Legends of the Mekong

📍 Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport – Bangkok Hotel (approx. 40 km): approx. 40 min – 1 hr

Welcome to Bangkok! Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of today is at your leisure to relax and enjoy. 

Overnight in Bangkok

Inclusions:

After breakfast at your hotel, meet with your guide and head out of your hotel for an original full day of sightseeing in the City of Angels using exclusively public means of transportation. Walk to the nearest BTS Station and get on the Skytrain for a short ride to the terminal station of Saphan Taksin on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Continue by public boat to Tha Thien pier where you disembark to visit Wat Pho the home of Thai massage and the reclining Buddha. Continue to visit the Grand Palace. The Royal Grand Palace is the nation’s landmark and the most revered royal monument and host of the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Appropriate dress is required (or can be rented on site). (Note: Grand Palace is one of the most popular destinations and is usually a number one must-see place in Bangkok. Not surprisingly, it receives millions of tourists annually. To get the best of your visit and avoid crowds on spot we will allow your guide flexibility to visit the temple either early morning or late afternoon if possible in your itinerary. If you by any means decide that there are too many people for your liking, the guide can bring you to an alternative temple in the area such as Wat Saket or Wat Suthat, this decision needs to be made before entering the Grand Palace.)

Lunch (own expenses) might be taken in a local restaurant nearby the palace. 

In the afternoon, take a Tuk Tuk to Soi Ban Batra, where a handicraft family is famed for the art making monk’s alms bowls and selling them, before boarding a "bus boat" for a journey along the historical Saen Saeb canal. Following a trip to Jim Thompson’s House Museum, which showcases the history of the famous and mysterious American silk merchant, the day ends with some retail therapy at Bangkok's vast shopping malls.

Overnight in Bangkok

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (approx. 40 km): approx. 40 min – 1 hr Siem Reap international airport - Siem Reap (45 km): 55 min

Meet your guide at your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival at Siem Reap, be welcomed by your local English-speaking guide and transfer to the hotel for check in.

Time at leisure 

In case you cannot find your guide, please call our 24 Hrs Customer Care number +855 12 908 097 (Available on WhatsApp). 

Overnight in Siem Reap

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Siem Reap - Temples (8 km): 15 min

Beginning from 07:30, this is the best time to experience Ta Prohm temple. The temple was made famous by the Angelina Jolie film Tomb Raider. The temple is best known for the trees and vines growing atop the temple walls. Enter from the east, to avoid the crowds. Then continue to Angkor Thom, visit The Terrace of The Elephants and the Royal Palace enclosure. Next, take a stroll around the lower galleries of carvings of Bayon, which depict fascinating scenes of life from the late 11th century, then find a quiet spot on the exterior of the temple to appreciate the 54 towers featuring faces of the Buddha looking out into the jungle around you.

Afternoon visit the magnificent Angkor Wat, a 12th-century temple built by King Suryavarman II. This architectural marvel reflects Mount Meru, the abode of Hindu gods. Inside, intricate carvings and reliefs showcase Hindu myths with over 2,000 Apsara dancers grace the walls. Angkor Wat remains a powerful symbol of Cambodia, even gracing the national flag.

Note: Should you wish to witness a sunset, there are limited options and they can be quite crowded. Consider finding a quiet place away from the crowds, such as atop the city wall beside the West or South gate of Angkor Thom, or Srah Srang, Pre Rup. Be advised that a sunset will typically have you returning to town after 6:00pm. 

Overnight in Siem Reap

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake (30 km): 35 min

Hop on a local wooden boat for a private journey through a canal, all the way to Tonle Sap Lake. See what life is like on Southeast Asia’s largest lake. 

After a tour of Tonle Sap Lake, visit the Angkor Wildlife and Aquarium (AWA) for a closer look at the lake’s marine ecosystems. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet with one of the AWA’s marine biologist for a behind- the-scenes tour of the marine exhibit. During the visit, learn about the environmental threats faced by the Tonle Sap, including habitat destruction, illegal fishing and disrupted migration patterns.

This insightful visit includes a donation that supports vital conservation efforts for endangered species in Tonle Sap lake. 

Afternoon free time at leisure 

In the evening, pick up from the hotel by remork (a Cambodian “Tuk Tuk”) and drive to the first restaurant, where follows a different business model, directing their profits to various organisations. Next, enjoy Khmer classic dishes at another social enterprise restaurant providing disadvantaged youths, and underprivileged adults, professional training and employment in the hospitality industry. 

After dinner, go to a tropical garden restaurant run by an organisation that operates a hospitality training school where all the restaurant workers learned (or are currently learning) their trade. Learn about how the program runs and its achievements while enjoying a creative cocktail, a glass of wine, beer, or coffee. 

Overnight in Siem Reap 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Siem Reap - Ta Brak (25 km): 30 mins Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (318 km): 6 hours

Check-out from the hotel and drive to Phnom Penh, the capital. 

On the way, stop at Ta Brak,to learn about life in a typical village. Explore the local market, walk through the village and head Khmer smokehouse and meet a warm family. Learn the process of smoking fish, discover Cambodian rural life through stories shared amidst fragrant smoke. Over a fresh coconut juice, get to know the family, engage in discussions, and gain a better understanding of the countryside lifestyle in Cambodia.

Conclude this morning, partake in a special Buddhist tradition. Local monks will impart wishes of good luck and success in a solemn, age-old ceremony.

Arrive at Phnom Penh, check-in at the hotel and time at leisure. 

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Phnom Penh - Phnom Penh Airport (25 km): 50 min Vientiane Wattay International Airport - Vientiane Hotel (approx. 5 km): 20 mins

Learn all about the history and culture of the capital on this guided, half day tour of Phnom Penh. Start with a visit to the Royal Palace, built in 1866 at the end of the French colonial era. Visit the Palace’s Silver Pagoda and admire the 5,000 silver tiles that line the floors and the impressive collection of Buddha images housed in the pagoda.  

Continue to the National Museum. The museum is housed in a traditional Khmer-style building and surrounded by lush, tropical gardens. There are nearly 5,000 items on display dating back to the 4th century. The final stop is at Wat Phnom. The hilltop temple is located on the site where the city was originally established many years ago. 
Return to the hotel. 

Note: All visitors are required to wear modest clothing: no short pants or short skirts (knees must be covered) and no sleeveless shirts (shoulders must be covered). See-through clothing will also not be allowed.

Afternoon transfer to Phnom Penh International airport for your flight to Vientiane. 

Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you and assist with the transfer to your hotel in the city.

Once all checked-in and freshened up, start the afternoon tour with a visit to COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the centre provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area and the efforts underway to clear them.

Before sunset, enjoy a stroll along the Mekong River banks and stop, if you wish, to enjoy a cold drink at one of the many riverside food stalls.

Overnight in Vientiane

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Start this morning with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun shines upon its towering golden spire. Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.

Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues.

Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo.  Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before being transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy shopping, more sightseeing, or a spa treatment. 

For your final evening in Laos, you will have the unique opportunity to experience one of Laos’ oldest traditions: The Baci.  The purpose of the Baci, which is a mix of Animist and Buddhist beliefs, is to call back escaped spirits to the body. This is something that is very important before major events such as weddings, births, travel, welcoming friends and farewells. 

Enjoy a delicious lao - style dinner at Lao Derm Restaurant. 

Overnight in Vientiane

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Luang Prabang hotel - Train station (12 km): 20 mins Vientiane train station - City hotel (17 km): 30 mins

Free time this morning in Vientiane. Your guide and private car will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the train station.

C92 Dep: 10:35 Arr: 12:35*

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang, your guide will be waiting to greet you and transfer you to your hotel.

This evening you will have a brief introduction to Luang Prabang. Option to climb the stairs of Mount Phousi or walk along the Mekong peninsula to watch the sunset and afterwards explore the vibrant night market area. 

Proceed to l’Elephant, one of the finest restaurants in Luang Prabang, for dinner before being driven back to your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Note:
*Train tickets: Ticket class and train timings on the Lao-China Railway are not guaranteed. While we aim to book First class tickets, complexities in the booking system may prevent us from securing them. Additionally, train timings are subject to last-minute changes, but we'll notify in advance if this occurs.
Items prohibited on board: Rubbing alcohol, aerosols (including spray deodorants and sunscreens), knives, pocket knives

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Transfer by vehicle to the Historical Old Town of central Luang Prabang where your tour begins at the fresh market. Accompanied by your guide, walk through the rows of stalls looking at what is on sale. The locals come here every day to shop for vegetables, fruits and other exotic specialties and delicacies. The market is adjacent to the National Museum, your next stop.  Once the Royal Palace of Laos, the National Museum is filled with art, artifacts, and jewels and a visit examines the history and rich culture of the country.

After this, continue your tour of Luang Prabang by visiting some of the city’s most important temples. Start at Wat Visoun, where you will see the famous Watermelon Stupa, shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. This temple was destroyed in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from China, and was restored in 1930 by Buddhist monks and local people. We will also visit Wat Aham where you will see the altar of the 2 guardian spirits of Luang Prabang.
 
Enjoy lunch in town at Tamarind restaurant where you will have a chance to sample unusual local specialties not available back home.

This afternoon, head to Ock Pop Tok to experience textiles in Laos - the history, methods, and cultural significance.

Take a break at Le Patio Café, located inside the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC), and sip a local brew of coffee. Then, take a tour of TAEC, a museum dedicated to exploring the rich diversity of Laos’ ethnic minorities. Traditional costumes, tools, and artefacts are on display alongside in-depth descriptions and written histories.  It is a great opportunity to gain insight into the Lao people.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves by boat: 01h30mins

This morning, venture to Luang Prabang’s peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers merge. The beautiful Wat Xieng Thong is located here and a visit to the temple unveils golden gates, ornaments, and colourful murals.  

You will then board a traditional wooden boat, Nava Mekong, for a relaxing cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles which rely on the river as you make your way upstream for 1.5 – 2 hours.

Located upstream from Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Caves, locally called Tam Ting, contains thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues crammed into two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. The statues range in size from a few centimetres tall to the size of a human, and the view from the mouth of the cave provides sweeping views of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The caves are also a destination for local pilgrimages, especially during the Lao New Year period of Pii Mai. 

The boat continues cruising in the vicinity of the caves and will moor during lunchtime at the foot of beautiful limestone cliffs. A selection of typical Lao dishes will be served onboard before you cruise back downstream. 

The remainder of the day is at your leisure for additional sightseeing or relaxing in this charming city.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang Airport (4 km): 15 mins Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport – Bangkok Hotel (approx. 40 km): approx. 40 min – 1 hr

Your guide and private car will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport onward flight to Bangkok.

Suggested flight:
QVQV633 LPQ BKK | 07:40 - 09:40 Daily
TG7053 LPQ BKK| 11:55 - 13:25 Daily

Upon arrival in Bangkok you will be transferred to your hotel for an evening at your leisure. 

Overnight in Bangkok

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (approx. 40 km): approx. 40 min – 1 hr

This morning is free for last minute shopping or sightseeing before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast