A Journey across Laos and Cambodia

cambodia, laos

A Journey across Laos and Cambodia

Some things go hand in hand – like Laos and Cambodia. Both are home to ancient, soulful cities where mornings are treasured in sacred silence – through the ritual of collecting alms in Luang Prabang and the anticipation of catching the sunrise at Angkor Wat.

On this captivating journey, we’ll take you through the jungles of Laos and Cambodia to the bioluminescent beaches of the Koh Rong Archipelago. Weaving your way south across Southeast Asia, you’ll trek alongside elephants, explore 12th-century temples, and swim between coral reefs. Along the way, you’ll be led by some of Laos and Cambodia’s most knowledgeable local guides.

When

November - May

Price

From £6,900pp excl. flights

(based on 2 ppl sharing)

How long

10 nights

Ideal length

Days 1-3

Luang Prabang

At the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang – the former capital of the Kingdom of Lan Xang, or the “Land of a Million Elephants” – is one of Laos’ three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Spirituality runs deep here: in the daily morning alms collection of saffron-clad monks to the 33 gilded “wats” (Buddhist temples) dotted throughout the sacred heart of the city.

Days 1-3

Amantaka hotel restaurant in luang prabang in Laos

Amantaka hotel spa in luang prabang in Laos

Day 1

Your arrival in Laos

Touching down in Luang Prabang, you’ll be met by your private driver. They’ll take you to the heart of the city – and Amantaka, your stylish hideaway. In the evening, you’ll take part in a Laotian Baci ceremony, a traditional ritual to realign the body with the “kwan” (spirits believed to watch over each organ). Surrounded by candles and marigolds, you’ll listen to the prayers of the “mor phon” – a respected person in the local community – as they tie a white Baci string around your wrist to preserve your good fortune.

Ok Pok Tok weaving workshop in luang prabang in laos

Day 2

Of weaving and waterfalls

Rising early, you’ll set off to explore Kuang Si Falls , where striking milk-blue waters cascade over limestone cliffs. Wandering over wooden bridges and along jungle trails, you’ll take a dip in the many natural pools below. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre, a social enterprise working to preserve the craft of traditional Laotian weaving. Guided by the expert hands of local weavers, you’ll learn the art of indigo dying and silk reeling beside the banks of the Mekong. Returning to the heart of Luang Prabang, you’ll explore Gallery ASIAMA with a renowned curator and expert of Southeast Asian textiles; drinking tea and discovering the stories behind their collection.

Day 3

Walk alongside gentle giants

Accompanied by your private driver and local guide, you’ll head to MandaLao, an elephant conservation sanctuary working to rewild once-captive elephants into their natural habitat. After walking through the sanctuary’s tranquil gardens, you’ll cross the Nam Khan River by longtail boat. Then, you’ll trek through the jungle; walking alongside elephants and watching as they wander, play, and forage for food.

Amantaka hotel aerial view in luang prabang in Laos

elephants at manadalo rewilding sanctuary in laos

Amantaka hotel pool in luang prabang in Laos

riverboat cruise on the mekong river in luang prabang in laos

Days 4-6

Siem Reap

Siem Reap is the historic heart of northwestern Cambodia – and the closest city to the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat (the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th to the 15th century). Encircled by silk farms and rice paddy fields, welcome to the capital of the Siem Reap Province.

Days 4-6

Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang - Garden & Grounds 13 - © Patricia Parinejad for Zannier Hotels in Siemp Reap in cambodia

Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang - Pool 2 © Patricia Parinejad for Zannier Hotels in siem reap in cambodia

Day 4

Your arrival in Cambodia

Saying farewell to Laos, you’ll fly to neighbouring Cambodia. Landing in Siem Reap, you’ll be met by your private driver who’ll take you to the stilted farmhouse villas of Zannier Phum Baitang, a traditional Khmer retreat on the very threshold of Angkor Wat. Encircled by its own rice paddies and private gardens, this will be home (for the next few nights, at least).

A tree takes root at Angkor Thom in cambodia

Prasat Suor Prat temple at Angkor Thom in cambodia

ox and rice paddies in luang prabang in laos

Day 5

Wander between temples and rice paddies

At sunrise, you’ll set off to explore the jungle temples of Angkor. With your expert local guide, you’ll discover the 12th-century temples of Ta Prohm, Ta Nei, and Ta Keo; weaving your way between snaking fig tree roots and sandstone structures designed by King Jayavarman VII himself. Heading deeper into the countryside, you’ll then get a taste of rural life; learning the art of palm leaf weaving with local families and travelling by oxcart. Dinner will be served at Chandara, a private countryside villa encircled by tranquil rice paddies.

floating village Komprongpok on Tonle Sap lake in cambodia

Day 6

Take to the waters

Leaving land behind, you’ll set sail across Tonle Sap Lake. Gliding over tranquil waters, you’ll explore the floating village of Mechrey; marvelling at houses built on bamboo rafts and meeting the Khmer fishing families who call them home. Next, your expert guide will take you to Angkor Thom (or the “Great City” as its also known). Exploring this 12th-century city on foot (and then by boat), you’ll discover the giant carved faces of Bayon Temple before crossing the “cosmic ocean”, a vast waterway system designed to represent the meeting of the divine and the mortal.

Ta Phrom temple ruins at Angkor in Siem Reap in cambodia

Zannier Hotels Phum Baitang - Pool © Patricia Parinejad for Zannier Hotels

Cambodian women sail on a boat near the fishing village of Tonle Sap Lake in cambodia

hallway light shadow Ta Prohm Temple in Angkor Wat in cambodia

Cambodian buffalo field Siem Reap in cambodia

Colorful tropical fruit for sale at an open air street market in Siem Reap in Cambodia

Days 7-11

Koh Rong Archipelago

Sprawled across the Gulf of Thailand, the islands of Koh Rong Archipelago offer pockets of tranquillity just off the coast of southwest Cambodia. On the surface, vibrant clusters of orchids transcend into mangrove forests and glowing bioluminescent waters. Beneath it, an underwater world of coral takes shape. Welcome to paradise.

Days 7-11

Day 7

Your own island paradise

Before leaving mainland Cambodia, you’ll head to Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure on earth. Designed to represent Mount Meru – the dwelling place of Hindu gods – its lotus-like towers are guarded by sacred lion statues. Catching the first rays of sunrise, you’ll wander between banyan trees and over a vast moat filled with waterlilies as you breathe it all in. Saying farewell, you’ll hop on a flight to Sihanoukville airport before boarding a private speedboat to Song Saa, a secluded island resort in the Koh Rong Archipelago.

bioluminescent beach in koh rong archipelago in cambodia

mangrove forests in koh rong archipelago

beach picnic at song saa resort in koh rong archipelago

Days 8-10

Dive into an underwater wonderland

For the last leg of your trip, you’ll spend the days unwinding and embracing island life; snorkelling alongside seahorses and coral reefs, picnicking on a desert island, and kayaking between mangroves. And then there’s the nights – a nighttime swim in bioluminescent waters, a nighttime spa session beneath the stars.

Day 11

The end of two tales

Returning home, you’ll have time to reflect on your time in Laos and Cambodia – on the “pinch me” moments and the “must do” adventures. When you flick through the photos, you’ll be thinking one thing: take me back.