Cambodia
/ Laos
The sacred temples of Angkor and the serenity of Laos
Réf : ALCAX
In summary
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Sports
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Duration15 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationCambodia / Laos
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions5849.42 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Discover two Southeast Asian gems linked by the majestic Mekong River . This journey seamlessly blends the exploration of major cultural sites with authentic encounters with local communities.
In Cambodia , the adventure begins with awe at the incredible Khmer heritage . From the legendary temples of Angkor to the secret sanctuaries shrouded in jungle at Beng Mealea , each stop reveals a fascinating story. An overnight stay with a local family followed by a boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake allows for a complete immersion in the heart of the floating villages .
On the Laotian side , a traditional boat trip upriver to Pakbeng reveals lush , unspoiled landscapes. The journey culminates in Luang Prabang , a UNESCO World Heritage city . Cooking classes , peaceful strolls, and bustling markets punctuate this serene stay.
A balanced and accessible route , ideal for a gentle immersion along the water.
The highlights
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In-depth exploration of the temples of Angkor and secluded Khmer sanctuaries
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Overnight stay with a local family in Beng Mealea and Cambodian rural immersion
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Sailing on the Tonle Sap and discovering the floating villages
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to walk for up to 3 hours with minimal elevation gain (max. 300m) along roads, tracks, trails, or rolling terrain. Suitable for everyone.
The expert's opinion
This trip is level 1, accessible to anyone in good physical condition. It includes several easy walks and hikes on trails, tracks, or village paths, with moderate elevation changes. Some days involve a few climbs, particularly to reach beautiful viewpoints or during walks in nature.
To fully enjoy the journey and the landscapes traversed, it is recommended to be comfortable with walking and to engage in regular physical activity, even occasionally.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 2h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 100 m
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Languages spoken:
French
French
Supervisor
Supervisor
Based in Cambodia for many years, our local agency guarantees a successful active travel experience, thanks to our guides and logistical infrastructure. During your trip, you will be accompanied by our adventure guides, fully committed to helping you discover unique places in the heart of nature.
On this trip, you will be accompanied by two French-speaking guides. They were selected for their enthusiasm, their knowledge of the destination, and their extensive experience. We regularly train our guides, which is one of the keys to the success of our trips. They will share their country with you with passion.
In Cambodia : a French-speaking Cambodian guide will meet you at Siem Reap airport. He will accompany you on the Cambodian leg of your trip.
In Laos : a French-speaking Laotian guide will meet you at Luang Prabang airport. He will accompany you on the Laos leg of your trip.
Program
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Paris - Siem Reap
- Transportation Plane - 12h - 9715km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Regular flight with a stopover to Siem Reap, the cultural capital of Cambodia.Day 1 -
Siem Reap
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival in Siem Reap. Welcome to Cambodia! You will be met at the airport by our French-speaking guide or a local representative, then transferred to your hotel. Free time to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Siem Reap, gateway to the famous temples of Angkor, is a city with a warm atmosphere, blending Khmer traditions with modern influences. Its lively center, dotted with colorful markets, cafes, and art galleries, invites you to stroll along the river or soak up the laid-back Cambodian lifestyle.Day 2 -
Visit to the temples of Angkor
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning, we'll try out our bikes before heading towards the South Gate of Angkor Thom. We'll explore the walls of the ancient city, still partially covered in forest, and then continue our bike ride along the ramparts. We'll reach the Bayon temple, famous for its 216 sculpted faces. We'll visit Angkor Thom, including the Baphuon, the Royal Palace, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the isolated temple of Prasat Preah Palilay. Lunch will be at a local restaurant on site. In the afternoon, we'll explore the rarely visited Preah Khan temple, now overgrown by jungle, by tuk-tuk, then the small temple of Ta Nei, before discovering Takeo and Ta Prohm, famous for its giant kapok trees that cling to the stones. Return to Siem Reap and overnight at the hotel. Tuk-tuk support is available. Optional: Mountain bike ($10) or electric mountain bike ($25) available upon request, with an additional charge.Day 3 -
Bantey Srei - Sculpted river of Kbal Spean - Beng Mealea - Rolous
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Accommodation Staying with a local resident
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure by vehicle to the temple of Banteay Srei, the Citadel of Women and a jewel of 10th-century Angkorian art. Carved from pink stone, this Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva is remarkable for the exceptional finesse of its sculptures. After the visit, we depart for Kbal Spean, the River of a Thousand Lingas. We hike through the forests of the Sacred Mountain of Phnom Kulen to reach this site and discover the sculpted river dating back to the 11th century. Rest and picnic lunch at the site. Waterfall or swimming depending on the season. In the early afternoon, departure for Beng Mealea, the mysterious temple lost in the jungle. Visit to the temple followed by a walk around the moat to discover the village of Beng Mealea. Overnight stay with a local family in the heart of the Cambodian countryside. Note: We are staying with a local family for two nights; to simplify logistics, we only carry our essentials in our backpacks. Our main bag remains at the hotel.Day 4 -
Tonle Sap Lake - Floating Villages
- Transportation Minibus - 01h30 - 50km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Accommodation Staying with a local resident
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast at our hosts' home, then we set off on foot for a walk through villages and rice paddies to discover local crafts and rural life. We rejoin our boat and head towards Tonlé Sap Lake. Every year, from August to January, the water level of Tonlé Sap fluctuates between four and eight meters, flooding the land and forests of the entire region. We explore the floating villages that line the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary. Our slow journey allows us to observe local life unfolding on the lake and appreciate the magic of the place. We learn about fishing techniques, fish farms, and crocodile breeding. Upon arrival at the floating village of Prek Toal, we stop to discover local crafts made from water hyacinth. Then, we set off with some Cambodian women in small canoes to explore the surrounding area. Before sunset, our boat takes us to our accommodation for the night, a floating house in the middle of the lake. Mattresses, mosquito nets, and small blankets are available. Note: This day's itinerary may be modified depending on the weather conditions.Day 5 -
Tonle Sap - Siem Reap (visit to the temples of Angkor by bicycle)
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 50km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Return boat trip to Siem Reap. Then, departure by vehicle to the isolated Hindu temple of Banteay Samré, with its well-preserved bas-reliefs. Visit and hike along the Baray dike (ancient reservoir), exploring the villages. Arrival at the royal reservoir of Srah Srang. Lunch on site. The afternoon is dedicated to visiting Angkor Wat, the most famous of all the temples on the plain, comparable in size to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Return to the city and overnight stay at a hotel in Siem Reap.Day 6 -
Flight Siem Reap - Luang Prabang
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Free time in Siem Reap, then, depending on flight schedules, transfer to the airport. We leave Cambodia for Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will be met at Luang Prabang airport in the late afternoon by our new French-speaking guide. Check-in at the guesthouse and dinner at a local restaurant.Day 7 -
Visit to Luang Prabang
- Accommodation 4-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This day is dedicated to exploring Luang Prabang on foot. Located on the left bank of the Mekong River, Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll discover the Ban Pakham morning market and Wat Mai with its distinctive roof. We'll then head to Heun Chan, the UNESCO Heritage House. Lunch will be at a local restaurant before visiting the small TAEC Museum (Ethnological Museum) and the main temples, including Wat Visoun, one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang, with its watermelon-shaped stupa. Next is Wat Xieng Thong, the most beautiful religious complex in Luang Prabang. We'll also visit the Royal Palace, now a museum. In the afternoon, we'll climb the 300 steps that wind their way through small pagodas steeped in legend to reach Mount Phousi for a panoramic view of the city, the Mekong River, and its tributary, the Nam Khan. We then enjoy a free evening to stroll at our own pace through the night market that sets up every evening on the town's main street. Dinner at your leisure.Day 8 -
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou - Pakbeng
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After an early breakfast, check out of our room and transfer to the Luang Prabang river port with our guide. We'll embark early on a traditional boat for a day cruise on the Mekong River, enjoying stunning scenery. During our journey, we'll stop at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers to explore the sacred Pak Ou Caves. These caves have housed hundreds of Buddha statues left by pilgrims for centuries (if the group is smaller than 5 people, we'll visit them on day 12). Lunch will be served on board. We arrive in Pakbeng at the end of the day. Transfer and check-in at our hotel.Day 9 -
Pakbeng - Muang Xay
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning is dedicated to meeting the ancient and faithful inhabitants of Laos: our venerable and respected friends, the pachyderms! We cross the Mekong River in a dugout canoe and reach the elephant camp. We have the opportunity to meet the mahouts and their elephants before embarking on a beautiful walk through the surrounding vegetation and bamboo forest, strolling alongside the elephants. We enjoy a presentation on the situation of elephants in Laos, a visit to the workshops of artisans (blacksmiths, weavers, etc.) within the park, all in the forest with the utmost respect for the animals. We have lunch at the park restaurant, then return to Pakbeng by dugout canoe. In the afternoon, we transfer to Muang Xay, a major road and trade hub in northern Laos, at the crossroads of routes between Luang Prabang and China, Vietnam, and Thailand. We follow the Nam Beng River valley, passing through predominantly rural landscapes (rice paddies depending on the season, but also many vegetable and fruit crops mainly destined for the Chinese market), as well as numerous ethnic minority villages, primarily Lao, Khmu, Hmong, and Tai Lue, where we will have the opportunity to explore. We arrive in Muang Xay at the end of the day and check into our guesthouse. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the guesthouse.Day 10 -
Muang Xay - Nong Khiaw
- Transportation Minibus - 03h - 200km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure for one of the most beautiful karst regions in the country, after a simple breakfast. Transfer by road (approximately 3 hours) to the small town of Nong Khiaw, known for its karst mountain landscapes. After lunch, departure by private boat for a lovely trip on the Nam Ou River, amidst stunning karst cliff scenery, to the village of Ban Sob Chaem, a small weaving village. … It's like stepping into a postcard! At the end of the day, return to Nong Khiaw and check-in.Day 11 -
Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Early this morning, we begin a walk in the forest with a pleasant climb leading to the panoramic viewpoint of Pha Som Nang overlooking the valley. The trail, though simply laid out, offers a wonderful immersion in nature. Afterwards, we drive to Luang Prabang. Lunch will be at a local restaurant along the way. (A detour to Ban Pak Ou to visit the Pak Ou caves is possible if we didn't do so on day 9). We'll stroll through the villages of Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek: two small weaving villages where a few small workshops have also set up shop making mulberry paper crafts. We'll check into our guesthouse and then head to one of the city's many pétanque courts. If we wish, we can join the locals for a few games of pétanque.Day 12 -
Luang Prabang - Khouang Sy - Luang Prabang
- Transportation Minibus - 02h - 100km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Early breakfast. Departure by vehicle to the Hmong and Kamu village of Ban Long Lao, nestled in the hills. We hike for approximately four hours through fields of grain, rubber plantations, and forest to reach the heights overlooking the impressive Khouang Sy Falls, which we descend gently. Hidden deep in the forest, the falls cascade into several turquoise pools. The area is also home to a small Asiatic black bear sanctuary. There's an opportunity to swim in the crystal-clear pools downstream from the falls. Lunch at a local restaurant by the river. Return to Luang Prabang to enjoy the sunset. Transfer back to our guesthouse. Local dinner with a family. Overnight at the guesthouse.Day 13 -
Luang Prabang - Vientiane - International flight
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Luang Prabang train station for our train to Vientiane. Upon arrival, we'll explore the peaceful and human-scale city center of the Laotian capital. Lunch is at your leisure. We'll then discover Pha That Luang, a large golden shrine and major symbol of Laos, before visiting Wat Sisaket, the oldest active temple in the city, famous for its thousands of Buddha statues. At the end of the day, transfer to the airport for your international flight home. Note: Occasionally, the train between Luang Prabang and Vientiane is canceled. In this case, the journey will be by plane, and the visit to Vientiane will not take place.Day 14 -
International return flight
- Transportation Plane - 12h - 9715km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Flight and arrival at destination. Safe travels home!Day 15
Note
Depending on weather and operational conditions, your tour guide reserves the right to modify the travel itinerary for your safety and that of the group.
Walking times are given as a guide and may vary depending on several factors: walking level of participants, weather conditions, terrain, group size, etc.
Transfer times can also vary as they depend on road conditions and traffic, but also on the size of the vehicle used.
Accommodation
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
Access
Departure
SIEM REAP ANGKOR
Day 1
End of stay
SIEM REAP ANGKOR
Day 15
Go to the starting point
The nearest airport isSAI - SIEM REAP ANGKOR
International transport:
For destinations in Southeast Asia, we use scheduled flights departing from Paris (operating all year round and at fixed times).
Our choice is limited, as few airlines serve the airports of Siem Reap and Vientiane.
On this trip, you will primarily fly with Thai Airways. Depending on availability at the time of your booking, we may also offer you flights with other airlines than the one mentioned above.
Important: This information is for guidance only. Depending on availability at the time of your booking, the airlines may differ from those listed above.
Would you like to travel on other dates?
Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.
Price details
The price includes
- International flights departing from Paris
- Domestic flight Siem Reap / Luang Prabang
- Air taxes
- Land and river transport
- Accommodation
- Full board except for meals listed as "free" in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to sites in Laos and Cambodia
- French-speaking Cambodian and Laotian tour guides and local teams (no guide on day 7 in Cambodia)
The price does not include
- Cambodian and Laotian visa fees
- Drinks
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Meals listed as "free" in the daily schedule
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag liner for nights spent with locals in Cambodia.
- a lightweight sleeping bag for the months of December and January + pillowcase (mattress, pillows and double mosquito nets provided).
- a toiletry bag and bath towel
- sunscreen (face and lips)
- mosquito repellent cream or spray
- headlamp, with spare batteries
- a water bottle with a minimum capacity of 1.5 liters, lightweight and insulated
- pocket knife, preferably a multi-purpose one
- toilet paper + lighter
- moistened towels, "Calinette" type
- plastic bags for waterproofing your belongings
- earplugs
- notepad
- swimsuit
Clothing to bring
Clothing, from head to toe:
- Lightweight walking shoes (we recommend lightweight, quick-drying shoes with grippy soles (like Pataugas or lightweight trekking shoes)).
- a pair of sandals to put on during walking stages with river crossings, in towns and villages.
- socks
- loose cotton trousers
- lightweight shirts
- A warm pullover or fleece (the latter has the advantage of being resistant, warm, lightweight, quick-drying, and soft to the touch. The most suitable, well-known to mountain dwellers, are Polartec, Carline, and Ulfrotté fibers.) Best worn in the evening, especially during the months of December, January, February, and March in the north.
- rain cape
- hat
Please note that for visits to the temples of Angkor, it is mandatory to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and legs. Therefore, shorts, short skirts, sleeveless t-shirts, or Bermuda shorts should be avoided, even for men.
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Paulin team
4.4/5
(1440 reviews)
• 453 stays
For over 30 years, our local partner has been designing adventure walking trips around the world. Specializing in small-group treks, they cater to both casual hikers and seasoned trekkers seeking unspoiled natural environments and a return to the essentials. Their key strength? They own their own agencies in over 30 countries, guaranteeing complete trip creation from start to finish, without intermediaries. This direct, on-the-ground expertise ensures memorable active experiences and total freedom amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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