day cruise on the Mekong. Stop at riverside villages. Lunch on board. Arrival in Pakbeng, a commercial crossroads between Thailand, Burma and China.
Journée avec guide francophone
Continue Mekong cruise with village stops. Visit Pak Ou caves (Tham Ting and Tham Phoum) housing thousands of Buddha statues left by pilgrims over centuries. Arrive Luang Prabang late afternoon.
Journée avec guide francophone
At 5:30am monks alms-giving procession and morning market. After breakfast: Royal Palace Museum, Vat Mai, Vat Aham, Vat Visoun, Vat Xieng Thong. Afternoon: Heritage House, TAEC ethnic museum. Sunset from Mount Phousi. Night market.
Journée avec guide francophone
Rice farming initiation: seed selection, planting, harvesting with water buffalo. Taste local rice preparations. Relax at Kuang Si turquoise falls. Visit Asian Black Bears sanctuary. Return via Ock Pop Tok weaving center.
Journée avec guide francophone
Drive to Xieng Lom village. Elephant introduction, cross Nam Khan river, feed and interact with elephants. Forest walk and bath time. Trek through rice fields. Organic Lao lunch. Train to Vang Vieng through karst landscapes.
Journée avec guide francophone
Visit Tham Xang cave and Tham Hoi cave. Cave tubing on inflatable tubes through limestone formations. Spring water pool at Tham Nam cave. Picnic. Walk to Hmong village Pha Thao. Return by kayak on Nam Song river.
Journée avec guide francophone
Drive to Vientiane via new highway (2h). Afternoon: Wat Sisaket, Ho Phra Keo, That Luang stupa (45m), Patuxai. At 6pm local francophone friend takes you to night market for traditional Lao dinner.
Journée avec guide francophone
Early departure for Kong Lor in Khammouane province. Stop at viewpoint over impressive stone forest. Arrive hotel in afternoon. Free time to rest in natural surroundings.
Journée avec guide francophone
Visit the 7km-long Kong Lor cave by pirogue. An expedition through one of the most spectacular caves in Southeast Asia. Return to hotel to enjoy the natural surroundings.
Journée avec guide francophone
Drive along Vietnam border, former Ho Chi Minh Trail. Stop at Nam Thern lake viewpoint. Swim at Tha Falang Lake. Visit Tham Pha Buddha caves with stalactites. Lunch en route. Arrive Thakhek and explore colonial houses.
Journée avec guide francophone
Drive through Savannakhet, visit colonial buildings around central square. Continue to Champassak via Pakse. Settle into riverside Mekong hotel. Stroll through the Indochina colonial atmosphere of Champassak village.
Journée avec guide francophone
Visit Wat Phou UNESCO World Heritage, pre-Angkorian Khmer sanctuary from 5th-6th century. Afternoon: Mekong cruise to Wat Muang Kang and Wat Luang Kao temples near old Bassac church.
Journée avec guide francophone
Jeep adventure on Boloven Plateau: Tad Moun waterfall, Mystic Mountain coffee plantation, lunch at Khamsone farm. Afternoon walk to coffee garden viewpoint. Discover Laven ethnic villages.
Journée avec guide francophone
Depart for 4000 Islands via Ban Nong Beung Taoy village (wood carving). Reach Done Khone by boat. Explore by bicycle: colonial railway heritage and Liphy waterfalls. Free afternoon on the island.
Guide à disposition
Full free day on the 4000 Islands. Explore Done Khone, Done Det and Done Khong. Ban Khone fishing village famous for coconuts, kapok and bamboo. A haven of peace where Lao culture is at its most authentic.
Journée avec guide francophone
Pirogue to Ban Nakasang. Visit Khone Phapeng falls, largest in Southeast Asia (14m). Cross Laos-Cambodia border. Welcome by Cambodian francophone guide. Drive to Preah Vihear (268km, 4h).
Journée avec guide francophone
Visit Koh Ker UNESCO site: Cambodian capital 928-944, 80+ temples dominated by 30m pyramid Prasat Thom. Then Beng Mealea, 11th-century jungle temple that inspired Angkor Wat. Arrive Siem Reap.
Journée avec guide francophone
Morning: Angkor Thom city - south monumental gate, Baphuon with reclining Buddha, Royal Palace, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and Leper King Terrace. Afternoon: Angkor Wat, masterpiece of Khmer art with five golden towers. Sunset over the temples.
Journée avec guide francophone
Visit Banteay Srei Citadel of Women, exquisite pink sandstone carvings. Palm sugar village demonstration. Local pagoda visit. Afternoon: Preah Khan temple, east gate of Angkor, then Ta Prohm monastery (1186) engulfed by jungle roots.
Journée avec guide francophone
Morning boat trip on Tonle Sap lake, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1997. Discover floating villages on this vast inland sea. Lunch. Transfer to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport for departure flight. End of services.