CAMBODIA & LAOS RAIL ADVENTURE

Day 1: Welcome to Cambodia!

Welcome to the Kingdom of Cambodia! You’ve just landed in the temple mecca of Siem Reap. We know you’re excited to get the train travel rolling but your first introduction to transportation is by private transfer to your hotel. Fancy! Watch the dusty streets of Siem Reap come alive as your driver navigates through honking motorbikes and darting tuktuks. Is that Angkor Wat in the distance? 

Tonight you’ll gather together with your fellow train lovers over a special welcome dinner, all hosted by your new BFF, your local guide! Get some rest this evening, tomorrow is an early start to your first full day in Cambodia.

ACCOMMODATION: La Niche d’Angkor (or similar), Siem Reap – Cambodia
INCLUDED: Dinner

Day 2: Sunrise at Angkor Wat

What better way to dive into the Kingdom of Wonder than exploring its crown jewel, Angkor Wat. You’ll rise early today, and while it might feel a bit tiresome after a long day of travel, we promise it’s worth it! Arrive at Angkor Wat under cover of darkness and watch the temples come alive as the sun rises against megalithic Buddha images and crumbling bas reliefs. Remember your new BFF from last night? Your guide knows just the right section of this labyrinthine complex to head for first in an attempt to beat the crowds. This is one of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world after all! 

💡Tip! Don’t forget to cover your shoulders, chest, and knees today! Angkor Wat is a religious site and culturally insensitive clothing is prohibited.

ACCOMMODATION: La Niche d’Angkor (or similar), Siem Reap – Cambodia
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Battambang

Watch as the ancient city of Angkor fades away in a cloud of dust today as you weave through the countryside on a four-hour bus drive to Battambang, Cambodia’s ‘rice bowl’. Cambodia isn’t exactly all-impressive UNESCO sites and smiling locals. Instead, you’ll come face to face with its grisly past at the Killing Caves this afternoon. 

While it can be difficult to fathom these heart-wrenching stories, it’s all part of a greater understanding of Cambodia’s not-too-distant and oft-too-tragic Khmer Rouge history. Stick around until nightfall if you dare. Thousands of bats emerge from these caves and you’ll have a front row seat to the show!

ACCOMMODATION: Battambang Resort (or similar), Battambang – Cambodia
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4: Bamboo Train

You’ve been anticipating the very thing that makes a Magnificent Rail journey special: train travel! Today’s your first taste, in more ways than one. Less of a locomotive per se and more of an open trolley, the bamboo trains run along railroad tracks long abandoned by French colonists. The ride is open and fast and you’ll feel the wind in your hair as you rumble past farmers tending their fields and locals going about everyday life. This was once a popular mode of transportation for them! 

After lunch you’ll be able to explore any remaining nooks and crannies of Battambang with some free time, before heading to the train station at 3pm. It’s a slow, eight-hour journey to Cambodia’s shimmering beehive of a capital, Phnom Penh, but you’ll have plenty of time to take in the rural landscape as dusk settles over the millennia-old paddy fields. Tie over any hungry-tummy growls with some snacks from the vendors near the train station, or be a bit more daring and grab some dinner with the locals aboard the train – with your guide’s assistance, of course!

ACCOMMODATION: Frangipani Royal Palace (or similar), Phnom Penh – Cambodia
INCLUDED:  Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

If you didn’t already know you were in Cambodia’s capital, you will today! Get out and about the chaotic streets of steamy Phnom Penh and delight in the colourful commotion of incessant honking, awash in the smell of exhaust. 

Today is a contrast of activities that tell the history of the city – from ornate palaces and glittering stupas to the horrific acts at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. The beauty of sights like the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are in stark contrast to the tragedies of the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng prison.

Phnom Penh is developing rapidly, but the Cambodia of old waits around every corner. Enjoy lunch out at a local restaurant before spending the evening at your leisure. Float in the resort’s saltwater pool or wander the disorderly streets looking for Cambodian silk scarves. Tomorrow you’re headed for pepper country!

ACCOMMODATION: Frangipani Royal Palace (or similar), Phnom Penh – Cambodia
INCLUDED:  Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Kampot, Cambodia

Today starts early with the slow train to Kampot. Settle in with the locals for your march south, all the way to the coast. The train moves lazily through the countryside like a slow-moving snake – crawling past rice paddies, lumbering water buffalo and rural village life… all the sights you won’t see from the main roads. 

This afternoon you’ll explore Kampot with your guide before enjoying a traditional Cambodian dinner. Your accommodation tonight is an ode to the days of French occupation! Tuck into bed in a historic, colonial terrace house that just oozes old-world charm.

ACCOMMODATION: River Tree Villa & Resort (or similar), Kampot – Cambodia
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7: Cambodia’s Countryside

You’re a week into the trip and it’s finally time for a glimpse of the real Cambodia. The Cambodia that’s unveiled in tiny towns and their surrounding pastoral landscapes. Today is a true homage to rural life and the production of the country’s most famous crop – pepper.

Kick off the day with a drive through the countryside, passing craggy clusters of limestone and secret caves. Did somebody ask for a little seasoning? Spice experiences abound as you visit both a specialty peppercorn plantation and artisanal salt fields. Lunch is served in a traditional riverside stilt-hut, no doubt with local seasonings, that overlooks a series of minor rapids. You’ll have some time this afternoon to relax or wander to the riverside in search of a cheeky cocktail or two.

ACCOMMODATION: River Tree Villa & Resort  (or similar), Kampot – Cambodia
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch

Kampot Pepper

At one point in time, Kampot pepper graced the tables of many fine French establishments. Touted as the  ‘champagne of peppers’, today it’s revered for its mild, fragrant taste that’s ideal for seasoning vegetables and meat. 

Kampot pepper was in danger of extinction during the Khmer Rouge’s brutal reign but has slowly made a comeback thanks to intrigued visitors and culinary hounds alike. Be sure to grab a bag to take home. The white peppercorns are especially sought after and expensive in Europe!

Day 8: Kep 

Lovers of seafood, rejoice. Today you’re headed to the coast for a crustacean feast! If you’re lamenting a crab lunch, don’t fret, there’ll be something for everyone and it’ll all be delicious. Pass through the ruins of French-style villas in Cambodia’s lost Riviera on your way to local temples. This afternoon is a mixture of cultures that’s undeniably fascinating. 

You’re back on the train to Phnom Penh this evening. While you might think you know what to expect (you’ve done this journey once before after all!), you’ll be surprised at how ever-changing the countryside is out your window. The four-hour adventure will no doubt have a few surprises up its sleeve. Soak in the frenetic nature of the tumultuous capital and humble Cambodian trains, tomorrow you’re headed for more peaceful territory.

ACCOMMODATION: Rambutan Resort (or similar), Phnom Penh – Cambodia
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9: Welcome to Laos!

Welcome to Laos! This is your second country of the trip and it only gets more intriguing from here. You’ll begin the morning with a quick flight to Vientiane, Laos’ laidback capital city. We figured we’d save you the 15-hour journey by bus.

Exhale, Vientiane’s population is only half that of Phnom Penh and it’s immediately evident in the manicured streets and relaxed atmosphere. Start your peaceful reprieve by meeting your new, Laotian BFF! Your guide will host a traditional fine-dining welcome dinner as a celebration of your arrival in their beloved country.

ACCOMMODATION: Salana Boutique Hotel (or similar), Vientiane – Laos
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10: Explore Vientiane

Today is all about getting to know Vientiane. Follow your guide through vibrant temples like Wat Si Muang, where locals come to pray for everything from babies to new cars and continue on to the COPE centre for a look at America’s ‘Secret War’.

Did you know that Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world? Throughout the Vietnam War, America unleashed over 270 million bombs, leaving behind over 80 million unexploded ordnance. 50 years on, the remaining undetonated ordinances continue to cause casualties, often when farmers unearth them while working.

ACCOMMODATION: Salana Boutique Hotel (or similar), Vientiane – Laos
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11: High Speed Train to Luang Prabang

You’ve got another early start, but haven’t they all been worth it so far? This time you’re rising with the sun to experience a bit of comfort. The snail pace trains of Cambodia are a thing of the past and China’s investment in Laos’ new high-speed trains is your win today! Soon you’ll be jetting through the countryside in comfort.

Watch as the golden pagodas and tree-lined avenues of Vientiane slowly slip into misty karst mountains and bicycled lanes. Before you know it you’ll be pulling up to Luang Prabang, located amid the confluence of the Nam Khan and the mighty Mekong Rivers. 

Traditional architecture meets modern comfort at your accommodation for the next few nights. Bask in the evening glow on your balcony and admire the resort’s hand-carved wooden features. Even more fun – tonight you’re headed to the night market for an impromptu food tour turned dinner with the locals! Let your nose guide you to specialities like fragrant larb, Laotian sausage and freshly baked baguettes.

ACCOMMODATION: Capital Hotel (or similar), Luang Prabang – Laos
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12: Explore Luang Prabang

You’re nearing the end of your cultural rail journey through Southeast Asia and it wouldn’t be a Magnificent Rail trip if we didn’t squeeze out every last drop! That being said, today’s a big day – packed to the gills with all things Luang Prabang. 

Rise with the monks for an enchanting experience – the legendary morning alms ceremony. In recent years the main streets of Luang Prabang have become crowded with other visitors, elbowing in for photos, but we’re going off the beaten path in a nearby village for the real deal.

After witnessing this ancient tradition, breakfast is at the Luang Prabang market before spending the afternoon exploring further afield by both road and river. They say you haven’t been to Luang Prabang until you climb the 328 steps of Phousi Mountain. This hike, coupled with a boat ride to the famous Pak Ou Caves, are both feats for the trophy cabinet. Dinner is at your leisure this evening. Be sure to grab a BeerLao, you’ve earned it!

ACCOMMODATION: My Dream Boutique Resort (or similar), Luang Prabang – Laos
INCLUDED: Breakfast and Lunch

Laos: Land of a Million Elephants

Laos once lived up to its nickname as the ‘Land of a Million Elephants’. Thousands of elephants roamed the dense forests and sparse settlements that made the perfect home for these shy mammals. Now, wild elephants in Laos number less than 1,000, all thanks to poaching and human encroachment on their natural habitat. Slowly but surely, initiatives have begun to help the last of these native creatures through sanctuaries and rescue centres alike. You can be a part of the cause by avoiding activities like elephant riding.

Day 13: Elephants & Waterfalls

Today you’ll visit MandaLao, one of the most ethical elephant experiences in Southeast Asia. They pride themselves on taking the utmost care of their herd of rescued elephants and don’t allow detrimental activities like riding.  First you’ll cross the river to watch them bathe with their mahouts. The bond between them is inspiring. Then you’ll stride alongside two of these gentle giants as they weave along their favourite jungle path, picking at the vegetation as they go. Their size and grace will rest fondly in your memory for years to come! It’s just a 2.5-km walk, but if that isn’t for you, you’re welcome to hang back and enjoy the riverside views at MandaLao instead. 

By the afternoon, you’ll be up for a swim yourself – in the aqua pools of the Kuang Si Waterfall. Can you believe it’s already time for the farewell dinner? Gather together with your cherished local guide and the MagRail gang for a traditional meal. This will be a night to remember!

ACCOMMODATION: My Dream Boutique Resort (or similar), Luang Prabang – Laos
INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14: Farewell Friends

This may be the end of your trip but it’s not the end of your friendships! Be sure to exchange info with your fellow trip-goers to keep in touch. We’ve arranged for transport to the airport in Luang Prabang after a final Laotian breakfast, of course. It’s not goodbye, it’s see you next time! 

INCLUDED: Breakfast