Day 1: Arrival in Siem Reap – A Taste of Beginnings
Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. During the drive, you’ll receive a warm orientation to Cambodian culture and cuisine, setting the tone for the sensory journey ahead.
Once checked in, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. You may wish to take a short stroll around your hotel to absorb the ambiance of this charming town. In the evening, consider indulging in a casual Khmer dish such as nom banh chok (Khmer noodles) or a refreshing iced coffee sweetened with condensed milk.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 2: Temples & Table – Angkor Wonders and Apsara Flavors
Rise early for a soul-stirring sunrise at Angkor Wat, where the world’s largest religious monument slowly reveals itself in silhouette against the dawn sky. Wander through its galleries and courtyards, admiring carvings that echo the grandeur of a bygone era.
Return to the hotel for a hearty breakfast before continuing to Angkor Thom, home to the enigmatic Bayon Temple with its smiling stone faces. Explore the Elephant Terrace, Royal Enclosure, and Terrace of the Leper King, followed by a visit to Preah Khan, once a spiritual and scholarly center of the Khmer Empire.
Pause for lunch amid the temples, enjoying flavorful local dishes under shaded palms. In the afternoon, head to the atmospheric Ta Prohm, where nature reclaims architecture with dramatic tree roots entangling crumbling stone. Visits to Banteay Kdei and Preah Rup offer quieter, meditative spaces perfect for slow exploration.
This evening, enjoy a curated Khmer dinner accompanied by an Apsara dance performance, a graceful expression of Cambodia’s mythologies, elegance, and rhythm.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 3: Flavors & Fine Art – Village Traditions and Culinary Secrets
Travel beyond the city to Banteay Srei, an intricately carved pink sandstone temple often called the “jewel of Khmer art.” Along the way, stop at Preah Dak village to witness traditional sugar palm production and sample sweet palm treats freshly made.
Lunch is a rustic retreat at Molop Ressey, a countryside restaurant where hammocks sway and the food is simple yet deeply satisfying. Savor home-style cooking and cool off with coconut juice under the shade of tall trees.
In the afternoon, visit the Pouk Silk Farm. Walk through mulberry gardens and see each stage of the silk-making process—from cocoon to loom—before browsing handwoven treasures in the boutique.
As evening falls, embark on the Taste Siem Reap Hidden Gems Food Tour, a culinary adventure blending art, flavor, and atmosphere: Begin with cocktails at a local contemporary gallery, guided by its passionate curators. Enjoy a French-Khmer fusion starter in a serene garden café.
Move on to one of Siem Reap’s top emerging restaurants, where a young Cambodian chef offers a creative tasting platter. Conclude with dessert and wine in an intimate bar with views over a quiet temple courtyard. Expect surprises, artistry, and storytelling with every course.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 4: Kitchen to Culture – Village Cooking & Floating World
Today, deepen your engagement with Cambodian food through a village-based cooking class. Begin at two bustling markets—Wat Pren and Chreav—where you’ll shop for fresh herbs, vegetables, and traditional seasonings alongside locals.
Drive through the village to your cooking venue: a traditional Khmer wooden house, where you’ll be welcomed with a cool towel and herbal drink. After a short theory session, don your apron and learn to prepare several beloved Khmer dishes using clay pots and charcoal stoves.
Sit down for a shared lunch under the thatched roof, enjoying the fruits of your labor with local beer or soft drinks.
In the afternoon, journey to the floating village of Kompong Phluk on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake. Glide by boat through waterways lined with stilted homes and flooded forests, observing how local life ebbs and flows with the rhythm of the seasons.
As night falls, take a street food adventure by motorbike (with driver) or tuk tuk. Led by local experts, you’ll explore hidden corners of Siem Reap to sample crispy rice cakes, barbecued meats, herbal soups, and sweet coconut desserts. Cap off the night with a cocktail at Ms. Wong’s, a stylish speakeasy known for its nostalgic charm.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 5: Farewell Cambodia – Flight to Luang Prabang
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and settle in. As dusk descends, take a guided stroll through the Luang Prabang Night Market, with a special focus on its vibrant food stalls. Try skewered meats grilled over charcoal, steaming bowls of noodle soup, and the much-loved Lao sausage spiced with lemongrass and galangal.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 6: Mastering Lao Cuisine – Market to Table
This morning, join a cooking class that begins with a visit to the Morning Market. Walk among vendors selling foraged herbs, sticky rice, fermented fish, banana flowers, and fiery chilies—essential components of Lao cuisine.
Back in the kitchen, learn how to craft signature dishes such as mok pa (steamed fish in banana leaf), larb (minced meat salad with herbs), and jeow (chili dipping sauces). Use traditional mortars, clay pots, and bamboo steamers under the guidance of local chefs.
After savoring your creations, enjoy a free afternoon. Visit a riverside café, explore boutique galleries, or simply watch the Mekong flow from a temple terrace.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 7: River Rituals – Pak Ou Caves & Culinary Stops
Cruise the Mekong River aboard a longtail boat to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha images tucked into limestone alcoves. The slow journey offers stunning riverside views and peaceful reflections.
On the return, stop at a riverside eatery to enjoy grilled Mekong fish, sticky rice, and savory Lao salads infused with herbs and citrus.
In the late afternoon, explore hidden eateries tucked into Luang Prabang’s lanes. Try or lam, a slow-cooked stew with local mushrooms and chili wood, or ping kai, smoky grilled chicken served with tangy dipping sauces.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 8: Scenic Shift – Journey to Vang Vieng
Travel to Vang Vieng, either by high-speed train (1 hour) or overland by minivan (3–4 hours). Take in lush valleys, dramatic karst landscapes, and village scenes along the way.
After check-in, take a gentle walk along the river or relax in a café with mountain views. In the evening, discover Vang Vieng’s casual food culture—from backpacker favorites to authentic Lao dishes. Try grilled sticky rice balls, noodle soups, and fresh tropical fruit smoothies from night vendors.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 9: Flavors & Flow – Culinary Creativity & Caves
Consider joining a local cooking class to explore regional variations of Lao cuisine, including influences from Vietnamese, Thai, and even French cooking traditions.
In the afternoon, venture into the countryside to explore natural attractions such as the Blue Lagoon or Tham Chang Cave, with food stalls nearby offering simple but delicious Lao snacks like fried riverweed with sesame or grilled bananas.
Dine riverside this evening, watching the sunset paint the cliffs gold as you savor local specialties in a peaceful setting.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 10: Capital Flavors – Arrival in Vientiane
Travel onward to Vientiane, the relaxed riverside capital of Laos. After settling in, take a walking orientation through the city’s colonial avenues and quiet pagoda courtyards.
In the evening, visit the lively Ban Anou Night Market, where stalls sizzle with grilled skewers, stuffed lemongrass, sticky rice with dips, and sweet coconut waffles.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 11: Vientiane Cooking & Cultural Gems
Begin your day with a market visit to Talat Sao, where you’ll learn to identify spices, herbs, and ingredients essential to Lao cooking.
Back at your cooking venue, craft dishes such as khao poon (noodle soup), stuffed lemongrass, and a selection of vegetarian Lao options.
Spend your afternoon exploring Wat Sisaket, That Luang, or the colonial-era buildings of downtown. In the evening, dine at a heritage restaurant offering a modern twist on classic Lao fare.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 12: French-Lao Fusion & Hidden Markets
Your morning takes you to Khua Din Market, a treasure trove of rustic dishes like Lao stews, sticky rice, and exotic sweets wrapped in banana leaf.
In the afternoon, stop by a local French-inspired bakery for buttery pastries and strong Lao coffee—an echo of the colonial past.
Conclude the day with a refined dinner at a boutique restaurant known for contemporary presentations of traditional Lao ingredients.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 13: Village Immersion – Culinary Heritage of the Lao People
Travel just outside the city to Manichan Garden House, an interactive cultural space showcasing traditional Lao life. Participate in hands-on cooking using ancestral tools and learn about herbs, foraging, and ethnic cooking customs.
Explore replicas of ancient equipment, traditional homes, and local customs of the Son Phao Thai Daeng ethnic group, deepening your appreciation for Laos’s cultural diversity.
Return to Vientiane for a relaxed evening or optional dinner revisit to your favorite spot.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 14: Departure from Vientiane – A Flavorful Farewell
Enjoy your final Lao breakfast at a tranquil café or your hotel before your transfer to Wattay International Airport. Depart with not just recipes and souvenirs, but a deeper connection to the spirit, flavor, and hospitality of Indochina.
