Includes internal flights, twin shared accommodation, English speaking guides, private cars, sightseeing and meals listed. Excludes visa and travel documents, travel insurance, international flights, local tipping, etc.
This itinerary is to give you a flavor of what is possible. We can tailor this trip to suit your specific needs and expectations. You may alter any aspect of the itinerary from excursions to accommodation.
Welcome to Laos! Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Feel free to explore the beautiful city of Luang Prabang on your own to discover night markets selling local tapestries and souvenirs.
Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao
Day 2: Luang Prabang | Alms Giving | Ancient City Temples
Meals: Breakfast In the early morning, you can join in the alms giving ceremony where a procession of monks pass the hotel as participants solemnly give sticky rice and other objects into their bowls. Then enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
The morning is at your leisure to explore on your own.
Wat Xieng Thong Temple
In the afternoon, begin with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We’ll also visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai.
Late afternoon, transfer to the forest temple of Wat Phon Phao for watching a stunning sunset over the Laos countryside. Return to the hotel for leisure time or explore the night markets on your own.
Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao
Day 3: Luang Prabang | Hill Tribes and Kuang Si Waterfalls
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch Transfer in the morning to Ban Long Lao village – a Hmong and Khmu ethnic village who live simple lives off the land in a self-sustained community.
After exploring the village and mingling with the locals, you’ll begin the hike to Kuang Si Falls. Along the way are lush green forests and clear streams. Visit a cave along the way that once acted as a bomb shelter. Arrive at Kuang Si Waterfall – one of the most turquoise waterfalls in the world. The afternoon can be spent swimming in the waterfall and visiting the Bear Rescue Center where several Sun Bears and Malayan Black Bears are being cared for after being rescued from bile farms and wildlife traffickers.
Then you’ll return to Luang Prabang and evening is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao
Day 4: Luang Prabang | Befriending the Gentle Giants of Asia
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch In the morning, transfer to Elephant Village – an elephant sanctuary with a focus on rehabilitation and care of rescued elephants. Here you’ll meet the camp manager and receive a short briefing about the elephants. Throughout the day, you’ll take place in the following activities:
Riding an elephant – you’ll have the opportunity to ride directly on the neck of an elephant
Mahout Training – learn about the commands of how to communicate to the elephant
Enjoy lunch at the outdoor garden restaurant
Bathe your elephant – Go down to the nearby Nam Khan River to bath your elephant; perhaps the elephant will bathe you as well!
Then return to your hotel for leisure time.
Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao
Day 5: Luang Prabang | Leisure Day
Meals: Breakfast
Spend this full day at your own leisure or visit a spa. You can walk around the city and discover the local daily life, find out some interesting souvenir items, drop by at a bar to relax and have a drink or two. Alternatively, simply indulge yourself with the comfort and amenities which your hotel offers.
Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao
Day 6: Luang Prabang – Pakbeng | Mekong River Cruise: Pak Ou Cave
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner In the morning, our guide will greet you at the hotel and escort you to the pier for your cruise departure up the Gateway of Laos.
Mekong River in Laos
Boat embarks at 7 AM and starts with a continental breakfast served onboard.
Around 8:30 AM arrive at Pak Ou Caves – these small caves are crammed full of thousands of Buddha statues that local boatsmen have placed in prayer for safe passage on the Mighty Mekong River.
At 12:30 PM, lunch is served onboard with a selection of starters and main courses from Laos’ varied cuisine.
At 1:30 PM, stop at the village of Baw where you may see the distillation process of Lao whiskey.
Around 5 PM, arrive at Luang Say Lodge before sunset. Enjoy dinner on the open terrace overlooking the Mekong as the sun makes it’s exit over the jungled horizon.
Accommodation: The Luang Say Lodge
Day 7: Pakbeng – Chiang Rai | Mekong River Cruise: Tai Leu Hill Tribes
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch At 7 AM, enjoy the stunning sights of the mountains covered in mist while having a sumptuous breakfast on the teak terrace.
Embark at 8 AM for the continued discovery of the nature along the Mekong River.
At 12 PM, lunch is served onboard.
At 1:30 PM, stop at a traditional ethnic minority village of the Tai Lue tribe who came from China over 300 years ago. With a remote lifestyle, these villages are mostly independent and self-reliant. Their main export is natural weavings from cotton and dyes grown within the surrounding lands. The men often obtain tattoos which are believed to protect from spirits and also to attract women.
Around 5 PM, arrive in Huay Xai for disembarkation and crossing immigration into Thailand.
Then we will transfer you to Chiang Rai. Check in your hotel and rest.
Chiang Rai is a quiet city nestled between two mountain ranges in the valley along the Mae Kok River. It has a colorful history, is the birthplace of the Lanna Kingdom and was once home to the Emerald Buddha – during a short time when the priceless Buddhist relic was brought for hiding. The friendly town makes a great base camp for visiting the Golden Triangle, Ancient City of Chiang Saen, Mae Salong Mountain, and the “Island on the Clouds” (Phu Chi Fah viewpoint). Aspiring local artists have produced world-acclaimed pieces of architecture and art such as “The White Temple” and “The Black House”. Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort
Day 8: Chiang Rai | Mae Salong Mountain: Tea Plantations & Hill Tribes
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch In the morning, transfer to Mae Salong mountain, a scenic peak in the Shan Highlands. First, stop at a tea plantation to try some fresh hot tea in the morning while taking in the splendid views. Learn about the Chinese military KMT village that resettled at Mae Salong and their interesting story. Have lunch at a Yunnanese restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Akha, Yao and Lisu hill-tribe villages. Then return to the resort for leisure time.
Northern Thai Tea Plantation
Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort
Day 9: Chiang Rai | Golden Triangle Discovery
Meals: Breakfast In the morning, visit the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak River and the Mekong river meet forming the borders of three countries – Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos – the area is known for its stunning views. Visit the Hall of Opium museum to learn about the history of the Opium War. Continue on to the ancient city of Chiang Sean at Wat Chedi Luang – a stone city and the first capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Then return to town for some leisure in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort
Day 10: Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai | Road Trip to Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast Then you’ll transfer to Chiang Mai. On the way, you’ll stop at Wat Rong Khun(the White Temple). This unique and modern temple features Hindu and Buddhist architecture along with very contemporary and peculiar art and sculptures. Along the way, stop at a charity school which provides education to the children in the remote Shan hills. You’ll continue to Chiang Mai to your hotel for check-in.
The old city walls still stand verdantly against the course of time, inviting pilgrims to come rest, and explore the lost treasures of the Lanna Kingdom. Established as the capital in 1296AD of the vast “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”, Chiang Mai carries a heritage lurking around every quiet cobble-stone alley and corridor. These days, cafes, boutiques, pubs and spas are auspiciously peppered throughout, while colorful Meo and Akha hill tribes make their daily ritual visit to the valley to offer their handmade tapestries and handicrafts to curious adventurers. The Ping River weaves through the valley to the East of the Old City while a peaceful moat surrounds the time-worn walls.
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 11: Chiang Mai | Temples of the Lanna Kingdom | Cultural Show with Thai Dinner
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner In the morning, visit the most prominent temples in Chiang Mai. Start with Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. It features Lanna art throughout and illustrates many famous Buddhist stories. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang, which once contained the Emerald Buddha. The temple is partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s. Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and also houses one of Thailand’s greatest treasures: the Crystal Buddha.
Then continue to Wat Suan Dok, which houses many of the remains of generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot – this peaceful temple is surrounded by green and was built in the Mahabodhi style from India to house the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1453. You’ll return to the hotel for some leisure in the afternoon.
In the evening, we will transfer to an outdoor courtyard theater. Take a place in traditional Thai seating as Thai dishes are brought to you. Enjoy colorful performances in traditional Lanna Thai apparel with live music. Then return to the hotel after the show.
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 12: Chiang Mai | Inthanon National Park
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch Today, you’ll explore the Doi Inthanon National Park. You’ll visit the highest peak where glorious views of the countryside await. You’ll also trek to many waterfalls and see the flora and fauna unique to this region. As time permits, you’ll visit several pagodas, hill tribe villages, and royal gardens.
Inthanon National Park – 15 Days Laos Thailand Luxury Tour Mekong River Cruise Upstream
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 13: Chiang Mai | Thai Culinary Class
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch Today, you’ll join a culinary experience with a Thai chef. The school is run by Sompon Nabnian, a Chiang Mai culinary legend who has been featured on National Geographic and the Travel Channel. Start the class with a visit to local market where Thai people buy the groceries. The chef will be keen to teach you how to identify various produce and what to pick. You’ll learn about many new vegetables and spices. Then, with the ingredients you’ll need in hand, continue to a Thai pavilion where the class will commence. You’ll have your own station and cooking utensils. The chef will show you how to prepare several dishes and oversee your work providing tips along the way. Then it’s time to enjoy your creation! After saying goodbyes, return back to your hotel for leisure time.
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 14: Chiang Mai | Leisure Day | Traditional Thai Spa and Night Bazaar
Meals: Breakfast Enjoy some leisure time in the morning to relax or you may want to have own exploration in the city.
Chiang Mai is known for its legendary “Siam Lanna” massage techniques dating back to the Lanna Kingdom. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a royal relaxation treatment at the top-rated spa in Chiang Mai. Transfer to Zira Spa – an award-winning spa inside a beautiful Lanna-style refurbished mansion. You’ll enjoy your choice of either an aromatherapy massage(oil) or a traditional massage(non-oil) for 1 hour. Continue to the night markets to explore the interesting curios, trinkets, silks, and jewelry created by the hill tribes in the surrounding highlands. Return back to the hotel for leisure and overnight.
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 15: Chiang Mai | Farewell!
Meals: Breakfast Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your onward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!
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It's easier than ever to get going! Request a quote today!
One of our Travel Experts will reach out to you and assist you with an itinerary and quote. Also, feel free to leave your phone number and we will give you a quick call just to say hello and clarify any questions we have about your inquiry.
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