Laos & Cambodia Adventure

Laos & Cambodia Adventure Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  Transfer to our hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing after your long flight in what has been called Asia’s most livable city.  Chiang Mai, still known as a center for silver jewelry and woodcarving, was an important stop on the southern branch of the ancient Silk Road.  The name Chiang Mai means “new city,” a moniker that has stuck for 700 years.  The city was founded in 1296 as the capital of the kingdom of Lanna (short for Lan Na Thai, meaning "A Million Rice Fields").  We’ll meet our guide this evening and have a brief trip overview followed by a traditional Thai dinner along the banks of a meandering river.  Dinner included.

• Day 2

  After breakfast, we’ll head out by minivan towards Mae Kampong village for a warm-up hike.  The village, located at 4,200’, has a cool climate year-round and is located on the edge of Thailand’s Jaeson National Park.  Our hike takes us through lush forest and to the top of a charming waterfall, ultimately leading us back to Mae Kampong where we’ll enjoy a fresh lunch prepared by a local host family.  After our meal, we’ll continue our drive through the mountains to Chiang Khong, a small, lively Thai border-town set along the banks of the mighty Mekong River.  We’ll have some time to relax on our own tonight as we gaze across the river towards the opposite bank and the tranquil Laotian landscape beyond.  Hiking: 3-4 miles.  Breakfast and lunch included.  Driving time from Mae Kampong to Chiang Khong approx. 4 hours.

• Day 3

  Crossing the Mekong in a long-tail boat, we’ll enter Laos this morning and, after clearing customs, begin the drive to Luang Namtha in our private vehicle.  Our route follows a new road through the verdant mountains and, time allowing, we’ll stop along the way at a number of ethnic minority villages enjoying some interaction with the local people.  Our destination this afternoon is the Boat Landing Guest House, a charming eco-lodge constructed in local Lao style using materials from the surrounding forest.  We’ll spend the next two nights at this comfortable lodge while exploring the nearby countryside.  All meals included.

• Day 4

  We hike in the Nam Ha Conservation Area today (containing some of the largest contiguous wilderness areas in Laos) and meet some of the local people who call this region home.  The main minority groups we will encounter are the Black Tai, who are known for their silk products; the Lanten, a small tribe found in China and Laos who are acclaimed paper makers, and the Khmu, skilled basket weavers who are the oldest residents of the Luang Nam Tha Valley.  Led by a local minority guide, our trek begins in the Lanten village of Ban Nam Dee and takes us through mixed forest, upland fields, terraced rice paddies and across a few small streams.  We’ll stop in the small village of Ban Sida and learn a bit about the lives of its inhabitants including the symbolism behind their various building structures and how thick forest growth separated them from a group of nearby relatives.  After lunch, we can choose to retrace our steps back to Ban Nam Dee or take a more challenging ridgeline route offering expansive views of the surrounding mountains and rain forest.  Back at the trailhead, a waterfall in the village invites us to jump in for a refreshing shower before our return to the guest house.  Note: Our trek is designed by the Nam Ha eco-guide trekking association and all fees directly benefit the guides, the villages and the local economy.  Hiking: 5-7 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 5

  We’ll begin the day with a short bicycle ride to the That Phum Phuk stupa, a religious monument originally built in the 17^th-century and reconstructed in 2003 after suffering bomb damage during the Vietnam War.  After our spin, we’ll travel to the main road and drive through the Laotian highlands to Luang Prabang.  The journey is very quiet and lovely and again we’ll see a mix of thick forests and photogenic villages populated by a wide variety of local ethnic groups.  We’ll arrive in Luang Prabang in the evening in time for dinner at a wonderful French restaurant in town.  Overnight in Luang Prabang hotel for the next three nights.  Cycling: 5 miles. All meals included.

• Day 6

  We spend the day in the ancient royal city of Luang Prabang, often referred to as the jewel of Indochina.  Our morning tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site takes us to the former Royal Palace - now the national museum - where we’ll view artifacts belonging to numerous past rulers.  We’ll also explore some of Luang Prabang’s amazing Wat’s (temples) including Wat Sen, Wat Visum and perhaps the most stunning, Wat Xieng Thong; built in 1560 and brightly decorated with gold and colored glass.  A short hike up Mount Phousi, in the center of the city, offers great views of the surrounding temples.  In early afternoon, we’ll visit nearby Ban Xang Khok, a village specializing in the production of silk, cotton and natural paper products.  Dedicated to weaving and breeding silkworms, the inhabitants have produced crafts for hundreds of years using the same colors and motifs.  This is an authentic and fun-filled shopping opportunity as a wonderful array of high quality textiles, dresses, bags, scarves and tapestries are available to bargain for.  After our village visit, we’ll have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to explore on our own; perhaps to rent a bike and take a leisurely ride through this lovely city, or stroll through the fascinating streets and alleyways finding our own treasures and adventures.  All meals included.

• Day 7

  The early risers among us will enjoy witnessing long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas this morning to collect alms and food offerings from faithful local residents.  After breakfast, we’ll hop on our bikes and begin a 20-mile ride through the countryside to the beautiful Khuang Si waterfalls.  We’ll hike to the top of the falls via a steep track and, weather permitting, swim in the cool, clear water at the base of the cascade.  This afternoon, we can opt to cycle back to Luang Prabang or return to town by tuk-tuk, giving us some additional time for more shopping and/or sightseeing.  Cycling: 40 miles (20 miles if only cycling one way to waterfalls).  All meals included.

• Day 8

  We climb back aboard our vehicle and head south this morning to picturesque Vang Vieng.  The dramatic karst formations surrounding the town invite further exploration and we’ll have time after lunch to venture out to some of the large limestone caves that have formed inside these geological oddities.  We sleep tonight in peaceful riverside bungalows located in Vang Vieng.  Hiking: 3-4 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 9

  A morning paddle along the Nam Song River allows us to view the region’s splendid karst pinnacles from a new vantage point.  Gliding through the water in our kayaks, we’ll stop to explore some additional caves and visit an organic farm before rendezvousing with our van and beginning the overland transfer to Vientiane, the modern capital of the Laos Republic.  We’ll check in at our Vientiane hotel late this afternoon and relax before sitting down to a traditional Lao dinner.  Kayaking: 2 hours.  All meals included.

• Day 10

  We fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia arriving in late morning.  Our afternoon excursion offers the opportunity to learn more about this country’s not-to-distant past and reflect on its continuing recovery from darker times.  Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge soldiers killed almost 2 million Cambodians from 1975 to 1979.  We pay homage to these men, women and children this afternoon during a moving visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.  A visit to the museum is essential for those interested in gaining clearer insight into Cambodia’s tumultuous history and a special museum guide will accompany the group to offer additional interpretation and answer any specific questions.  If asked, our guide will also be able to provide alternate suggestions for those not wishing to participate in this day’s activities.  We spend the night in one of Phnom Penh’s centrally-located hotels.  All meals included.

• Day 11

  Formally known as “The Pearl of Asia”, Phnom Penh has reemerged from its dark days and is once again a vibrant capital city, filled with a variety of fascinating cultural and historic sites.  We’ll gather after breakfast for a walking tour that will include stops at the Royal Palace (famous for its traditional architecture and silver pagoda), the Independence Monument and the National Museum.  The museum contains a number of exhibits detailing the history and significance of Angkor; a perfect prelude to the next three days of our adventure!  This afternoon, we’ll catch a short flight to Siem Reap in preparation for our extensive exploration of the wondrous temples of Angkor and their environs.  The name Siem Reap translates to “Siamese defeated” and refers to the Khmer Empire’s 17^th-century victory over an army from the Thai kingdom of Ayutthaya.  We’ll have dinner in Siem Reap, our home for the next four nights.  Hiking distance: 2 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 12

  An exciting day awaits as our discovery of Angkor and its environs begins.  We drive a few miles out of Siem Reap to the Roluos group of monuments – Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko – which date back to the late 9^th-century and are tall peg-shaped brick towers.  This is the original capital of the ancient Khmer Empire and we’ll spend the morning hiking among the temples and gaining some insight into the history of the Khmer culture.  We’ll have lunch near an old Angkorian temple named Chau Srei Vibol where a short climb up a nearby hill offers our first distant view of Angkor Wat.  Our destination this afternoon is marvelous Banteay Srei, some 15 miles away on a newly paved road.  The “Citadel of the Women”, built from reddish-pink sandstone and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, is considered to be a jewel amongst the Angkor temples due to its intricate carvings and coloration.  Though relatively small in size, the temple is exceptionally well-preserved and is a must-see during any visit to Angkor.  We return to Siem Reap for dinner tonight.  Hiking distance: 3 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 13

  Today is a major highlight as we take tuk-tuks to the back entrance of Angkor Wat – considered to be the biggest religious structure in the world (originally Hindu, then Buddhist) and most breathtaking, best-preserved temple at this site.  Built in the first half of the 12^th century during the reign of Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat is renowned for its intricate carvings of over 3000 aspara, or “heavenly nymphs”, and beautiful bas-reliefs depicting various epic battles and religious events.  Over the years, it has become a symbol of Cambodia and is always a source of great national pride.  We’ll have ample time to explore this unforgettable site and appreciate the interpretation by our temple guide before walking along the giant temple’s moat to the nearby fortified city of Angkor Thom. We’ll arrive at the city’s South Gate and stop for lunch before continuing to the Bayon Temple, located in the exact center of Angkor Thom and decorated with over 200 enormous, smiling stone faces said to resemble the temple’s builder, Cambodia’s King Jayavarman VII.  We’ll also stop at the Baphuon temple (which suffered from a poor foundation and became an architectural jigsaw puzzle to restore) and continue through the jungle behind the Terrace of the Elephant and the Terrace of the Leper King.  Outside of Angkor Thom, we’ll visit Thommanon and Takeo temples before heading back to Siem Reap for dinner at Viroth’s restaurant.  Hiking distance: 3 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 14

  Commuting like the locals, we get out the bikes this morning and ride toward the now familiar South Gate of Angkor Thom.  Passing the gate, the beautiful Bayon (built about a century after Angkor Wat) and the elaborate terraces, we’ll continue to the North Gate of the city and out onto the “Grand Circuit”.  We’ll stop to visit the Preah Khan and Ta Som temples and finally, the extraordinary Ta Prohm or “old Brahma” temple, one of the most popular and frequently photographed temples in the complex and an amazing sight with roots of silk cotton trees growing out of the ruined structure.  We return to Siem Reap by bike via Banteay Kdei and have the late afternoon free before our final dinner celebrating an incredible adventure through Indochina!  Cycling: 20 miles.  All meals included.

• Day 15

  We’ll venture off the beaten path this morning and transfer by private vehicle to the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the world’s most productive inland fisheries.  Once at the lake, we’ll begin our exploration through Kompong Klean, the largest village in the area composed of 4,000 dwellings built on wooden stilts above the waterline.  After exploring the village, we’ll take a boat ride through the nearby canals and observe the floating villages that rise and sink following the lake’s water level.  We’ll enjoy a typical Khmer lunch in a local house before transferring back to the Siem Reap airport for our departing flights.  Breakfast and lunch included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including unexpected weather and terrain conditions.

All accommodations; all meals as noted on the itinerary;  all overland and over-water transportation as noted; English-speaking local guides; hiking permits; all entry fees to museums and temples including Angkor; bicycles; kayaks (in Vang Vieng); snacks and bottled water.

Air transportation from the U.S. to Thailand/from Cambodia; internal flights from Vientiane-Phnom Penh & Phnom Penh-Siem Reap ($300 – REI Adventures will book your reservations); 1 dinner; optional activities in Luang Prabang on Day 8; airport taxes and entry visa fees (visa for Laos & Cambodia can be obtained upon arrival); guide gratuities; bicycle helmets (required); travel insurance; medical immunizations or items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages or laundry fees.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary.  If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

This trip is rated Moderate [3].  Trip members should arrive in good physical condition and plan to spend 3-6 hours on most days engaged in a variety of activities.  Hikes are all on-trail, some through temple complexes, but terrain conditions can occasionally be muddy and uneven and some hikes will include the ascent/descent of numerous stone steps.  Our cycling days in Luang Prabang and Angkor are over relatively flat terrain and the group will be accompanied by support vehicle for those choosing to skip particular sections.  Our morning paddle in Vang Vieng will be on generally flat water with minimal currents (suitable for beginners).  Temperatures on some days may be quite warm requiring participants to focus on staying adequately hydrated.  We recommend an exercise regimen beginning at least 2-3 months prior to departure consisting of hiking/walking and cycling in order to prepare for this adventure.  The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy all this trip has to offer!

Thailand, Laos and Cambodia all have tropical climates. Temperatures in the 80s with a high amount of humidity can be expected during the days, dropping into the 60s and 70s at night. We have chosen the best possible months to visit this region giving us the greatest chance of cooler and drier conditions. That said, we are in the tropics and some rainfall is a possibility at any time of the year.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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