Multisport - Southern Laos & Cambodia Explorer

📍 Transfer from PKZ Airport to Hotel: 30 min

Sabaidee and welcome to Laos!  Upon arrival your guide will be waiting and will escort you to your hotel for check-in and an opportunity to freshen up. 

Tonight our guide will meet you for dinner on the rooftop with great views over the town and surrounding area. 

Overnight in town.

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfers: approx. 3 hours Hiking: up to 2 hours Difficulty: Easy

It’s time to experience some nature! After breakfast we explore the amazing Bolaven Plateau and it’s many highlights. It’s a bit hop on hop off today as there are many interesting sights along the way. We’ll start off with a stop at Mr. Vieng for a cup of Lao organic coffee followed by lunch, picnic style, at the top of the Tad Soung waterfall which offers stunning views and is a great place for a cooling swim. We’ll then hike around 800 meters to another smaller waterfall adjacent to the thick jungle. 

And our final waterfall for the day will see us visit Tad lo where we’ll also do another short hike through a local village.

Mid to late afternoon we’ll arrive at Sinouk coffee resort, a great place for relaxation with its natural water pool and great food. This beautiful resort has gorgeous gardens and the resort team will lead you for a wander through the coffee plantations. Coffee is big in this region and if you are a coffee drinker, it’s coffee heaven but if not it’s still very interesting to learn more about the process involved from growing the beans to the final brewing product.

In the evening you can enjoy the slightly cooler weather of the highlands and some downtime.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer: We’ll spend the whole day on the go but in a relaxed pace Hiking: about 3 hours

This morning, after a delicious breakfast, we’ll transfer for about half an hour to meet up with our 4X4
trucks. These old trucks were left behind during various conflicts and originate from America, Russia and China. The Villagers kept them operational and well maintained and are now using some of them to offer tours for adventure seekers looking to explore areas where no other tourists tread. This unique and cool experience brings you through dense land with amazing views, far away from the real world. We’ll explore some stunning off the beaten track waterfalls and walk through vegetable fields whilst being educated about the different crops and plantations they have in this region. Following our 4X4 experience we arrive at our homestay for the night and enjoy a tasty local lunch. In the afternoon we take a stroll through the owners coffee plantation which is the biggest in the area
and situated on the mountainside offering 360 degree
views of the Bolaven plateau. We’ll hike to a local
village and explore what the friendly locals are up to
before heading back to the farm where we’ll help our hosts with cooking preparations for our dinner. In
the evening we enjoy some story telling with our hosts
before retiring to bed.  

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfers: approx. 1 hour Trekking: up to 5 hours Difficulty: Medium

Wake to the sounds of nature and then enjoy a simple but tasty breakfast with your host before heading out on a trekking Adventure. We’ll be traversing some hills today and will also have the opportunity to some bomb craters, remnants of previous wars. First point is Phou Sanak, also know as the sleeping volcano, before trekking to Phou Kat. Phou in Lao means ‘mountain’. We’ll rest and have a picnic lunch just before we reach Souy, a local ethnic minority village. Then it’s back on the 4x4’s from yesterday who will transfer us to our waiting minivan and back to Pakse for the night. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfers: approx. 1hr 30 mins Trekking: up to 3 hours Difficulty: Easy

Ever heard of Angkor Wat in Cambodia? It’s very likely you have. Ever heard of Vat Phou? Possibly not. Vat Phou was built by the Khmer empire just before they started to create the city of Angkor. The decorations and building styles are strikingly similar and this is what you will explore today. We start with a one hour transfer before arriving at Hong Nang Sida, a local temple with an impressive story. After this introduction we explore the monkey stairs and the stone quarry by hiking up the mountain. It’s impressive to think how they managed to cut and transport these giant stones in order to build these immense structures. Back in the age of the khmer empire there was a road that led in a straight line from where you are standing all the way to the Angkor Wat complex. This was also the main trading route between the two structures. We then take a hike through the beautiful rice paddies leading to the Thao Tao ruins. These sites are visited very little and it’s likely you have the place to yourself. From here we’ll hop in the minivan and drive to the entrance of the official Vat Phou temples and have lunch. After our lunch we’ll explore the impressive complex, gardens and adjacent museum with no particular rush as we have no other activities planned for the day. 

Once we’ve explored and absorbed it’s time to head to Don Daeng Island. To reach our hotel we need to cross the mighty Mekong on a local ferry. Tonight we’re staying at a stunning resort, the best of our trip, an ideal place to kick back, chill by the pool and sip on a refreshing cocktail or sit on your bungalow balcony reading a book while overlooking the Mekong. 

Time permitting, and if you still have some energy left, we suggest you hop on a bicycle, free for guests, to explore this serene island. It takes roughly 2 hours to circle the island and will be a genuine and unforgettable local experience. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer: 2 hours Boat trip 1: 45mins Cycling: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy

Today we explore Si Phan Don, the Mekong River’s 4,000 Island region. Starting with a drive to Ban Nakasang village followed by a boat trip among the islands to visit Lippi Waterfalls. Close to the Cambodian border, the local people believe these falls trap bad spirits. There is a short stretch of railway track, built during the French colonial era to help transport goods through this non-navigable stretch of river, which makes for a perfect viewing platform. It’s also interesting to see the remains of the old railway and learning about it’s history.
 
 We then head to a local restaurant for lunch, soaking in the tranquil surroundings while dining on freshly prepared Lao dishes. 

Later in the afternoon we make our way to Don Khon, one of the largest inhabited islands. We have the opportunity to cycle around the island, passing fading colonial buildings, rice paddies and various villages and farms. Cycling is a great way to see the traditional lifestyle of Southern Lao people. There are plenty of chances to stop for photos or to talk with the friendly residents.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer: 45min Kayaking: 5 hours Difficulty: Medium

After a filling breakfast, we have a short transfer to the start of our kayaking experience. Before setting off your expert guide will give some basic paddling instructions. It’s then time to paddle to the western side of Don Det and then float by some smaller islands to the north of Don Khone. This takes about 40 minutes and after mastering some minor rapids you will enjoy some more exciting rapids (grade 2-3). We then stop at a pier and walk to Khon pa soi waterfall, here you will have time to look around and enjoy the nice view. Heading back to our kayaks we paddle for about another 30 minutes with the hope to view the endangered Irrawaddy Mekong Dolphins, close with Cambodian border. Next up we stop at a beach to enjoy a tasty BBQ picnic lunch. This is also a safe area for a refreshing swim, a spot only frequented by friendly local fishermen. 

After lunch we continue paddling downstream for about 40 minutes to Veun Kham village where a car will be waiting to take you to the amazing and impressive Khone Phapeng waterfall, considered to be the biggest and wildest in southeast Asia. You'll then be driven to Nakasang where we re-board our kayaks and paddle back to Don Det. 

Tonight you’ll have a farewell dinner with your Lao guide and chat about all the fun experiences you’ve had during your amazing adventure in the land of a million Elephants!

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Cycling distance: 57km Difficulty: Easy/Medium

After breakfast your Lao Guide will transfer you to the border and assist you with immigration procedures before you wave goodbye and meet with your Cambodian guide. 

Your new expert guide will introduce himself and give you a rundown of your journey through Cambodia. We then jump on bikes and start riding south on a quiet road surrounded by a mix of farmland and jungle. The scenery is very different from Laos and the quietness of the area will give you a feeling of being the only person on the planet. We will have two rest stops before we reach Stung Treng, a bustling trading town at the confluence of the Sekong and Mekong rivers.
Overnight in Stung Treng
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer: 2 hours Cycling distance: 86km Difficulty: Easy/Medium

Today we wake early and transfer for about two hours to our starting point near the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary. The tarmac road winds through the eastern edge of the sanctuary. Keep an eye out for colorful birds and small creatures that frequent the area. We eventually arrive at the other
side of the sanctuary, near the town of Sra’em, which is the gateway to the temple of Preah Vihear.
 
We cycle for another 20kms to the entrance from where we'll take a 4WD vehicle to the temple which is perched atop a hill at 525m above sea level. A Hindu temple, Preah Vihear has the most spectacular setting of all the temples built during the Khmer Empire’s 6 centuries of rule. The temple has yet to undergo major restoration but still has spectacular carvings and lintels. The unique temple design and setting are the reason UNESCO listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site.
 
After our visit we’ll transfer to our hotel.
 
Overnight in Preah Vihear
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer from hotel to starting point: 2-2.5 hours Cycling distance: up to 50++km Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast we transfer for about 2 hours and then mount our bikes and ride to Banteay Chhmar, (aka the Small Citadel). This is the Khmer Empire’s 4th largest temple complex in the northwest corner of the country. Constructed during the reign of Jayavarman II and rebuilt by his future heir Jayavarman VII, this temple is replete with structures and bas reliefs similar to Bayon and Angkor temples.  One of only two temples outside of the Angkor area that has the enigmatic faces of the Bayon, it also holds the stories of four Generals that helped the Kingdom repel the invasion of the Cham army in 1177. Banteay Chhmar hosts few visitors, has excellent scenery, and is well worth a day of exploration. 
Tonight, immerse yourself in true Khmer culture with your hosts at a local homestay. Eat traditional Khmer food, mingle and get a real feel for how people live in this part of the country.
 Overnight at Banteay Chmar Homestay.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer: 1 hour Cycling distance: Up to 60km

Today we continue our journey towards the ancient city of Angkor, the greatest of all the Khmer Kingdom’s accomplishments.  We hop in the saddle for a 60km ride through beautiful countryside on route to Banteay Meancheay.  Following a rest we transfer the final one hour to Siem Reap, home of the mighty Angkor Wat.
Gateway to the famed temples of Angkor, Siem Reap has developed from a sleepy provincial town to be the epicenter of modern Cambodia with stylish hotels, world-class dining, buzzing nightlife and gorgeous spas - a welcome treat after a hot day exploring the temples! Most visitors are here to visit the spectacular temple complex whose entrance gate is just 7km from town, but the surrounding province also offers the chance to gain a deeper insight into the Cambodian culture and lifestyle with endless rice paddies and floating villages. 

We check-in to your hotel and have time to relax. In the evening your guide and driver will transfer you to dinner.
  
Overnight in Siem Reap
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Transfer from Angkor Complex to hotel: 20 minutes Cycling distance up to 40km Difficulty: Easy

This morning we set out to explore Angkor on two wheels, pedaling through the dense jungle that surrounds the Angkor complex, exploring by bike allows for a unique adventure.
We begin with a visit to Ta Prohm temple (the setting of the original Tomb Raider film), built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries in dedication to Jayavarman VII’s mother. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by 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.
 
From Ta Prohm, we delve back into the jungle and pedal through hidden passages to the ruins of Ta Nei (Grandfather Nei) and Preah Khan (dedicated to Jayavarman VII’s father) before heading to Angkor Thom. This was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. An eight meter high wall draws a perfect square around the cities ruins. We enter through the ancient East Gate where, on each side of the entrance, a row of fifty-four gods and demons hold the sacred Naga snake of Hindu lore.
 
From the walls of Angkor Thom, we head towards Bayon Temple, strategically located in the center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well known for its fifty-four towers with enigmatic faces representing the fifty-four provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. Close by the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.
 
Moving south through Angkor Thom we finally visit the famous Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. It was originally constructed as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu, gradually transforming into a Buddhist temple, toward the end of the 12th century.  Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.
 
One of the first Western visitors to the temple was António da Madalena, a Portuguese monk who visited in 1586 and said that it "is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of."
 
Overnight in Siem Reap.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer to Kulen: About 60km (1.5 hours) and return about 1.5 hours. Trekking: About 6-8km Difficulty: Easy / Medium

 
Today will be a truly fun day!  After breakfast we hop in the van and follow a mix of paved and red dirt roads through the countryside spotted with farmers and locals going about their daily business.  After driving for 37kms we reach the famous Banteay Srei, translated in English to “Citadel of Women”, which remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. Banteay Srei is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, seen nowhere else in Angkor.
 
We then continue onwards for about 1 hour where ahead looms the massive ridge of Phnom Kulen.  
 
Kulen Mountain (Phnom Kulen) is an impressive sandstone plateau in this otherwise flat area. The mountain is considered the birthplace of the Khmer empire and a sacred place for the Khmer. 

Starting at the base of the mountain we begin a nice steady uphill trek until we reach a Pagoda overlooking the valley below.  This pagoda is special for the local Khmer people as fresh spring water flows through the pagoda and is considered holy.  Many locals come here to pray.
 
After a brief visit we continue trekking along a jungle path until we reach a very popular spot, the Kulen Waterfalls.  We pause here for a dip and some time to relax.  We’ll have lunch on the banks of the river with a view of the falls.
 
After our break we take a short trek to The Big Buddha, a famous religious site where the Buddha is carved out of the actual mountain top. 

 
It’s then time to return to Siem Reap and back to your hotel.
 
Note 1:  At almost any time, any client can stop and get in the air-conditioned support vehicle.
Note 2:  The tour normally ends back at the hotel approximately 5-6 pm.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Transfer to from Artisans Angkor to the airport: 20 mins

This morning, after breakfast we transfer to “Angkor Zipline” formerly called Flight of the Gibbon, a Zip line Eco-Adventure Tour at the Angkor Archaeological Park. Offering 10 zip lines at different heights, suspended by sky bridges and also the chance to abseil from tall trees, this is an excursion for those with a sense of adventure who want to soar above the jungle canopy like a gibbon!
Transfer to the zip line site before receiving a safety briefing and being outfitted. After the adventure begins: start with the easiest zip lines before proceeding to the highest and most exhilarating. The highest zip lines are at 50 meters above the canopy and the longest 350 meters. From the last zip line the final adventure is to abseil down before a soft trek through the forest takes you back to the starting point. (Note:  This is a join in tour and you may have more people in your group.  Please wear sport shoes).
After lunch you’ll be transferred to This morning transfer to Satcha, a special insight into local artisans exhibiting their artistic crafts and skills.

Cambodia is a land of resources, talents, and know-how, from natural wellness and food products to traditional arts and craft skills. We will visit a local enterprise, Satcha, where craftsmen and women find a safe and clean space to work as well as receive training to further hone their talent and grow themselves into artistic entrepreneurs. 

Walk through the serene, natural gardens and watch the artists carve stone, wood, weave baskets, paint and more while your guide explains some specific traits about each field of work and how the enterprise supports the Cambodian artists. 

After that, our guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch