TYPOLOGIES

Culture Tour

DIFFICULTY

MIN. AGE

Tour Overview:

With 15 days, the trip covers all famous destinations in Laos and Cambodia. To explore the fantastic wonders and to get close to the local people to understand the lifestyle and culture in the two regions. It is a journey of lifetime!

Your first stop is the city of Vientiane. Start to visit the National Museum, temple Wat Sisaket, the temple Wat Prakeo and Buddha Park. Travel to Luang Prabang. Then discover the Luang Prabang’s famous Wat Xieng Thong and climb to the top of Mount Phousi. Then have boat trip to Pak Ou Caves and explore the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall.

Fly to Siem Reap and take an excursion to the biggest Southeast Asian’s largest freshwater lake - Tonle Sap Lake and then visit the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. You will visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Wander through atmospheric streets in Phnom Penh, relax yourself totally. Relax on the beach of Koh Rong.

Itinerary in brief :

DAY DESTINATION MEAL CITIES
Day 1 Sabaidee to Laos Vientiane
Day 2 Highlights of Lao’s Capital B Vientiane
Day 3 Vientiane – Luang Prabang B Luang Prabang
Day 4 Kuangsi Waterfall & Pak Ou Buddha Cave B Luang Prabang
Day 5 Mountain Biking & Trekking B Luang Prabang
Day 6 Goodbye Laos and Hello Cambodia B Siem Reap
Day 7 Angkor Highlight B/D Siem Reap
Day 8 Phnom Kulen Adventure B/L Siem Reap
Day 9 Siem Reap – Phnom Penh B Phnom Penh
Day 10 Phnom Penh‘s Past & Present B Phnom Penh
Day 11 Phnom Penh – Koh Rong B Koh Rong
Day 12 Koh Rong – Free leisure B Koh Rong
Day 13 Koh Rong – Free leisure B Koh Rong
Day 14 Goodbye Cambodia B Phnom Penh

* B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Itinerary in details:

Sabaidee! Welcome to Vientiane, Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos. You are greeted by your driver (no guide) at the airport for your transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, departure to visit the colorful Thong Khan Kham market. There are many markets in Vientiane. There you will find all the foods that constitute the daily diet of Laotians but also all kinds of products (household appliances, jewelry, etc.). Dried red peppers are widely used in Laotian cuisine, particularly for macerating meat and fish. then visit the imposing Patuxay Monument. which is well known as a Triumphal Arch of Vientiane before continuing to the famous That Luang Stupa.

Continuation of the discovery of the city of Vientiane. We start with Wat Sisaket which is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure has remarkable frescoes and images of Buddha, then Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple of the Laos monarchy, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Statue.

In the afternoon: we will visit to Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. Then go to Buddha Park which takes around 45 minutes. Along the way, stop to take photos of the Friendship Bridge which was built by the Australian government in 1994 and connects Laos and Thailand. Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a walk in the park. Also known as XiengKhuan, this park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The concrete sculptures are bizarre, yet intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful grounds. The peaceful setting of the park on the banks of the Mekong contrasts radically with the somewhat eccentric works sculpted in 1958 by a Laotian shaman-priest-yogi. The concrete sculptures are bizarre, yet intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful grounds. Then you also visit the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge.

Return to Vientiane city center. The rest of the day is free to take a stroll in charming, relaxing colonial neighborhoods or you can enjoy a cup of coffee in shaded terraces while contemplating scenes of river life as the sun sets on the Mekong.

Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, pick up by driver and transfers to Vientiane train station for a journey up to Luang Prabang. You arrive in Luang Prabang, meet our driver and transfer to city.

Hop on Tuk Tuk and we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. The National Museum and the Central Market are not to be missed. We enjoy a short tour seeing the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Thong, a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty, and traditional art. Later we’ll visit the impressive Wat Visoun, the oldest temple that houses many Buddha images. Next is Wat Aham, the ‘Monastery of the Blossomed Heart’ exudes serenity, and Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in this city.

Then, we stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

 

08:30am: Travel south of town to the famous Kuangsi Waterfall; the turquoise color of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. Depending on the season the water level varies, and you can be swimming in the beautiful pools. While there, you also will have the opportunity to visit the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation center that rescues animals from the wildlife trade. We also visited Kuang Si Butterfly Park is a project that was initiated in January 2014 by 2 Dutch passionate people from Holland. The mission is to create a research center studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation because of environmental issues in Laos. Finally, we visit Laos Buffalo Dairy is a socially responsible, sustainable farm, and social enterprise.

Afternoon: embark on the boat to Pak Ou Caves, enjoy splendid natural scenery along the way and observe local fishermen and daily activities along the river. Pak Ou Caves, locally called Tam Ting, are filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of wooden Buddhist figures take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain and reclining (nirvana). On the way back, you will also visit the local riverside villages of Ban Xanghai, a popular stop-over producing some special varieties of Laolao, the local rice wine. Second stop at Ban Xang Khong, known for its handmade paper and weaving craft. On a bright day, you’ll have a chance to enjoy the marvelous sunset while cruising down along the mighty Mekong.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meet your guide early morning to get fitted on quality mountain bikes. We’ll ride from the city center to our first stop as we depart the city at Wat Pa Phon Phao, a golden temple with a great view of Luang Prabang. Next, follow the paved road further through teakwood forests and rice fields along the Nam Khan River to visit the resting spot of Henry Mouhot before biking our way through villages and past jungle-covered mountains until arriving at our Camp terrace on the banks of the Nam Khan River. In the beautiful setting of the Nam Khan River valley, take a boat to our trekking start point for an easy hike through the jungle at the base of Karst mountains.

We’ll stop at a large Khmu village for lunch and to explore hill-tribe village life before hiking off the mountain down a new trail to the Tad Sae Waterfall (seasonal). There, we’ll appreciate the beauty of the area and swim in the Tad Sae Waterfall. There are also elephants in the area you can watch and photograph or you can buy some bananas and feed them. After a short boat trip downriver, you’ll meet the vehicle waiting to return you to Luang Prabang to conclude this fun adventure-filled tour.

Biking is 15 km (9 mi) mostly paved road normally taking 2 hours with stops. Trekking is about 7 km (4.5 mi) total, split with lunch and village visit.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Free till transfer to Luang Prabang airport for flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport. You will be met by our guide and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

We start very early in the morning so we can capture the iconic picture of the pre-dawn facing Angkor Wat temple. Sunrise at Angkor Wat can be a busy venue especially during the months of December, January, February, and March.

 

After sunrise, we will explore the vast and rich of Angkor Wat temple, taking pictures at different angles, playing with light and shadows, and capturing the most beautiful devatas carved in sandstone.

 

Next destination will be the Ta Prohm "Tomb Raider" fame. Ta Prohm 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. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

 

Next, at the Golden Hour, will be the impressive Bayon temple with its 54 towers and 216 faces overlooking the defunct city of Angkor Thom. The final stop will be at one of gate of Angkor Thom to capture sunset over the moat.

 

Welcome Dinner with Apsara Dance show at local restaurant.

For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, no visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not merely dance but also meant to convey a story or message.

 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Start early this morning at 7am to leave your hotel for Phnom Kulen, considered the holiest mountain in Cambodia. Arrive at Kulen Mountain near the Preah Ang Thom Pagoda. First on the agenda is a wander around the mountain-top pagoda which is home to relics, statues, and a large reclining Buddha.

Meet your Motor taxi (motorbike) driver who will take you for the next few hours up the mountain. The first stop is at Poeng Tbal, where a riverbed reveals a well-preserved stone with details of Shiva and Vishnu and the rock carvings of Ganesh and sages. A short trip leads to one of Cambodia's most important sites: a small pedestal that sits on top of three step pyramids called Prasat Rong Chen. Head through more paths to a modern temple with colorful statues and a panoramic view. Enjoy a simple picnic lunch in the temple dining room. Continue after a short break to a bat cave that, with the help of torches, you can enter for a few hundred meters and see a modern sanctuary. Both the cave and the temple attract many pilgrims to the area. A short distance away is Srah Damrei (or Elephant Pond). Head back to the starting point with a few more stone carvings to see at Damrei Khrap (Kneeling Elephant). The Motor taxi adventure ends at Preah Ang Thom.

Two more stops are made before your return, the first is a short visit to see the Thousand Lingas River, hundreds of Lingas carvings can be seen in a section of the river. After visiting the Kulen waterfall, where you can take a refreshing bath. Return to Siem Reap and accommodation.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, travel by road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by private vehicle and English guide. On route you will witness the everyday lives of Cambodians as you pass through interesting provincial towns, bucolic villages, and delightful scenery. This is no ‘freeway dash’ as you will often slow down to let cows and water buffalo wander across the road, pass horse drawn carriages, and school kids walking and cycling to/from school.

Depart to Tonle Sap Lake. We will visit the floating village of Kampong Phluk, which means "Port of Tusks", located 20 km east of Siem Reap. It is a village built on stilts on the Tonlé Sap. The community largely depends on fishing for a living, spending Cambodia's rainy season (June-October) fishing. During the dry season (November-April), when the waters of the lake go down, many of them work in agriculture to supplement their income. The excursion will take you to explore the floating village and allow you to see how people live and trade.

Not far from Phnom Penh you may choose to stop at Skoun, also known as ‘Spiderville’ due to the deep-fried tarantula that is the local delicacy, are you adventurous enough to try one?

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you will check-in to your hotel after which you are free at leisure for the rest of the evening.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia's vibrant capital city, offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and architectural marvels. A Phnom Penh city tour allows you to delve into the city's heart, exploring its iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and vibrant local life.

 

Morning Delights:

  • Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda: Be mesmerized by the grandeur of the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Cambodian King. Marvel at the intricate architecture and learn about Cambodian royalty. Next door, explore the Silver Pagoda, adorned with a gleaming silver floor and housing priceless Buddha statues.
  • National Museum: Immerse yourself in Cambodian history and art at the National Museum. Explore fascinating exhibits showcasing artifacts from the Angkor era and other periods, providing insights into the rich cultural heritage of Cambodia.

 

Afternoon Exploration:

  • Central Market (Phsar Thmey): Indulge in your senses at the bustling Central Market, a shopper's paradise. Wander through the labyrinthine alleys filled with stalls overflowing with local crafts, souvenirs, clothing, and Cambodian delicacies. Be sure to try your bargaining skills!
  • Next, we head to visit Wat Phnom: Ascend the scenic Phnom Penh Hill, where Wat Phnom, a Buddhist temple with a long history, sits atop. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and experience the tranquillity of the temple grounds.
  • We will enjoy a cruise for view sunset on the Mekong and Tonle Sap River (1 hour). Situated at the “Four Arms” where the Mekong meets the Tonle Sap River before splitting into two branches, Phnom Penh offers the ideal location to discover the mighty Mekong.

 

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Pick up by driver (without guide) and travel along the southern coast towards Sihanouk Ville, which has long been a place of relaxation for Cambodians. Arrive in Sihanouk Ville we take fast boat to Koh Rong “Paradise Island”. Upon arrival at Island, meet your hotel staff and transfer to hotel for check in.

Overnight Koh Rong.

Enjoy a full day of sun or swimming in the warm coastal waters. This is the moment when the dream of going on vacation to an exotic land becomes reality.

Overnight Koh Rong.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or on requests.

 

We farewell island and take express boat back to Sihanouk Ville. Upon arrival at Sihanouk Ville port, meet your driver (without guide) and drive to Phnom Penh.

 

Transfer to Phnom Penh airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.

Services

What’s include :

TOUR COST INCLUDES:

TOUR COST NOT INCLUDES:

✅ Accommodation: 13-nights with daily breakfast in double / twin shared room

✅ Meals: at local restaurant (Foods only) as mentioned in program (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner)

✅ Private Transportation: Airport transfers & Tours by air con. vehicles as per program.

✅ Private boat trip as mentioned in program.

✅ Entrance fees: Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified as mentioned in program.

✅ Private Tour Guide: Local English-speaking guide during tours as mentioned in program

✅ Flight ticket: Hanoi – Danang / Danang – Siem Reap / Siem Reap – Sihanouk Ville (check in luggage 20kg and hand-carry 7kg).

✅ Train ticket (2nd class): Vientiane – Luang Prabang

✅ Boat ticket: Sihanouk Ville – Koh Rong – Sihanouk Ville

✅ All government taxes.

✅ 24hours supporting hotline.

✅ Cold water and towel during tours

❌ Laos and Cambodia Visa stamp fee

❌ All International air tickets.

❌ Other meal, drink, personal expenses, tip, Travel insurance,

❌ Early check-in & late check-out surcharge.

❌ International bank transfer fees (Banking fee is covered by the sender)

❌ Another thing not mentioned in included

GENERAL NOTICE:

  • Standard check-in time is 14h00 and check-out time is 12h00 at most of the hotels.
  • Arrival/Departure: Above prices are valid only for group of clients travelling together – arrival and departure with the same flight. Arrival/departure by other flight subject to supplement charge.
  • Program is subject to change without notice due to Airlines unexpected changes of schedule or flight unexpected cancellations.
  • There will be no refund or compensation applied due to force major which effect to visit program.
  • We reserve the right to adjust the prices at any time in the event of an increase of the fuel surcharge applied by airlines companies or any other transport companies.
  • Deadline for flight tickets: We will automatically issue flights 5 days after bookings is confirmed by us, please take note and come back to me within 5 days since booking is confirmed if you find clients don’t want to issue it.

 

Consultant/Emergency Contact:

EURASIE Travel “Best for the Best“ – Head office

#AC04, Street 59CW, Borey Sopheak Meangkul, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

info@eurasietravel.com.kh / www.eurasietravel.com.kh

 

Hot lines:

+ Mr. Bonny: (+855) 12 608 108 (WHATSAPP)

    ” Possiamo dire che è stata la luna di miele perfetta. Abbiamo avuto la possibilità di entrare a stretto contatto con la gente locale, di vivere diverse esperienze molto interessanti e di visitare dei posti fantastici. Tutto era organizzato in maniera perfetta grazie anche al validissimo supporto del nostro corrispondente Roberto, che non ci ha mai lasciati soli. Da dietro le quinte ci ha assistito per tutta la durata del nostro magnifico viaggio di nozze, dandoci un valido supporto per qualsiasi cosa. Le guide e i drivers erano sempre puntuali, cordiali, molto disponibili e molto preparati. Difficile dire in una sola frase cosa ci sia piaciuto. In una sola parola: TUTTO. L’organizzazione pre e durante il nostro viaggio è stata ineccepibile. Non possiamo che ringraziare Roberto ed Eurasie per questa meravigliosa esperienza.”

    Erika e Andrea

    Tour Vietnam & Cambogia