Laos and Cambodia Experience

Chiang Rai is gateway to the famed Golden Triangle – where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos meet. This is where our journey begins. Discover the fascinating hilltribe cultures in this remote region of Thailand and explore the fascinating Hall of Opium museum. Perched on a ridge overlooking the Mekong, with the hills of Myanmar and Laos in the distance, the Anantara Resort is our idyllic base in the Golden Triangle. Here we can enjoy Northern Thai specialties such as khao soy, a delicious yellow noodle curry.

Heading north to the Thailand border, we travel by long-tail boat across to the Lao side to complete our border-crossing formalities. We board our converted wooden boat and begin the scenic journey downstream, passing villages inaccessible by road. After cruising past breathtaking mountain scenery we arrive at the remote village of Pakbeng at the wonderful Luang Say Lodge, our home for the evening.

One of the first things to notice about the Lao people is their laid-back temperament and friendly nature. Laos moves to a quieter tune than her neighbouring countries, and our first night in the Mekong will illustrate the slower pace and warm hospitality we will find throughout the country.

The following day’s boat trip includes a stop at the Pak Ou Caves, where devote Laotians deposit Buddhist relics to show their respects. We then arrive in the former royal capital, Luang Prabang, and the natural beauty and gilded temples are sure to impress. La Residence Phou Vao, far and away the most stunning five-star accommodation in the country, will be our home in Luang Prabang. We will rise early to see one of Asia’s most amazing sights – thousands of saffron-robed monks walk the streets of town barefoot at dawn to collect their daily alms from the local residents (be sure to bring extra film – the colours are a photographer’s dream).

Lao cuisine has much in common with Thai dishes: fish sauce, chili, lemongrass, coriander and lime all play their part in the majority of Lao dishes. Learn the techniques of cooking delicious local fare at an entertaining cooking school at our stylish hotel. After our meal, we climb to the top of Mount Phou Si where we can take in views over tranquil Luang Prabang at sunset.

The following day, it’s a short flight to Vientiane, the quietest and most relaxed capital city in Southeast Asia. Using the elegant, colonial Settha Palace as our base, we explore the city’s highlights, including the Patuxai Monument (modelled on the Arc de Triomphe).

Our journey culminates in Cambodia, with stunning ancient temples being just some of the country’s many attractions. Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s charming capital, with faded colonial buildings, intricate palaces and a vibrant quayside area. Take a cyclo ride at dusk and explore the waterside ambience and fine restaurants of this riverside town. Try amok, one of our favourite Khmer dishes – a combination of kroeng (fish paste) with steamed fish and coconut milk, served in either a banana leaf or inside a coconut shell, for a fabulous taste sensation.

Relics of Cambodia’s tragic recent past are evident in Phnom Penh’s Killing Fields and the Tuol Sleng Museum. Despite this traumatic history, the resilience and forward-thinking of the local people, their hopes for the future, and welcoming nature, are sure to be the lasting impressions.

We then fly to Siem Reap, gateway to the legendary temples of Angkor – one of mankind’s most inspiring sites. From our ambient, lavish base at the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, we explore the fortified city of Angkor Thom and the mysterious faces of the Bayon. We witness the sun rise over awesome Angkor Wat and discover the mysterious jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm. We further explore some of the outlying temples for a greater insight into this fascinating ancient city.  At dusk we take a boat ride along the ecological marvel that is Tonle Sap Lake to witness life literally floating on the water.

The Asia of old comes alive in the smiles of her people, the beautiful natural scenery, gilded monasteries and ancient temples on the Laos & Cambodia Experience.

Click here to find out more about our Laos and Cambodia Experience Small Group Journey.