Luang Prabang to Phnom Penh

Arrive in Bangkok, then take a connecting flight to Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of the ancient Lan Xang Kingdom, also known as the 'Land of a Million Elephants.' Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Begin your discovery of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its serene atmosphere, graceful temples, and well-preserved colonial architecture. Visit Wat Visoun, known for its distinctive 'Watermelon Stupa,' and Wat Aham, surrounded by centuries-old banyan trees. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, the 'Temple of the Golden City,' an exquisite example of traditional Laotian architecture with sweeping roofs that reach nearly to the ground. In the late afternoon, climb Mount Phousi for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. Conclude the day with a visit to the vibrant night market, where local artisans display their handmade crafts and textiles.

Early risers may join the morning alms ceremony, an unforgettable spiritual experience where saffron-robed monks walk silently through the streets to collect daily offerings. Visit the lively morning market before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Embark on a boat cruise along the Mekong River, passing through stunning landscapes dotted with villages and limestone cliffs. Visit the Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues placed there by devotees over centuries. Return to Luang Prabang by road, visiting Ban Mhouang Kham, known for silk and cotton weaving, and Ban Mhoungkeo, where the local rice spirit lao-lao is produced. End the day in Ban Xieng Maen, a tranquil village with the temples Wat Long Khun and Wat Chom Phet.

After breakfast, travel through picturesque countryside to the Khouang Si Waterfalls, one of Laos' most beautiful natural sites. Along the way, visit villages inhabited by the Lao Loum, Khmu, and Hmong ethnic groups, each preserving their distinct traditions. Enjoy time to relax or swim in the turquoise pools surrounded by tropical forest. On the return journey, stop at Ban Xang Khong, famous for handmade Saa paper and silk weaving.

After breakfast, visit the Royal Palace Museum, home to royal artifacts and the sacred Phra Bang golden Buddha, the city's namesake. Continue to Wat Mai, known for its richly decorated façade. Fly to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Upon arrival, explore Wat Sisaket, the city's oldest surviving temple, and Wat Ho Phra Keo, once home to the Emerald Buddha. Visit That Luang Stupa, the country's most sacred monument and national symbol. Stop at Patuxai Monument, Laos' 'Arc de Triomphe,' and Wat Simuong, before checking into your hotel for overnight.

Transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Pakse. Upon arrival, drive to the lush Bolaven Plateau, known for its cool climate, coffee and tea plantations, and scenic waterfalls. Visit several ethnic minority villages, including those of the Laven, Alak, Katu, Ta-oy, and Suay peoples, each with distinct customs and crafts. Stop at a local plantation to sample the region's renowned Bolaven coffee. Overnight in Pakse.

After breakfast, drive to Wat Phou, an ancient pre-Angkorian Khmer temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 5th century. Dedicated to Shiva, it is considered a prototype for Angkor Wat. Continue through Champasak, a peaceful town with French colonial charm, and proceed south toward Don Khong Island, the largest of the Si Phan Don ('Four Thousand Islands') region. Experience the tranquil rhythm of local life, where villagers fish, farm rice, and produce palm sugar. Overnight on Don Khong.

After breakfast, set out on a boat excursion along the Mekong River, one of Southeast Asia's most captivating landscapes. Visit Ban Khone, where remnants of the French colonial era include the country's first railway and a preserved locomotive. Continue to the dramatic Liphi Falls (Tat Somphamit), known as the 'Spirit Trap Falls,' and then to the powerful Khone Phapheng Falls, the largest by volume in Southeast Asia. Return to Don Khong for overnight.

After breakfast, transfer by boat and road to the Voeung Kam / Dom Kralor border crossing into Cambodia. Meet your local guide and continue to Sra Em in Preah Vihear province. In the afternoon, travel by 4x4 up the Dangrek Mountains to visit Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dramatically perched on a clifftop overlooking the Cambodian plains. Renowned for its impressive architecture and breathtaking location, it is one of Cambodia's most remarkable temples. Return to Sra Em for overnight.

After breakfast, visit Koh Ker, the former Khmer capital (928–944 AD) featuring more than 180 temples, including the seven-tiered pyramid Prasat Thom with panoramic views of the surrounding jungle. Continue to Beng Mealea Temple, a mysterious 12th-century sanctuary enveloped by lush vegetation. Visit Dom Dek Market to observe everyday Cambodian life before continuing to Tonle Sap Lake for a boat excursion through the floating village of Kompong Kleang, where stilt houses, floating schools, and shops line the waterways. Learn about the lake's unique ecosystem, which expands dramatically during monsoon season, supporting agriculture and fisheries vital to Cambodia's economy. Arrive in Siem Reap for overnight.

After breakfast, begin your discovery of the legendary temples of Angkor. Visit Prasat Kravan, Pre Rup, and Banteay Samré, followed by the exquisite Banteay Srei, the 'Citadel of Women,' celebrated for its delicate pink sandstone carvings. In the afternoon, explore Ta Som, Neak Pean – a symbolic representation of a mythical healing lake – and the vast Preah Khan, 'The Great Sword,' one of Jayavarman VII's grandest temples. Return to your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, visit the majestic Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and a pinnacle of Khmer art and architecture. Continue to Ta Prohm, the famous jungle temple wrapped in the roots of giant trees, and the hidden gem Ta Nei. Enter Angkor Thom, the 'Great City,' to see the Elephant Terrace, Phimeanakas, Preah Palilay, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Conclude the day at the Bayon Temple, known for its 216 serene stone faces, before exiting through the South Gate. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, depart for Phnom Penh. The journey provides an authentic view of Cambodian countryside life. En route, visit the ancient Spean Kompong Kdei Bridge, a remarkable 12th-century Angkorian structure, and the pre-Angkorian site Sambor Prei Kuk, once capital of the Chenla Kingdom. Stop in Skuon, known for its unusual local delicacies such as fried spiders, before arriving in Phnom Penh. Check in at your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, visit the Royal Palace complex, including the Silver Pagoda, with its floor made of thousands of silver tiles, and the Throne Hall. Continue to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a powerful and sobering reminder of Cambodia's tragic history under the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, explore the iconic Central Market (Phsar Thmey), built in 1937 in distinctive Art Deco style. Later, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Bangkok and onward connection home.