Itinerary
Days 1-2 Chiang Mai Day 3 Chiang Rai Day 4 Pac Beng Days 5-7 Luang Prabang Days 8-9 Vang Vieng Days 10-12 Vientiane Day 13 Arrive Bangkok & depart

Days 1-2: You will be met on arrival and transferred to your centrally located hotel. There is plenty to do and see in Chiang Mai - explore the old city of Chiang Mai or take a bicycle tour of the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Day 3: Drive via Chiang Rai to the Golden Triangle. This point, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma meet was once a major opium producing area. The recently opened Opium Museum is excellent and tells the story of the infamous history of the area. Also visit Mae Sai, the bustling border crossing with Burma before continuing to the beautiful lanna style teak house on the banks of the Mekong River.

Day 4: Thai Immigration is only a couple of 100 meters away, then cross the Mekong by boat to Ban Houaysai to Lao Immigration. Then begins your two-day journey down the Mekong by slow boat, your first stop Pakbeng.
Note: This boat is not a private boat, there will be other passengers on board.

Day 5: Depart for the second leg of your river adventure. Today's destination is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang. Along the way the boat will stop to visit the Tham Ting caves at Pac Ou, housing hundreds of ancient and new Buddha statues.

Day 6: Located at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers, Luang Prabang is without a doubt the most charming of cities in Laos. Discover something of Lao’s Buddhist and architectural heritage on a walking tour of some of the most impressive of Luang Prabang’s 32 temples including Vat Vixoun, Vat Sene, and Vat Xiengthong; watch the sunset from Phousi Hill; rise at dawn to watch the monks walk through the city collecting offerings of food from the locals. And you will still find time to browse the many textile galleries and relax in the town’s many small cafés. Dinner will introduce some of the special tastes of Lao.

Day 7: Nearby are the lovely Kuangsi Falls. Swim in the crystal clear water Before a Lao style picnic lunch at the Falls. On the way back to Luang Prabang visit the weaving village of Ban Phanom to marvel at the delicacy of Lao textiles.

Days 8-9: Vang Vieng is a picturesque riverside town in an area of limestone karst formations. The drive from Luang Prabang is one of spectacular landscapes and villages – then spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the river.A day is spent exploring some of the caves around Vang Vieng, kayaking on the Nam Song River.

Days 10-11: It is 160kms to Vientiane, Laos’ relaxed riverside capital. Explore the highlights of Vientiane including Wat Sisaket (one of the city’s oldest and most fascinating temples), That Luang (Lao’s national symbol and one of its most sacred sites) and the Morning Market (an all-day affair selling virtually everything).

Day 12: After a free morning in Vientiane, cross the Friendship Bridge to Thailand in time for your overnight sleeper train to Bangkok.

Day 13: Your trip ends on arrival back in Bangkok.

BETTER TOGETHER
Discover more of Indochina. Jewel of the Mekong + Heritage of the Khmer for an incredible 21 day journey through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Book together and save up to 10.2% per person.	Tour Costs PRIVATE DEPARTURES 2 people - USD 1690 p/p 3 people - USD 1630 p/p 4 people - USD 1420 p/p 5 people - USD 1400 p/p 6 people - USD 1360 p/p single supplement: USD 235p/p
Best of Thailand + Jewel of the Mekong for a 24 day tour through the very best of Thailand and Laos. Book together and save up to USD160 per person.	Tour Costs PRIVATE DEPARTURES 2 people - USD 2220p/p 3 people - USD 1960p/p 4 people - USD 1690p/p 5 people - USD 1640p/p 6 people - USD 1580 p/p single supplement: USD 272 p/p
you could also add a beach break with our Rainforest & Beaches extension or a Hill Tribe Trek

Tour Costs
PRIVATE DEPARTURES
2 people - USD 1100 p/p
3 people - USD 1070 p/p
4-5 people - USD 980 p/p
6 people - USD 950 p/p
cost for larger groups on request

single supplement:
USD155 p/p