Khmer and Lao UNESCO Heritage Sites

- A Secret Retreats journey -
7 days / 6 nights
from 950 USD /person

 

ITINERARY BOOK
 


This journey has been personally designed by Jean Paul (host at Residence Bassac), born in France, married with his Laotian wife, is both a professional travel agent and hotelier. Passionate about Asia, Jean-Paul is sharing his knowledge and passion for the nature and history around this mystic River

All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.

Highlights of the Journey:

  • An exploration of Angkor Wat UNESCO site
  • Exploration of the Mekong in Laos and Vat Phou UNESCO site

Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monument complex in the World, spread over 160 hectares. Its construction started in the middle of XII century, as a Hindu then Buddhist monument. At the same period, the Khmer Kingdom was also covering large territories across South East Asia and Vat Phou site was erected near the Mekong, in Champasak, dedicated to Shiva. This itinerary combines an exploration of both areas, connected by the Mekong, from an historic and natural perspective.


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Your Journey Day by Day

7 days / 6 nights from 950 USD /person

based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room

 

 
Day 1 : Siem Reap (-/-/-)
After welcoming you on arrival at Siem Reap Pick up at the airport upon arrival and check in at Anjali by Syphon for 3 nights For dinner, on your own, maybe at the hotel for the first night
HOTEL: Anjali By Syphon (Superior Pool Access)
Day 2 : Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, Tonle Sap (B/-/-)
Early Breakfast and departure around 8h00, with your guide, to Angkor Site for a morning visit of a few temples, starting from the enchanting temple of Banteay Srei. The special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, small size and excellence of decoration. Then, visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples, as it has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been left to be swallowed by the jungle, and looks very much the ways most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorer first stumbled upon them. After lunch, transfer to the pier of Roluos. Discover the village of Kompong Phluk, one of the beautiful stilted villages, located 16 kilometers from Siem Reap. Visit the village and take a boat trip in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the great Lake of Cambodia, one of the wonders of Asia. Then back for the rest of the day at the hotel.
We may suggest some one of our Secret Tables for dinner.
HOTEL: Anjali By Syphon (Superior Pool Access)
Day 3 : Angkor Wat – Bayon – Elephant Terrace (B/-/-)
After breakfast, we take a tuk tuk to the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture.
After a lunch on site, visit the South Gate by tuk tuk with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King and Baphuon Temple.
We drive you back to hotel to relax for the rest of the day.
HOTEL: Anjali By Syphon (Superior Pool Access)
Day 4 : Siem Reap – Pakse - Champasak (B/-/D)
The morning is yours. No program, until check out around noon. The driver will drop you at Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Pakse (not included in the package), usually around 14.30.
A driver will pick you up at Pakse Airport and drive you across the Mekong River to the pontoon Ban Waphakok, for a short rest and a cool drink, before boarding a Long-Tail Riverboat and a pleasant cruise downstream to Champassak pier. Along the way you can see South Laos's traditional River life and its pristine river banks. After check-in at Residence Bassac, you can relax and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere and the views over the Mekong.
Before dinner, we may suggest a cocktail at the bar and for dinner a Lao-style set menu is served at the restaurant of the hotel.
HOTEL: Residence Bassac (Suite Mekong Side)
Day 5 : Champasak (B/-/-)
The day is yours, no agenda. Breathe. You can enjoy a spa treatment (next to your hotel, included in this package) for one hour massage. You can arrange with the concierge some excursions for the day. In the late afternoon, we arrange for you a Sunset Cocktail Cruise, which will lead you to the “Turtle Island”, in the middle of the Mekong, for a short “hike” in the sand and/or a continuation of the Cruise by circling the Island and returning to the Resort as the sun brilliantly sets.
You return to your hotel at the end of the afternoon and have time to relax before dinner (not included).
HOTEL: Residence Bassac (Suite Mekong Side)
Day 6 : Champasak (B/-/-)
After breakfast, a driver will wait for you to drive you to explore the Lao UNESCO listed Vat Phou Temple. The entrance fee is included, but we let you the option to take a guide once you arrive at the entrance.
Vat Phou is a pre-Angkor Wat with a close connection to Angkor, witnessed by a road (now a pathway) from Vat Phou to Angkor Wat. Vat Phou was in Thai territory until the annexation of Champasak by French Indochine, around 100 years ago, when the French colonial power has their eyes on Bangkok and Ayutthaya, the then King traded Champasak to the French even though Vat Phou had been on the King's annual visits to the 5 Vats in Thailand that were considered most important. After some refreshment, the car will drive you back to relax at the hotel for the rest of the day.
No arrangement for dinner
HOTEL: Residence Bassac (Suite Mekong Side)
Day 7 : Pakse Airport - Departure (B/-/-)
After breakfast and depending on your flight time, a driver will drop you at the airport.

Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary


Khmer and Lao UNESCO Heritage Sites

7 days / 6 nights
from 950 USD /person

based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room

 


The total price includes:
Accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis in the 2 hotels mentioned in the program.
All transportation from/to airport and during the excursions (car, tuk tuk or boats)
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the program
Local English-speaking guide in Siem Reap (other languages possible when required) for all tours mentioned in the program.
One hour Massage for each guest at Residence Bassac
Lao Set Dinner at Residence BAssac
Sunset on Mekong River By Riverboat (with Snacks)

The total price does not include:
Visa: valid visas for Cambodia and Laos are required. Visas are issued on arrival for certain countries in Cambodia and Laos (Please make sure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond your departure date).
Flight between Siem Reap and Pakse and international flights to arrive/depart
Other meals that are not included in the program.
Drinks, personal expenses, tips and gratuities.
Options and other activities not included in the program.


This Secret Journey was designed in cooperation with Selective Travel Cambodia and Asia Safari Laos (License N°391 29/07/2004).

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