From Shangri-La to the Khmer Empire Yunnan, Laos, Cambodia (23 Days)
We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. We think the world of western China and the countries that border on this region – think Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, for example. On the Road Experiences is all about sharing with like-minded travelers just how beautiful a road journey in these varied lands can be. Now turn the page to find out what we’ve come to love so much…
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Itinerary Map …where you will travel…
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Yes, it is possible…
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Journey of Discovery…
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Itinerary Map
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Day1 Arrival in Kuming - Preparing for your journey Day2 Kunming to Shangri-La - In and around Shangri-La Day3 Shangri-La to Tacheng - A gorgeous drive on winding roads Day4 Tacheng to Xizhou - To the shores of Lake Erhai Day5 Xizhou to Dianchi Lake - To Kunming and beyond… Day6 Dianchi Lake to Menglun - Arriving in Xishuanbanna, Yunnan’s deep South Day7 Menglun to Muang Xai - Crossing the border into Laos Day8 Muang Xai to Luang Prabang Along sleepy villages through Laos countryside Day9 Luang Prabang - Exploring the UNESCO protected gem Day10 Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng- A scenic drive Day11 Vang Vieng to Vientiane - On to the capital Day12 Vientiane to Thakek - To french colonial times
Day13 Thakek to Champasak - Along the Mekong to the South Day14 Champasak - In and around Champasak Day15 Champasak to Banlung - Enter Cambodia’s ruggedly beautiful North-East Day16 Banlung - In and around Banlung Day17 Banlung to Chhlong - A unique experience in a small Muslim community on the Mekong Day18 Chhlong to Kampong Thom Along the Mekong to Kampong Cham and further to Kampong Thom Day19 Kampong Thom to Siem Reap Feel like Indiana Jones at Bang Maelae Day 20 Siem Reap - In and around Siem Reap Day 21 Siem Reap to Battambang - Onto the colonial Battambang Day 22 Battambang to Phnom Penh - At last to the capital Day 23 Depart or drive to the Gulf of Thailand
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Yes, it is possible... A driving holiday in this part of the world is indeed possible. We take care of everything. All you need to do is come, drive and enjoy a rare adventure! This beautiful itinerary will take you from Shangri-La through China’s exotic Yunnan province to Laos and along sleepy villages and the Unescoprotected gem Luang Prabang, to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. North-East Cambodia is a world unto itself, its wild and mountainous landscapes a home for ethnic minorities and an abundance of natural attractions. In Central Cambodia you will experience local life and schools of Khmer and Muslim communities. Explore Siem Reap and the iconic Angkor temples, before continuing to up- and-coming Battambang and end the journey in the capital Phnom Penh. All along this superb itinerary you will enjoy the best accommodation available, staying in some of Asia’s loveliest hotels and travel through an area steeped in the cultures of many different ethnic minorities and through some of the region’s most stunningly beautiful countryside.
On the Road Experiences has paved the way for you to cross borders in your own properly insured SUV, so that you can enjoy the romance of a classic overland journey – crossing the Mekong on a local car ferry, winding your way along lush country roads – without any of the logistical headaches that typically accompany such journeys...
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Prayer flags WELCOME YOU as you arrive in SHANGRI-LA...�
The edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Yunnan
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Shangri-La’s Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, Yunnan
One of the most important MONASTERY in South-West CHINA...�
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Young Tibetan monks, Yunnan
TIBETAN PRAYERS…always UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS to witness...”
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Lunch in THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE…”
In the Tacheng lodge, Yunnan
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In the Tacheng lodge, Yunnan
SLEEPING WELL while FAR AWAY from anywhere...”
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Visiting the CUTEST MONKEYS in the world…”
Yunnan Snub-Nosed monkeys, Yunnan
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The Yangtze’s upper reaches, Yunnan
Your JOURNEY in the THREE PARALLEL RIVERS region...”
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Lake Erhai, Xizhou, near Dali, Yunnan
Take a lake shore DRIVE and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL sunset reflections…”
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Xizhou, Yunnan
VIEW from your hotel TERRACE...”
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Rubber trees in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
XISHUANGBANNA is a FERTILE land…”
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Tea trees in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
XISHUANGBANNA, where TEA thrives…”
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XISHUANGBANNA, the home of Yunnan’s DAI MINORITY …”
Dai minority village in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
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Aini minority lady in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
XISHUANGBANNA, home as well to MANY smaller MINORITIES…”
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Golden-robed MONKS in XISHUANGBANNA are a commonplace...�
A young monk in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
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Over TEN THOUSAND plant species are found here in this GARDEN...�
Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan
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Explore MINORITY villages along the road sides…”
On the way to Maung Xai, Laos
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VIEW from the road side...�
Travelling through northern Laos
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Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort, Laos
A GEM of a hotel in the MIDDLE of NOWHERE...”
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Luang Prabang, Laos
Mountain ranges encircle the Luang Prabang city in lush greenery‌�
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Luang Prabang, Laos
Monks OFFERING in Luang Prabang…”
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Vang Vienh, Laos
Dramatic KARST MOUNTAINS rising from the jungle while the MIGHTY Nam Song River weaves its way below...�
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Vientiane, Laos
ARC de TRIUMPHE, made in Laos…”
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Sculpture Park near Vientiane, Laos
…more CURIOUS than SPECTACULAR – which makes for a curious spectacle...”
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Back road along the Mekong, Laos
Turn off the MAIN ROAD and your WHEELS kick up clouds of rich, red dust...�
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Thakek, Laos
SUNSET over Thailand...�
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Thakek, Laos
With a STRONG FRENCH colonial influence, Thakek’s villas and shops give it a HISTORIC VIBE...”
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Route 13, Laos
SOUTHWARDS to Cambodia along Laos’s Road No.13...”
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An OASIS on a SMALL ISLAND...”
Campasak, La Folie Lodge, Laos
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Your room with a MEKONG view...�
Campasak, La Folie Lodge, Laos
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A TYPICAL village road...”
On the way to Wat Phu, Laos
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Wat Phu, Laos
Your first ENCOUNTER with the ancient KHMER on this journey...�
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Wat Phu, Laos
WAT PHU visitors...�
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On the way to Banlung, Cambodia
MINORITY villages along the way...�
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Terres Rouge Lodge, Banlung, Cambodia
Your room for 2 nights in a former GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE...”
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Near Banglung, Cambodia
Searching for GEMSTONE MINES in the FOREST...”
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Near Banglung, Cambodia
A HARD job, GEM stone mining...�
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A Cambodian main road
On the way to KRATIE...”
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Near Kratie, Cambodia
Farmer KHMER women...”
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Near Kratie, Cambodia
ONE of the many SIDESTREAMS of the MEKONG...”
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Along the Mekong through small villages, Cambodia
MUSLIM and KHMER communities sharing villages along the MEKONG...�
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Le Relais de Chhlong, Chhlong, Cambodia
A beautiful RIVERSIDE port town with relaxed colonial architecture...�
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On the way to Kampong Cham, Cambodia
VISIT a KHMER and MUSLIM school...”
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Kampong Cham, Cambodia
Cambodia’s U-BEIN BRIDGE, the LONGEST bamboo bridge in the world...”
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Phnom Santuk, Kampong Thom, Cambodia
Phnom Santuk..�
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Kampong Thom, Cambodia
STUNNING TROPICAL SUNSET… near your hotel...”
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A day in Siem Reap, Cambodia
Be AMAZED by the KHMER heritage...”
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Phare, the Cambodia Circus, Cambodia
Modern Cambodian tales are EMBODIED by a new generation of TALENTED ARTISTS...�
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Battambang, Cambodia
The PERFECT BLEND of relatively urban modernity and smalltown friendliness...�
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Maisons Wat Kor, Battambang, Cambodia
PEACEFUL, BEAUTIFUL, WELCOMING...”
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Maisons Wat Kor, Cambodia
DELICIOUS Khmer cuisine...”
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Phnom Phen, Cambodia
The STUNNING King’s Palace...”
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Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Cambodia
A history of hospitality. The luxury of time. The secret charm of CAMBODIA!�
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