Thailand, Laos and Cambodia Experience – 14 Days

Today, we explore the Hall of Opium museum to gain a captivating understanding of how this crop has influenced the region. We also visit the tri-border area where Thailand, Laos, and Burma converge and enjoy a boat ride on the Khong River.

We travel east to the Thai border and cross the Mekong River into tranquil Laos. Board our elegant boat for a leisurely cruise along the Mekong, with a visit to a Thai Lu village. Enjoy the scenic river views before reaching Pakbeng in the late afternoon and settling into our beautiful lodge.

Following a relaxed breakfast, we board our boat again for a full day trip to Luang Prabang. Along the way, we cruise past lush, jungle-covered cliffs and make a stop at the ‘Cave of a Thousand Buddhas.’ Enjoy the journey from the deck, savoring refreshments, and arrive in Luang Prabang by evening.

Luang Prabang, known for its charm and beauty, is a captivating town in Laos. Today, take a guided stroll through its quaint cobbled streets to explore the National Museum and visit some of the town's most stunning temples, such as Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Mai.

Today, we’ll explore the key attractions of Vientiane. Begin with Wat Sisaket, the city's oldest and most stunning temple. Continue to Haw Pha Kaew, which was once a royal temple and now serves as a museum. Next, visit Pha That Luang, Laos's most significant national monument, symbolizing both the Monarchy and Buddhism, as well as the Patuxai Monument, which bears a resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Conclude the day by watching the sunset along the Mekong River.

Bid farewell to Laos as you take a short flight to neighboring Cambodia. Upon arriving in Phnom Penh, you'll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After enduring years of conflict, Phnom Penh is now in the process of revitalization. The city showcases its French colonial heritage in many areas, while the newly developed riverfront symbolizes its promising future. At 2:00 PM, we'll start with a brief introduction to the city, including a visit to the National Museum, which houses a remarkable collection of Angkorian and pre-Angkorian artifacts. As dusk approaches, enjoy a short cyclo tour through the capital’s shaded boulevards, where you’ll see pagodas, bustling markets, and beautiful examples of colonial architecture.

Today’s itinerary includes a visit to the Royal Palace and the remarkable Silver Pagoda, famous for its solid silver floor. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the somber Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek ‘Killing Fields.’ If time allows, you may also visit one of Phnom Penh’s vibrant markets. In the evening, unwind with a refreshing drink at a riverside café and watch the sunset.

Fly to Siem Reap, the gateway to the majestic Angkor temples. These temples are a testament to 600 years (802-1432) of Khmer civilization, one of Asia’s most illustrious empires. This afternoon, we’ll start our exploration using local-style motorized tuk tuks. We’ll enter the south gate of Angkor Thom, once a bustling metropolis with over a million inhabitants, and marvel at the enigmatic stone faces of the Bayon Temple. As the day draws to a close, we'll reach the causeway of Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s iconic marvel and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, just in time for sunset.

Start the day with a sunrise visit and a comprehensive exploration of the architectural marvel that is Angkor Wat. By mid-morning, take a ride in a tethered balloon, rising 200 meters to enjoy panoramic views of Angkor from above. Later, proceed to Ta Prohm Temple, where the atmosphere is heightened by its jungle surroundings and the structure remains as it was discovered by French explorers in the 1850s. In the late afternoon, embark on a brief cruise across the impressive Tonle Sap Lake, which is not only vital to the country but also the second largest freshwater lake globally.

Today we venture beyond the main Angkor site to visit three distinctive temples. Our first stop is Banteay Srei, often referred to as the ‘Citadel of the Women,’ renowned for its exquisite and well-preserved carvings. Many regard it as the crown jewel of Angkor due to its intricate artistry. Next, we explore the 11th-century Boeng Mealea complex, a precursor to the more renowned Angkor Wat. Although it remained isolated during Cambodia's civil war, Boeng Mealea has recently become accessible and, while still less frequented by tourists, offers a glimpse into the grandeur of its past with many parts still remarkably intact. In the late afternoon, we visit the serene Banteay Samre temple before returning to Siem Reap to conclude our remarkable journey.

This morning, you'll be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your next flight.