Laos or Cambodia for a 15-day trip ? This was the first question ^I asked myself before planning my 2-week Laos-Cambodia itinerary for October 2019. Reading advice and reviews on travel forums didn't help me make my choice at all. Opinions were very divided, and none of them really convinced me… So I chose an itinerary that allowed me to visit Laos in 12 days and dedicate the last 3 days to the magnificent Angkor site in Cambodia.

Here is a step-by-step guide to how I organized this 15-day Laos Cambodia tour.

15 days tour in Laos Cambodia - Why go there in October?

We planned to travel from October 26th to November 11th, 2019, to take advantage of the pleasant weather (end of the monsoon season). I had read that Laos enjoys a subtropical climate with temperatures hovering around 26°C for most of the year. October is recommended for visiting the north of the country, which was one of the reasons I chose this time of year. But I must admit that the public holidays on November 1st ^and 11th were also a major factor. By taking only 9 days of vacation, we'll have 17 days for our Laos-Cambodia tour!

15 days tour in Laos Cambodia - How to get around Laos?

No good rail network, no good roads, car rental discouraged… Organizing all our transportation ourselves wasn't easy. So I contacted private guides/drivers (see my article: How to find a local guide in Laos? ). Then I looked into bus options. You can book in advance online at 12go.asia . Finally, I booked a domestic flight (Luang Prabang – Pakse) which will save us too much time on the road.

15 days tour in Laos Cambodia - Map of my itinerary

2 week tour Laos Cambodia - Stages of my itinerary

Departure from France on 26/10/19

Day 01: Luang Prabang (27/10/19)

Arrival at 11:35 am + hotel transfer. Visit to Luang Prabang , including the temples of Wat Pakhan and Wat Xieng Thong. Ascent to the summit of Mount Phousi to admire the sunset and overnight stay in Luang Prabang.

Day 02: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou (28/10/19)

Morning: Slow boat trip to visit the Pak Ou caves

The afternoon will continue with a visit to the main monuments of Luang Prabang: the Royal Palace, now the National Museum, Wat Mai, Wat Xieng Mouane, and the Heritage House. Wat Xieng Mouane will offer a unique opportunity (time permitting) to discover a training center for traditional Buddhist crafts. Visit to the craft market and overnight stay in Luang Prabang.

Day 03: Luang Prabang - Tad Kuang Si waterfalls (29/10/19)

Tuk Tuk towards Kuang Si waterfalls (south following the great Mekong River ).

The road is lined with villages and rice paddies. Along the way: beautiful rural landscapes with terraced rice paddies and pineapple plantations. Meet the locals and the inhabitants of the H'mong village of Ban Longlao, where the culture, customs, and language differ from those of traditional Laotians. Hike for 2.5 hours through the forest and primary jungle to reach the spectacular Kuang Si waterfall and its turquoise natural pools. Return by road. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 Day 04: Luang Prabang - Tad Sae (30/10/19)

Tak Bat (offering ceremony to monks) + food market tour + excursion to Tad Sae Waterfalls + Ban Xang Khong (weavers' village) + whiskey village

Day 05: Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi (31/10/19)

Public van (4-hour drive) to Nong Khiaw along the Nam Ou River . We will pass through the village of M'Hong at Ban Khok Line , the village of Lu at Ban Hat Kho , and other villages along the river. Arrival in Nong Khiaw. Then, a traditional boat to Muang Ngoy (1.5-hour journey). Overnight in Muang Ngoy.

Day 06: Muong Ngoi - Luang Prabang (01/11/19)

Return to Luang Prabang by slow boat + public van. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 07: Luang Prabang - Pakse - Vat Phou Temples (02/11/19)

Lao Airlines flight – Departure Luang Praban at 10:40, Arrival in Pakse at 12:20 – Visit to the Vat Phou site – Night in Pakse.

Day 08: Pakse - Bolovens Plateau (3/11/19)       

By van from Pakse towards the Bolaven Plateau – Stop en route at Tad Fane waterfalls . Visit to an ethnic minority village: Katus . Overnight stay on the Bolaven Plateau.

Day 09: Bolovens Plateau (4/11/19)

Day of waterfalls in waterfalls + coffee plantation + return to Pakse - Overnight in Pakse.

Day 10: Bolovens Plateau - 4000 islands (5/11/19)

Bus from Pakse + boat to Don Khong. Overnight on Khone Island in the 4,000 Islands.

Day 11: Ile de Khone (6/11/19)

Khone Phapeng Falls , known as the "Niagara of the East," and island hopping. Overnight stay on Khone Island (4,000 Islands).

Day 12: 4000 islands - Siem Reap (7/11/19)

Journey from the 4000 Islands to Siem Reap : Van with private driver from Don Khone (4000 Islands) to Siem Reap . Departure 8:00 AM, arrival 16:30 PM (including border crossing ). Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Siem Reap - Tonle Lake - Angkor Temples (8/11/19)

Morning: Excursion on Tonle Lake . Visit by dugout canoe to Kompong Pluk , a village located on Tonle Lake , about 16 km east of Siem Reap.

Afternoon: Tuk-tuk ride for part of the grand Angkor circuit : Prasat Pre Rup, Preah Khan , Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women). On the way back, visit Banteay Samre temple . Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Angkor part of the small circuit (9/11/19)

Visit Angkor Thom, including the Victory Gate, Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm temple , surrounded by jungles where the roots of enormous kapok trees climb the temple walls, Bakheng temple , and Angkor Wat . Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Siem Reap - Old market - Water festival (10/11/19)

Morning: Festivities surrounding the Water Festival and a visit to the old market. In the early afternoon, return to Siem Reap for transfer to the airport for your flight to France at 6:55 PM. Arrival in France on November 11, 2019, at 12:15 PM.

Find out now:

My selection of cheap hotels for this route

or start following my day-by-day itinerary: Northern Laos – Luang Prabang