DISCOVER THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA

18 days from GBP1,949 to GBP2,199 including flights
Tripcode: AOC

Countries Visited: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand

Request a link to review your adventure

Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 12 reviews.

Peter Gagg

DISCOVER THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA
Written February 2010
It was my first holiday of this type, and I enjoyed it very much, and will consider doing something similar in the future. It was both fun and educational. Don't feel you are too old, if you are fit.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The visit to the Angkor complex was stunning I would have liked longer there. I will probably go again.
What did you think of your group leader?
All four of our Group Leaders brought a lot to the holiday in their different ways.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take more money (Dollars) than the trip notes suggest - unless you like to live as a monk.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The holiday group was quite diverse and good fun. Good if you travel alone.
Rachel Gorodkin

DISCOVER THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA
Written February 2010
A truly fabulous holiday with interesting stuff every step of the way.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Difficult to choose...
Boating down the Mekong
The scenery at Vang Vieng
The buzz of Phnom Penh
The temples at Angkor Wat
Seeing two pigs behind the driver on the back of a moped!
What did you think of your group leader?
We had a different local leader in each country. They were all very pleasant and everything was extremely well organised. My only slight complaint is that their English wasn't quite up to explaining the finer nuances of the history and politics if each country.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
For Thailand and Laos, there was no problem changing sterling for local currency, so no need to take dollars. In Cambodia, they ONLY take dollars and you get dollars from the cash machines too.
At Vang Vieng, if you fancy exploring on foot or by bicycle, the hotel sells a really excellent map.
Shopping is good at the Night Market in Luang Prabang, but even better at the Russian Market in Phnom Penh and the Night Market at Siem Riep. I would suggest getting Laos specific merchandise in Luang Prabang (the little packets of tea and coffee were particularly good for gifts) and the rest in Cambodia.
Don't rub your eyes when you have DEET on your hands!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A spectacularly good holiday (we bonded well as a group, which always helps)! The pacing was excellent - always busy, but never too much. Food was very good throughout (I'm vegetarian and I had no problems). Hotels were variable, but perfectly acceptable. The weather ranged from warm to very hot - makes for a good winter holiday. I would definitely recommend.
Annica Sving

DISCOVER THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA
Written January 2010
I normally do not participate in group trips and was a bit hesitant. But I was more than positively surprised; the trip was better than perfect! The mixture of arranged activities and free time was very good. All the guides were excellent, very knowledgeable, helpful and always availalbe. The gruop members were between 28 to 80 years old, and we had a super time together.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I found it magic to see the sun set in the historic environment of Angkor Park, surrounded by temples.
What did you think of your group leader?
We did not have a group leader but different tour guides in each country, and two different guides in Bangkok (one in the beginning of the trip and one in the end). They were all very professional and quickly tended to all needs.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is a trip that I can recommend to all travellers. Very easy and no tiring activities.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If I can suggest something it would be to only stay one night in Vang Vieng and two nights in Vientiane. Otherwise the itinerary was very good with enough time in all places. The various means of transport were also very well chosen.
Geoff Sherlock

DISCOVER THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA
Written January 2010
A very diverse and enjoyable holiday; which incorporated some very nice landscapes, as well as historical sites. Various modes of transport were used including tuk tuks, sky trains, motorbikes, river boats and the obligatory bus.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
After visiting the killing fields in Phnom Penh; and learning how the young soldiers committed the genocide by hitting the blindfolded victims kneeling at the edge of the mass graves with bamboo clubs. I spent 20 minutes sitting, ironically on a bamboo seat at a bamboo table, on my own overlooking the site of the mass graves pondering how such an atrocity occurred.
What did you think of your group leader?
Most of the group leaders were excellent or very good. All were knowledgible on the subject matter; most being trained as tourist guides in University.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make the effort to catch sun rise over Angkor Wat - it's well work it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
My only disappointment was the lodge we stayed in at Chiang Khong - be prepared for wet feet as the bathroom did not drain, and no electricity in some rooms. Fortunately it was for one night only. Although I didn't visit the floating village during the stay in Siem Reap, from the comments of those that did it is something well worth adding to the itinerary. The guide did a very good job of changing the itinerary so the floating village could be seen, but it would have been better to have a day less in Laos at Vang Vieng and an extra day at Siem Reap; so the schedule did not have to be juggled to include this.
Emma Wooldridge

DISCOVER THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA
Written November 2009
A great trip packing three countries into two weeks, with a relaxing boat trip along the mekong to start it off. A very interesting trip.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Laos, visiting the hill tribes on the Mekong, the waterfall near Luang Prabang, the friendly people and the laid back feel of the place.
What did you think of your group leader?
3 group leaders, the Lao and Thai leaders were great fun to hang around with.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The moderate rating is for the heat and humidity rather than the exercise level.
Don't change money to Riels in Cambodia, everywhere uses US dollars (even the atms) and after the laid back nature of Laos Cambodia comes as a change of pace and style.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I had a great time and would recommend it.
Thomas Procter

DISCOVER THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA
Written November 2009
The trip was seamless, very relaxing and flexible and a fantastic mix of culture and sightseeing. A great snapshot of South East Asia. Would recommend it to anyone, even those who are wary of such a different culture. Although this is marked as moderate, this is NOT strenuous in any way bar a few steps here and there, relax relax and relax......
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing hillside village children on the banks of the Mekong was a highlight by a long way.
The temples of Angkor, especially Ta Phrom, were amazing - even in the rainstorms!
What did you think of your group leader?
Khamla (Laos) treated us like friends, not passengers and he was 100% commited to making sure we all had a fantastic time. His knowledge was second to none and delivered in a passionate and friendly way.
Robbie & Samart were also good but we only knew them for a day or so and so we didnt get chance to fully get to know them. They were efficient and well organised.
SP (Cambodia) was very knowledgeable but delivered a little too fast which made comprehension sometimes difficult.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Bring a soft bog roll.
Eat all the local food.
Bring a handgel.
Take pencils and pads for the children of the villages on the river banks.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It would be good to be able to send the children the materials that they need to get their education - can we have an address to send it to so they have a chance of studying.
Marion Johnston

DISCOVER THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA
Written October 2009
This was an excellent trip that exceeded my expectations. There was plenty of variety in places we visited, from historic to modern and from countryside to city. The pace was nicely varied with some busier days balanced by plenty of opportunities to relax. There were not many driving days and those that we did have were not very long.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It is hard to single out one moment. I particularly enjoyed the Mekong river cruise days and our stay in Luang Prabang. I also loved the temples and markets, and seeing rice paddy fields and the lovely scenery. Angkor Wat was fascinating. We knew nothing about Laos and little about Cambodia before the trip and finding out about the history and culture was fascinating.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had three leaders and a fourth for the final day in Bangkok. They were all excellent. They were helpful and informative without overdoing it. They worked well with the group and had a sense of humour. We learned a lot about their countires from them. If occasionally we could not understand their english they were happy to repeat what they had said and there was no commiunication problem.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go for it - this is a classic Exodus cultural trip and you will enjoy it. The accommodation was mostly in comfortable hotels which were all very good. The two nights in basic hotels were less comfortable, as described in the trip notes, but well worth it for the Meking cruise. Don't worry about changing money - it is easy in all of the countires and the guides point out opportunities to do so to the group. There are also ATMs. I found that taking US dollars in cash was the best option. They are easy to exchange and can be used as currency in Cambodia especially. We all opted to get our visas at the borders and this was straightforward. Remember to bring passport photos, but if you forget you can get them in Bangkok.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't pack too much - I did and it was not necessary! You can get laundry done in most of the hotels. You can buy anything you may run out of such as toiletries etc as there are shops and markets everywhere and plenty of snack food available. The food in general was very good and plenty of variety. We went in the wet season in September. It rained a lot but did not spoil our trip and sometimes the rain was welcome because it cooled everything down for a while. Umbrellas and loose fitting ponchos are better than close fitting rain gear. You can buy ponchos out there very cheaply - the locals use them too.
All in all an excellent trip