This private holiday tour takes you to the more remote areas of Laos and northern Thailand. You will enjoy visits to all main cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang and take in all they have to offer but you will also head north on the Luangsay Cruise boat along the Mekong into more remote country. While cruising north you will enjoy stops along the way to visit the fascinating ‘Cave of a Thousand Buddhas’ and also a local hilltribe village to see firsthand how these rural communities live and also how they make the traditional (and potent) Lao whiskey.

On disembarking from the cruise you will transfer into northern Thailand and spend time enjoying what the Golden Triangle region has to offer with a visit to some local river communities and a working elephant centre to witness how the local mahout guides train and look after these icons on Thailand. After a relaxed pace in the north you will fly down to the hectic capital of Bangkok for time exploring this fast-paced and friendly city before heading to the small island of Koh Samet for some well deserved rest and relaxation.

This tour will give you a real insight into the more relaxed ways of life of northern Laos and Thailand while also allowing a brief visit to the bright lights of Bangkok and the white sand beaches of Koh Samet Island. A perfect all-round northern experience!

 

Day 1: Departure

Depart London Heathrow on flight to Vientiane with Thai Airways, via Bangkok.

Day 2: Arrive Vientiane

Transit Bangkok and board the flight to Vientiane. Meet upon arrival at Vientiane Wat Tai airport. Take your private transfer and check-in at your chosen hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3: Vientiane City Tour (B/-/-)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit Vat Sisaket, the oldest original temple in Vientiane. Built in 1818, Vat Sisaket is the sole survivor of an invasion in 1828 and features remarkable frescoes and 6,840 Buddha images. Nearby is Ho Phra Keo, once the royal temple of the Lao monarchy. Built in 1565, Ho Phra Keo has been used as a museum since 1970 and contains some of the finest Buddhist sculptures and artefacts in the country. One of the most photographed images of Vientiane is Patousay, the victory gate also known as Anousavari. Constructed in 1958, its architecture is inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. In the afternoon visit the morning market and drive to the Buddha Park, located 24 km south of Vientiane, and take a look at the impressive Friendship Bridge. Return to Vientiane via the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong.

Day 4: Luang Prabang (B/-/-)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Early morning transfer to the airport for Lao Airlines flight to Luang Prabang. Meet upon arrival at the airport and transfer to your chosen hotel. The rest of today is at leisure.

Day 5: Luang Prabang (B/-/-)

This morning you rise early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of Alms Giving, where saffron-clad monks with their black alms bowls are given offerings from the local people. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then proceed to visit the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre which is a new museum about the ethnic cultures of Laos. This afternoon visit Vat Xieng Thong, considered the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang. Then stroll through the lively Central Market where the ethnic minorities of the surroundings come daily to trade their goods. Your evening is at leisure.

Day 6: Luangsay Cruise / Pakbeng (B/L/D)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Early morning, transfer to Luang Prabang pier and board the Luangsay Boat. Check-in for the Luangsay Cruise (up-stream) which travels up the Mekong River to Pakbeng. On the way to Pak Ou village, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, a visit is organized to Tham Ting “Caves of a thousand Buddha’s”. The boat will arrive at Luangsay Lodge before sunset, for an overnight stop.

Day 7: Pakbeng / Chiang Rai (B/L/-)

Breakfast is served on the terrace at around 06:30 AM. In the morning, visit the Morning Market (optional) of Pakbeng, where the nearby villagers and hill tribes buy and exchange their goods. The boat departs for the second part of the trip. One stop is made to visit and admire the authentic rural life of hill tribe settlements. Lunch is again served on board. Arrival in Houei Xay before 17:00 PM and arrive at the immigration checkpoint. Proceed through Lao immigration formalities, then cross the Mekong River by small ferryboat to Chiang Khong. Proceed through Thai immigration formalities; meet and transfer to your chosen hotel in Chiang Rai for check-in. Your evening is at leisure.

Day 8: Chiang Sean & Chiang Khong day tour (B/L/-)

Depart for the two small lively towns on the Mekong River bank. Take a boat trip from the Golden Triangle downstream to Chiang Saen, a quiet and very historic town that sits by the Mekong River and was once an independent kingdom. In its heyday the walled-in city had an area of 2.5 sq km and contained 76 temples within its walls and another 63 outside creating what must have been a spectacular city. Continue by minibus along the Mekong River to visit Ban Had Pai, a Tai Lue/Lahu weaving village. Then stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Chiang Khong. Next, visit Baan Kiew Karn, a village of White Hmong people located on a hilltop. Transfer to Golden Triangle mountain viewpoint and transfer back to your hotel.

Day 9: Chiang Mai (B/-/-)

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred overland to Chiang Mai. En-route you will visit the Mae Sa Elephant Camp, an elephant working site. Transfer onwards to Chiang Mai and your chosen hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure.

Day 10: City & Temples morning tour (B/-/-)

Today you will enjoy a half day tour of the city and surroundings. Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai show off a mixture of architectural styles that reflect the varied heritage of Northern Thailand. Elements from Lanna Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan and Mon temples have all been used in one form or another. Return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 11: Bangkok (B/-/-)

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Chiang Mai airport for the short flight down to Bangkok. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Day 12: Bangkok at leisure (B/-/-)

Full day at leisure to explore the city at your own pace.

Day 13: Koh Samet (B/-/-)

This morning you will be collected and transferred overland to the ferry for the crossing over to the island of Koh Samet. Upon arrival on the Island, you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

Days 14 – 15: At leisure (B/-/-)

Time to relax and chill out after your action packed trip.

Day 16: Departure (B/-/-)

This morning you will transfer to take the ferry back to the mainland and then onwards to Bangkok for your return flight to the UK.