Following the mighty Mekong and its tributaries you will get to see highlights of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam from water wherever possible. This way of traveling is not only unique in that you get to see river communities and their local way of life, but you get to see the countries that you are visiting at a slower and more relaxing pace of life.
Starting in Chiang Rai you get to see the bustling streets of north Thailand and Golden Triangle before heading to the border for your boat into Laos. You will spend two days aboard, stopping for a night in Pakbeng, a small river village in the Mekong. Once there you will begin to get a taste of the sheer beauty Laos has to offer as you are surrounded by limestone cliffs and rich vegetation and stunning backdrop. You then make your way into Luang Prabang, stopping en route at the Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha statues.
In Luang Prabang you will have time to explore the UNESCO World Heritage city as well as being taken on a tour of the Royal Palace Museum and the three most magnificent Wats, before climbing Mt. Phousi for spectacular views over the Mekong. A flight from here takes you to Pakse in the south of the country, where you will be transferred to neighboring Champasak in order to explore Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer temple complex. You also get a free afternoon in the area to cycle around the beautiful countryside, or we can help arrange a 4000 islands discovery tour.
On arrival in Siem Reap you will visit the fascinating floating villages before your full-day Angkor Wat Tour and the incredible Cambodian circus. For your temple tour, you get to explore Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, Bayon and then finish at the most famous of all Siem Reap’s temples, the magnificent Angkor Wat.
From Siem Reap you will be driven to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, where a cyclo tour will give you a great insight into the city today, whilst a tour of S21 and the Killing Fields will teach you about the country’s harrowing past. Your Indochina adventure ends with a boat trip through the Mekong Delta into Vietnam, stopping at Chau Doc and Can Tho on the way to your final destination of Saigon, officially known as Ho Chi Minh. Enjoy this bustling ever-changing youthful city with its amazing markets and neon nightlife, the city is also the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs before heading home with everlasting memories.
Highlights
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Luang Say boat cruise to Luang Prabang
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Pak Ou Caves
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Morning Alms & Luang Pragang city tour
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Wat Phou
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Free day to explore the 4000 islands
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Floating Villages
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Angkor temple Tour
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The Cambodian Circus
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City Cylo Tour
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Phnom Penh City Tour
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Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21)
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Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
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Boat Trip from Cambodia to Vietnam
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Ho Chi Minh City Tour
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On arrival in Chiang Rai, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you can choose to relax or take a short tour of the city.
Overnight in Chiang Rai (Meals: _/_/_)
Day 2
Chiang Rai
Free Day
A free day awaits you today and you can explore this enjoyable city under your own steam. Various options include the Mae Fah Luang Art and Culture Park, the Hilltribe Museum and Education Center where you can learn about the various tribes in Thailand. Or just wander the interesting streets and get lost and take a tuk-tuk back to your hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Rai (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 3
Pakbeng
Chiang Rai to Huay Xai & Pakbeng
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the Laos border and then onwards to Huay Xai where you will board your Luang Say Cruise to start your journey down the Mekong River. After a day of taking in the beautiful scenery, you will arrive in the small village of Pakbeng where you will check into your hotel and enjoy the evening as you wish.
Overnight in Pakbeng (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 4
Luang Prabang
Pakbeng to Luang Prabang
After enjoying a full breakfast at the Lodge you have the option to walk to Pakbeng market before boarding the boat at 8.00 am for the second leg of your cruise. Today you make a short stop at a hill tribe village where you can watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production before having a buffet lunch on board. In the afternoon you will continue to Pak Ou village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you will visit the fascinating caves of a Thousand Buddhas before arriving in Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/L/_)
Day 5
Luang Prabang
Morning Alms & City Tour
Rise early before dawn to experience the fascinating traditions of Luang Prabang by witnessing the daily ‘Tak Bak’ morning alms ritual. Lines of orange-clad monks line the streets which are a truly magical sight. From here you will move on to explore the morning fresh markets before discovering the rest of this chocolate box town. You will take in all the main sites of this beautiful UNESCO town; Wat Visoun, Wat Xiengthong and of course finishing at the top of Mount Phousi to get an aerial view of town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 6
Luang Prabang
Free Day
Today you have a free day to do as you wish. There are many excursions that can be arranged from Luang Prabang, such as a day trip to the Kuang Si Waterfalls and free the bear sanctuary. Alternatively, you could visit the ethical elephant sanctuary for the day or simply spend the day wandering around Luang Prabang’s fascinatingly pretty streets and back lanes.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 7
Champasak
Luang Prabang to Pakse & Champasak
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for the short flight to Pakse in the south. Once there you will be transferred to your riverside hotel in Champasak where you can enjoy lunch. In the afternoon you will take a pilgrimage out to Wat Phu (meaning ‘mountain temple’), the temple is situated on a hillside and offers stunning views over the surrounding land and Mekong River. It is a glorious temple and one of the best in Asia.
Overnight in Champasak (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 8
Champasak
Free Day
Today you are free to enjoy your stunning surroundings as you wish. You can either take a walk along the river, laze around your hotel’s pool or take a boat across the river to Don Daeng Island where you can enjoy a delicious lunch at La Folie Lodge and afterward enjoy a self-guided bicycle. Alternatively, we can arrange a glorious day trip on the water where you can explore where you can discover some of the many 4000 islands in the area.
Overnight in Champasak (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 9
Siem Reap
Champasak to Siem Reap
After breakfast you will be taken by car to the airport where you will board your short flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, you will be taken to your hotel to check and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon you get to visit Kampong Phluk, which is a perfect example of one of the many communities living in the floating villages of Cambodia. You will also visit the flooded forest before a brief Tonle Sap boat tour.
Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 10
Siem Reap
Angkor Temple Tour & Circus
On this magnificent day tour you will take a static balloon ride, which gives you an aerial view of the temples. From here you journey to the enchanting temple of Bayon located in the center of Angkor Thom. Your next stop is the Terrace of the Leper King. This intricately carved platform was the royal crematorium.
Continuing along to the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances, and traditional sports. You will then move on to the Mother of all temples, the Angkor Wat, which is believed to be the world’s largest religious building. Your final destination is the famous ‘Lara Croft; Ta Prohm temple, a structure, which has been abandoned to the elements. In the evening you will then marvel at the fantastic Cambodian circus, which is a mixture of acrobatics, music, dance, and culture.
Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 11
Siem Reap
Free Day
Today you have a free day to explore Siem Reap under your own steam. Relax in your hotel pool, wander into town and explore the markets and Royal Gardens or book one of the activities that we can offer on our Cambodia Activity pages.
Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 12
Phnom Penh
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
This morning you will leave Siem Reap and head to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. Along the way, you will pause at Skun to try the regional delicacy of deep-fried tarantula – if you dare! After arriving in Phnom Penh you will get your bearings of the city by taking a cyclo tour of capital’s key sites such as Wat Phnom, the National Library, the Central Market, the National Museum and of course the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. You are then free in the evening to do as you wish.
Overnight in Phnom Penh (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 13
Phnom Penh
Royal Palace, S21 & Killing Fields
Silver Pagoda, which dates back to 1860 and is still the primary residence of the King of Cambodia. From here you continue to the infamous genocide museum of S-21, before following the route the prisoners would have taken to the Killing Fields outside Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 14
Chau Doc
Phnom Penh to Chau Doc
After breakfast we transfer you to the pier to board your boat which takes you to the Vinh Xuong border, between Cambodia and Vietnam. Once in Vietnam and after passport control you will continue to Chau Doc arriving by the late afternoon. Once there you are free to explore this riverside town under your own steam.
Overnight in Chau Doc (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 15
Can Tho
Chau Doc to Can Tho
Today you spend today on a full day on the water as you cruise towards Can Tho, the delta’s biggest city. Where every day hundreds of boats filled with fruits, vegetables, and other products anchor along the banks of the river, waiting for traders and customers.
Overnight in Can Tho (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 16
Ho Chi Minh City
Can Tho to My Tho & Ho Chi Minh
This morning you will travel from Can Tho, again by boat and cruise further up the river before reaching My Tho, which is an amiable market town seventy kilometres from Saigon. On arrival, you will be transferred into the hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s busiest city Ho Chi Minh, where you can either enjoy the evening as you wish our alternatively we can arrange a fun city introduction such as a Vespa night food tour.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 17
Ho Chi Minh City
Half Day City Tour
The half-day Saigon tour will give you an insight into the history, culture and the daily life of its locals. Discover the historic Giac Lam pagoda, Reunification Palace, bargain for souvenirs at Ben Thanh market and finish the day with a stroll along Saigon’s tree-lined boulevards.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 18
Ho Chi Minh City
Departure
Depending on your departure flight, you may have some free time in the morning before we transfer you to the airport for your departing flight home.
(Meals: B/_/_)
Tour includes
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Airport pick up and drop off
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Overnights as mentioned
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Excursions as mentioned
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Transportation in private A/C vehicle
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English speaking guide
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Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – excludes drinks)
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All taxes
Tour excludes
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All flights unless included in itinerary & Visa fees
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International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket)
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Meals, unless mentioned differently
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Beverages and personal expenses
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Other excursions and entrance fees
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Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)
Please note: You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining on it as well as bringing with you 4 passport size photos with you for your visa, as well as having a couple spare.
Call us on 0208 150 5150, for International callers 004420 8150 5150, send us an e-mail [email protected] or just use the form opposite.
Your next steps:
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Get in touch and talk to our specialist Asia travel team
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We then craft a unique and tailor-made itinerary just for you.
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We will stay in touch with you all the way through your holiday experience
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Pack you bags and get ready for your Asia holiday of a life time
On arrival in Asia we will meet you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel and then sit down to run over your holiday program again. We then introduce you to your local guides and give you some helpful local travel tips; such as local restaurant and bar suggestions and some cultural insights.
Towns & Cities in Laos
Laos has no shortage of captivating destination to visit on your holiday. Refer to our Towns & cities guide to plan the perfect trip.
There are so many beautiful hotels to choose from in Laos. So we have selected a few of our most favourite and characterful hotels; giving you a taste of what you can expect.
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