Laos and Thailand tour 9 days

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Vientiane Arrival (G)

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos. After a short rest, an orientation walk of Lao Capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. We observe the sunset by the Mekong Riverside until the late evening and experience the city lifestyle of the local Lao people.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 2: Vientiane/Luang Prabang (B, G)

AM: After breakfast, we start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. From there, we visit the central market known as the “Morning Market” which is a great place for browsing antiques, handmade textiles and gifts.

PM: We spend the rest of this day touring the Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (close Tuesday) former name Revolutionary Museum, which exhibits artifacts, photos and legends of Laos’s history fighters and leaders from the ancient times to the new revolution period. We then board our short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best – preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Asia. On arrival, we transfer you to hotel. After a short rest, we stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient and once royal city and the Mekong River.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou cave (B, G)

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On our way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to a royal family patronage near by Sackarine Caves. We cross to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 4: Luang Prabang city (B, G)

AM: Impress Travel team will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast. Attention: Since buses can not enter into the heart of Luang Prabang, city tour is done by tuk tuk from 10 people (4 people/tuk tuk). Visit Vat Visoun, the site of an impressive stupa, That Makmo, stylistically more Srilankalese than Lao. Then walk to the nearby Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines. Climb Vat Phousi hill for an outstanding view over the city. Continue to visit Vat Sene and Vat Xieng Thong, considered as the most beautiful temple. Next, drive to visit Ban Phanom, a weaving village populated by Thai Lu.

PM: After lunch at Un Petit Nid Restaurant, visit the National Museum (former King’s Palace) displaying a collection of personal artifacts of the Royal Family. Then stroll through the lively Central Market where the ethnic minorities of the surroundings come daily to trade their goods. Drive to Ban Xang Khong village to see how traditional Sa paper is made. View the sunset from the banks of the Mekong River.

Day 5: Luang Prabang/Bangkok/Pattaya (B, G)

After your arrival in Bangkok, you will be met by our representative and we will transfer you to Pattaya in an air conditioned coach, upon arrival check in at the hotel and the remaining day is reserved for leisure activities, one can enjoy water sports(optional) and in the evening one can explore the night life of Pattaya or go for Alazar or Tiffny show (optional) or similar. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 6: Pattaya (B, G)

After breakfast, we take you to Coral islands where one can watch corals and marine life from glass bottom boats in crystalline blue waters, one can also opt for various aquatic sports at coral island (own cost), later in the day return back to Pattaya for lunch. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 7: Paytaya/Bangkok (B, G)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Transfer to Bangkok in SIC Coach, timings are 0830 hrs, 1230 hrs, 1630 hrs. After arriving in Bangkok, check in at the hotel and rest of the day is at leisure, one has the option of exploring the night life of Bangkok. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 8: Bangkok City Tour (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll begin your tour of Bangkok with a long tail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to see many lively inner canals which provide some fantastic views of the local life. Along the way you will stop over at Wat Arun, the temple of dawn, before continuing to the Grand Palace which dedicated to the Thai Royal Family’s ceremonies. Nearby is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, which is famous for the Emerald Buddha Image. After seeing this complex, you will drive through the many vibrant streets of China Town to some of the most significant temples in Bangkok. The landmark of Wat Traimit is well known as the Golden Buddha Temple while Wat Po houses a gigantic Reclining Buddha. You will spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 9: Bangkok departure (B, G)

Escorted from Bangkok airport for your international departure flight.