Laos & Cambodia Photography Tour (8 Days)| FTrip Vietnam

Dear photographers, please note that only major locations/dates are written in stone. All our photography tours are handcrafted to maximize the best image-making opportunities possible. There will be several happy surprises and great photo opportunities that happen along the journey depending on certain circumstances.

Explore your itinerary:

Day 1: Hello Luang Prabang! (D)

After picking you up and dropping you off at the hotel, we start our free shoot at golden hour around a cluster of beautiful Luang Prabang temple and monasteries before having our delicious welcome dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Mekong River.

Note: the first-day schedule could be modified and changed to meet your time of arrival.

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Sunrise Alms & Turquoise Waterfalls (B, D)

Every dawn in Luang Prabang, the streets are filled with leisurely processions of saffron-clad monks participating in Tak Bat: The Alms-Giving Ceremony, one of the beautiful ancient traditions of the Buddhist Land of a Million Elephants, drawing visitors from all over the world to visit and observe or even participate. We, therefore, take our time to be a part of the ceremony and photograph this most stunning tradition. After that, we will head for the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls and its numerous turquoise pools set in the rainforest. Built for silky slow shutter speed waterscapes. Have lunch at the falls and on the return, photograph at our favorite little Hmong village before getting back to Luang Prabang where you will have your evening free.

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Elephants (B, D)

This morning, we will meet mahouts and their marvelous Asian elephants while they are bathing in the Mekong River. This activity is only arranged for this specific photography tour and is not open to the public. Here, our photography guide will make sure that we not only spend enough time photographing but also communicating and feeding the elephants well. The White Elephant of Laos which is rescued by the center and very well taken care of will be a part of the elephant team on this photoshoot. Return to the town in the late afternoon where you can have a rest and enjoy the rest of the day free to do what you please in this idyllic town.

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Siem Reap, Cambodia – Sunrise River to Angkor (B, D)

The day starts with photographing Buddhist monks in orange robes walking along the river and then crossing the Mekong back to their monastery. If time permits, we can do a river lifestyle free shoot before returning back to our hotel and then heading to the airport for our flights to Siem Reap where our ancient Khmer Empire and the Angkor Wat exploration begins.

Day 5: Angkor Wat & Environs – The Ancient Road with fewer visitors (B, D)

Tourists are usually drawn to the main Angkor Wat which gives so much space for some amazing temples which were built by the Khmer before Angkor. Several temples are clad in great tree roots similar to Ta Prohm and there are no obstacles or special setup needed for good photography. We’ll photograph locals and/or monks at those temples before making our way to rural delta villages to explore the local Laos lifestyle. The day ends with a stunning sunset cruise over the river.

Day 6: Angkor Wat Central – Of Temples & Goddesses (B, D)

Delve into the culture and heritages with Angkor Wat exploring day! We first visit Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people. Besides learning and appreciating the amazing Angkor Wat, today, we will learn the strategies & techniques of shooting effectively in and around the madding crowd. We go against the flow as much as possible and otherwise dodge & weave various locations to offer you the very best image opportunities available. For those who want to capture the classic Angkor Wat sunrise, we depart the hotel at 4:30 am to secure the prime shooting positions. We also have a little-known angle for sunrise shortly after the classic.

Day 7: Angkor Wat & Environs – Return to the Road Less Traveled (B, D)

Say goodbye to Angkor Wat and return to the less touristy road for some rarely visited forest temples and rural villages to explore Khmer life in authenticity. After lunch, we will be back at the Angkor Complex to visit the Bayon temple which is the last state temple built in the Angkor Complex and known as the “face in stone temples”. While everyone is busy looking at the sunset over the temple, so do we, but we will make our time available to photograph and experience a water blessing that is given by monks to local people nearby.

Day 8: Farewell Siem Reap (B)

You’ll be driven to the airport according to your departure time and given a fond farewell. You’ll be tired and probably ready to go home, but part of you will miss not getting up in the morning for another shoot!