Heart of Indochina - Overland Trip

Itineraries

Arrive and check in to hotel.

An early start for an adventurous journey from Thailand into Cambodia. We travel by public bus and exciting pick-up trucks to Siem Reap, the home of the Angkor Wat temple complex. (B)

A spectacular day of exploration. We rise early for sunrise over Angkor Wat then enjoy a guided tour of the main complex, including Angkor Thom, Bayon, South Gate and the Terrace of the Leper King. (B)

Free day to further explore this amazing complex of Khmer temples or visit the bustling Siem Reap market. (B)

Travel to the capital, Phnom Penh. Afternoon tour of the Tuol Sleng torture centre, the Killing Fields and the Grand Palace. (B)

Free day to further explore this great city. (B)

We head north on a public bus to Kratie, where time permitting we can take an optional trip on the Mekong River to spot Irrawaddy dolphins. (B)

Travel to Ban Lung, the provincial capital of Rattanakiri. (B)

Today we explore the crater lake of Yeakloom and there may be the chance to swim in the crystal clear water in the crater lake itself. On return you may get the chance to ride elephants or visit local villages and gem mines. (B)

We take jeeps to Stung Treng where we board longtail boats to travel up the Mekong and into Laos. We spend two nights on Don Khong, an island in the middle of the Mekong. (B)

A free day to cycle around the island or visit nearby waterfalls. We can even try spotting the elusive Irrawaddy dolphin by boat.

Visit Champassak Palace and the eerie temples of Wat Phu en route to Pakse. Continue to Savannakhet for the night.

Travel through beautiful countryside to Hinboun village, where we enjoy a homestay for two nights.

A day to explore the area around the village, swim in pristine pools and get to know the local villagers. There’s a chance to visit a huge cave nearby, through which a river travels, or just relax and absorb the village atmosphere.

Drive to Vientiane, the capital of Laos and perhaps the sleepiest capital city in the world.

A guided tour of the highlights of Vientiane including Wat Phra Keow, Wat Sisaket and That Lang Stupa. (B)

In the morning we catch the bus to Vang Vieng. Situated on the banks of the Nam Song River, this small town is a great base for exploring the picturesque scenery that the area is famous for. You’ll have time to enjoy a bike ride or ride an inner-tube down the river. (B)

We continue north to the highlight of northern Laos, Luang Prabang.

This quiet town is home to an abundance of beautifully painted red and gold temples, peopled by monks wearing saffron robes. We enjoy a guided tour of the main sites in town. The afternoon is free to explore further afield and possibly visit nearby waterfalls.

A second full free day to soak up the ambience. In the morning there is the option to rise early to watch the monks collecting alms from the local townspeople.

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Bangkok.

Tour ends after breakfast. (B)