Destination: Vientiane/Luang Prabang/Pakou caves/Khoangsi waterfall/Bangkok/Ayutthaya/Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle

Descriptions: Explore the best of Thailand and Laos on this extra-special 13-day tour. Visit Vientiane – Laos one of the quietest capital cities in the world, far away from the bustle and hustle of other Asian capitals. Experience the tangible sense of the untouched culture of the Lao people before the arrival of western influence in Luang Prabang. Discover the magical Kingdom of Thailand taking in the main sites from bustling Bangkok to chilled out Chiang Mai.

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

Day 1: Vientiane arrival (G)

On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel. You’ll spend the night in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane full day city tour/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

After breakfast, we explore Vientiane capital by visiting 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. . En route to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

In the afternoon we continue visiting the rest of Vientiane by foot, including Wat Ong Tue, Wat Inpeng and Wat Haisok. We pass by the major shopping area continuing to the Vientiane Central Market of Talad Sao and Talad Kouadin where various goods are displayed for sale; including fresh food, household goods, souvenirs, textiles, gold, silver and antiques. We then transfer to the airport for your late afternoon flight to Luang Prabang. Here you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang full day city tour (B, L, G)

Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Today, we also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

Following lunch, we visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Lao’s many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. We then return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Note: The Royal Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Kuang Si Waterfall/Pak Ou Caves (B, L, G)

First we visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang. This afternoon, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious 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 return, we disembark the boat to visit traditional villages, and continue taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 5: Luang Prabang/Lao Spirit Adventure (Elephant + rafting) (B, L, G)

Elephant and soft hiking tour to Khamu village

(Walking time total 3 hrs. (easy), in dry season Tad Sae waterfall is dry)

After arriving at the Lao Spirit Resort you will experience the protected Elephants at the “Elephant Park Project” along the Nam Khan riverbanks. You can enjoy the 1 hr. Elephant ride on the back of a protected Asian Elephant.
A short and easy hiking tour will lead you out into the Fair Trek project area where villages profit directly from your visit. A small Khamu community lives below a high rising mountain range. Depending on the time available your Lao style Lunch will be served at Ban Houay Fai and return Lao Spirit Resort. Your car will bring you back to Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 6: Luang Prabang/Bangkok (B, G)

After breakfast, the tour ends after your transfer to the airport for your international flight to Bangkok. On arrival at Suvanphumi Airport, you’ll be driven to your hotel. Rest of the day, you’ll be free to stroll around the city as you wish. You’ll spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 7: 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 8: Bangkok/Ayutthaya (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up to visit Ayutthaya. It lies about an hour’s journey by coach to the north of the city and was the proud and powerful ancient capital of Siam until its destruction some 230 or so years ago. Much of the fabulous ornate city was lost at that time but what remains will still give you an excellent idea of life during the 4 centuries that the Kings of Ayutthaya ruled. We will also visit the nearby summer palace of the present modern day Chakri dynasty, Bang Pa-In. After the sightseeing tour, join our cruise boat at Wat Chong-Lom Pier for a boat ride down the Chao Phraya River to the River City Pier taking in all of the splendid scenery and typical Thai water-borne life on the way.

You’ll spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 9: Bangkok/Chiang Mai (B, L, G)

Breakfast at the hotel. Flight to Chiangmai. Arrive in Chiangmai, afternoon free at leisure. Return hotel transfers and enjoy an authentic Thai Kantoke dinner with show. Overnight Chiang Mai.

Day 10: Chiang Mai City Tour (B, L, G)

The great way to see the colorful, ancient history of Chiang Mai, Start your trip in the old city area at Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Center, then walking along beautiful road to Tha Pae Gate, continue to eastern side of old city; there are old, solid timber built houses many of which are well over 100 years old. You’ll then visit Chiang Mai most sacred temples, drive around the Old City to see city’s moats and ruined city’s walls. Start the temple tours with Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple and probably dates from 1296. The temple was residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai. Continue this tour with visit Wat Phra Singh; the temple contains marvelous examples of Lanna art including a Lanna style viharn.

In the afternoon, you’ll be driven on to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, This temple was built in 1383. It is located 15 kms from the city and 3,500 feet above sea level. See the marvelous golden pagoda, which is containing the holy relics of Lord Buddha. You can enjoy the panoramic view of Chiang Mai City and Ping valley from the summit of Doi Suthep.

You’ll spend the night in Chiang Mai

Day 11: Chiang Mai/Elephant Ride/Bamboo rafting (B, L, G)

Breakfast at the hotel, you’ll travel north of Chiang Mai route to Mae Taman Elephant Camp, which is 56 km northwards of Chiang Mai. Enjoy the spectacular scenery along the way. The idea of this trip is to see the demonstration of how trained elephants are used as working animals in teak forests includes elephant bathing in the river, working in the jungle, dragging and pushing logs, and responding commands. Then take a special time to riding on elephant for 1 hour through the jungle, made a stop at Lisu Hill tribe Village. For the truly adventurous! Continue an ox-cart riding back to the camp. Lunch served at the Camp. Take Bamboo Rafting along Mae Taeng River for 45 minutes. Then, visit Orchid Nursery to see a large collection of more than 50 different types of colorful exotic year-round-bloom orchids. After taking great pleasure at the Orchid Nursery, continue to visit the handicraft center at San Kampaeng district. The highlight is to see the local people making the handicraft including Silverware, Hand-woven Textiles by silk and hand-painted cotton and Umbrellas or paper parasols which are hand-painted in a variety designs. Return to your hotel at Chiang Mai for overnight stay.

You’ll spend the night in Chiang Mai

Day 12: Chiang Rai/Chiang Saen/Golden Triangle (B, L, G)

Breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Mae Chan to visit Akha hill tribe villages; explore the villages that are very simple, unique costumes, their own tradition and dialect. The trip continues to visit archeological remains at Chiang Saen city, the first capital city of the northern Thailand.

In the afternoon, you will visit the world famous Golden Triangle where the borders of three countries (Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar) are met. Enjoy the panoramic view of Mekong River and Hall of Opium and Boat Trip along the Mae Khong River, made a stop at Don Sao Village, Laos. Then continue to Mae Sai town, the Thailand-Myanmar border and the northernmost point of Thailand. Enjoy shopping the Myanmar products at the local market. You will return to your hotel in late afternoon.

You’ll spend the night in Chiang Rai.

Day 13: Chiang Rai/Bangkok departure (B, G)

Breakfast at the hotel, your time will be free until our driver will come and transfer you to the airport for your international departure flight.

Price in US$ per person:

Our price includes:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.
• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above
• One way domestic flight tickets in Thailand: Bangkok -Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai – Bangkok, including domestic airport taxes.
• One way domestic flight tickets in Laos: Vientiane – Luang Prabang, including airport taxes.
• International flight tickets: Luang Prabang – Bangkok and airport tax.
• Boats cruise as programme.
• Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced, safe driver.
• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary
• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.
• Lunches as specified, in the good local restaurants, picnics where suitable restaurants are not available.
• VAT and other taxes

Our price does not include:

• Other international flight tickets and airport taxes.
• Visas
• Dinners
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Stars standard:

• Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel (*****located right in the city centre, within walking distance) or similar
• Luang Prabang: La Residence Hotel (***** positioned atop a hill, with stunning mountain views) or similar
• Bangkok: Amari Watergate Hotel (***** overlooking views of the city centre) or similar
• Chiang Mai: Holiday Inn Chiang Mai (**** only minutes from some of the cities most famous temples and the renowned night bazaar)
• Chiang Rai: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort (***** located 10 minutes from Chiang Rai International Airport)

Hotel list for Four Stars standard:

• Vientiane: Novotel hotel (**** ideal location for business trips and holidays) or similar
• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (*****, established in 1992 by Lao businessman Mr. Santi Inthavong in a royal residence)
• Bangkok: Hotel Century Park (**** city centre) or similar
• Chiang Rai: Imperial Golden Triangle (**** located around 1 km to Anantara Golden Triangle, superior room) or similar.
• Chiang Mai: The Empress Hotel (**** located in central Chiang Mai, a 10-minute walk to the famous Night Bazaar) o similar

Hotel list for Three Stars standard:

• Vientiane: Inter City hotel (*** centrally located, facilitated with basic modern comforts) or similar
• Luang Prabang: Manoluck Hotel (*** combine modern international luxury with traditional Lao styles) or similar
• Bangkok: Bangkok Palace hotel (*** centrally located at the heart of Pratunam, Bangkok’s commercial shopping and entertainment district) or similar
• Chiang Mai: Lanna Palace Hotel (*** city centre and near by mountain)
• Chiang Rai: Rimkok Resort (*** good location with a very big swimming pool)

If, at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavour to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.