Optional Morning Almsgiving & Market Visit
For early risers, there is a special dawn visit to watch monks collecting alms.  As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents.  It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spirituality of the Lao people. Visit the  Morning Market where you can find all ingredients for local food. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
 
This morning, our tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to spend a half-day discovering the picturesque Kuang Si waterfall. Follow the unpaved trail as it gradually climbs through the forest to reach different levels of natural blue pools, some of which are shallow and one central pool has a rope swing. Take a leisurely hike through the natural park past the Asian Bear Rescue Center, home to more than 20 Asiatic Black Bears rescued from dire circumstances.
 
In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace which has now been turned to a National Museum boasting precious collections of the Royal artifacts. Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk through the peaceful tree-lined streets to admire some of Luang Prabang’s famous temples including Wat Xieng Thong, a great masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood featuring traditional Lao style. Conclude the tour with a visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to gain an insight into traditional customs and culture of the ethnic minority groups which inhabit the Luang Prabang area.
 
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meal: Breakfast.

Today you will leave Luang Prabang by land for Nong Khiaw with your private tour guide. On the way, you will visit some ethnic villages to understand the local lifestyle. Arrival in Nong Khiaw after about three hours of driving.  
In the afternoon, you will board a traditional boat for navigating through the untouched river scenery surrounded by mountains and ethnic villages barely visible behind the forests. Shore excursion includes the visit to a hidden village of Khmu people. Explore the village as your guide provides information about the traditional way of living of this ethnic group. Then take a boat ride back to Nong Khiaw. Enjoy the sunset over the river.
 
Overnight in Nong Khiaw
Meal: Breakfast.

You will visit the Pha Thok Historical Cave which Nong Khiaw villagers used to shelter people from bombs dropped over the region in the 1960s during the Indochina War. You will learn more about this secret part of Laos during your exploration of this cave. 
 
Then you continue the road to go back to Luang Prabang.
 
In the afternoon, you will take a small local boat to visit Pak Ou Cave where the lower cave houses a photogenic group of Buddha statues, silhouetted against the stunning coastal backdrop;  the upper cave is a 7-minute climb up steps surrounded by lush trees. You will find Buddhas in every position, every area of life, and every size line the cave walls and understand a sacred religious practice that depicts the devotion and commitment of Laotians to Buddhism.
 
Back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
 
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meal: Breakfast.

This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Pakse. On arrival, our tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.
 
Depart from downtown Pakse for a 40km scenic drive to the Bolaven Plateau and be ready for a memorable exploration, starting with Tad Fane, located inside the Dong Hua Sao National Park that combines two rivers to form a stunning twin 120m high waterfall thundering down a spectacular cliff face. Advance forth to marvel at the stunning 42m Tad Yuang Waterfall, beautifully set amongst coffee plantations, and dotted with wooden picnic huts. During your hiking trip, stop at a tribal village where you will engage in friendly conversation with the local villagers still practicing rituals dating back to the Stone Age, including the use of extremely primitive agricultural tools and belief systems in nature. 
 
Overnight in Pakse
Meal: Breakfast.

After breakfast, we will drive on National Road No. 13th south to Champassak and visit the ruins of Wat Phou, which is well known as the most important Hindu sanctuary of the Khmer Empire between the 9th -13th centuries. Here is also a chance to visit some nearby Khmer temples and Buddhist shrines.
 
Then we will continue to Khong Island, the biggest island in south Laos and the start of the 4000 Islands Region.
 
Overnight on Don Khong Island
Meal: Breakfast.

Today, we will enjoy a cruise venturing into the widest reach of the Mekong River from where thousands of islets jut out in dry season, giving this area the lovely name of "Siphandon '' which means ‘Four Thousand Islands’ in Lao. Along the way, we will stop at the Liphi Waterfalls and the fishing village of Ban Khone. On return, we will take a short drive to the Laos-Cambodia border at Weukham and the sight of Khone Phapheng, which are both South East Asia's largest waterfalls. Khone Phapheng is known as the Niagara Falls of the East.
 
Overnight on Khong Island.
Meal: Breakfast.

After breakfast, you will be transferred by boat and you will drive back to Pakse for a flight out to the next destination or you will take the road to Voeun Kham for border-crossing to Cambodia.
 
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred by boat and will take the road to Voeun Kham for border-crossing to Cambodia. Pass the border and our tour guide and driver in Cambodia will meet you and transfer you to Stung Treng Province. You will visit the local market and walk along the riverfront.
 
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
 
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the ancient Khmer temple of Preah Vihear, which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You will arrive at your hotel after four hours through some remote parts of Cambodia.
 
Overnight in Preah Vihear.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

This morning, you will climb to the hilltop of Preah Vihear by car and then walk around the temple building starting from the West Gate to the main temple shrine. This place has been a point of contention between THAILAND AND CAMBODIA, despite a 1962 international ruling by the Hague that the temple lies in Cambodia.  You will see the Thailand military on the mountain across the valley, as well as military bunkers and installations.
 
While you may feel it is too risky, it is completely safe. Nowadays, both sides are drinking tea and coffee with each other and are keen to show you their trenches and weapons.
Then climb down and continue to Siem Reap on another 4-hour trip. Arrival in Siem Reap, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure.
 
Overnight in SiemReap.
Meal: Breakfast.

Today, discover the wonders of the Angkor Complex and be awed by some of the most beautiful masterpieces of the area. Start your day at Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centerpiece. Visit the Preah Khan temple which is located on the grand circuit and still largely unrestored. Preah Khan translates to “Holy Sword” in Khmer, and is also an outstanding example of a large linear temple complex in a dense jungle.
Continue your visit to more of the Angkor ruins, Ta Prohm, perhaps most popularly known as The Tomb Raider temple. This beautiful temple is overrun by fig trees, giving it a haunting, exotic atmosphere.
Cap off this memorable exploration at the 12th century Buddhist temple of Banteay Kdei , which is highlighted by a rare Buddha statue that survived Jayavarman VIII’s reversion to Hinduism and a fascinating maze of chambers to explore.
 
Overnight in SiemReap.
Meal: Breakfast.

Today, discover the wonders of the Angkor Complex and be amazed by some of the most beautiful masterpieces of the area.
First visit is Angkor Wat, one of the ancient wonders of the world. Originally constructed in the first half of the 12^th Century by King Suryavarman II, this vast temple complex was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
 
In the afternoon, make your way to Siem Reap’s outskirts to visit Banteay Srei, which translates to the “Citadel of Women”. Originally constructed in the 10th Century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been remarkably well preserved.
Drive back to downtown Siem Reap with a stop along the way at the Hindu temple of Banteay Samre, a structure often recognized as a mini Angkor Wat. 
 
Overnight in SiemReap.
Meal: Breakfast.

This morning, you will be transferred around one hour toward the west of Siem Reap to visit the off-the-beaten track floating village of Me Chrey on the great Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Board a local boat for a relaxing cruise to discover daily life of the Khmer community that largely depends on fishing for survival all year round. This fishing community also boasts small shops, a school, and a medical center on the water. It will be possible to make a stop along the waterway to have a chat with the local villagers to learn more about how this floating community lives, works and trades.
 
Transfer to the airport for flight back home or to another destination.