Hiking & Culture in Laos & Cambodia

Welcome to Laos. On arrival in Vientiane, make your way to the hotel, check-in is from 14:00. The rest of the day is free to relax or start exploring the Laotian capital.

Vientiane - Vang Vieng. Meet our tour guide at the hotel lobby at 8.00am to begin a day of discovery in Vientiane, the laid-back capital of Laos. We begin at Wat Sisaket, the oldest and best-preserved temple in the capital. Next is Wat Phra Keo, originally built in 1565 to house the sacred Emerald Buddha. We then visit the Pha That Louang cloister, a national symbol and masterpiece of Laotian architecture. Originally built around a grand stupa, it has survived conflict and restoration, most notably by the French in 1930, and remains both a royal and religious emblem.

At the Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Triumphal Arch, we take in panoramic views of the city from the top.

In the afternoon, we travel by private vehicle to Vang Vieng, arriving mid-afternoon. From here, we’ll make a short climb to a local viewpoint for sweeping views of the dramatic karst landscape. As the sun sets over the limestone peaks, soak in the tranquil beauty before descending with our guide to enjoy the rest of the evening in this scenic riverside town.

Hiking distance & duration: 0.6km / 30 mins including ascentElevation gain: +131m

At 9:00am we set off by tuk-tuk for a leisurely boat trip down the Nam Song River to a small riverside village. The village is home to members of the Khmu ethnic group, where we’ll spend the day learning about their way of life.

Our first stop is with a local blacksmith, an elder of the village who continues to practice traditional techniques passed down through generations. Watch how he forges knives to earn his living – then have a go yourself under his guidance.

Next, we’ll visit a Khmu family for a typical lunch, served either in the house or outside in the garden. During the meal, learn more about Khmu culture and the animist beliefs still observed by many ethnic groups across Laos. We’ll see how they produce their local rice wine, known as Lao Hai.

In the afternoon, journey through the surrounding rice paddies to a nearby cave across the river, passing farmers at work in their fields. Along the way, we’ll pause in a traditional rice-farming hut to sample the rice wine made earlier and talk more about the central role agriculture plays in Lao society. After returning to the village, we say farewell to our hosts and make our way back to Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang. In the morning, transfer to Vang Vieng station for the included train to Luang Prabang. The guide will not accompany the group on the train. On arrival, meet your local guide at Luang Prabang station to begin your city tour.

Luang Prabang, beautifully situated at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and surrounded by mountains, is widely regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s most charming cities. Today’s tour includes some of the city’s most significant cultural landmarks. Begin at the Royal Palace, now the National Museum, home to an impressive collection of royal artefacts and sacred objects. Among these is the revered Phrabang Buddha, after which the city is named. Continue to the Heuan Chan Heritage House, a traditional Lao residence over a century old. Next, we visit Vat Xieng Thong, the temple of the former royal city. This elegant complex of shrines and chapels is renowned for its ornate decoration and is considered one of the finest examples of traditional Lao temple architecture.

In the afternoon, we stop at Ock Pop Tok’s Living Crafts Centre, an essential visit for those interested in local textile traditions. Here, you can observe skilled artisans at work and learn about silk weaving, natural dyeing, batik, and bamboo weaving.

It's an early start this morning, as we head out at 05:30am with our guide to witness the Tak Bat ceremony, a long-standing Lao Buddhist tradition. In a quiet and respectful atmosphere, local residents kneel along the pavements to offer food to passing monks dressed in saffron robes. Following the ceremony, we visit a local morning market before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

Later in the morning, we drive from Luang Prabang to the Khmu village of Ban Nong Heo (approx. 20 km – 50 minutes). On arrival, take some time to explore the village, where traditional stilt houses, freely roaming ducks and buffaloes, and villagers at work provide an authentic glimpse into rural Lao life. We then set off on a gentle hike through forested hills and plantations, with scenic views along the way. After about 4 kilometres (1.5 hours), arrive at Ban Thapene, the gateway village to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. On the way back to the hotel, we stop to visit a local village known for producing sa paper – a traditional handmade paper crafted from the bark of the mulberry tree.

This evening, you have the option to join a guided gastronomic walking tour near the city centre. Lao cuisine is at the heart of social life, and this is a great opportunity to sample an array of local dishes. Try Khao Soi or Pho – popular noodle soups across Southeast Asia – along with Salapao (steamed buns with pork and egg), and Namvan, a sweet, refreshing dessert drink. The tour continues through side streets and temple paths to sample Namejun (spring rolls) and Tam Makteng (cucumber salad), both commonly shared among friends. End your culinary journey near the night market with delicious local snacks such as Kaojee and Khao Nom Kok.

Hiking distance & duration: 4 kilometres / 1h 30min

Luang Prabang - Pak Ou - Luang Prabang. Begin the day with a scenic drive through the countryside, arriving at the village of Ban Muang Keo. Here, you'll be introduced to the art of traditional Lao flower arrangement. Learn the techniques and symbolic meanings behind floral offerings, an important aspect of local spiritual practice. Afterwards, visit a peaceful temple nearby to receive a traditional blessing from a resident monk. Continue to another village where you’ll have the opportunity to meet local residents and observe daily life in this rural community.

Later, enjoy a relaxed aperitif on a picturesque riverbank, taking in the calm beauty of the Mekong River while sampling local specialities. This is followed by a lunch of traditional Lao dishes, served with a cup of locally grown coffee to complete the meal.

In the afternoon, take a gentle 30-minute forest walk – an ideal way to reach the famous Pak Ou caves via a little-known, atmospheric route. Inside, discover thousands of Buddha statues arranged throughout two caverns. End the day with a leisurely two-hour boat cruise back to Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang - Siem Reap (Cambodia). Youve got free time in Luang Prabang this morning before your included transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. You'll be transferred to the hotel for check in, and the rest of today is at leisure.

Please Note: The flight from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap is not included in the cost of the tour. We can assist with booking this flight if you wish, or you can see the flights we recommend you book in the Trip Note.

This morning, travel along a road lined with towering century-old trees until the imposing stone gate of Angkor Thom – “the Great City” – appears before us. Inside, discover the Bayon Temple, famed for its smiling stone faces. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, the temple is surrounded by 54 towers, each bearing four carved faces.

Continue to the Baphuon, an 11th-century temple mountain whose complex restoration was only recently completed by French archaeologists. Walk along the impressive 350-metre-long Terrace of the Elephants, then visit the Terrace of the Leper King, adorned with finely carved Apsara figures.

In the afternoon, we visit Cambodia’s most iconic temple – Angkor Wat. Walk down the central avenue and take in the vast scale of this architectural marvel. Conclude the day at Ta Prohm, where stone structures are intertwined with thick roots and vines. Return to your hotel for a free evening. Three optional evening activities are available:

Option 1: A Taste of Cambodian Cuisine
Enjoy a progressive dining experience across three curated restaurants, each offering a course and one drink. Starter at Pou, main course at The Sugar Palm, dessert at Malis.

Option 2: Phare – The Cambodian Circus Show
Depart at 19:00 to see a performance by Phare Ponleu Selpak, a local NGO combining theatre, music, dance and circus arts. These energetic shows are inspired by real stories and social themes, offering insight into Cambodian history and contemporary life.

Option 3: Apsara Dinner Show
Enjoy a cultural evening with traditional Khmer cuisine and live dance performances. Dancers, musicians and singers depict key ceremonies and aspects of Cambodian life through 4–5 unique pieces.

Hiking distance & duration: 14 km / 3 hours
Elevation gain: + 150 m / - 120 m

Siem Reap - Phnom Kulen National Park - Siem Reap. Depart from Siem Reap at 7:00am for a journey to Phnom Kulen, the largest forested area in the province. On arrival at the national park checkpoint at the base of Kulen Mountain, we’ll meet a local ranger who will accompany us throughout the day’s trek. After a short briefing, begin our hike through the jungle, starting with a visit to the River of a Thousand Lingas – where sacred carvings dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva lie beneath the riverbed. Nearby, admire the golden Reclining Buddha at Preah Ang Thom, an important spiritual site for local pilgrims.

From here, follow a narrow forest trail deep into the jungle. The trek concludes at Phnom Kulen Waterfall, a popular spot where you can take a refreshing swim if you wish. Enjoy lunch near the waterfall before returning to Siem Reap in the afternoon.

Hiking distance & duration: 12 kilometres / 3 hours (Excluding site visits)
Total Elevation Gain: + 253 metres / – 212 metres

Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Siem Reap. This morning, depart Siem Reap for the village of Kompong Khleang. On arrival, board a local boat captained by a resident of the village and begin a leisurely cruise through the waterways of Tonle Sap Lake. As we travel along the canals and into the open lake, we’ll pass floating villages and stilt houses.

The boat is equipped with an engine, allowing smooth navigation through the canals and into the vast expanse of Tonle Sap. Once the canal opens onto the lake, the sheer scale of the water becomes apparent – stretching to the horizon in every direction. During the dry season, a short walk to meet local villagers is included before the cruise.

We return to Siem Reap in the early afternoon. The remainder of the day is at your leisure, and you can choose to book another of the available optional activities from day 8 for this evening: A Taste of Cambodian Cuisine, Phare (the Cambodian circus show) or the Apsara Dinner Show.

Our tour comes to an end today after breakfast and hotel check-out. Make your own way to the airport.

If you have time before your flight home, you can book an optional trip to the Kulen Elephant Forest, a sanctuary that now provides a natural environment for ten elephants retired from Angkor Park. No longer used for rides, these elephants now live freely with expert care and dedicated attention. Spend the day walking alongside the elephants in their forest habitat, learning about their individual personalities, social bonds and behaviours. You’ll observe the gentle way they interact with one another and their environment, while knowledgeable guides share insights into their care and conservation.

This activity is available in the morning (8:00 - 14:00) or the afternoon (12:00 - 18:00). If you book the morning session, lunch is included. If booking the morning session, please do not book an international flight out of Siem Reap before 18:00. If booking the afternoon session, we recommend booking a night of accommodation in Siem Reap independently and flying home the day after the tour.