Cambodia Adventure Tour

Joining in Bangkok today, we have the afternoon to enjoy something of the city. You may like to utilise the time visiting two of Bangkok’s most impressive monuments; the 18th century Grand Palace and the rambling complex of Wat Po, home to the fabulous 46 metre reclining Buddha. Another option is to take a cruise along the city’s Klongs (canals) in a traditional long-tail boat. This is the ideal way to explore Bangkok’s network of meandering waterways, taking in the Royal Barge Museum and the iconic Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn) along the way.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we drive back to Bangkok’s airport to catch a flight on to Luang Prabang in neighbouring Laos. The country’s former capital, Luang Prabang is a charming UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its stunning setting and magnificent temples. On arrival we meet up with our Laos guide and drive on to our hotel, after which the rest of the day is free to enjoy this captivating city at our own pace.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Home to the impressive Thad Makmo stupa (Buddhist shrine) and the beautifully ornate Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang has a wealth of architectural highlights that include both traditional Laotian style and French colonial buildings. Probably one of the most laid back and charming settings anywhere in South East Asia, the city is a wonderful place to explore on foot too, with many of its treasures lying within an easy walk of each other. Our time here is free to enjoy this lovely riverside city at our own pace.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we fly to Pakse, at the confluence of the Mekong and Don Rivers. The former capital of the Champasak kingdom, the city is our gateway into the culturally rich landscapes of Don Daeng and provides us with easy access to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wat Phou Champasak. Taking a boat from Pakse, we pay a visit to the Khmer ruins before continuing on to sleepy Don Daeng, where we enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the quiet rural charm of our surroundings.

Overnight Simple Homestay Included meals: Breakfast

After a free morning we head next to Don Khong, the largest of the 4,000 islands that make up the beautiful Sii Pan Don archipelago. This is Laos at its most serene, where the untroubled pace of Mekong life goes on much as it has for generations. We have a couple of days to enjoy this wonderfully chilled setting.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

Today is free to pretty much do what we want. You could take a walk around the island and meet the locals, watching the local fishermen sailing through the maze of waterways in search of the day’s catch. There are also opportunities to pay a visit to the Li Phi Falls or visit the old French railway bridge that dates back to the island’s old colonial days. It is also possible to hire bicycles and explore the island on two wheels, looking out for birds and maybe even the odd passing Irrawaddy River dolphin along the way.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

Taking a boat back to the mainland this morning we head by road up to the Kong Phopheng Falls, to pay a short visit before we cross the border into neighbouring Cambodia. From here we then continue up to Kampi, just to the north of the town of Kratie. The site is home to a deep water pool where Irrawaddy dolphins gather to feed and we’ll head up the river by boat to search for these rare mammals before continuing on to Sala Koh Island. Once settled in our homestay we’ll take an exploratory walk around the island.

Overnight Simple Homestay Included meals: Breakfast

Departing the island this morning we head to Kratie for breakfast, before turning south and driving by bus to the provincial capital of Kompong Cham. The journey takes us through rubber country, past vast plantations that were originally established by the French. Stopping to learn a little more about the rubber making process, we then visit the 11th century sandstone temple of Wat Nokor and pass through the town of Skuon (famed for its deep fried tarantulas) before finally ending our journey in the Cambodian capital.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

An engaging mix of tree lined boulevards, colonial villas and vibrant city streets, Phnom Pehn is a fascinating testament to Cambodia’s ancient and colonial past. You could pay a visit to the National Museum, with its impressive collection of Angkor statues, or perhaps the impressive French built Royal Palace. Another option is to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek, chilling testaments to life under the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot. Of course you may just prefer to soak up the atmosphere of the city from one of its old colonial river-front bars.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we board a public bus to the city of Siem Reap, home to the renowned treasures of the Angkor Empire. The city provides us with an interesting base for our next few days, as we explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Angkor Archaeological Park, probably one of the most important ancient sites anywhere in South East Asia. On arrival we’ll take a short walking tour of the city to get our bearings.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

No activities or excursions have been included in Siem Reap and our time here is very much our own. Obvious choices are the magnificent complex of Angkor Wat, without doubt one of the most breathtaking of the jungle sites, the fortified city of Angkor Thom and the wonderfully atmospheric collection of towers and courtyards of Ta Phrom. Other possibilities include taking to the waters of the Rolous River to visit the floating villages and flooded forest of the Great Lake of Tonle Sap, or perhaps the fascinating Landmine Museum just to the south of Banteay Srei Temple.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Boarding another public bus this morning we head for the Thai border at Poipet, where we will be met by our Thai guide for the onward journey back to Bangkok. Continuing from here by bus or train, we arrive back in the Thai capital later this afternoon, after which the rest of the day is free to enjoy one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in South East Asia.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast