Angkor to Southern Laos border 7 Days

PRIVATE TOUR – CODE: VIC07

Veun Kham is the only land border gate between Cambodia and Laos, and only can be reached via land transfer. Once you pass through Veun Kham, you will enter Don Khong 4,000 island famous area of Southern Laos. That’s why many travelers want to go to Southern Laos via Veun Kham. This tour offers a grand loop of Cambodia from Northwest to the South then to Northeast of Cambodia.

Travel route: Siem Reap – Kompong Thom – Kompong Cham – Kratie – Stung Treng – Veun Kham border gate – Departure

BRIEF ITINERARY

• Day 1: Siem Reap arrival (D)
• Day 2: Siem Reap (B,L)
• Day 3: Siem Reap (B,L)
• Day 4: Siem Reap – Kompong Thom – Kompong Cham (B,L)
• Day 5: Kompong Cham – Kratie – Kong Trong (B,L)
• Day 6: Koh Trong (B,L)
• Day 7: Koh Trong – Stung Treng – Veun Kham (Cambodia – Laos border) (B)

DETAIL ITINERARY

Day 1: Siem Reap arrival (D)

Arrive Siem Reap by afternoon flight, Siem Reap – Treasures of the Kingdom of Cambodia, special welcome all warmly to everybody, a moment of courtesy meeting then self-introduce with our Cambodian tour guide in the meeting point’s Siem Reap airport.

In the evening we are invited into the house of a local family. We sit down at the dinner table, listen to their stories and learn more about their everyday routine, beliefs and traditions. They teach us some basic Khmer phrases.
After dinner we can visit the local night market, a colourful and vibrant dining and shopping experience in a modern Khmer environment.

Day 2: Siem Reap (B,L)

After breakfast we begin tour to:

• Banteay Srei: nearly everyone’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carving
• Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer. On the way transfer back, photo – stop at some beautiful rice fields and palm tree.
• We continue to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers
• Prasat Kravan – With its unique brick sculptures
• Srah Srang – The Royal Baths” was once used for ritual bathing
• Banteay Kdei – Surrounded by four concentric walls
• Thommanon & Chaosay Tervoda temple.

Day 3: Siem Reap (B,L)

We hop on our bike or Tuk Tuk to world heritage areas on the roads less travelled. Ride among the jungle passing local village and local shop. It’s a very special and acting day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourist.

• The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century)
• See the South Gate, Bayon Temple- unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara
• Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru
• The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas
• The Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King

The tour start with the visiting to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

Enjoy 1 hour foot massage and walking at busy pub street where you can find many bars for cool drink or shopping at Angkor Night Market.

Day 4: Siem Reap – Kompong Thom – Kompong Cham (B,L)

Then we continue our trip to Kompong Cham. On route you will witness the everyday lives of Cambodians as you pass through interesting provincial towns, bucolic villages, and delightful scenery. This is no ‘freeway dash’ as you will often slow down to let cows and water buffalo wander across the road, pass horse drawn carriages, and school kids walking and cycling to/from school. On route you may wish to stop off in Kompong Kdei to look at Spean Pratos – an ancient Angkorian bridge.

Arrive in Kompong Thom, we depart to the archeological sight of Sambor Prei Kuk, which is dotted with hundred Pre-Angkor styled temples. The site, part of the Chenla Kingdom, includes an area of nearly 1000 acres enclosed by double walls, and hundreds temples and towers; its construction predates Angkor Wat by several centuries. The road conditions are very poor, but the spectacular scenery, with a mixture of temples and forest makes the hardship all worthwhile.

Driving to Kampong Cham, soak in the scenery of rural Cambodia and pass through a cashew nut plantations, rice fields, and traditional villages, the town centre of Kampong Cham, a former French trading post on the banks of the Mekong. You will be free after check in at your hotel.

Day 5: Kompong Cham – Kratie – Kong Trong (B,L)

Visit to Wat Nokor also called Nokor Bachey Pagoda is an 11th century Mahayana Buddhist shrine made of sandstone and laterite with a large reclining Buddha and numerous alcoves containing Buddha images.

Continue to Kratie by passing Chhlong a small and peaceful village on the Mekong River bank with both, typical Khmer and Colonial architecture. One unique and beautiful wooden house is called 100 columns house for its many columns supporting the house, dating from 19th century.

We head out to Kratie, arrive in Kratie we go direct to Kampi and we start the day with a trip on a traditional fishermen boat which takes you on a one hour cruise of the dolphin pool of Kampi. This is the largest dolphin pool on the Mekong River and the natural habitat of the critically endangered Mekong Dolphin (Irrawaddy Dolphin).

We take a ferry to Koh Trong Island, which is a small island in the middle of the Mekong just opposite Kratie town.

Stay overnight at home-stay in Koh Trong.

Day 6: Koh Trong (B,L)

Begin your journey north by cycling around the island from the local community for our easy and peaceful 9km ride. You will pass many traditional Khmer houses built on stilts. Keep an eye open for traditional rooftop decorations. The numbers on the top of the roof indicate the year the house was built. The narrow roads are perfectly designed for cycling with plenty of shade while simultaneously allowing you to pass close to people’s homes without intruding too much on their privacy. This allows you a more in-depth look into the lives of the local people of Koh Trong. Although some villagers are shy, plenty of children and even adults will offer friendly smiles and “hellos” welcoming tourists to their island home.

You will have the opportunity to plan a tree and help recultivate the once densely forested island.

Stay overnight at home-stay in Koh Trong.

Day 7: Koh Trong – Stung Treng – Veun Kham (Cambodia – Laos border) (B)

We farewell Koh Trong and head direct to Lao border via Stung Treng. Arrive at Vuen Kham (Cambodia-Laos border) say goodbye to your Cambodian guide and driver. Goodbye Cambodia ! End of Services.

INCLUSION

• Accommodation with daily breakfast
• Meal: Half board as mention in program (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner)
• Airport transfers & Transport by air con. vehicles as per program
• Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified
• Local English speaking guide as per program
• All boat trip as mentioned in program
• Cold water and towel during tours

EXCLUSION

• Visa fee to Cambodia
• International air ticket in-out Cambodia
• Other meals, drink, personal expenses, gratuities