Mekong, Dolphins and Laos

It's the first day of your trip from Cambodia to Laos. Today you'll be picked up from your hotel in Phnom Penh and travel by minibus with a small group of other travellers to the city of Kratie. Along the way you'll journey through some of the most scenic and remote landscapes in Cambodia.

Although relatively small, Kratie has a good amount on offer for travellers. This lively riverside town has some of the best Mekong sunsets in the region as well as plenty of French architecture. You'll spend the night in a hotel which is directly located on the boulevard along the Mekong River. This location is ideal for watching small boats pass by the hotel or watching the sunset.

Kratie is known for being the home of the rare fresh water dolphin, the Irrawaddy. Spotting one of these creatures would be a real highlight of your Cambodia to Laos tour. The best time to see these unique creatures is early in the morning or at the end of the afternoon. During your trip from Cambodia to Laos, you could go out and look for a local scooter driver to take you to the best spots near the small islands in the Mekong. You could also arrange a boat to take you out for a closer look at the dolphins. There are no activities planned for today and you can spend the day as you wish. As Kratie was spared during the war, you can enjoy a walk past the historic Khmer houses on the edge of the Mekong. More information on Kratie tour options is available on location. Tonight you'll spend another night in the same hotel by the Mekong River. 

On the morning of day three of your tour from Cambodia to Laos, you'll travel by minibus to Stung Treng. This is a sleepy small town on the Mekong River in the untainted Rattanakhiri province. You'll spend the night in one of the newest hotel in town. Unfortunately there's no warm water available... but it's coming soon! Your hotel room will have a view of the broad river and the local market. Just north of the city you'll find the Stung Treng Women's Development Centre where the women from Stung Treng come to weave silk. When you purchase one of their products, you'll not only own a piece of premium Cambodian silk, but also help them to build a better future for themselves. As a sign of their gratitude they'll give you a small gift made out of silk. 

If you're eager to get even further off the beaten track, you can discover the real Cambodia on a visit to the hill tribes in the Banlung area. These are traditional mountain tribes in the jungle who live near refreshing waterfalls. The tour starts in Stung Treng on day four of this trip from Cambodia to Laos and ends at the same location, offering a quick detour during your trip. 

This morning you'll take a boat trip to one of the most deserted areas of the Mekong. Here, you'll see local fisherman working non-stop to reel their nets in. After about an hour and a half you'll arrive at the Laotian border (Veunkham).

After a few stamps in your passport you'll cross the border towards Laos. From here we can arrange a transfer for you towards Pakse, or you can start on one of our Laos tours.