Laos Cambodia – The Religious Journey

7 days 6 nights

Luang Prabang – Siem Reap

Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Almsgiving ritual (B/L)

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Baci Ceremony (B/L/D)

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Flight to Siem Reap (B)

Day 5: Siem Reap (B/L)

Day 6: Siem Reap (B)

Day 7: Siem Reap – Departure (B)

Day 1. Arrival in Luang Prabang

Upon arrival at the airport, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to your hotel for check in. Relax and explore Luang Prabang on your own.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2. Luang Prabang – Almsgiving ritual (Breakfast/Lunch)

Wake up early in the morning to witness the Tak Bat ceremony, you will have the chance to witness the monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. Continue to visit the morning market before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

Transfer to the pier and board a traditional wooden boat, Nava Mekong, for a relaxing cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Stop to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves  filled with 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues and images scattered about the two limestone grottoes.

Lunch with typical Lao dishes will be served onboard before continuing the cruise back downstream.

Return to town and visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family, The Royal Palace is now home to exhibits of art and jewels as well as the residence itself. Continue on foot to visit Wat Mai, with its unique 5 tiered roof and golden bas-reliefs.

Enjoy the stunning panoramic views over Luang Prabang town and the sunset from the top of Mount Phousi then stroll around the nearby evening market, filled with beautiful hill tribe souvenirs and handicrafts.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3. Luang Prabang – Baci Ceremony (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

This morning, leave the city behind and head to the peaceful countryside. The drive ends at a beautiful destination – The Kuang Si Waterfalls. The falls are a series of cascading turquoise pools, surrounded by lush forest. Spend time exploring the falls and enjoying the pristine nature. Take a challenging, but rewarding hike to the top of the highest point or simply relax on the rocks of the lower pools.

Return to town and visit Wat Xieng Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country. The main sanctuary represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Continue to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre (closed on Monday) to explore the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities.

Last stop at Ock Pop Tok living Craft Centre to learn about the creation of traditional Laos art forms like weaving, dyeing, silk worms and batik from Laos artisans themselves.

In the evening, take part in one of Laos’ oldest traditions: The Baci ceremony – one of the most  important ceremonies in Laos culture. The practice of the Baci, which is a mix of Animist and Buddhist beliefs, is to call the spirits to return to the person’s body so that they can be healthy and happy. The good luck ceremony is carried out by an elderly person in the village on any day of the year.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4. Luang Prabang – Flight to Siem Reap (Breakfast)

Enjoy breakfast and free time until your transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Siem Reap, the charming gateway to the famed Temples of Angkor. You will be greeted by your local guide, who will accompany you to your hotel for check in. Check in and enjoy some time at leisure to refresh.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 5. Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch

Start your day with a tour to the temples of the Small Circuit. The tour includes the impressive 12th century temple of Ta Prohm which is overgrown by gigantic jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Your visit will also include Preah Khan temple, Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”.

Later today, visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, then continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is well-known for its 52 towers with enigmatic faces looking out towards the provinces of the vast and great Khmer Empire. The nearby Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate relief carvings.

Head out to the south of Siem Reap to a countryside village where you can take part in a Water Blessing Ceremony by a buddhist monk. Water Blessing is a Cambodian traditional ritual that dates back to ancient times and held in order to bring good luck. During the ceremony you will also have chance to learn about the daily activities and practices of the monks.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6. Siem Reap (Breakfast/Lunch)

Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a pre-dawn drive to Angkor Archaeological Park. Select a good viewpoint at Angkor Wat, sit back and watch the sunrise over the back of the temple. Seeing the temple emerge from darkness to being bathed in early morning light is an unforgettable experience. Once the sun is up, go inside to explore Angkor Wat temple, a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

In the afternoon, visit the unique temple of Banteay Srei. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” was constructed in rose-colored sandstone and displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. The unique charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of its decorative carving.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7. Siem Reap – Departure (Breakfast)

Today visit Beng Mealea, known as the ‘Pond of Lotus’ temple. The temple was hidden in a maze of the jungle for hundreds of years before being found and opened for visitors. After that, drive to the abandoned Koh Ker to explore the pyramid temple of Prasat Thom and some other beautiful temples covered by jungles.

On the way back to Siem Reap, you will embark on a boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in SouthEast Asia. Board a local boat and visit Kampong Khleang floating village where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake.

Return to town and free time at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

End of your services.

Inclusions services: 

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
• Experienced and skilled English-Speaking Guide
• All admission fee at attractions as mentioned in the itinerary.
• All meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Sharing cabins in Halong tour as mentioned in the itinerary.

Exclusions services: 

• Visa handling fee,visa stamping fee.
• Internal airfares in the tour (please refer to the airfare supplement)
• International airfare from/to Vietnam
• Any other meals not mentioned above.
• Any kind of drinks in meals
• All other services which are not mentioned in INCLUSIONS
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Travel insurance in all kinds
• Personal expenses such as Bar, telephone, Laundry bills …
• Tipping/ Gratuities Guideline
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (Typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.
• Surcharge for peak season/public holidays if any.