Laos or Cambodia for 15 days tour ? This question was the 1rd that I asked myself before determining my 2 week Laos Cambodia itinerary scheduled for October 2019. Reading the advice and reviews on the traveler forums did not help me make my choice at all. Indeed, opinions are very divided and none has really convinced me ... So I chose an itinerary that allows you to visit Laos in 12 days and dedicate the Last 3 days at the large Angkor site in Cambodia.
Here is step by step how I organized this 15 days tour Laos Cambodia.
15 days tour in Laos Cambodia - Why go there in October?
We have planned to leave from October 26 to November 11, 2019 to be able to enjoy a rather good climate (end of the monsoon period). I had read that Laos enjoys a subtropical climate with temperatures hovering around 26 ° C most of the year. October being recommended to visit the North of the country, this was one of the reasons which guided me in the choice of this period to leave. But I must admit that the public holidays of the 1er November and November 11 were also a strong argument. Indeed, by taking only 9 days of leave we will take advantage of 17 days for our Laos Cambodia tour !
15 days tour in Laos Cambodia - How to get around Laos?
No good rail networks, no good roads, car rental not recommended… It is not easy to organize all the transport by ourselves. So I contacted private guides / drivers (see my article: How to find a local guide in Laos?). Then I inquired about the possibilities of bus transport. There, it is possible to book in advance on the Internet: 12go.asia. Then I booked a domestic flight (Luang Prabang - Pakse) which will prevent us from wasting 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 of Luang Prabang, Vat Pakhan and Vat Xieng Thong temples. Ascent to the top of Mount Phousi to admire the sunset and overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 02: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou (28/10/19)
Morning: Slow boat to visit the Pak Ou Caves
The afternoon will continue with the visit of the main monuments of the city from Luang Prabang: Royal Palace which has become the National Museum, Vat Mai, Vat Xieng Mouane and the Maison du Patrimoine. the Wat Xieng Mouane will be a unique opportunity (if there is enough time) to discover a training center for manual trades linked to Buddhist art. Handicraft market and night in Luang Prabang.
Day 03: Luang Prabang - Tad Kuang Si waterfalls (29/10/19)
Tuc Tuc towards Kuang Si waterfalls (towards the south following the great Mekong river).
The road is lined with villages and rice fields. On the road: beautiful rural landscapes with rice terraces and pineapple plantations. Meeting with the locals and the inhabitants of H'mong village "Ban Longlao" where the culture, customs and language are different from traditional Laotians. 2h30 hike through the forest and the primary jungle to reach the spectacular Kuang Si waterfall and the natural swimming pools with turquoise waters. Return by road. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 04: Luang Prabang - Tad Sae (30/10/19)
Tak Bat (ceremony of offerings to the monks) + tour of the food market + excursion to Tad Waterfalls Leave + Ban Xang Khong (village of weavers) + wisky village
Day 05: Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi (31/10/19)
Public van (4h drive) for Nong Khiaw along the Nam Ou river. We will spend the M'Hong village at Ban Khok Line, "Lu" village in Ban Hat Kho and other villages along the river. Arrival in Nong Khiaw. Then traditional boat bound for Muang Ngoy (1h30 of navigation). Overnight in Muang Ngoy.
Day 06: Muong Ngoi - Luang Prabang (01/11/19)
Return to Luang Prabang in 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 am Arrival at Thick at 12:20 p.m. - Site visit Vat Phou - Overnight in Pakse.
Day 08: Pakse - Bolovens Plateau (3/11/19)
By van, from Pakse road to Bolovens Plateau - Stop en route at Tad Fane Falls. Visit ethnic minority village: katus. Night at the Bolovens 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. Night on the island of Khone on the 4 islands.
Day 11: Ile de Khone (6/11/19)
Khone Phapeng Falls, called "Niagara of the East" and walks on the islands. Night on the island of Khone (4 islands).
Day 12: 4000 islands - Siem Reap (7/11/19)
4000 Islands route to Siem Reap : Van with private driver from Don Khone (4000 islands) to Siem Reap. Departure 8:00 am Arrival 16:30 pm with border crossing. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 13: Siem Reap - Tonle Lake - Angkor Temples (8/11/19)
Morning: Excursion on the Tonle Lake. Canoe tour by Kompong Pluk, village located on the Tonle lake, about 16 km east of Siem Reap.
Afternoon: Tuc tuc for a part of the great Angkor circuit : Prasat Pre Rup, Preah Khan, Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women). On the way back, visit of Banteay Samre Temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Angkor part of the small circuit (9/11/19)
Visit of Angkor Thom with the Porte de la Victoire, Bayon, the Baphuon, the Phimeanakas and the Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit of Ta Prohm temple, surrounded by jungles whose roots of immense cheese makers climb the walls of the temple, Bakheng temple and visit of the temple ofAngkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 15: Siem Reap - Old market - Water festival (10/11/19)
Morning: festivities around the water festival and visit of the old market. In the early afternoon return to Siem Reap for transfer to the airport for flight to France at 18:55 p.m. Arrival in France on 11/11/19 at 12:15 p.m.
Find out now:
My selection of cheap hotels for this route
or start following my day-to-day tour: Northern Laos - Luang Prabang