DAY 1
ARRIVAL IN SIEM REAP, DINNER AND PHARE CIRCUS

Your guide will meet you just outside of the arrivals hall at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer you to your accommodation to check in. (Flight arrival details tbc).

At around 6.00pm, we’ll meet you at your hotel and transfer you to Phare.

Your included dinner this evening is at Phare Cafe outside the big top, so that you can take in the extraordinary and enlightening performing arts of Phare, The Cambodian Circus.

The performance lasts one hour and you will see it from centrally-located seats. It mixes traditional and modern theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, contortion, balancing and tight rope walking.

It is a truly remarkable experience to see these young, underprivileged, inspirational people who have become so disciplined and talented.

When the performance ends, transportation back to your hotel is provided.

Included: tour guide, transport, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, entrance fees, dinner

DAY 2
MAGNIFICENT TEMPLES OF ANGKOR

The day begins early with an unforgettable and awe-inspiring site – Angkor Wat at dawn. Marvel as the sun rises over the spires of the largest religious structure in the world.

We’ll return you to your hotel for breakfast and then continue our discovery of the temples. After exploring Angkor Wat in all its splendor, at the quietest time of day, we take a break for a local lunch, before returning to the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom and the beguiling, smiling faces of the Bayon Temple.

Late afternoon, visit Ta Phrom, when the light is at its’ most magical. See how the massive root tentacles from the towering trees have grown through the temple, binding the ancient stones to the jungle. It’s an evocative sight.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, transport, lunch, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues

DAY 3
FLOATING VILLAGE AND JUNGLE TEMPLE

Today we visit the remote stilted village of Kampong Khleang, on the floodplains of the Tonle Sap Lake.
During the dry season the 6-metre stilted homes tower above the low water line, exposing the various livestock of the villagers, including chicken, pigs and dogs.

The villagers are fishing folk with shrimp harvesting their primary source of income. Giant sheets covered with pink shrimp drying in the sun can be seen on the lake shore and along the main street.

In the afternoon we venture out to visit one of the larger, but further afield temples of the Angkor region, deep in the jungle at Beng Mealea. It has been described as “unquestionably one of the most beautiful Angkorian sites,’ and possibly served as the direct model for Angkor Wat itself.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, transport, lunch, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, private boat

DAY 4
VILLAGE WALK ‘N TALK AND TRANSFER TO LUANG PRABANG

This walking tour takes you through a local village that we support and out to the rice fields. Learn about Cambodian stilt homes and life in a typical Cambodian village. This tour includes a visit to the active Pagoda and Ancient ruins. As you wander slowly through the village your guide will show you about the way of life for the local people and answer any questions that you have.

Learn about Cambodia, religion and the peoples lives. This is a chance to meet local people, learn about their lives and interact in a respectful and meaningful way. The tour takes around 2 to 2.5 hours and covers around 2 kilometers.

Photography is welcome and your guide will let you know if any one does not wish to be photographed. This is a wonderful tour for anyone who would like to learn about the real Cambodia and is ideal for photo enthusiasts.

Please do not hand out gifts, money etc within the village.  These well meaning gestures can cause jealousy and lead to the begging cycle.  $5 from every person on this tour goes back to helping this villages poorest families.

Private transfer to Siem Reap Airport which is around 20 minutes drive from the downtown area. Flight departure details tbc.

Regional flight from Siem Reap (REP) to Luang Prabang taking around 100 minutes.

Meet you on arrival at Luang Prabang Airport. Private transfer to your hotel.

Included: tour guide, transport, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, economy class regional flight

DAY 5
CITY AND WATERFALLS

Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’.

This morning we begin at the National museum, then following to Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape. Next we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style.

We’ll end the morning at the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos

Break for lunch (not included).

In the afternoon we transfer by road to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang by early evening in time for a sunset view over the Mekong.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, transport, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues

DAY 6
ALMS GIVING AND PAK OU CAVES

An  early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning ritual of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms from the faithful residents. This procession is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the tradition. Afterwards, we visit the local morning market, before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we board our boat and cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. Continue to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Then visit the village of Ban Muang Kaew Lao Rice Whisky, then across the Mekong to a local restaurant for lunch.

On the way back by road, visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Arrive back to Luang Prabang by late afternoon.

Included: tour guide, entrance fees, boat ticket, lunch, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues

DAY 7
LUANG PRABANG TO VIENTIANE

This morning transfer to the airport for your short domestic flight to Vientiane (flight tbc). On arrival, meet your regional guide and begin to discover this laid-back and charming capital city,  including the oldest temple Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.

An optional lunch may be taken at the excellent Mak Phet Resataurant, which helps to train disadvantaged youth for a career in the hospitality industry.

En route to Laos’ national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

Included: tour guide, transport, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues, economy class domestic flight

DAY 8
DEPARTURE DAY

This morning is free and easy for you to explore the city before a private transfer to Vientiane International Airport for your outbound flight.

Included: tour guide, transport, bottled drinking water and fresh-up tissues