14 Days Laos Cambodia Tour - The Ultimate 2 Week Southeast Asia Experience

Today, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.  Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.

On arrival back in the city, we will visit magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.  Afterwards, we will visit the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. From there, we will transfer to visit Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the really peaceful place to catch the last beauty of the day. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast we head to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed on Tuesday, and from 03rd May to 19th June every year), one of the must-visit spots, where you can have an optional 15-minute tour to learn about butterflies and local flora. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, where you will have a short tour so you get information about Silk, about weaver, about the Women that work in the Centre. Arrival in Luang Prabang, we visit Wat Visoun, Luang Prabang’s oldest temple. We then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount to discover its sacred, gilded stupa as well as to enjoy panoramic view of the city and Mekong River at sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast we drive to Elephant Village. Upon arrival we will visit the Elephants and the elephant village. Then take a boat trip to Tad Se Waterfall.

Then take a fast train to Vang Vieng. On arrival in Vang Vieng, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Overnight in in Vang Vieng.

After breakfast start walking around the bustling central market. Vang Vieng is a small and tranquil town nestled on the bank of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery, quiet atmosphere and limestone outcrops remains offers an untouched environment.  Continue to visit Tham Jang Cave which was used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders. You will cross the river to reach Ban Huai Ngai, a little village typical of Laotian rural life. In the afternoon you leave Vang Vieng and drive to the capital city Vientiane, which is located on the banks of the Mekong river. Overnight in Vientiane.

Full day spent visiting Vientiane's highlights beginning with Wat Sisaket temple, the oldest temple in Vientiane. Continue the tour at the former royal temple of Haw PhaKaew, which previously housed the sacred Emerald Buddha statue, the Prabang. Then you head to the imposing Patouxai Monument known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph and the splendid That Luang Stupa, national symbol of Laos. Afternoon visit the Buddha Park Xieng Khuan, a fantastic collection of Buddhist and Hindu religious sculptures scattered around a Mekong meadow, near the Friendship Bridge. Enjoy a spectacular view over the Mekong River. Overnight in hotel in Vientiane.

Morning flight to Pakse. The bustling town of Pakse is ideally located at the confluence of the Mekong and Xedone Rivers therefore it is a gateway to southern region and nearby plateau. We continue our journey through the Paksong and Boloven plateaus. The Boloven plateau is known for its cooler temperature as it is located high above the sea level. Rivers run off from this plateau in all directions and then plunge out to the rain forests along in a series of spectacular surging waterfalls. The scenery around Tad Fan waterfall is spectacular with the twin waterfalls plummeting into a deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation. Then visit Tad Yeung Waterfall. Overnight in hotel in Pakse.

Transfer with car to the former royal capital of Champasak, where you willexplore the ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatic temples. Youalso have time to discover the intriguing Khmer ruins perched on Mount Phu Kao. Wat Phu, a World Heritages Site recognized by UNESCO, is a fantastic archeological site of Khmer civilization dating back to the 9th century, much older than the legendary Angkor Wat in Cambodia. A festival is held here annually during the full moon in February and attracts numerous pilgrims from all over southern Laos.  Continue by car to Done Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong River region known as the 4000 Islands region, one of the most scenic areas in Laos. Overnight on Don Khong Island.

You embark a long tail boat to discover the most remote section of the Mekong River, where during the dry season the waters recedesto uncover thousands of islets, giving this area its lovely name ”Si Phan Done” translating to The 4000 Islands. You will explore the peaceful village of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with it’s locomotive. You continue to discover the 4000 Islands area by boat and visit the impressive Liphi Waterfall, also known as the "Corridor of the Devil". It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls and makrs the border to Cambodia. If you are lucky, you might even see rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphins at Ban Hang Khone.
Later in the afternoon, transfer back to Pakse. Overnight in Pakse.

Morning, transfer to Pakse airport and board a short flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The tranquil Siem Reap Town is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. Upon leaving Siem Reap Town we set off on a short drive to the archeological area and spend our time to visit the most striking structures. They are the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Oovernight in Siem Reap.

The jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of this structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We explore the well known Ta Prohm and some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. They almost belong to the small circuit according to the archaeologists division. Upon leaving this area we visit various famous temples of the grand circuit such as Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup. We round off our exciting day with a walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Heading out of town we drive beyond the Angkor Complex through the Preah Dark village to the intricately carved and well preserved Banteay Srei Temple. We stroll around this beautiful landmark which was designed to leave no space undecorated. The roads begin to deteriorate but it is still fascinating to drive past the rolling mountain scenery towards Kbal Spean. This interesting site locally named the river of 1000 Lingars, has been largely reclaimed by the jungle; however it invovles a walk to catch a view over its riverbed carvings. The next stop is Banteay Samre which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and Krishna legends. Today we also have a chance to explore the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group. Overnight in Siem Reap.

The temple exploration is not only activity in Siem Reap. We visit the famous Tonle Sap Lake on a boat trip out. This shallow lake boats the largest natural fresh water body in Southeast Asia and flows into the Tonle Sap River which joins the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. The traditional boat navigates along a small river towards the gigantesque lake, giving us a chance to explore floating village, local life style, friendly children in small boats and fishermen pulling in morning catch close up. We will do this excursion in the morning. 
At noon, around 12:30pm, take the 6 hour bus to Phnom Penh. On arrival in Phnom Penh around 6:30pm, check in hotel and rest.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.