At a glanceFour slow nights in Luang Prabang, the temple town on the Mekong, a short flight to Siem Reap for three nights among the temples of Angkor, then a flight and ferry to Koh Rong for four beach nights in the Gulf of Thailand. It suits couples who want temples, river life and a barefoot finish at modest prices. Go from December to February, when all three stops are dry.
Laos and Cambodia make a gentle, soulful honeymoon. The pace is slower than in Thailand or Vietnam, good hotels cost less and the romance comes from old temples, river light and long dinners rather than nightlife.
This route starts in Luang Prabang in northern Laos, a small town of gilded monasteries and French colonial villas on a peninsula where the Nam Khan meets the Mekong. Four nights there let you settle into its rhythm: the dawn alms round, swims at Kuang Si Falls and sunset on the river.
Next comes Siem Reap in Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor. Three nights give you Angkor Wat at sunrise, the stone faces of the Bayon and Ta Prohm wrapped in tree roots, with afternoons by the pool in between.
The last four nights are on Koh Rong, an island off Cambodia's south coast with long white beaches and clear water. Pick a quiet beach away from the ferry village and do very little. It is the slow stretch that the first two stops earn you.
The route
- Luang PrabangLaos · 4 nights
- Siem ReapCambodia · 3 nights
- Koh RongCambodia · 4 nights
- Best months
- December to February
- Trip length
- 12 days
- Budget
- About $250–900 a night for two in boutique and luxury hotels, with Koh Rong cheaper (approximate)
Day by day
Days 1–4: Luang Prabang
Fly into Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ), usually via Bangkok, Hanoi or Chiang Mai. Your hotel is 10 to 15 minutes away. Walk the peninsula at dusk and browse the night market on the main street.
On day 2, climb Mount Phousi at sunrise for the view over the rivers, then visit Wat Xieng Thong, the town's most beautiful temple. In the afternoon, take a Lao cooking class with a market visit.
On day 3, rise early to watch the alms round, when lines of monks in saffron robes collect sticky rice at dawn. Watch quietly from across the street. Then drive about 45 minutes to Kuang Si Falls and swim in its turquoise pools before the crowds arrive.
On day 4, take a longtail boat up the Mekong to the Pak Ou caves, filled with Buddha statues, then end with a herbal sauna and massage. In the evening, book a private sunset cruise on the Mekong. Drifting past the temples as the sky turns pink is the romantic moment of Luang Prabang.
Days 5–7: Siem Reap and Angkor
Fly to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) on day 5, on a direct flight when one is scheduled or via Bangkok. The airport is about an hour from town. Buy a three-day Angkor pass at the official ticket center or online.
On day 6, leave before dawn for sunrise at Angkor Wat, watching the towers appear against the sky over the lotus ponds. That first light is the romantic moment of Angkor. Explore the temple, then continue to Angkor Thom and the Bayon, with its giant carved faces. Rest at your hotel through the midday heat. In the late afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, where trees grow through the walls.
On day 7, drive out to Banteay Srei, a small temple of pink sandstone with fine carvings. Add the waterfalls of Phnom Kulen if you have energy. In the evening, watch Phare, The Cambodian Circus, then make it your splurge dinner at your hotel.
Days 8–11: Koh Rong
On day 8, fly to Sihanouk International Airport (KOS) if a flight is running, or fly to Phnom Penh's Techo International Airport (KTI) and drive about three hours to Sihanoukville on the expressway. A fast ferry then takes 45 minutes to an hour to Koh Rong. Your resort's boat or car meets you at the pier.
Spend day 9 on the beach. Swim, read and nap. In the evening, walk the length of Long Beach as the sun sets over the sea.
On day 10, take a boat trip to snorkel around the smaller islands, then stop at Lazy Beach on Koh Rong Samloem for lunch. If the night is dark and moonless, go back into the water after dinner to swim among glowing plankton. Watching the sea light up around you is the romantic moment of the trip.
Keep day 11 completely free. A beach barbecue under lanterns makes a fitting last dinner.
Day 12: Home via Phnom Penh
Take a morning ferry back to Sihanoukville, then fly from KOS or drive about three hours to Phnom Penh's Techo International Airport. There are no nonstop flights from the US to Cambodia, so most couples connect through Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul or another Asian hub.
Ferries can run late in choppy weather, so leave a wide gap before your international flight. A last night in Phnom Penh, with a sunset drink by the river, is the safest plan and a pleasant end to the trip.
Getting Between Stops
Luang Prabang to Siem Reap is a short direct flight when one is on the schedule. Otherwise connect through Bangkok, which takes most of a day. Check schedules when you book, since routes in the region change often.
Siem Reap to Koh Rong means a domestic flight to Sihanoukville when one is running, or a flight to Phnom Penh and a three-hour drive on the expressway. Fast ferries from Sihanoukville take 45 minutes to an hour and run several times a day in the dry season.
In Luang Prabang, you walk almost everywhere and hotels often lend bicycles. In Siem Reap, hire a tuk-tuk and driver or a car with air conditioning for temple days. On Koh Rong, you get around by boat or on foot.
Where to Stay
In Luang Prabang, stay on the peninsula or just beside it. Amantaka, in a French colonial hospital complex on the edge of the old town, is the splurge. Rosewood Luang Prabang hides in a jungle valley with tented villas by a waterfall. La Residence Phou Vao sits on a hill with a pool facing Mount Phousi and Villa Maly is a reliable mid-range pick.
In Siem Reap, Phum Baitang by Zannier has stilted wooden villas among rice paddies. Amansara offers intimate suites with plunge pools. Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor has hosted travelers since the early 1930s.
On Koh Rong, avoid the busy ferry village of Koh Touch. The Royal Sands Koh Rong, at Sok San Beach, has villas and pools. Six Senses Krabey Island, a private island near Ream on the mainland coast, is the more polished alternative.
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When to Go
December to February is the best window for all three stops. Luang Prabang has cool, misty mornings and dry afternoons. Siem Reap has clear skies and its lowest temperatures, with highs in the upper 80s Fahrenheit. Koh Rong has calm seas and clear water for snorkeling.
November is good in Laos and Cambodia, with the islands still settling after the rains. March is fine on Koh Rong but hot at Angkor. Smoke from field burning can haze over Luang Prabang from March into April.
From about May to October, the rainy season brings afternoon storms inland and rough seas on the coast. Ferries can be canceled and some island resorts close. Angkor is green and quiet then, so a wet-season version of this trip works better with more temple time and less beach.
Budget and Booking
Plan on roughly $300–900 a night for two at the top Luang Prabang and Siem Reap hotels named here, with excellent boutique hotels from around $120. On Koh Rong, good beach resorts cost roughly $150–400 a night. Six Senses Krabey Island is higher. All figures are approximate.
Book Luang Prabang and Siem Reap first, since the best small hotels fill months ahead for December to February. Then fix the flights, which set the shape of the trip.
Other costs include the Angkor pass, a tuk-tuk or car for temple days, a temple guide, boat trips on the Mekong and around Koh Rong, cooking classes and massages. Tips for guides and drivers are appreciated.
Make It Shorter or Longer
For nine days, drop Koh Rong. Spend four nights in Luang Prabang and four in Siem Reap, adding a day trip to the Tonle Sap lake.
With two weeks, add two nights in Kampot on the way to the coast, for riverside sunsets, pepper farms and the old French hill station at Bokor. It is about two hours from Sihanoukville.
Or add two nights in Phnom Penh between Siem Reap and the coast for the Royal Palace, the riverside and a sobering visit to the genocide memorials. Couples with more time in Laos can add the 4,000 Islands of Si Phan Don in the far south for hammock days on the Mekong.
Honeymoon Tips
At temples in both countries, both of you need covered shoulders and knees. The upper level of Angkor Wat enforces this at the gate. Remove shoes and hats where asked.
During the alms round in Luang Prabang, keep your distance, stay quiet and never use flash. Only take part if you do it respectfully, with food bought from a proper source.
Angkor involves lots of steep stairs and heat. Start early, carry water and wear shoes with grip.
On Koh Rong, beaches can collect debris after storms and power can be patchy at simple places, so check reviews. Dengue occurs across the region and malaria in some rural areas. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices before booking. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
FAQPlanning this trip
How do we get from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap?
By air. A direct flight runs at times, which is the easiest option. Otherwise you connect through Bangkok, which takes most of a day. Check schedules when you book, since regional routes change often, then build the rest of the trip around that flight.
How many days do we need at Angkor?
Two full days covers the highlights at a relaxed pace: Angkor Wat at sunrise, the Bayon, Ta Prohm and Banteay Srei. Three nights in Siem Reap gives you that plus time by the pool, which matters in the heat. Buy a three-day pass so you are not rushed.
Is Koh Rong good for a honeymoon?
Yes, if you choose your beach carefully and expect rustic rather than polished. Stay away from the ferry village at Koh Touch and pick a resort on a quieter beach such as Sok San. For more luxury, consider Six Senses Krabey Island near the mainland instead.
Can we watch the alms round in Luang Prabang?
Yes, respectfully. Watch from across the street or a little distance away, stay silent and never use flash or step into the line of monks. If you want to take part, ask your hotel to help you buy sticky rice from a proper source and kneel quietly.
When is the best time for Laos and Cambodia?
December to February, when all three stops are dry and Angkor is at its coolest. November is good too, though island seas may still be settling. Avoid the wet season from about May to October if beach time on Koh Rong matters to you.
