Laos & Cambodia for Families (16 days)
This popular route for families combines once in a lifetime experiences with time relaxing on a paradise island resort. Break the journey with a short stay in the vibrant city of Bangkok to visit gleaming temples, local markets and take an exhilarating trip on a long tail boat through a network of canals to see a hidden side of the Thai capital. The pace then drops a few knots in the laid-back ancient town of Luang Prabang, located on the banks of the Mekong in northern Laos. Spend 4 days exploring the old town and surrounding countryside, have an interactive rice farming experience at a local farm and explore the waterways on a spacious private boat. Your next adventures lie in Siem Reap, Cambodia’s famous temple town, which is now a thriving hub for evening entertainment and a wide range of family activities. Your young explorers will take on a scavenger hunt at Angkor Thom, challenging them to hunt for clues around the vast temple complex, and then embark on an exhilarating zip-lining adventure through the ancient forests of the archaeological park. Then round the trip off in true style at a barefoot luxury resort on the powdery white sands of Koh Rong, an idyllic island located in the warm blue seas of Southern Cambodia.
Guide Price
From £4,995 per adult, £4,940 per child based on a shared room for departures in October.
Day by Day Itinerary
Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.
Flight: BR68 London Heathrow - Bangkok 21.35 - 15.05 (overnight)
Private transfer: Upon arrival in Bangkok, you will be welcomed to Thailand by your local guide and transferred to the Riva Surya in a chauffeur driven car for a 2 night stay.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riva Surya (Deluxe Riva Room)
Time at leisure in Bangkok: You have some time at leisure in the Thai capital. You could choose to relax at your hotel, or set off to explore some of the sights of Bangkok independently.
Long-tail boat trip along the Khlongs to Wat Pho: At around midday, set off from your hotel and board a long-tail boat for the fascinating journey to the old district of Thonburi, in the heart of Bangkok, to explore a network of canals to see local folk going about their daily lives. Located just across the Chao Praya River from the financial district's towering skyscrapers, these quiet waterways are a magical place that seem a world away from the frenetic pace of the city. Disembark near Wat Pho, the largest temple in Bangkok, where there is an excellent local restaurant for lunch (payable locally). After refuelling, head into the temple complex to see the colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings, and lastly the Grand Palace, which is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Siamese architecture and has been the residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two centuries. Here, you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. After your guided tour, you may want to continue to the weekend Chatuchak Market, which is one of the largest markets in the world (note that this is only possible on Saturdays and Sundays).
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riva Surya (Deluxe Riva Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Bangkok Don Muang Airport for your Air Asia flight to Luang Prabang Airport.
Flight: FD1030 Bangkok - Luang Prabang 14.30 - 16.00
Private transfer: Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be welcomed to Laos by your local guide and transferred to the Villa Maydou in a chauffeur driven car for a 4 night stay.
Welcome Dinner: This evening, you will be taken to dinner at Tamarind Restaurant, serving authentic Lao cuisine and some Western dishes located in the old town with river views. A set menu is included this evening, drinks will need to be paid for locally.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Morning visit to the Kuangsi Waterfall: After breakfast, set off for the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfalls, located around 30km from the centre of Luang Prabang in an area of lush farmland and forest. Upon arrival, visit the Bear Rescue Centre which does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. Then walk along the forest trails to a series of waterfalls, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools. After some time to rest and relax in this beautiful natural setting, your guide and driver will then serve up an authentic local lunch at a picnic table near the falls.
River cruise to the Botanical Gardens: From the waterfalls, transfer to a small village located on the Mekong, and board a traditional boat for a private cruise on this mighty river. Motor for around one hour upstream to the Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, taking in the captivating river landscape as you go. On arrival at Pha Tad Ke, you will be given a short presentation about the gardens, then stroll through the Ginger and Ethno-Botanic Garden, which is the centrepiece. Stop by the Mist House, where you will learn more about the importance of biodiversity and conservation, and finish your visit with an optional orchid talk at the Pha Tad Ke Nursery. Return to your comfortable boat and continue cruising upstream back to Luang Prabang, enjoying sublime views in the golden hour as the sun starts setting.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day at leisure in Luang Prabang: You have a full day at leisure today to explore the atmospheric ancient capital independently. Staying within the city, there are a number of excellent cooking classes, plus great shopping opportunities in local craft centres. Side trips can also be arranged locally or through your guide.
An evening with the locals: This evening, experience some local Luang Prabang nightlife and challenge your guide to a game of ‘Petanque’ or boules, a very popular sport in Laos. Your guide will also take you for a local style BBQ dinner, and unlimited beer or soft drinks are included all evening. This is a unique opportunity to get to know the locals in their own environment.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Morning rice farmer experience: This morning, transfer by car to the Living Lands Organic Farm, where you meet the local farming guide. Today, you are invited to interact and experience each step of the rice harvest and will see how different tools are created. The tour ends with a tasting of the traditional foods made from rice. You will have a new appreciation for rice and admiration for the people of Lao, who to this day continue to harvest rice without modern machinery. Please note that this experience will be operated on a shared basis.
For a 10 year old's first-hand account of the rice farming experience, please read this blog post.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Luang Prabang Airport for your Vietnam Airlines flight to Siem Reap.
Flight: VN931 Luang Prabang - Siem Reap 13.50 - 16.05
Private transfer: Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed to Cambodia by your local guide and transferred to the Shinta Mani Shack in a chauffeur-driven car for a 3 night stay.
Welcome Dinner: This evening, you will be taken for dinner at Haven, a restaurant helping disadvantaged youngsters to get training and employment. This hugely popular restaurant in the centre of town, serves Asian and Western food, and some Swiss specialties. A set menu is included this evening, drinks will need to be paid for locally.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Shack (Pool View Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Angkor Thom Scavenger Hunt: See Angkor in a different way to everyone else, by becoming an explorer for the day, searching for the answers to clues within the temples of the great ancient city of Angkor Thom. The object of this original photographic scavenger hunt is to explore the immense walled city of Angkor Thom and find some little gems along the way. Some of the challenges will require a photograph of a specific statue or carving and others will require some interactivity on the part of you or your group. The hunt begins at the South Gate of Angkor Thom before finishing at the Preah Pithu Temple. Along the way, you'll be taken to the glorious giant faces of The Bayon, as well as some smaller off-the-beaten-track ruins, where you’ll be the only visitor. At the finale, jump back into your vehicle and drive down to the atmospheric East Gate for a commemorative group photo. These activities are ideal for families with children who are seeking an alternative temple tour, which will shed a new light on the amazing story of Angkor at the same time. Transport will be by remork with some walking involved.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Shack (Pool View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Flight of the Gibbon Zip-Lining Adventure: The newest and most exciting attraction in Siem Reap is also arguably the most memorable way to experience a UNESCO World Heritage Site ever conceived. Opened by the team behind the hugely successful Flight of the Gibbon zip line canopy tours in Chiang Mai and Pattaya, this thrilling experience takes you flying through the treetops above the Angkor archaeological site. 10 thrilling zip lines connect 21 platforms high above the forest floor, culminating in a 50ft abseil finish. The site covers 6 hectares, all of which teems with exotic wildlife. Professionally-trained guides will provide a safety briefing before you start.
Phare - the Cambodian Circus: Tonight, you will be taken to Siem Reap's big top to watch Phare, the Cambodian Circus. Be astounded at the mix of traditional Cambodian dance and modern entertainment.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shinta Mani Shack (Pool View Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be collected from the Shinta Mani Shack and transferred to Siem Reap for your flight to Sihanoukville.
Flight: K6131 Siem Reap - Sihanouvkille 09.55 - 11.00
Road & boat transfer to Koh Rong: Upon arrival at Sihanoukville airport, you will be met and transfered to the jetty for the boat journey to Koh Rong.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at The Royal Sands (Two Bedroom Oceanview Pool Villa)
Meals: Breakfast
Days at leisure: Free days to relax at your hotel, or explore more of the local area independently.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at The Royal Sands (Two Bedroom Oceanview Pool Villa)
Meals: Breakfast
Shared boat & private road transfer to Phnom Penh: At the appropriate time, you will take the hotel's speedboat back to the jetty at Sihanoukville. Here, you will meet your guide & driver and you will start on the journey back to Phnom Penh, travelling north on National Highway 4 towards the Cambodian capital and stopping on the way to pay respects to Yeay Peau, a protective spirit, who looks after travellers on the road. The Pich Nil Pass is where the road cuts through Bokor & Kirirom National Parks to the east and west and is lined with shrines and incense. From here, you continue on to Phnom Penh Airport, where you will check in for your onward flight. The whole journey will take around 4-5 hours.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Palace Gate Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Day at leisure in Phnom Penh: You have a full day today to relax at the hotel, or explore independently. Central attractions, such as the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and National Museum are nearby and can be explored independently. A trip out of the city to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre can also be arranged through your hotel or guide.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Palace Gate Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Phnom Penh Airport for your Bangkok Airways flight to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Flight: PG928 Phnom Penh - Bangkok 08.20 - 09.30
Flight: BR67 Bangkok - London Heathrow 13.05 - 19.20
Meals: Breakfast