Laos and Cambodia

 

Luang Prabang	Souvannaphoum	3 nights
Vientiane	Settha Palace	2 nights
Angkor	Shinta Mani	3 nights

Click on the name of the hotel for details.

11 days from £1485

excluding international flights

 

The top highlights of Laos combined with the fabulous Khmer temples of Angkor in Cambodia

 

DAY 1 - Depart from UK.

Recommended flight from London: Thai International Airways from London Heathrow, connecting with the Bangkok Airways flight to Luang Prabang (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 - Arrive Luang Prabang.

On arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met outside customs by a representative of World Discovery and taken by private car direct to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. 

DAY 3 - Luang Prabang.

Surrounded by thickly forested mountains and situated at the confluence of the Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang has a tranquil, old-world charm rarely found in Asia today, and has been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO.  This morning there is the opportunity to rise early to witness the daily Tak Bat or almsgiving.  At dawn hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently through the streets collecting alms (offerings of food).  Your guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still part of everyday life in Laos.  Return to your hotel for breakfast.  After breakfast your guide will take you on a tour of this beautiful town. Highlights will include the beautiful Wat Xieng Thong or 'Golden City Monastery', the National Museum (closed on Tuesdays), once a king's palace, which has a lovely collection of personal effects of the royal family, Wat Mai built in 1796, and Wat Phu Sii, reached via 350 steps for a panoramic view over Luang Prabang.  The afternoon is free to explore on your own.  The city has a wide range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets, or you can relax and dine at your hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 - Luang Prabang. Pak Ou Caves.

After breakfast take a riverboat trip with your guide on the mighty Mekong River to visit the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves have been home to thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since the 16th century, when King Setthathirat discovered the caves and declared them a holy spot. Today many still pay respect to this ancient tradition. Walk through the caves and then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your boat and to Luang Prabang.  Continue by car to the village of Ban Phanom, where weaving of Lao textiles takes place on traditional wooden looms. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free in Luang Prabang. 
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 5 - Kuang Sii Waterfall. Fly to Vientiane.

This morning you will travel by car to the Kuang Sii Waterfall, where the waters cascade over many calcified tiers and down hundreds of feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content. You can climb the stairs and look down from various viewpoints on the way to the top. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in the afternoon to check out and drive to the airport for the short flight to Vientiane, capital city of Laos. You will be met by a representative of World Discovery and taken to your hotel in Vientiane.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 6 - Vientiane.

Vientiane is a low-rise city located on a bend of the Mekong River and is markedly more quaint and easygoing than South East Asia's other busy capitals. First stop this morning is the Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Nearby is Haw Phra Kaew, once the royal temple of the Lao kings.  Other sites you will see include the huge golden Phra That Luang monument and the adjacent Victory Monument modelled on Paris's Arc de Triomphe. Also visit Wat Simuang and Wat Prakeo, which was the original home of the Emerald Buddha that today resides in the Royal Palace of Bangkok. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 7 - Fly to Siem Reap.  Angkor Wat.

In the morning fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Upon arrival, clear customs and immigration and then meet your English-speaking driver, who will take you to your hotel.  The afternoon is devoted to the best known of all the temples, which has become a symbol of Cambodia - Angkor Wat.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 8 - Angkor Sightseeing.  Roluos Group.

During the next three days you will enjoy the most comprehensive exploration of this exceptional area, visiting all the major temple groups. This morning you will be shown some of the earliest temples in the Roluos area.  The afternoon is free.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 9 - Angkor Thom and the Bayon.  Ta Prohm.

Today you will visit the extensive Royal City of Angkor Thom , at whose centre stands the awesome temple-pyramid of the Bayon. In the afternoon you will also explore the tangled 12th century ruins of Ta Prohm (pictured).
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 10 - Siem Reap.  Depart for home.

Your last day in Siem Reap is at leisure.  If you are still keen on visiting more temples, there is certainly no shortage of them!  We would recommend Preah Khan, a vast temple around whose outer walls, 40 metres apart, are giant carvings of the Hindu deity Garuda, and Neak Prean, which consists of a central pool and four peripheral pools once used for purification rites.  If you wish to do some last minute shopping we highly recommend the excellent Artisans Angkor, whose profits are channelled into local education and welfare projects.  We have arranged for you to keep your room for a late check out at 18.00.  In the evening transfer to the airport for your included flight by Bangkok Airways to Bangkok.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 11 - Arrive UK.

Your homeward flight leaves in the early hours, arriving in London the same morning.

International and connecting flights.

There are no direct flights to Luang Prabang or Siem Reap from the UK. We recommend the services of Thai Airways International to Luang Prabang via Bangkok. On return fly from Siem Reap to Bangkok by Bangkok Airways (included) and onwards to London by Thai Airways International. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Bangkok. Depart at 12.30; arrive Bangkok at 06.05 (next morning)
Bangkok/Luang Prabang. Depart at 12.40; arrive Luang Prabang at 14.40
Bangkok/Heathrow. Depart at 01.10; arrive Heathrow at 07.15 (same day)

Laos and Cambodia (Tour Reference: WDLA004)
2013 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Daily departures	Price
Jan to Mar	£1740
Apr to Sep	£1485
Oct to Dec*	£1790

* Supplements will apply during the Christmas and New Year periods.

Single Room Supplement on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flight within Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane.  Regional flights from Vientiane to Siem Reap and from Seap Reap to Bangkok, including airport taxes.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded or double rooms with private facilities.
• 8 full breakfasts and 3 lunches as shown in the itinerary
• Private transfers at each location.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees.
• The services of private English-speaking guides for all included sightseeing

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• International airport taxes
• Tipping.
• Cost of the Lao and Cambodian visas. The Lao visa can be obtained on arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport. Current cost is US$30, subject to change. The Cambodian visa can be obtained on arrival at Siem Reap Airport. Current cost is US$20 (one passport-sized photo required).  You may also now apply online for the Cambodian visa.
• International airport departure tax at Siem Reap (current cost US$25).

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Laos holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.