Vientiane -, -, D
Arrival and after immigration and customs formalities, meeting with the guide.
Transfer to hotel, where the check-in is generally provided at 14:00, however, if the rooms should be available before this time, guests will be accommodated as soon as possible.
In the afternoon visit to the capital of Laos, located on the east bank of the Mekong River: Wat Sisaket, which in one room contains 6840 images of the Buddha, is the only temple spared the Thai invasion in the eighteenth century. The Wat Pakeo he previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha.
Also visit one of the precious cultural Laotians heritage or the famous and sacred That Luang Stupa, then continuing towards the imposing Patuxay Monument, also known as the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight.
Day 02
Vientiane – Luang Prabang B, L, D
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport for the scheduled flight.
Arrival in Luang Prabang and trasfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, the first visits of the city, in particular some of the temples built during the ancient kingdom such as Wat Visoun, built in 1513 during the reign of Chao Wisunalat (and is therefore the oldest active temple in Luang Prabang ), but was rebuilt in 1896-98 after a fire set by the Chinese predators of the black Banner in 1887, Wat Sean, whose name means “temple of the 100,000” and refers to the donation of one hundred thousand kip which allowed the start of construction. It was built in thai style in 1718, renovated in 1932 and in 1957, Wat Xieng Thong (the monastery of the city of gold), which is located on the tip of the peninsula that houses Luang Prabang and overlooks the Mekong, reaching the river through a staircase that goes down to a dip in its waters, as if to emphasize with his descent the nobility of the entire Lao people, also called “the temple of the golden city”
Continue to the sacred hill of Phou Si and opportunity ‘to climb to the top’ to watch the sunset and the confluence of the two rivers on which Luang Prabang itself is located.
Lunch and dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight.
Day 03
Luang Prabang B, L, D
Breakfast.
In the morning visit the Royal Palace, built in 1904, in which was housed the National Museum which houses a rich collection of objects belonging to the Royal Family, including gifts of neighboring countries, musical instruments and local handicrafts.
Then by boat to the Pak Ou caves, situated in a lovely natural setting, in which are exposed several stone statues of the Buddha.
Lunch in the course of visits. In the afternoon return to Luang Prabang with a stop along the way to visit the villages of Ban Xanghai, where they produce the Lao Lao, liquor made from fermented rice, Ban Phanomwhere they produce fabrics and finally stop at the village of Muong famous Nham, famous for the processing of the algae from the river.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight.
Day 04
Luang Prabang B, L, D
Breakfast.
The first activity of the day is the visit of Phousi Market, where dried buffalo skin may be found together with local tea, vegetables and textiles of the tribes.
Then continue to the village of Ock Pop Tok where will be ‘explained how the local people working silk. The next visits (optional) will be at the Khmu villages, Hmong and Lao Loum. After visiting these villages we go to the beautiful waterfalls of Khuang is where a refreshing swim may be taken in one of the pools or simply walk along the forest paths. Near the waterfall it is also possible to visit the Bear Rescue Centre or an organization that protects a particular specimen of Asian bear.
Once back in town visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to better understand where and how ethnic minorities live in Laos and what are their customs and traditions.
Dinner at local restaurant and overnight.
Day 05
Luang Prabang – Siem Reap B, -, D
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport for the scheduled flight.
Arrival in Siem Reap and trasfer to the hotel.
Departure for the visit of the pre-Angkorian Rolous archaeological complex, located about 15 km south-east from the town.
The temples of Prae Ko, Bakong and Lolei are the main and first to be built in the area during the ninth century, they represent the link between the kingdom of Chenla, whose capital were situated where now there are the remains of Sambor Preikuk and the new kingdom of Angkor, marking the beginning of the summit of power and Khmer art.
Then proceed to the Angkor complex and see the Prasat Kravan, the only example a the temple that consists of five towers in the line. In the middle see one of the most beautiful decorations dedicated to the god Vishnu.
Dinner at hotel.
Overnight.
Day 06
Siem Reap B, L, D
Breakfast.
In the morning visit the walled city of Angkor Thom, passing through the South Gate, and continuing to the spectacular temple of Bayon, which, with its more than two hundred enigmatic faces, is the central building, both in the location and in the design of the city itself.
It is a masterpiece from the amazing structure consisting of 54 towers and has beautiful bas-relief depicting the daily life at the time of the kingdoms of Angkor and in which they were counted more than ten thousand figures carved in stone.
Then continue by passing in front of the imposing Baphuon and see the pyramid-shaped temple linked to the legend and the king and the snake, Pimeanakas, then to the area where the Royal Palace was located and end with the beautiful Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King.
In the afternoon proceed to visit part the Grand Circuit of Angkor, beginning with the vast and majestic temple of Prae Khan, also known as the temple of the Holy Sword, which had the functions of a religious and cultural center and, for a period, it was also used as royal residence. At its maximum development, more than ten thousand people were living in the compound, including many of the important teachers and the Apsara dancers, the celestial dancers.
Continue to Neak Pean, the only circular structure in memory of a mythical lake which arise from the four rivers of Hindu mythology. At the time this sacred space was used as a place of purification by water.
Then head to one of the most suggestive and fascinating temples, the Ta Phrom,
It is totally immersed in the jungle and deliberately left in same condition as when it was discovered by French archaeologists in 1860.
Partially covered by vegetation, the roots of trees magically embrace the sculptures and stone blocks of galleries, signing a marriage between history and the unbridled force of nature itself.
Lunch and dinner at restaurants.
Overnight.
Day 07
Siem Reap B, L, D
Breakfast.
Morning spent at Angkor Wat, the masterpiece of all Khmer art, the most famous and impressive temple in the area, considered one of the wonders of the world.
It is a structure that dazzles in its spectacular, extraordinary example of architectural wisdom, decorated with extremely refined sculptures and bas-reliefs, through which the main scenes of the Indian epics are described in masterly fashion.
Lunch at restaurant.
In the afternoon proceed to visit the Grand Circuit of Angkor, beginning with the vast and majestic temple of Prae Khan, also known as the temple of the Holy Sword, which had the functions of a religious and cultural center and, for a period, it was also used as royal residence. At its maximum development, more than ten thousand people were living in the compound, including many of the important teachers and the Apsara dancers, the celestial dancers.
Continue to Neak Pean, the only circular structure in memory of a mythical lake which arise from the four rivers of Hindu mythology. At the time this sacred space was used as a place of purification by water.
Then head to one of the most suggestive and fascinating temples, the Ta Phrom,
It is totally immersed in the jungle and deliberately left in same condition as when it was discovered by French archaeologists in 1860.
Partially covered by vegetation, the roots of trees magically embrace the sculptures and stone blocks of galleries, signing a marriage between history and the unbridled force of nature itself.
Lunch and dinner at restaurants.
Overnight.
Day 08
Siem Reap B, L, D
Breakfast.
Departure for the visit of the Tonle Sap, the largest lake in South East Asia. The pier is located about thirty minutes drive from Siem Reap. The view of the Vietnamese floating village of Chong Kneas is very charming and touching
It consists in a myriad of floating buildings, houses, shops, add it is located, depending on periods and water depth, either along the banks of the river channel that leads to the lake or at the lake itself. Then enter in theTonle Sap, so big that the banks cannot be seen.. The boat stops off the engine to better enjoy the silence of this “sea”. Sailing close to the mangroves, visiting a fish and crocodiles farm before returning.
Alternative to the visit of the lake:
The Angkor National Museum is the one and only world class museum in Siem Reap that enhances the cultural heritage of the golden era of the Khmer Kingdom through a collection of priceless artifacts and technologically advanced multimedia exhibitions that lead to full and immediate understanding. The museum is an important inspirational site of art, culture and history of the legendary Khmer ancient civilazation.
Time permitting, visit the pleasant and charming city, its colonial centre, the old market area that stretches in the proximity of the river and a nearby Buddhist pagoda.
Lunch and dinner at restaurants.
Overnight.
Day 09
Siem Reap – Phnom Penh B, L, D
Breakfast.
Depart for the capital heading towards the provincial capital of Kampong Thom, located in the middle way between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
This was once the Royal Route, that passes on the Spean Praptos stone bridge at Kampong Kdei, dating from the Khmer period and built by King Jayavarman VII.
The landscapes are beautiful, the scenarios reflect paddy fields, villages, scenes of real life in rural Cambodia, which may be observed only along this route by land.
Then head to Sambor Preikuk, the most ‘important pre-Angkorian archaeological complex of the Country, representing the ancient capital of the kingdom of Chenla, the precursor of the Khmer empire.
There are over a hundred temples of great beauty and rarely visited, divided into three monastic complex: the South Group of Prasat Yeay Poan, the Central Group of Prasat Tor and the North Group of Prasat Sambor.
This latter includes the most important buildings and is’ dedicated to an incarnation of Shiva.
Lunch in a simple local restaurant and then departure.
After about two hours drive, short break at Skhun village, famous for its edible giant spiders, cooked in many ways for whoever dares to taste them, which are served just in all ways to those who want it of course,.
Sellers turn their baskets to the sun in order not to cool delicious the food, offering delicate spiders, sold in small bags from which they may be taken and enjoyed one by one, as they were chips.
Then continue by road and arrive in Phnom Penh by crossing the Japanese bridge
Dinner at hotel and overnight.
Day 10
Phnom Penh B, L,
Breakfast.
Start the visit with the temple that gives the city its name, Wat Phnom: located atop a hill, attended by the faithful who come here to pray and get to predict the future by many fortune-tellers.
Then proceed to the Royal palace and Silver Pagoda, so called for more than five thousand silver tiles from which the floor is formed, all enriched by the gifts offered to the royal family from all over the world.
Proceed to the National Museum, built around 1918 and totally devoted to Khmer culture.
There are wonderful exhibits on display dating back to pre-Angkorian and Angkorian, including important Angkor statuary and many everyday objects found in various areas and eras.
Drive to the Toul Sleng, the prison museum tragic witness to the bloody regime of the Khmer Rouge and the genocide perpetrated against the Cambodian people themselves, guilty of being able to read and write, wear glasses, be teachers, doctors, professionals, speak foreign languages, it is estimated they have been tortured and killed about three million people over twelve in four years until 1979.
If time permits visit the famous Russian Market.
Lunch at restaurant.
Transfer to the airport in time for the departure of the scheduled flight.
End of services.
- Private air conditioned transportation as per program
- Cold water and fresh towels at disposal
- Entrance fee
- Meals as per program
- Private English speaking local tour guide
- Any kind of insurances
- Drinks at meals (if any) and extras in general
