From Luang Prabang to Sihanouk Ville

Luang Prabang is a quiet, provincial town and the spiritual capital of Laos. There is little traffic on the streets, and in all directions, monks bustle about in their typical orange robes with open umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. After arriving in Luang Prabang and completing the entry formalities, you will be welcomed by your tour guide. Then transfer to the hotel. This first day is at your disposal for relaxing or for your first explorations in the old royal city.

After breakfast, we experience the colorful hustle and bustle at the Phosy market. Afterwards, we board a private longtail boat and take a scenic, roughly two-hour ride on the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves. In two of the caves, there are thousands of gold-painted Buddha statues that have been carved from limestone. These impressive statues vary in size. Some are only a few centimeters tall, while others are as big as a person! After visiting the caves, we travel downstream back to Luang Prabang. Along the way, we stop in Ban Xang Hai, where local rice whiskey is traditionally produced, better known as "Lao Lao". Afterwards, we head out to the countryside. "The Living Land Community Farm" is located about five kilometers outside of Luang Prabang and is a completely organic farm in a beautiful rural setting, surrounded by rice fields. The stilted wooden houses of the farm house an interactive museum where you can gain insight into various aspects of Laotian rural life. On the organic vegetable farm, we will enjoy a guided walk and learn more about the production of thatch roofs, baskets, noodle production, and extracting juice from sugar cane. We will experience the life of a farmer up close and can try our hand at some of the everyday activities, such as plowing rice fields with a buffalo. Since we might get dirty during these activities, it is advisable to pack a change of clothes. Foot showers and western-standard toilets are available. On today's excursion, you will learn about the 13 stages of rice production, as rice is the most important crop in Laos. We certainly won't skip the 14th stage, consumption! At the end of our trip, we will taste various snacks made from rice. Afterwards, we continue to Mount Phousi, where we ascend 328 steps to enjoy a magnificent view of the city and the surrounding landscape. In the evening, we return to our hotel in Luang Prabang.

We start the day at the Roluos group. Roluos was the first city built by the kings of Cambodia. The temples are located about 15 kilometers outside of Siem Reap in a stunning landscape of rice fields, small villages, and forests. The temple of Preah Kô was the first building, from the year 879 AD by King Indravarman I. This temple consists of six brick towers that are still partly covered with plaster and was dedicated to the former king Jayavarman II. The second temple of Roluos is Bakong. This was once the state temple and thus the largest of the city. The temple represents Mount Meru, the home of the gods. If you feel like it, you can also visit the Lo Lei temple. In the afternoon, we go by private vehicle to the magnificent temple of Banteay Srei. The "Citadel of Women" was built between the 11th and 13th centuries. Banteay Srei is the best-preserved temple in Cambodia and houses some of the most beautiful examples of classical Khmer architecture as well as remarkable finest stone carvings depicting the Hindu god Shiva. Banteay Srei is unique because the temple is built from red sandstone, which cannot be found elsewhere in Angkor. On the way back to Siem Reap, we will pass by the Banteay Samre temple.

In the morning we visit the temples of the 'Little Circuit': the royal bathing pool Srah Srang, the monastery Banteay Kdei, the pyramid of Ta Keo, the towers of Prasat Kravan, Chau Say Tevoda and Tommanon as well as the famous Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm is unique because the temple has largely been left as it was found: Many parts of the temple have crumbled and are overgrown by jungle trees and climbing plants. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and unforgettable of the Angkor temples. In the afternoon we take a boat tour on Tonle Sap Lake. The boat takes us to the floating village of Chung Khneas. During the one-hour journey, we pass floating houses and impressive flooded forests and we will get an impression of life on the water. Before we return to Siem Reap, we will enjoy the view of the vast Tonle Sap Lake.

In the morning we begin our city tour with a visit to Wat Phnom, an artificial hill on which a pagoda is located. The legend says that the city was named after a lady named Mrs. Penh, who found Buddha statues in the river. To celebrate this, she built this pagoda. Today, this is a place where locals dare to take an elephant ride or simply express a few good wishes by releasing birds. After that, we go to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and is the last palace built during the French colonial period. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named after the over 5,000 heavy silver plates that adorn the floor. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, which means "Temple of the Emerald Buddha." In this temple, we see a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze. Then we go to the National Museum, designed by George Groslier and the Ecole des Arts Cambodgiens. The museum houses the world's leading collection of ancient archaeological, religious, and artistic artifacts from the 4th to the 13th century. Over 5,000 exhibits showcase the cultural wealth of the kingdom. In addition, the roof is home to a bat colony! In the late afternoon, we board a typical riverboat and take a one-hour cruise on the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. We enjoy the sight of the sunset, which bathes Phnom Penh in the most beautiful evening light. Slowly, the cafes, restaurants, and food stalls along the popular riverbank come to life.

After breakfast at the hotel, you have the day at your leisure. No further services included!

After breakfast at the hotel, you have the day at your disposal. No further services included!