Cambodia Adventure Tour

Arrive Bangkok and check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free. You may choose to take an optional cruise along the city’s Klongs (canals) in a traditional longtail boat. This is the ideal way to explore Bangkok’s network of meandering waterways that branch off from the main channel of the Chao Phraya River. The excursion will also include visits to the Royal Barge Museum and the iconic Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, which was built to represent the towering slopes of Mount Meru, the home to the gods of Khmer mythology. Alternatively visit 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.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we fly on to Luang Prabang in neighbouring Laos. The country's former capital is protected by UNESCO and is renowned not only for its beautiful temples but also for its lovely setting along the banks of the Mekong River. After checking in to our hotel the remainder of the day is free to enjoy this charming sleepy town.

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 places anywhere in South East Asia, the town is a wonderful place to explore on foot too, with many of its treasures lying within 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 the former capital of the Champasak kingdom of Pakse. Located at the confluence of the Mekong and Don Rivers it is our gateway to 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 Basic 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.

Overnight Simple Guest House Included meals: Breakfast

Taking a boat back to the mainland this morning we head by road via Kong Phopheng Falls to cross the border into neighbouring Cambodia. From here we continue up to Kampi, just 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 Basic 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 also visit the 11th century sandstone temple of Wat Nokor and pass through the town of Skuon, famed for its deep fried tarantulas (try one if you dare!) before finally arriving 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 refection of 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 and Silver Pagoda Complex. Another option is 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 or browse through one of the busy markets.

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 magnificent 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 reach the Thai border at Poipet, from where we continue on our journey back to Bangkok either by bus or train. We arrive back in the Thai capital in the late afternoon, leaving us to enjoy our final evening in one of South East Aisa's most vibrant and exciting cities.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Tour ends after breakfast. If you have time you may wish to wander through Chinatown for a different flavour of the city.

Included meals: Breakfast