- ✓ Watch the sunrise over the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat
- ✓ Get off the beaten path whilst travelling along the Mekong into Laos
- ✓ Explore the rainforest and waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau
Follow the meandering Mekong River from Cambodia into Laos, stopping in small villages, exploring jungle ruins and soaking up remote scenery along the way. It’s a laid-back and beautiful adventure that will give you an authentic glimpse of daily life on the Mekong. You’ll begin your trip with a bang, watching the sun rise behind Angkor Wat. From there, you’ll learn about Cambodia’s harrowing past in Phnom Penh, look for Irrawaddy dolphins and trek to rainforest waterfalls. This trip will then take you into the heart of Laos, where you’ll puzzle over the Plain of Jars and watch tawny-robed monks file into the temples of Luang Prabang at dawn.
Days 1-3 – Amazing Angkor!
Welcome to Cambodia! On arrival in Siem Reap, you’ll be picked up and taken to your hotel, giving you time to settle in and get your first taste of this lively town. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor, but there’s more to it than temples, with colourful markets, local cafés and plenty of Cambodian food to tempt you.
Over the next couple of days, you’ll head out with a local guide to explore the incredible temples of Angkor. Wander among ancient ruins, jungle-covered walls and some of the complex’s most impressive temples, while learning about the history and stories behind them. You’ll also have some free time to explore Siem Reap at your own pace, making this a great introduction to Cambodia.
Day 4 – At home in the Cambodian countryside
Leave the temples behind and head into the Cambodian countryside, where rice fields, small villages and rural life take centre stage. You’ll travel to a local village - Kampong Thom - and stay with a Cambodian family, giving you the chance to experience everyday life away from the main tourist trail. It’s a simple, welcoming experience and a chance to see a more traditional side of the country.
During your stay, you’ll spend time with your hosts and get involved in local life, depending on the season and what’s happening in the village. You might help with everyday activities, explore the surrounding countryside or simply sit back and enjoy the slower pace of rural Cambodia. It’s a lovely way to meet local people and get a feel for life beyond the cities and temples.
Days 5 & 6 – Past and present in Phnom Penh
After breakfast you’ll head out on bicycle with the rest of your group, and a local guide, to the ancient temple complex Sambor Prei Kuk. The temples are overgrown and derelict in places, but still give you an impressive idea of their former grandeur.
Then wave your host goodbye and take the bus to Phnom Penh. This onward journey takes about 3 hours. Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s lively capital, where grand colonial buildings, bustling markets and a fascinating history come together on the banks of the Mekong. The rest of the day is free to settle in and explore at your own pace.
The following day, you’ll explore Phnom Penh with a local guide, visiting the Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields just outside the city. These moving sites offer a sobering insight into Cambodia’s tragic past, with powerful photographs, stories and memorials helping to bring this difficult period of history to life.
Days 7-9 – Along the Mekong from Kratie to Laos
Today you’ll leave Phnom Penh by minibus with a small group of fellow travellers and head north to Kratie, a journey of around six hours through some of Cambodia’s most scenic and remote landscapes. Along the way, you’ll pass sleepy villages, watch the sun set over the countryside and get a glimpse of small-town Cambodia. From Kratie, you’ll spend the next few days following the Mekong, staying in simple riverside hotels and soaking up the laid-back pace of life in northern Cambodia. Keep your eyes peeled for the rare Irrawaddy dolphins, which live in this stretch of the river and are sadly under threat.
As you continue towards Laos, the Mekong becomes your constant companion. You’ll travel by boat through quieter stretches of river, passing lush islands, sandy banks and fishing villages where traditional ways of life continue. Along the way, you’ll visit a local women’s development centre to learn about traditional silk weaving before reaching Stung Treng and eventually crossing the river into Laos.
Days 10 & 11 – Waterfalls and rainforests of the Bolaven Plateau
Welcome to Laos! This morning you’ll travel by boat along a quiet, little-visited stretch of the Mekong towards Veunkham, the border crossing between Cambodia and Laos. It’s a peaceful final glimpse of the river as you leave Cambodia behind and head into Laos. At the border, you’ll stop to complete the formalities and arrange your Lao visa on arrival, which costs around US$30 per person. Once your passport has collected a few more stamps, you’ll cross into Laos and continue…
We’ll arrange for a transfer to collect you at the border and take you to the Bolaven Plateau, a lush, mountainous region in the south of the country. The cooler climate, fertile volcanic soil and plenty of rainfall make it ideal for growing coffee, while forests, plantations and traditional villages dot the landscape. Over the next couple of days, you’ll explore the plateau and its impressive waterfalls, travelling through the countryside and getting a glimpse of rural Lao life along the way.
You’ll visit some of the area’s most beautiful waterfalls, surrounded by dense rainforest and green hills, and have the chance to learn more about the region’s coffee-growing tradition. There’s time to enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace, meet local communities and explore some of the quieter corners of southern Laos. It’s a refreshing change of pace after the Mekong and a great way to experience a greener, more rural side of the country.
Days 12-14 – Experience Luang Prabang
We’ll arrange for a transfer to take you to Pakse airport where you’ll catch a flight to Luang Prabang. When you arrive you’ll be met by a local driver and taken to your hotel, just a short walk from the centre. With its colonial buildings, leafy streets, colourful temples and laid-back atmosphere, the town is easy to explore on foot. You’ll have plenty of time to explore independently. Climb Phousi Hill for views over the city, browse the night market and sample some Lao specialities along the way.
During your stay we’ll arrange a sunset cruise on the Mekong. In the late afternoon, you’ll head by tuk-tuk to the river and sail towards the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, an important place for local communities. You’ll stop to visit Wat Long Khoune and Wat Chomphet before boarding the boat again and settling in with a drink as the sun dips over the Mekong.
Days 15 & 16 – Plain of Jars
Today you’ll travel by minibus from Luang Prabang to Phonsavan, the gateway to Laos’ mysterious Plain of Jars. Scattered across the rolling countryside, thousands of huge stone jars have puzzled archaeologists for decades. On a guided tour, you’ll explore the plains and learn more about the different theories surrounding these ancient relics, as well as the region’s more recent history.
You’ll also visit the Buffalo Foundation, a local community project helping young people in north-eastern Laos build skills and opportunities for the future. Meet the students, chat with them in English and, if you’re feeling competitive, join in with some football coaching. It’s a chance to see a different side of Laos and meet some of the people helping shape its future.
Days 17 & 18 – Vive Vientiane
Today you’ll fly from Phonsovan to Vientiane, Laos’ laid-back capital. You’ll stay in a modern hotel in the centre of town with views over the Mekong. From here, you’re within easy reach of the morning market, local restaurants and the riverside. Despite being a capital, Vientiane has a relaxed feel, with leafy streets, French-style bakeries and plenty of places to stop for a Beerlao and watch life along the river.
You’ll also get to know the city through its food on a guided street food tour. Start with traditional Lao coffee before exploring the local market and learning about the herbs, spices and fresh ingredients used in Lao cooking. You’ll visit a restaurant to see how local dishes are prepared and sample favourites such as kao piak soup and papaya salad, followed by homemade ice cream in some wonderfully unusual Lao flavours. Finish with a cold Beerlao and views over the Mekong.
Day 19 - Depart from Vientiane
Today it’s time to say goodbye to Laos. After checking out of your guesthouse, you’ll head to the airport for your flight back to Bangkok, where you’ll connect with your flight home. It’s the end of your adventure along the Mekong, with plenty of time to look back on everything you’ve seen and done along the way.
Accommodation
