Scenic Tours
1300 SCENIC (723 642)
Images of Cambodia and Laos
(11 days, Siem Reap - Luang Prabang, 2012)
This 11 day journey through the picturesque countrysides of Cambodia and Laos takes you from Siem Reap to Luang Prabang, with a visit to the iconic Angkor Wat temple.
Your 11 day tour begins in Siem Reap, where you will spend three nights exploring the city, including an unforgettable visit to the magnificent 12th century World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat temple complex. Angkor Wat is the ancient capital of the great Khmer Empire and is considered one of the most magnificent wonders of the world.
From Siem Reap you will travel to Pakse in Southern Laos where you will visit a coffee plantation, before continuing south to Don Daeng Island. Here you will enjoy a visit to the World heritage-listed Wat Phuo, a stunning pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst rice fields and waterways. Your tour continues onto Vientiane, the charming Laotian capital, whose name means ‘The City of Sandalwood’. You will visit Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Thai invasion, as well as the royal stupa, That Luagn, the holiest site in Laos, famous for its Golden Spire.
Finally, you will travel to the spiritual capital of Laos, the World heritage-listed city of Luang Prabang, which is situated at the picturesque junction of the Mekong and Nam Kham Rivers, surrounded by mountains and boasting glittering temples and wandering monks. Whilst in Luang Prabang you will visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, as well as Wat Mai, a temple featuring an emerald Buddha statue inside the red-gold interior; and Wat Sesoukarahm with its beautiful golden façade.
Before the end of your tour, you will enjoy a cruise to Pak Ou Caves at the meeting of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers to witness hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images, which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities.
- 10 night land tour
- 3 nights Siem Reap
- 3 nights Luang Prabang
Included Scenic Enrich
- Visit a pagoda where Buddhist monks will perform a private blessing
- Dine at Sala Bai, a school training young Cambodians from poor families in the principles of hospitality
- Enjoy a delicious picnic with the local Laos people who will explain their local culture
- Travel by elephant through the forest, a sustainable tourism project to provide the local villagers with income
- Eat a delicious Lao-style lunch at Makphet Restaurant, aiming to train street children in hospitality
- Watch the monks move silently through the streets to collect alms, a beautiful, serene ritual
- Experience one of Laos’ oldest traditions, The Baci ceremony
Included Scenic Free Choice
- In Siem Reap, explore the 12th century Beng Melea and Banteay Srei temples; or take part in an authentic Khmer cooking class; or cruise on Tonlé Sap and enjoy a traditional lunch in the home of a local family
- In Vientiane, visit a weaving village; or discover the variety of orchid species native to Laos; or learn to cook traditional Laos cuisine
Included Scenic Dining
- 23 superb meals including 10 Full Buffet Breakfasts (FB), 3 Highlight Lunches (HL), 3 Lunches (L), 4 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 3 Dinners (D)
Included Scenic Special Stays
- The Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort, set amidst tranquil landscaped gardens is the closest hotel to the famous Angkor Wat
- La Residence Phuo Vao by Orient Express is perched on a hillside with stunning views towards Mount Phousi
Included Scenic Highlights
- Take a tuk tuk ride to the temples of Angkor Wat
- Discover the magnificent and picturesque Ta Prohm temple
- Ride a cow cart as you immerse yourself with the local village people
- Uncover the secrets to the wonderful taste of Laos coffee
- Visit Wat Phuo, a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields
- Discover the charm of Vientiane on a sightseeing tour
- Explore Buddha Par with more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues
- Witness the beauty of Luang Prabang and its temples and monuments on a tour
- Climb Mount Phousi for spectacular panoramic views
- Leisurely cruise past peaceful rural sceneries to Pak Ou caves
- Excursion to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, cascading down limestone formations
Day 1: Siem Reap
(HD)
Sous Sdei and welcome to Cambodia! On arrival you will be met and transferred* to your hotel. (Please arrive at the hotel no later than 12.00 noon.) Settle in and meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers. This afternoon, depart on your unique Included tuk tuk visit to the magnificent 12th century UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Wat temple complex. The ancient capital of the great Khmer Empire, Angkor is beyond doubt one of the most magnificent wonders of the world! This evening enjoy your Included sumptuous buffet featuring western and Asian cuisines.
Three Night Special Stay: Siem Reap
Three Night Special Stay: Siem Reap
Day 2: Siem Reap
(FB,HL)
Leave the city behind and drive through the countryside for your Included visit to the temples of the Roluos Group, an ancient centre of Khmer civilization and the oldest monuments in the Angkor area. Enjoy your Included cow cart ride, a great way to get in touch with rural Cambodia. SCENIC ENRICH visit a small pagoda where Buddhist monks will perform a private ceremony, wishing health and a safe journey – a very special experience. SCENIC ENRICH lunch at Sala Bai, a school training young Cambodians from poor families in the principles of hospitality. Included visit to the unique Ta Prohm, one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Explore more of the marvellous Khmer architecture with your Included visit to Angkor Thom, and its impressive stone gate carved with elephants and four giant faces before visiting Bayon Temple with 54 towers.
Day 3: Siem Reap
(FB,HD)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) explore 12th century Beng Melea and Banteay Srei temples; or (2) visit a local market and take part in an authentic Khmer cooking class; or (3) cruise on Tonlé Sap, through floating villages and enjoy spending time in the home of a local family. This evening enjoy your Included delicious authentic Khmer set dinner at a popular local restaurant.
Day 4: Siem Reap - Don Daeng (Laos)
(FB,L,D)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Pakse. Sabaidee and welcome to Laos! Discover the quaint capital of Southern Laos, situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Sedone Rivers on your Included exploration of the colonial and Chinese-style buildings and the huge local produce market. After your Included lunch drive east to the Boloven Plateau, an area of highlands featuring coffee, tea and cashew plantations. Learn about Lao coffee on your Included plantation visit and discover why it is sometimes called the “Champagne of Coffee”. Continue south and transfer to Don Daeng Island.
Two Night Stay: Don Daeng
Two Night Stay: Don Daeng
Day 5: Don Daeng Island
(FB,HL,D)
Included visit to Wat Phuo, a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways. This UNESCO World Heritage temple was built by the rulers of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat. SCENIC ENRICH enjoy a delicious picnic with the locals who will explain their traditional local culture. SCENIC ENRICH travel by elephant through the forest up to Mount Asa, a sustainable tourism project developed to provide the local villagers with income and awareness of elephant conservation (2 persons per elephant).
Day 6: Don Daeng - Vientiane
(FB,D)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Vientiane the charming Laotian capital, whose name means ‘the city of sandal wood’. Included visit to Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Thai invasion, Prutuxi (Victory Monument) for sweeping panoramic views and the royal stupa, That Luang, the holiest site in Laos with its Golden spire. Your Included dinner will be at one of the finest French restaurants in the city.
Two Night Stay: Vientiane
Two Night Stay: Vientiane
Day 7: Vientiane
(FB,HL)
Drive along a road which serves as an important link between the Lao capital and Thailand. En-route take photos of the Friendship Bridge, built by the Australian government in 1994 which links Laos and Thailand. Included visit to Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. SCENIC ENRICH a delicious Lao-style lunch at Makphet Restaurant, a charity-run restaurant aiming to train the area’s street children in the hospitality industry.Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) visit a weaving village and learn about the Laos textile industry; or (2) discover the variety of orchid species native to Laos with a visit to a local farm; or (3) head to the markets to buy ingredients for a traditional Laos cooking lesson.
Day 8: Vientiane - Luang Prabang
(FB,HD)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Situated at the picturesque junction of the Mekong and Nam Kham Rivers, surrounded by mountains and with its glittering temples and wandering monks, this charming town is justifiably a UNESCO World Heritage site. Included visit to the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will discover the history of Laos. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Finish at Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang, decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics. Watch the sun set from the top of Mount Phousi on your Included visit. Climb the 328 steps for panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside before heading to the evening hill tribe market. This evening unwind in a beautiful garden setting whilst enjoying your Included local Lao dinner accompanied with traditional dance and music.
Three Night Special Stay: Luang Prabang
Three Night Special Stay: Luang Prabang
Day 9: Luang Prabang
(FB,L)
Included leisurely cruise past peaceful rural sceneries to Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In the caves are hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities. Cruise further and stop at the foot of beautiful limestone cliffs for your Included lunch selection of typical Lao dishes.
Day 10: Luang Prabang
(FB,L,HD)
Start the day early with a very special SCENIC ENRICH visit to watch the monks move silently through the streets to collect alms. It is a beautiful, serene ritual that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Your Included excursion to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, cascading down limestone formations creating a series of turquoise blue pools. The top of the falls can be reached via a steep path through jungle and dense woods filled with wildlife. The views from the top are stunning and well worth the walk. SCENIC ENRICH experience one of Laos’ oldest traditions, The Baci. The purpose of the Baci, a mix of Animist and Buddhist beliefs, is to call back escaped spirits to the body. This is something that is very important before major events such as weddings, births, travel, welcoming friends and farewells. This evening your sumptuous Included farewell dinner combines inventive French cuisine with traditional Laotian touches. A perfect blend as you relive many beautiful memories of Cambodia and Laos.
Day 11: Luang Prabang
(FB)
After breakfast transfer* to the airport for your onward or homebound flight (flight not included).
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
