Colors of Indochina: Thailand, Cambodia & Laos 12 days

Upon arrival at Bangkok International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the day is free at leisure. You may choose to relax after your flight or begin exploring the vibrant atmosphere of Thailand’s capital at your own pace.

Morning

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Bangkok’s most iconic cultural and historical landmarks.

Visit the magnificent Grand Palace, one of Thailand’s most celebrated royal monuments and a masterpiece of Thai architecture. Once the official residence of Thai kings, the palace remains a symbol of the nation’s heritage and grandeur.

Within the palace grounds, discover Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Thailand’s most sacred temple. Admire its revered Emerald Buddha, the Golden Chedi, the Pantheon of the Chakri Kings, and the distinctive Eight-Coloured Towers.

Continue to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s oldest and most important temples. Known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage and Thailand’s first public centre of learning, the temple houses remarkable murals, statues, and the famous Reclining Buddha. During your visit, enjoy a relaxing 30-minute traditional Thai massage.

Afternoon 

Board a traditional long-tail boat for a scenic journey along the Chao Phraya River and the historic Khlongs (canals) of Thonburi.

Cruise past riverside communities and traditional wooden houses, offering a glimpse into a quieter side of Bangkok that contrasts with the city's modern skyline.

Stop at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), one of Thailand’s most recognisable landmarks, renowned for its elegant riverside setting and intricately decorated central spire.

Continue to Bangkok’s vibrant Flower and Vegetable Market, where colourful displays of orchids, fresh flowers, and handcrafted floral garlands showcase local traditions and daily life.

This Bangkok day comes to an end near Golden Mountain. The Royal Palace Grounds and the Emerald Buddha Temple Enclosures nearby are also beautiful. 

Note: 

• Modest clothing is required when visiting the Grand Palace and temples. Sleeveless tops, shorts, and sandals are not permitted.
• The inner courts of the Grand Palace are frequently closed on Sundays.

Morning

After breakfast, meet your guide and depart Bangkok for Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Along the way, visit the elegant Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, also known as the Royal Summer Palace. Featuring a blend of Thai, Chinese, and European architectural styles, the palace has long served as a royal retreat and is occasionally used for official ceremonies and receptions.

Continue to Ayutthaya and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning your afternoon exploration.

Afternoon 

Discover some of the most important historical temples within the ancient city of Ayutthaya.

Begin at Wat Phra Mahathat, one of the kingdom’s most significant royal temples, famous for the iconic Buddha head entwined within the roots of a banyan tree.

Continue to Wat Mongkhon Bophit, home to one of Thailand’s largest bronze seated Buddha images and an important place of worship for local Buddhists.

Next, visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the former royal temple of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, renowned for its three iconic bell-shaped chedis that once housed the ashes of Siamese kings.

Conclude the tour at Wat Lokayasutharam, known for its impressive reclining Buddha statue, one of the largest and most striking images in Ayutthaya.

After the visit, return to Bangkok and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, enjoy free time at your leisure until your scheduled transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the day is free for you to relax after your journey, enjoy the hotel facilities, or begin exploring the charming atmosphere of Siem Reap at your own pace.

Morning

After breakfast, begin your exploration of the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer Empire.

Enter through the impressive South Gate, renowned for its monumental stone faces and the dramatic causeway lined with statues depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Continue to Bayon Temple, famous for its serene stone faces carved into towering structures. Explore the nearby Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King, each showcasing the remarkable artistry and history of the Khmer civilisation.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Continue to Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most iconic landmark and the largest religious monument in the world.

Take time to explore its vast galleries, intricate bas-reliefs, elegant courtyards, libraries, and reflecting ponds. Admire the temple’s five soaring towers, which symbolise Mount Meru, the sacred mountain of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology.

After a day immersed in the grandeur of the Angkor temples, return to your hotel in Siem Reap.

Morning

After breakfast, travel through the Cambodian countryside to visit Banteay Srei, often referred to as the “Citadel of Women.” Considered one of the finest examples of Khmer art, this remarkable temple is renowned for its intricate pink sandstone carvings and exceptional craftsmanship.

Continue to Banteay Samre, a well-preserved 12th-century temple complex featuring a central sanctuary, elegant libraries, and impressive architectural details that reflect the grandeur of the Angkor period.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Transfer to Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, located approximately 16 kilometres from Siem Reap.

Board a local boat and cruise through a traditional floating village, where houses, schools, and shops rise and fall with the changing water levels. This fascinating excursion offers valuable insight into the daily life and unique culture of communities that depend on the lake for their livelihood.

If time permits, stop at the Old Market (Psar Chas) in Siem Reap, where you can browse local handicrafts, silk products, jewellery, wood carvings, souvenirs, and other traditional goods.

Return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Morning

After breakfast, visit the handicraft center and family Artisans D'Angkor and Silk Farm this morning, which was constructed by a French NGO to revitalize Cambodia's magnificent silk industry. Every stage of silk manufacture is visible to us. 

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

After lunch, enjoy free time until your transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, Laos.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore the charming streets of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city celebrated for its well-preserved architecture, rich cultural heritage, and peaceful riverside setting.

Late afternoon, visit a local family for a private Baci ceremony, one of Laos’ most meaningful traditional rituals. During the ceremony, white cotton threads are gently tied around your wrists as blessings are shared for happiness, good health, and good fortune.

Afterwards, sit down to a home-style dinner with your host family. Sharing a meal together offers a warm introduction to everyday Lao hospitality and creates a genuine first connection with the local community.

Morning

Start your morning with an exciting adventure in the lush countryside surrounding Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, take a short break with tea or coffee at Hoi Khua Coffee Shop while completing the safety acknowledgement form and preparing for your zipline experience.

After a safety briefing with your experienced guide, head into the forest canopy for a thrilling zipline adventure. Climb into the treetops and navigate 13 stations covering around 900 metres of zipline, flying between the trees and above the vibrant green jungle. Test your courage on the 180-metre twin line, glide above the flower gardens on a 290-metre line, and finish with an abseil descent from the trees.

Follow the Green Organic Trail back to the coffee shop, where you can take a short rest before returning to Luang Prabang by shared minivan.

Afternoon

Slow the pace with a cultural exploration of the historic city. Visit Wat Xiengthong, one of Luang Prabang’s most beautiful temples, recognised for its distinctive low-sweeping roofs and elegant Lao architecture. Continue to Wat Sene, the city’s oldest temple, before exploring the Royal Palace Museum, home to a collection of artefacts reflecting Laos’ royal and cultural heritage.

Later, climb Phousi Hill for sweeping views across Luang Prabang and the surrounding landscape. End the day at the lively Night Market, browsing stalls filled with handmade textiles, crafts, and traditional products created by local and ethnic communities.

Morning

Begin the day with a cooking class at Tamarind Restaurant. Your cooking experience starts at a local food market, where your instructor introduces you to ingredients, seasonal produce, and the flavours that form the foundation of everyday Lao cooking.

Return to Tamarind Garden and get involved in preparing a selection of traditional dishes. Learn how to make jeow, Laos’ beloved spicy dipping sauces; Mok Pa, herbed fish steamed in banana leaves; and Tamarind’s speciality of lemongrass stuffed with chicken and herbs. You will also prepare laap/koy, a fragrant minced-meat salad, before finishing with a surprise dessert.

No Lao cooking experience is complete without learning how to prepare sticky rice and the traditional etiquette for eating it. Sit down to enjoy the dishes you have prepared, with lunch finishing at around 14:30.

Note: Dishes and ingredients may vary depending on the season and local availability.

Afternoon

Head to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, a series of turquoise pools and cascading falls surrounded by lush forest. The three-tiered waterfall culminates in a dramatic drop of around 50 metres, while the lower pools offer a refreshing place to swim when conditions permit.

Take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which provides a safe haven for bears rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking and poaching. Continue to the Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre beside the Mekong, where local artisans demonstrate traditional weaving, spinning, and batik techniques.

Joined tour with guide & driver from Elephant Village

Morning

Start your morning with a transfer from your hotel to Elephant Village, where an English-speaking guide will welcome you and introduce you to the day’s activities. After a short briefing about elephant care and behaviour, get closer to these gentle animals during a supervised elephant feeding experience.

Continue exploring the Elephant Village, visiting its elephant hospital, museum, gallery, and traditional dung-paper workshop. You will also learn about the role of a mahout and discover how traditional commands and communication are used to work with elephants.

Later, board a traditional Lao long boat and cruise towards Tad Sae Waterfall. Take time to relax beside the clear pools or enjoy a swim, depending on seasonal water levels. Bring your swimsuit if you would like to get into the water.

Return to the Elephant Village for a buffet lunch at the camp restaurant, with vegetarian options available, along with coffee, tea, and drinking water.

Afternoon

After lunch, depart the camp at around 13:00 and transfer back to your hotel in Luang Prabang. The afternoon is free to relax after a morning surrounded by nature and local wildlife.

Set out at 08:30 with your guide and driver for a scenic journey along the Mekong River. Board a traditional boat and cruise upstream, passing peaceful countryside, riverside villages, and everyday scenes along the banks before reaching the fascinating Pak Ou Caves.

Hidden within limestone cliffs, the caves contain thousands of Buddha images in different shapes and sizes, many of which were placed here by pilgrims over generations. Take time to explore this atmospheric spiritual site and enjoy the views across the Mekong.

Stop at Ban Muang Keo, a village known for its traditional Lao rice whisky production. Discover how the local spirit is made and gain a glimpse into a craft that has been passed down through generations.

Continue by road to Ban Xangkhong, a traditional Tai Lue village renowned for its handicrafts and textile work. Nearby Ban Xienglek offers another look at local craftsmanship, with artisans producing traditional Saa paper from natural materials.

Return to Luang Prabang and take a leisurely walk through the smaller streets of the city centre. Along the way, observe everyday local life and visit Heuan Chan, a beautifully preserved traditional wooden house dating back around 100 years.

After a day combining river scenery, spiritual heritage, and traditional crafts, return to your hotel for a relaxed evening in Luang Prabang.

Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Luang Prabang at your own pace. Take a last stroll around the resort, soak up the peaceful surroundings, or simply enjoy some quiet time before your journey home.

When it is time to leave, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.