CAMBODIA AND LAOS HERITAGE 7D/6NT

Arriving at Siem Reap airport, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. Time for relaxing after the journey. You’ll spend the night in Siem Reap.

Early rise to visit Ta Prohm in the dawn light. The temple has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. We then continue further north to Banteay Srei, Angkor’s ultimate art gallery – the jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The elaborate carvings here are the finest found in Cambodia and the name translates as ‘Fortress of the Women’, thanks to the intricate detail here, considered too fine for the hands of a man.
In the afternoon, we’ll discover Angkor Thom and the Terrace of the Leper King. The carved platform was the royal crematorium and the statue that was originally thought to be the leper king. We continue along the Terrace of Elephants, to the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the 11th century. Our climax is the enigmatic and enchanting temple of the Bayon, at the exact centre of Angkor Thom. Before clambering upwards, we unravel the mysteries of the bas-reliefs, with their intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and their snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period.

Rising at the crack of dawn, we journey out to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world’s largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.
Taking a break from the temples, we travel out to the mighty Tonle Sap Lake to visit the Chong Kneas floating village. Nestled under the hill of Phnom Krom, this floating community moves location with the waters of the lake. Everything floats on water in this living fishing community. For those that are interested, we can also make a stop at the Gecko Environment Centre to learn more about lake, which is like the heartbeat of Cambodia, providing sustenance to millions of Khmers.

After breakfast, your driver arrives to take you to Siem Reap airport in a good time for your flight to Luang Prabang.
In the afternoon, you’ll have a guided visit to the city’s highlights, including Wat Aham and Wat Mai (temples). End the day with an easy climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for a panorama of Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we take a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple Wat Visoun and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. Along the way we stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. During the day, we will also visit a few local villages, including one that makes rice wine and the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun. Once back in the city, we finish the day by driving to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily alms giving ritual to saffron-clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession.. You will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will find dried buffalo skins, local teas and saltpeter among the many foodstuffs and hill-tribe textiles. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will have the opportunity to visit ethnic minority groups in the Ban Ouay, Hmong, Ban Ou, Laoloum, Ban Thapene and Khmu Villages. After visiting the villages, we then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfalls where you have the chance to swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths. We return to Luang Prabang in the late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Phabath.Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Time will be on your own until your driver arrives to take you to Luang Prabang airport in a good time for your departure flight.