Welcome to Bangkok! As you step into Khao San Road, a few steps from your hotel, you’re immediately drawn in by the buzzing energy and vibrant atmosphere. Tonight you’ll meet your travel companions and head to a local restaurant in the Khao San district for a welcome drink and dinner. We’ll take the chance to savor local specialties along with fresh beer or coconut and get acquainted with our new buddies!
ACCOMMODATION
Tara Place Hotel or similar
Twin rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Welcome dinner
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
N/A
INCLUDED MEALS
Dinner
The tour starts in Bangkok and ends in Luang Prabang. The international flight tickets to/from Thailand are not included in the package, so you can choose where and when you want to fly. We recommend you to arrive at your Bangkok hotel by 5 PM to be able to attend the welcome dinner. Feel free to reach out to us if you need help arranging your taxi on arrival.
Today we will head out to explore the historic city of Bangkok at our own pace. We’ll visit Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha, and discover the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. We’ll enjoy panoramic views from Wat Arun and admire the Royal Palace, showcasing Thai splendour. Then we’ll have a few hours of free time in the afternoon – a perfect moment to treat yourself with a Thai spa, do some shopping, or simply relax with refreshing drinks. In the evening, we’ll bid farewell to Bangkok as we board an overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai – an epic journey that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime!
ACCOMMODATION
Overnight train
Multi-share dorms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Visit to Royal Palace and 3 temples: Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun (entry tickets included)
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
Transfers for sightseeing and night train
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast
The morning will bring us to Chiang Mai, known as the cultural capital of Thailand. This beloved city offers a captivating blend of traditional Thai culture, art, and spirituality, while emanating a laid-back and welcoming vibe. Today we’ll go on a walking tour with a local guide to explore the Old Town and visit some of its most beautiful temples. Then we’ll hop on a songthaew (a local pick-up truck taxi) to head outside the city to Doi Suthep, one of Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples. To reach the temple, we will ascend the famous staircase of 306 steps surrounded with dragon’s tails. Our efforts will be rewarded with a stunning golden temple complex and views overlooking Chiang Mai and its encompassing mountains. We will conclude our day at the vibrant Night Bazaar, a popular hub for shopping, live performances, and, of course, delicious street food!
ACCOMMODATION
iLanna House or similar small guesthouse
Twin rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Old Town walking tour with a local guide
Temple visits: Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phantao, Wat Doi Suthep (entry tickets included)
Evening exploration of the Night Bazaar
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
Songthaew for Doi Suthep visit
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast
We’ll continue our adventure into the Chiang Dao area, known for its natural beauty and authentic atmosphere. We’ll settle in an unique treehouse nestled in an unspoiled mountain village, surrounded by dense forests. A perfect spot for nature lovers, who want to get off the beaten track and interact with the local community. After lunch we’ll embark on a hike through the jungle with a local villager and will be rewarded with a refreshing plunge in a waterfall. In the evening, we’re free to enjoy a Thai massage or unwind on our jungle-view terrace. We’ll fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature, offering a retreat from the hectic world.
ACCOMMODATION
Tree House Hideaway or similar nature lodge
Quadruple rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Minivan transfer Chiang Mai-Chiang Dao
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Afternoon jungle hike with a local villager
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
Transfers required for boat trip
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’ll wake up to breathtaking views of a lush jungle and enjoy a serene breakfast on the terrace. We’ll say goodbye to our lovely treehouse and embark on an exploration of the Chiang Dao cave, where narrow passages will lead us to discover hidden Buddhas amidst the stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. We’ll continue our journey to Chiang Rai where we’ll have some time to relax by the pool, or indulge in a traditional Thai massage. As dusk falls, we’ll stroll through the Night Market, where we can try diverse street food specialities and enjoy a traditional dance performance.
ACCOMMODATION
Baan Jaru or similar small guesthouse
Twin rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Chiang Dao caves visit
Night Market visit and traditional show
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Thai massage
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
Minivan transfer from Chiang Dao to Chiang Rai
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast
This morning we’ll hop on a songthaew and begin exploring the city’s fascinating temples. We’ll visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Blue Temple, each with its unique allure. However, the highlight of our exploration will undoubtedly be the White Temple. This architectural masterpiece, known for its beauty and unique style, is sure to leave us in awe. Our adventure continues as we take an authentic local bus to head to Chiang Khong, a sleepy town at the Laos border. We’ll have some free time to relax in our peaceful guesthouse or explore the surroundings by bicycle before reuniting with our group for dinner.
ACCOMMODATION
Baan Sakuna guesthouse or similar
Twin rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Visit to 3 temples: White Temple, Blue Temple, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (entry tickets included)
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
Songthaew for temple visits
Local bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast, dinner
We’ll cross the border and start our adventure along the Mekong River towards Luang Prabang in Laos. This is the perfect opportunity to take it slow and enjoy the scenery of lush landscapes, tranquil waters, and traditional villages. During our peaceful journey, we’ll witness the locals engaged in their daily routines – fishing, doing laundry, playing with their children. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to make a stop at one of the quaint riverside villages. We’ll enjoy an onboard lunch, savouring the local specialties and flavours. As night falls, we’ll find ourselves at a charming riverside lodge nestled amidst the hills of the Mekong. After a refreshing dip in the pool, we’ll unwind at the hotel’s restaurant while taking in the views of the river and mountains.
ACCOMMODATION
The Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge
Twin rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Mekong Cruise
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
Traditional wooden boat during the cruise
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast, lunch
We’ll board our ship and proceed with our cruise along the Mekong River, enjoying the beautiful scenery and peaceful ambiance. We’ll do another stop at an ethnic village along the river, allowing us to gain insights into the local customs, and if we’re lucky, we may even witness elephants bathing along the riverbank. Our next stop will be the Pak Ou cave temple, which houses an impressive collection of Buddha statues. By late afternoon, we’ll reach Luang Prabang, an UNESCO World Heritage city emanating a special blend of cultural heritage and laid-back vibes. Tonight we’ll head out for a group dinner, and we have picked a beautiful spot at the riverside where we’ll try out the famous Lao BBQ.
ACCOMMODATION
Sunrise Garden House or similar
Twin rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Mekong Cruise
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
Traditional wooden boat during the cruise
Transfer to hotel
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Early risers, join us on a morning walk to witness the alms-giving ceremony! Just as dawn breaks, around 200 Buddhist monks depart barefoot from their temples to receive their daily meal from local devotees, offering an opportunity to experience the ancient Lao tradition. Afterwards, we’ll venture to the local morning market, granting us a glimpse into vibrant daily life and letting us discover intriguing items such as ox-blood, serpents, bats, and grilled insects. Next, we have a true highlight awaiting us. Led by a former Monk or apprentice, we’ll go on a guided tour of a local temple, offering a unique opportunity to gain direct insights into the practices of Buddhism. Our tour will end with a guided meditation session. During the afternoon, you are free to explore the city center at your own pace. We highly recommend a visit to the Royal Palace Museum and will point out the best temples for you to discover. As the sun begins to set, we will gather to ascend the sacred Mount Phousi, bearing witness to one of Laos’ most beautiful sunsets. Our day will conclude at the vibrant Night Market, offering the opportunity to explore local handicrafts and try local street food.
ACCOMMODATION
Sunrise Garden House or similar
Twin rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Morning walk to alms ceremony and local market
Guided temple tour with meditation session
Ascent to Mount Phousi viewpoint
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
N/A
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast
This morning we’ll hop aboard a tuk-tuk and head to the Kuang Si waterfalls to admire breathtaking turquoise pools nestled in a natural paradise. We’ll spend a few blissful hours exploring the lush jungle surroundings and taking refreshing dips in the gorgeous blue waters. After returning to the city, we’ll have some well-deserved free time to relax by the pool before our final activity: a Lao cooking class! Our instructors will guide us as we prepare our favourite Lao dishes using fresh, local ingredients. We’ll savour the fruits of our labour and enjoy a delicious dinner together, cherishing the unforgettable moments we’ve shared throughout our journey and the friendships we’ve made!
ACCOMMODATION
Sunrise Garden House or similar
Twin rooms
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Kuang Si Waterfalls visit
Lao cooking class
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
Tuk tuk for waterfall visit
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast
After breakfast, the time will sadly come to bid farewell to Laos and our newfound friends. We will help you to arrange your transfer to the airport or to your next destination. See you on the next adventure!
INCLUDED TRANSPORTATION
N/A
INCLUDED MEALS
Breakfast
Feel free to reach out to us if you need help booking your return flight from Luang Prabang to Bangkok or any extra accommodation.
The international flights are not included in the package, and the reason for this is that we want to give you total control and flexibility on how you manage your schedule! It gives you the freedom to join our trip from any location, arrive earlier, or extend your vacation after our trip!
And of course, if you need any help to book your flight, our team will be there for you! You will also get privileged access to our partners to book your flights, and we will connect you with other travelers in your group so that you can fly together.
