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Laos to Cambodia - Girl in boat on Mekong

Along the Dolphin river to Cambodia

Laos to Cambodia

Route: Laos/Cambodia border - Stung Treng - Kratie - Phnom Penh 

This trip from Laos to Cambodia will take you downstream along the mighty Mekong river into Cambodia. Passing through unspoiled countryside, you will get a taste of rural life along one of the world's most famous rivers. From your hotel room you will see the tiny fishing boats sailing by and you'll also make a couple of short trips on the river. The larger distances will be covered by comfortable bus.

You'll begin your Laos to Cambodia travels after visiting the Waterfalls and rainforests of the Bolaven plateau on our southern trip in Laos or our Laos island trip in the Mekong. Travelling through a number of small traditional villages you'll cross the border into Cambodia. If you're lucky you might spot the elusive Irrawaddy dolphin along the way. Your journey from Laos to Cambodia ends in Phnom Penh.

Duration 4 days / 3 nights
departure daily

Accommodation

Basic accommodation in small villages and towns (check out our photos, and see our accommodation page)

Price

£134 per person - based on 2 people sharing

Includes

Transport and excursions as described, accommodation with breakfast

Transport

Bus, boat, private car

Excludes

Other meals and excursions

Day 1 To Cambodia

Today you will travel from Laos to Cambodia. Make sure you already have your Cambodian visa as you can’t get one at the border. After having your passport stamped you’ll cross the border into Cambodia.

Across the border in Cambodia you will travel by boat down one of the most isolated parts of the Mekong where local fishermen pull in their nets while little children try to catch a glimpse of you as you pass by. After 1½ hours you’ll arrive in the sleepy village of Stung Treng. You’ll stay in a relatively new hotel with TV, bath and private toilet but no hot water. Your hotel has a wonderful view across the market and the Mekong.
Laos to Cambodia - Street scene Stung Treng
Laos to Cambodia - View across Mekong

Day 2 From Stung Treng to Kratie or the hill tribes at Banlung

From Stung Treng you can continue with this Laos to Cambodia trip or veer off the trodden tourist path to visit the hill tribes around Banlung instead where you will meet the traditional hill tribes and take a dip in refreshing jungle waterfalls. On Day two of your Laos to Cambodia travels, you'll begin in Stung Treng. You will also end your trip here, so you will be able to pick up the rest of the module and head on to Phnom Penh. Click here for more information about our module where you can experience life in the rural countryside of real Cambodia

If you're skipping the visit the hill tribes, you'll be picked up in the morning and transferred to the bus station, to catch the bus to Kratie. On arrival in Kratie you will make your own way from the bus station to your hotel, located directly on the boulevard along the Mekong. From the hotel it's a wonderful sight watching the little boats sailing up and down the river.

Day 3 Kratie and surrounding area

Kratie is famous for the rare Irrawaddy dolphin, which you may have a chance of spotting early in the morning or late afternoon during your Laos to Cambodia trip. Ask a local scooter driver to take you to the best spots along the small islands in the Mekong, or hire a boat so you can see the dolphins up close. There's nothing on the Laos Cambodia tours itinerary today so you can spend the day as you wish. Kratie survived the war unscathed so you can wander through the town and see the historic Khmer houses along the Mekong. You can book an excursion when you're there. You'll be staying another night in the same hotel along the Mekong.
 

Laos to Cambodia - Irrawaddy dolphin
Laos to Cambodia - Young monks in Phnom penh

Day 4 Kratie - Phnom Penh

Today you will be picked up from your hotel in Kratie and transferred to the bus station. We've arranged your bus ticket for the 6-8 hour bus ride to Phnom Penh. On arrival you'll make your own way from the bus station to your centrally located hotel. We can book an extra night for you, or you can continue your trip from Laos to Cambodia with one of our bite-sized Cambodia trips and explore the highlights of Cambodia including the world-famous temples at Angkor Wat and the harrowing history of the Killing Fields.  
 

A Peek at your Laos to Cambodia Accommodation (Click to Enlarge)


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