16 Days Laos and Thai Journey on the Mekong River with Phuket Beach

ITINERARY

Day 1: Bangkok | Arrive in Bangkok

International Flight: Excluded
Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Bangkok, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check in. Then you are at leisure to explore the Chao Phraya riverfront, go shopping, or visit a Muay Thai boxing gym on your own.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 2: Bangkok | Ayutthaya Kingdom Discovery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Start early and transfer North to the Ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Start by visiting Wat Phu Khao Thong – a temple outside of Ayutthaya started by the invading Burmese who built the base when they overtook Ayutthaya and was finished by Siam who later took back their city. Continue to Ayutthaya and start with the Royal Palace and Royal Temple – dating back to the 14th century. Continue to the nearby Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit where the largest bronze Buddha in Thailand is housed.

Enjoy a Thai lunch and some free time. Have a short visit to Wat Lokaya Sutha – the image of the reclining Buddha. Then continue to the Royal Palace at Bang Pa In, which is the Summer Palace of the Thai Royal Family. Return back to your hotel in Bangkok for leisure time.

Ayutthaya Ancient Ruins

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 3: Bangkok | Bangkok by Boat

Meals: Breakfast
In the early morning, take a traditional long tail boat to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn to enjoy a stunning view and explore the gem of Bangkok.

Continue to one of the must-see sights, the spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark. Built in 1782- and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government – the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people.

Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by HM The King of Thailand and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings. Then return to the hotel for some leisure time in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 4: Bangkok – Luang Prabang | Leisure | Flight to Luang Prabang

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

Morning is at your leisure to relax or explore the rest in the city on your own.

In the afternoon, take a flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your 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 5: Luang Prabang | Buddhist Ancient City and Temples

Meals: Breakfast
Your half day city tour begins 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.

Wat Xieng Thong Temple

A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Day 6: Luang Prabang | Kuang Si Waterfalls and Hill Tribes

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.

Stunning Kuang Si Waterfall

Accommodation: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao

Day 7: Luang Prabang – Pakbeng | Cruise to Pak Ou Caves

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.

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 its exit over the jungled horizon.

Mekong River in Laos

Accommodation: The Luang Say Lodge

Day 8: Pakbeng – Chiang Rai | Cruise to Thailand | Tai Lue Minorities | Arrive in Chiang Rai

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 tattooes which are believed to protect from spirits and also to attract women.

At 5 PM, arrive in Huay Xai for disembarkation and crossing immigration into Thailand.

Your tour guide will pick you up from the border. Then continue the transfer to Chiang Rai. Check in the hotel and relax.

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 9: 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 Alps

Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort

Day 10: Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai | Golden Triangle & Chiang Saen Ancient Town | Road Trip to Chiang Mai | The White Temple

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.

Transfer in the afternoon 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. 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: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 11: Chiang Mai | Temples of the Lanna Kingdom

Meals: Breakfast
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 your hotel for some leisure in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 12: Chiang Mai | Befriending the Gentle Giants of Asia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you will join in a tour to an elephant sanctuary in the jungles near Chiang Mai by 4WD truck. First, you’ll learn about the project and hear the amazing stories of each rescued and orphaned elephant. Learn how they became a proud herd free from abuse and misuse. Then have an opportunity to feed them. Next, enjoy a picnic spread. Then take a stroll with the herd to the nearby river. Here you will have the opportunity to observe or participate in bathing the elephants with the sanctuary staff.

After you have said your farewells, return back to the hotel for some leisure time.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 13: Chiang Mai – Phuket | Flight to Phuket | Relax on the Beach

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Board a morning flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your resort next to the beach for check-in.

Phuket Beach Sunset – 16 Days Laos Thai Journey Mekong River Phuket Beach

Enjoy the beaches of Phuket. North of the resort is two stunning beaches facing the Andaman Sea, Karon Beach and Kata Beach. Perched above Kata Noi beach – a quiet stretch of white sand meets blue waves with forested mountains.

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 14: Phuket | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to explore the beautiful beaches of Phuket.

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 15: Phuket | Sea Caves by Starlight

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

World famous kayaking inside marine limestone karst islands with macaques, water monitors, kingfishers and Sea Eagles. Meet at the hotel around 11 AM to transfer to the pier. Then continue by boat with a light lunch served onboard. Self-paddle with your own sea cave guide through tunnels and lagoons. When darkness falls, stars shine overhead in the circle of black night, fireflies flash in the cliffside jungle and, most of all, the sea glows with phosphorescence. Enjoy a spiritual ceremony with your own made “Krathong”. Have a magnificent dinner onboard. Then return to land. A truly magical and out of this world experience (Listed among National Geographic’s “World’s Top 50 Adventures”).

Kayaking in the Sea Caves – 16 Days Laos Thai Journey Mekong River Phuket Beach

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 16: Phuket | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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