Thailand and Laos tour 14 days

Day 1: Bangkok arrival (G)
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 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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 8: Chiang Sean/Ban Houeisai/Pakbeng (B, L, D, G)
Transfer by car to Chiang Kong, a town on the border near Laos. Proceed through customs and immigration clearance. Cross the Mekong River by ferry to Ban Houei Xai in Laos. The Laos tour guide will welcome clients in Ban Houei Xai. The journey continues by boat downstream on the Mekong River to Pakbeng, passing through beautiful scenery. En route several stops are made to observe rural life along the river. Visit a Hmong minority village at Ban Houei Lampen. Picnic lunch. Arrive in Pakbeng before sunset. Dinner and overnight in Pakbeng.

Day 9: Pakbeng/Oudomxay/Nong Khiow (B, L, G)
We have an early start visiting the hill tribe market before leaving Pakbeng; we then begin our expedition, venturing into the mountainous and remote area in Northern Laos. The verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes this an unforgettable experience. Oudomxay province is residence to a mixture of 23 ethnic minority groups. We make a few rest stops along the way, which gives you the opportunity to see the ethnic minority groups of Hmong, Khmu, Akha and Taidam. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly; welcoming you with waving hands and smilling faces. The journey to Nong Khiow leads us through areas with dramatic landscape. We will also visit the hilltribe villages of Hmong at Ban Jarong, Ban Songja, Khmu before arriving at Nong Khiow in late afternoon. Nong Khiow is a remote village situated by the banks of the river, across a dramatic valley the surrounding mountainous scenery is stunning.
Overnight in Nong Khiow

Day 10: Nong Khiow/Luang Prabang (B, L, G)
After breakfast we board a traditional boat downstream on the Nam Ou River, drifting along the peaceful river, stopping over to visit some timeless villages along the way and the weaving village of Khmu. Our journey takes us to Pak Ou, where Nam Ou River meets with Mekong River. We take a visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. We continue our trip down to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang. This former royal capital with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop retains a unique charm rarely found in all Asia. There is little traffic on the roads and monks in orange robes scurry in all directions carrying umbrellas shading themselves from the Sun. A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete with ascending 329 steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa and to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 11: Luang Prabang City Tours (B, L, G)
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. After breakfast, we explore this charming city. From 1353 until 1545 it was the capital of the Lane Xang kingdom before power was transferred to Vientiane. Despite the move Luang Prabang remained as the seat in the monarchy and when the kingdom broke up in 1694, one of the deceased king’s grandsons established a rival kingdom to those in Vientiane and Champassak. Though weakened, the Luang Prabang royalty endured until 1975, when after the reign of 63 kings it was formally dissolved. You will spend the day exploring the temples and sites in what is called one of the last Shangri-La’s of Southeast Asia. You will visit Wat Xiang Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country, Wat Visoun, Wat Khili and Wat Mai. Later, we visit the former Royal Palace, now a National Museum (close Tuesday) where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as Buddha and spectacular artefacts including the Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 12: Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng (B, L, G)
After breakfast, we leave this charming city in the early morning for our journey to Vang Vieng. Our journey will be strenuous as we drive along one of the most scenic but also one of the roughest routes in Asia. In the afternoon we arrive in Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. We visit Tham Hoy Cave, a large cave that runs 7 kilometres deep and surrounding hilltribe villages of Khmu and Hmong.
Overnight in Vang Vieng

Day 13: Vang Vieng/Vientiane (B, L, G)
After breakfast, we spend half our day driving to the capital city Vientiane, which is located on the banks of the Mekong River. Vientiane is a charming and fascinating capital, with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. A city tour acquaints us with the capital and after a short rest if time permits we start visiting some of the major sights; including the oldest temple Wat Sisaket, with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute 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.
Overnight in Vientiane

Day 14: Vientiane departure (B, G)
Your time will be your own until our driver will come and transfer 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.
• 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:

• International flight tickets and airport tax.
• Visas
• Dinners
• Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Stars standard:

• Bangkok: Amari Watergate Hotel (***** overlooking views of the city centre) 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)
• Pakbeng: Pakbeng Lodge (good location)
• Nong Khiow:
• Luang Prabang: La Residence Hotel (***** positioned atop a hill, with stunning mountain views) or similar
• Vang Vieng: Villa Namsong Hotel (*****nestled on the tranquil banks of the Song River, elegant colonial architecture, a luxurious garden, a breath-taking view)
• Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel (*****located right in the city centre, within walking distance) or similar

Hotel list for Four Stars standard:

• Bangkok: Hotel Century Park (**** city centre) or similar
• Chiang Mai: The Empress Hotel (**** located in central Chiang Mai, a 10-minute walk to the famous Night Bazaar) o similar
• Chiang Rai: Imperial Golden Trinagle (**** located around 1 km to Anantara Golden Triangle, superior room) or similar.
• Pakbeng: Pakbeng Lodge (good location)
• Nong Khiow:
• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (*****, established in 1992 by Lao businessman Mr. Santi Inthavong in a royal residence)
• Vang Vieng: Vansana Hotel (**** located right in the middle of the Namsong river front, modern amenities in a well-appointed design) or similar
• Vientiane: Novotel hotel (**** ideal location for business trips and holidays) or similar

Hotel list for Three Stars standard:

• 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)
• Pakbeng: Pakbeng Lodge (good location)
• Nong Khiow:
• Luang Prabang: Manoluck Hotel (*** combine modern international luxury with traditional Lao styles) or similar
• Vang Vieng: Ban Sabai Hotel (*** set on stilts and built in natural materials) or similar
• Vientiane: Inter City hotel (*** centrally located, facilitated with basic modern comforts) or similar

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.