Journey Along the Mekong

Fly to Ubon Ratchathani via Bangkok.

Arrive Ubon Ratchathani and transfer to the hotel. The rest of day is free to relax or explore at leisure. (D)

This morning transfer to Chong Mek border and cross to Laos where a local guide awaits. Drive south towards the Champassak province of southern Laos and take a short boat ride to Don Daeng, an island in the middle of the Mekong River. Here, check into La Folie Lodge and spend the remainder of the day relaxing. La Folie Lodge has a beautiful swimming pool and its riverfront location offers spectacular views. There are 8 small villages dotting the island’s coast and a short walk will provide a taste of local island life. (B)

Enjoy a short guided bicycle tour around the island. The road is flat and the easy ride is a good chance to witness the daily life of the villagers. Cross the Mekong by boat to visit Wat Phou, a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple, recognised as a UNESCO as a World Heritage Site located among the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features quadrangular pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary itself. The temple was built by the rulers of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat. This site served as the most important economic and political centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples. Pass through the small town of Champasak, where French colonial buildings offer a great contrast to Wat Phou. Return to Don Daeng island and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Travel by boat to Ban Muang village and then continue by road to Xe Pian. Enjoy lunch in the small Lao village of Ban Kiet before embarking upon a 90 minute elephant ride through the forest (2 people per elephant) and up to Mount Asa. This tour is part of a community-based tourism project developed to help the local villagers and provide conservation awareness. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the Xe Pian National Park which is settled between Champasak and Attapeu provinces. Stretching along the Mekong with many wetlands and unspoiled forest areas, this park offers a huge biodiversity with 29 recorded ecosystems. Birds species such as egrets, sarus crane and hornbill can occasionally be spotted and other inhabitants include wild elephant and gibbon. On the way back to the lodge, enjoy a short stop at Nong Bune, a village specializing in wood carving. The intricate carvings feature traditional patterns of the local people and the carved masks are particularly interesting. Another stop will be made along the way at a view point where you can see the pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Uomo. (B,L)

Depart for the area known locally as Si Phan Don (meaning 4000 Islands). In this beautiful area the Mekong River reaches 14 kilometres wide and thousands of small islands dot the waterway. Travel by car for around 2 hours to the village of Ban Nakasan before boarding a local boat to sail to the islands of Done Det and Done Khone. Keep a look out for the Irrawaddy Dolphin, sightings are not guaranteed but the mornings and late afternoon when the water is cooler is the best time to spot them. Visit the impressive Liphi falls, located on the west of Don Khone, very close to the Cambodian border. Their original name, Tad Somphamit, means “trap spirit” and the believe they act as a trap for bad spirits. The islands played an important role during the French Colonial rule as they linked Laos to Cambodia and Southern Vietnam. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. (B,L)

Travel by boat from Don Khone Island to the village of Ban Nakasan. Continue towards the southern border, stopping en route to explore the imposing Khone Papheng waterfalls and to stroll through palm-fringed villages. Once at the border, complete the necessary border formalities and enter Cambodia. Transfer to the Ecotourism village of O’Svay, only 25km from the Laos border. Board a local boat and cruise through the islands and flooded forests of the Mekong. Relax on board and stop for a picnic on a remote island. Continue towards Stung Treng and in the evening experience a special dinner at Tonlé Tourism Training Centre, where young locals are being trained in the principles of hospitality to ensure a better future in Stung Treng. (Note: The Centre is closed at weekends – if the visit coincides with a Sat/Sun then dinner will be at the hotel or a local restaurant instead). (B,L,D)

After breakfast visit Mekong Blue, a local silk weaving centre which offers work and an income to disadvantaged young women in this remote area. Take some time to tour the workshops and perhaps purchase some silk items that carry the ‘UNESCO Seal of Excellence’ (Note: Mekong Blue closed Sundays). Continue towards Kratie, stopping to visit Wat Sorsor Mouy Roy in the village Sambour. Visit the 100 Column Pagoda, which is an important historical and cultural building and famous for its legend involving a princess and a crocodile before heading along the banks of the Mekong whilst keeping a look out for the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins. Once in Kratie, enjoy some time exploring the small town at leisure and in the afternoon take the lodge boat (this may be shared with other passengers) to Koh Trong Island, only a short boat ride away from Kratie. Overnight on Koh Trong Island. (B)

Explore Koh Trong by local horse and car or by bicycle. Get involved in a tree planting project by planting a tree before enjoying a Khmer lunch under pomelo trees at a typical local house by the river. Continue exploring the island in the afternoon, sample local fruit and visit a Vietnamese floating village on the southern tip of the island. (B,L)

Travel South, towards Kampong Thom. Visit Chlong, a tiny town with many French colonial houses that are among the most beautiful in Cambodia. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Kampong Cham and after a short tour of the provincial capital and its typical market, continue to Kampong Thom to spend the rest of the day at leisure. B,L)

Head towards the rarely visited Sambor Prei Kuk,one of the most important pre-Angkorian sites in the country that is enlisted to potentially become Cambodia’s next UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a wander through the jungle and experience beautiful views. Discover the ancient art of craft making,using materials such as bamboo and rattan and learn about the community-based tourism project where products from the Isanborei Craft Hut are sold. Enjoy lunch prepared by the local community before moving onto Siem Reap to explore the magnificent Angkor Wat. (B,L)

Travel by foot through the dense jungle to discover the magnificent ruins of Angkor Wat. Continue to the city of Angkor Thom which is surrounded by a square 8m high wall. Visit Bayon Temple in the centre of the city and onward to Ta Prohm, a temple overgrown by jungle trees and vines considered to be one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Stop for lunch in Siem Reap at Sala Bai, a school training young Cambodians from poor family backgrounds in the principles of hospitality in order to give them a future. (Note: Sala Bai is open from Monday - Friday and it is usually closed during national holidays and for the entire month of April over the Khmer New Year holiday). In the afternoon enjoy a boat journey on Tonle Sap Lake .(Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from June to March. However an alternative floating village at Chong Kneas can be arranged instead). (B,L)

Enjoy some free time before transferring to the airport for flight back to the UK. (B,L)