Description
With the Cambodia and Laos Uncovered you’ll go deep into these two great countries as you get into riverside vibes, cool waterside bars, as well as taking in jaw-dropping sunrises at the likes of un-missable Angkor Wat. Take part in an alms ceremony in Luang Prabang and hit the streets for a bike tour…each day is different, and downright amazing.
Cambodia and Laos Uncovered Highlights:
Departures
- Departs Luang Prabang at 6:00pm
- Ends Siem Reap at 9:00am
Dining Summary
- 8 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner (D)
What’s included
- 8 Breakfasts
- 1 Lunch
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, Local Guides
- 15 included experiences
- ALL INTERNAL TRANSPORT
- ALL ACCOMMODATION
What’s not included
- Flights to/from the start/end location
- Travel insurance
- Free-time Add-ons
Included Experience
Luang Prabang:
- Cycle around the former capital of Laos, visiting Ock Pop Tock, Wat Xieng Thong, and Big Brother Mouse.
- Today, you’ll get to test out your teaching skills and chat with the students at Big Brother Mouse, who are there to learn English. The team at Big Brother Mouse are working to reduce illiteracy levels across Laos, providing language lessons and publishing/promoting books and other learning materials
- Meditate at this ornate temple, or just marvel at its gilded beauty and take lots of pics.
- Your chance to watch Lao textile artisans at work, making clothes and homeware using special techniques.
- Always wanted to live like a Buddhist? Here is your chance to offer an ‘Alms’ to monks, in the spirit of karmic living.
- Hop onto the train from Luang Prabang, travelling at a dashing 160 km/h. You’ll catch some breathtaking views on the way.
Vientiane:
- See the amazing efforts of this non-profit, which gives prosthetic limbs to disabled locals – some of who are victims of unexploded bombs. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience
- This isn’t your typical hectic capital city. Today, you’ll walk around the peacefully lovely city of Vientiane and admire Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe – the Patuxai.
- It’s bizarre. It’s beautiful. And it has a lot of Buddha statues. This fanciful sculpture garden will leave you with wonder (and a little bit of confusion) in your eyes.
- Fasten your seatbelts folks, we’re off to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh:
- Admire the architectural wonder of some of the best buildings from the Khmer Empire of Vietnam – built back in the 1800s!
- A sombre but important remembrance for the victims of the Khmer Rouge. Visit the fields and Genocide Museum.
- Spend the evening at one of Phnom Penh’s best-loved after-dark hotspots for refreshing beverages and tantalising food.
Siem Reap:
- Visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon – where Tomb Raider was filmed. But dress appropriately (no hotpants, soz).
- Not only is the food top-notch, this social enterprise makes a mission out of training and employing street youths. Respect.
Itinerary
The day has arrived and hello Laos! Check-in to your hotel today and get to know your Trip Manager and new travel squad as you get excited for the days ahead. It would be wrong not to watch the sunset at a riverside bar, and contemplate just how good life is and get ready for 9 days of non-stop adventure.
A city cycle and an optional swim under the 60-metre cascades of Kuang Si Falls will provide our daily nature fix, but most of the day is yours to visit palaces & temples & watch local life by the river, or choose to explore any way that suits. Tonight, watch the sunset at a riverside bar, and contemplate just how good life is and how relaxed you already feel.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- See Luang Prabang on Two Wheels
- Help local people learn English MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Channel Serenity at Wat Xieng Thong
- Watch the Weavers at Ock Pop Tock Centre MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Luang Prabang
This morning, the early risers will be rewarded with Buddhist rituals – kissed by the sun’s morning rays. Take part in the daily ritual of offering alms to the Monks of Luang Prabang’s 34 temples. After collecting our blessings, we’ll jump on a high speed train that’ll whizz us to a lively tourist hub filled with plentiful opportunities for adventure. Makes leaving the charming town of Luang Prabang a little easier, right?
Vang Vieng
Known for its dramatic limestone karsts, Vang Vieng will keep you busy this evening. You can opt to explore the local rivers and caves by kayak, or just chill out surrounded by like-minded travelers, watching the sun set over the mountains.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Take part in a Buddhist Alms Giving
- Jump on a High Speed Train to Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng
Today you should wake up feeling satisfied with your Vang Vieng explorations, and ready to peel back the layers of another Laos hotspot…
Vientiane
Welcome to the largest city in Laos! If you’re expecting a bustling Asian capital, prepare to be surprised. The vibe here is strictly chilled. Apart from seeing the beauty of Pha That Luang stupa & the artistic talent of Patuxai, we’ll use our time here to lend a helping hand to the COPE centre – a local charity that provides prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services to
those who have lost their limbs as a result of unexploded bombs. It’s now time to visit the Buddha Park – a fanciful sculpture garden adorned with significant Buddhist images. Spend some time talking amongst the bizarre & sometimes ornate statues, and head back to our hotel for a good night’s rest.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Support the Work of COPE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Wander Around Laos’ Serene Capital
- Let Yourself be Baffled by the Buddha Park
Vientiane
This morning we’ll cross the border sky high, flying out of Laos as we make our way to the capital of Cambodia.
Phnom Penh
Drop your bags off at our cool hotel in the Bassac Quarter (the perfect spot to kick back with a beer and a bite). We’re doing some historical sight-seeing today. We’ll visit The Royal Palace (the official residence of the Cambodian royals) and the Silver Pagoda (one of the finest examples of Khmer architecture). Later tonight, the city is yours to explore as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Fly to Phnom Penh
- Marvel at the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
You’ll find reminders of Cambodia’s dark past hidden among the shy smiles and prey tree-lined streets. Today we’ll learn about the horrific Khmer Rouge rule by visiting the mass graves of the ‘Killing Fields’ & the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum with our local guide. Next, you can choose to hit the streets on a tuk-tuk and taste your way through the city’s best foodie spots. Then we’ll head back to our hotel located at an after-dark dinner hotspot. (Ask your Trip Manager for some local favourites!)
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Pay respects at the ‘Killing Fields’
- Explore the Bustling Bassac Quarter
Phnom Penh
We’ll take a coach out of Cambodia’s capital this morning and drive into the heartland of an ancient masterpiece and what is still the largest religious monument in the world.
Siem Reap
The resort town is all yours to explore today. You could relax poolside in the afternoon. Or choose to visit the Phare Circus (which also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest circus show) for some insane multicultural entertainment. There are plenty of things you could spice up your night with – but it’s probably best to reserve your energy for our early morning visit to an Eighth Wonder of the World (and something we know you’ve all been waiting for).
Meals: Breakfast
Prepare to be moved to the core this morning as we journey to Angkor Wat through dawn’s hours in preparation for sunrise. Nothing can quite describe the feeling of watching the day’s first rays touch this ancient spiritual site, it’s prey much magic. Next, we journey back to the temples to explore Angkor Thom and the Tomb Raider temple of Ta Prohm (which is slowly being swallowed by the jungle). With knowledge in hand, we’ll pay a visit to a social enterprise, where disadvantaged and former street children are trained up in hospitality skills. And wow, do they do it well; their frozen shakes and mouthwatering menu never fail to impress. And finally, you’ve got the option to admire the sunset from the paddy fields – on a quad bike ride! With no early rise on tomorrow’s agenda, we can let loose on the city’s famous Pub Street and the buzzing local night markets.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Tour Cambodia’s Buddhist Temples
- Empower Young Locals by Eating a Scrumptious Dinner MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience
We came, we saw, we did it all! After one final delicious Asian breakfast together it’s finally time to say goodbye (sob). Team, it’s been epic.
Meals: Breakfast
Important Info
Please ensure that your name is correct on your ticket, as per your passport. Name changes or amendments may incur Contiki and/or Airline fees. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for their selected holiday as well as any necessary vaccinations. It is compulsory for travellers to take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and evacuation expenses before travelling on a Contiki holiday. We strongly recommend insurance also covers cancellation, personal liability and loss of personal property, and is arranged at time of deposit. Contiki has the right to refuse travellers without the required insurance cover to join our trips. For full details please visit www.contiki.com/booking-conditions. As Contiki trips are specifically designed for likeminded 18-35 year old travellers, to confirm space on the trip each travellers date of birth must be provided. Full payment must be received no later than 60 days before the trip start date.
