Indochina Special Tour With Khmer Empire Heritage Ruins

Tour Name     :     INDOCHINA SPECIAL TOUR WITH KHMER EMPIRE HERITAGE RUINS

Highlights       :     Luang Prabang – Vientiane - Don Khong – Preah Vihear – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh

Duration         :     11 Days – 10 Nights

Day 1: Arrival – Luang Prabang (Laos)
Welcome at the airport on arrival in Luang Prabang (flight time to be advised), an ancient capital of Kingdom of Laos recognized as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1995. The ancient town is not only a remarkable example of the fusion of traditional architecture and colonial urban structures in 19th century, but also a cultural and religious place for locals
Transfer for hotel check in and relax
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at hotel
Morning enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city's oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit 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. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty of rice wine is produced. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. We also have time to visit Ban Xangkhong, Ban Xienglek, small villages well known for silk weavings and for Saa (jute) Papermaking
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Vientiane

Breakfast at hotel
Morning visit Wat Visoun, a replica of an older Temple, which was erected in the same place back in 1513 with numerous religious art treasures, as well as Wat Xieng Thong a royal Wat built on the banks of the Mekong River in 1559. It has remains relatively undamaged by the various mainly Chinese invasions over the centuries. The temple is decorated extensively with impressive carvings, murals and mosaics.
Then continue to visit Royal Palace officially known as Haw Kham. The palace was built during the French colonial era for the King and his family housing many artefacts, which showcase the richness of Laotian culture. Then continue to enjoy the atmosphere at Wat Mai, built in 1796 and sitting at the foot of Mount Phousi.
Afterwards drive to Khuang Si Waterfall in a natural jungle setting and relax or swim in its turquoise cool pools.
Return to Luang Prabang and drive directly to the train station to catch our speed train depart at 15.05 to Vientiane
Upon arrival to Vientiane train station, transfer to hotel for check in and relax
Overnight in Vientiane

Day 4: Vientiane

Breakfast at hotel
Morning continue to explore Vientiane capital by visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao's 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.
Afternoon continues visiting the rest of Vientiane by foot, including Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. We pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed for sale; including fresh food, household goods, souvenirs, textiles, gold, silver and antiques. We return to the Mekong Riverside in the late afternoon for observing the sunset.
Overnight in Vientiane

Day 5: Vientiane – Pakse – Don Khong 

Breakfast at hotel
Transfer to the airport and catch an early flight to Pakse (flight time to be advised).
On arrival, we drove on the National Road No. 13th south to Champassak and to visit the fascinating pre-angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia's most dramatic situations temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao. Wat Phu is one of the Lao World Heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in 2001, this wonderful archeological site of Khmer civilization dates back to the 10th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We continue our journey by road to Don Khong, the largest island in the South Mekong river region known as the 4000 islands, one of the most scenic areas in Laos.
Hotel check in and relax
Overnight in Don Khong

Day 6: Don Khong 

Breakfast at hotel
Morning explore the local villages of Ban Khone, where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive. We continue to discover the 4000 islands area by boat at our leisure to visit the Liphi waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking the end of Lao border to Cambodia. If we are lucky, we may even see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy Mekong dolphin at Ban Hang Khone. Return to Ban Nakasang and drive to famous waterfalls of Khone Phapeng, the largest waterfall in South East Asia, known as Niagara of the east.
Return to hotel afterwards and relax
Overnight in Don Khong

Day 7: Don Khong – Preah Vihear (Cambodia)
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Dom Kralor (the border of Laos-Cambodia on Laos side) to enter Cambodia via the Tropeang Kreal border in Stung Streng Province, Cambodia and proceed to Preah Vihear via Thbeng Mean Chay.
Hotel check in and relax
Overnight in Preah Vihear

Day 8: Preah Vihear – Siem Reap 

Breakfast at hotel
Morning visit Preah Vihear, an ancient Hindu temple built during the Khmer Empire in 11th century located AD, recognized as World UNESCO Heritage Site along the border of Cambodia – Thailand
Drive to Siem Reap afterwards via Anlong Veng, one of the last Khmer Rouge bases to fall to the government forces, and visit the house of Ta Mok, the former military commander of the Khmer Rouge.
Hotel check in in Siem Reap and relax
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 9: Siem Reap

Breakfast at hotel
Start your full day sightseeing tour of Angkor area with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm
Afternoon visit the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat with many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 10: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh

Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Phnom Penh for about 6 hours and on the way visit the local carving village as well as the new UNESCO World Heritage Site Sambor Prei Kuk temples of pre-Angkor period in Kampong Thom Province.
Hotel check in on arrival in Phnom Penh and relax
Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 11: Phnom Penh - Departure

Breakfast at hotel
Morning visit Royal Palace built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Then explore the National Museum dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture dated as early as the 4th century to the 15th century. Continue to visit Wat Ounalom and Wat Phnom temple which recites the history of Phnom Penh’s name.
Transfer to the airport for international flight back home (flight time to be advised)