Others

Bangkok - Chinatown walking tour Nan – Orientation Tour Pua – Hand Weaving Demonstration Muang Ngern – Local Village Visit Luang Prabang - orientation walk Luang Prabang - Talad Mued Night Market Luang Prabang – Wat Phu Si Sunset Hike Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves Luang Prabang – Mekong River Cruise (Half Day) Luang Prabang - Alms giving ceremony Vientiane - Wat Si Saket Vientiane - COPE visit Vientiane - Leader orientation walk

Meals

9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Accommodation

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. TWIN SHARE : Accommodation on this trip is on a twin basis. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. Guesthouse (4 nights), Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Resort (1 night)

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Transport

TRANSPORT VARIATIONS: Occasionally the road between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng may be closed due to road conditions in which case we will have to fly between Luang Prabang and Vientiane. This will be at your expense, but we will endeavour to notify you of the road situation as early as possible. In this situation we would spend an extra night in Vientiane or Luang Prabang. Public bus , Slow boat , Private vehicle , Songthaew , Tuk-tuk , Train

Not included:

Flights

Flights are not included.

Optional

Bangkok - Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure - THB2900 Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure - THB2500 Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500 Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB250 Bangkok - Jim Thompson’s House - THB200 Bangkok - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) - THB200 Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (Entrance) - THB50 Chaing Mai - Cooking at Home Cookery School - THB1400 Chiang Mai - Thai massage - THB200 Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB990 Chiang Mai – Zipline (from) - THB1900 Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex - THB50 Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary - THB1900 Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon (Entrance) - THB300 Chiang Mai – Whitewater Rafting - THB1800 Chiang Mai – Muay Thai - THB400 Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls - USD2 Luang Prabang - Laos Red Cross sauna - LAK10000 Luang Prabang - Laos Red Cross massage - LAK40000 Luang Prabang - Mt Phu Si - USD2 Luang Prabang - Wat Xieng Thong - USD3 Luang Prabang – Royal Theatre Performance (from) - LAK150000 Luang Prabang – National Museum (Entrance Fee) - LAK30000 Luang Prabang – Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre (from) - USD45 Luang Prabang – Wat Visun (Entrance Fee) - LAK20000 Luang Prabang – Cooking Class - USD38 Luang Prabang – UXO Lao Visitor Centre (Entrance Fee) - LAK20000 Luang Prabang - Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre - USD2 Vang Vieng - Tham Jung Cave - USD2 Vang Vieng - Bicycle hire - USD2 Vang Vieng - Kayaking - USD20 Vang Vieng - Blue Lagoon (Entrance Fee) - LAK10000 Vientiane - That Luang - USD1 Vientiane - Laos National Museum - LAK10000 Vientiane - Aerobic class - LAK3000 Vientiane - Pratu Xai - USD1

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Bangkok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Bangkok

Sawasdee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins in the bustling hub of Bangkok with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe get to grips with this awesome city and take a walk around Khao San Road or head to the magnificent Grand Palace. As one of the world’s largest marketplaces, Chatuchak Market is also a great place to practice your haggling and pick up some bargains. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner with your newfound travel companions and hit the nightlife to celebrate the start of an epic adventure.
Day 2 Day 2: Bangkok - Overnight Train
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Bangkok - Overnight Train

Today, explore some of Bangkok’s oldest neighbourhoods on a walking tour with your leader. Wander through Chinatown and along the way, maybe stop by some food stalls on Sukorn Alley for some snacks. Visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat – home to 58 gods, this is said to be one of the most sacred sites in the area. Offer prayers to the Chinese gods, take your time in this sacred place surrounded by gold statues and red lanterns and then finish with a walk through the bustling daytime Sampeng wholesale market. You’ll have an included lunch at the famous Labour Egg Noodle, so tuck into some Fish Ball Noodles or Tom Yam Pork Noodles. The rest of the afternoon is free to do what you like, until your overnight train this evening.
Day 3 Day 3: Chiang Mai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Chiang Mai

Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning. The day is yours to choose your own adventure – see how many (or how little) activities you can pack into your day. You’ll stay in a centrally located guesthouse so you’re close to all the action. You can set off on an excursion to the top of Doi Suthep – there are a few hundred steps to climb here, but the views are well worth it – or maybe treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage. You could also take a cooking class so you can impress your friends in the kitchen when you get home. Tonight, check out the night bazaar and practice your bargaining skills. Your leader will also be available to take you and the gang on a bar-hopping adventure around the Nimman area – a trendy neighbourhood full of jazz bars and lounges.
Day 4 Day 4: Chiang Mai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Chiang Mai

Another free day, another chance to get your fill of Chiang Mai, with a bunch of optional activities to do. In the morning, maybe learn one of the legendary martial arts – Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) with a 1.5-hour class learning the basics with professional trainers. You’ll be shown how to adapt to be the weapon and how to guard - is there a better way to spend a morning? You could also go ziplining, white water rafting or cycling around the area if you’re feeling active. Maybe just wander around the many temples on offer and end the day with a relaxing massage.
Day 5 Day 5: Nan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Nan

This morning after breakfast, take a local bus to Nan. When you arrive, take the chance to refresh at your hotel before heading out to explore the town. Along the way, visit Wat Phumin – Nan’s most famous wat (a sacred Buddhist precinct, home to a temple, a Buddha and an educational facility). This wat was constructed in 1596 and was restored during the reign of Chao Ananta Vora Ritthi Det. The rest of the evening is free to explore at your own pace.
Day 6 Day 6: Pua
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Pua

This morning is free to explore Nan how you like. If you want to grab some local bites for lunch, your leader is always on hand with the best recommendations. You’ll have the option today of visiting a gallery by the Nan River, where you can have a coffee and view modern art by local Thai artists. Later, travel to the Pua District and visit a hand-weaving centre and the local woman who started this enterprise inspired by modern design. Learn how she stays true to her Tai Lue roots and helps to provide employment opportunities for the women in the community. See their beautiful craft of handwoven textiles and then explore the village of Pua. Tonight, you’ll head to the evening market with your leader, with the option to go out for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 7 Day 7: Luang Prabang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Luang Prabang

Travel through the rural countryside this morning to the border into Laos. After border formalities, you’ll stop at the local village of Muang Ngeun – a small district in Xayaburi Province. The Tai-Lue and Nan people make most of their income through cotton weaving here as well, but in a different style to Thailand. Explore the local Buddhist temple and see the outskirts of Laos before continuing to Luang Prabang. When you arrive, head out on a leader-led orientation walk of ‘the best-preserved city in Southeast Asia’ (the local government started using this phrase, but it caught on for a reason). Tonight, you’ll hike up to Wat Phu Si for sunset. As the sun goes down, witness some epic views over Phu Si Mountain and then head to the Talad Mued Night Market for dinner. Enjoy a local BBQ feast (Sindad is the art of grilling meat on a hot pan – a type of traditional BBQ set on a charcoal stove that has a surrounding rim full of boiling water for blanching vegetables) and toast to a great night.
Day 8 Day 8: Luang Prabang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Luang Prabang

Today, you’ll head out on a boat for a gorgeous half-day exploration on the Mekong River – the world’s twelfth-longest river and the third-longest in Asia. Cruise past stunning riverside scenery and distant mountains, among overhanding reeds. Stop to stretch your legs and explore the Pak Ou Caves, which contain hundreds of Buddha statues. After a gorgeous day, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore Luang Prabang. Maybe head to the Kuang Si Waterfall and round out your day full of natural beauty with a refreshing swim in nature.
Day 9 Day 9: Luang Prabang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Luang Prabang

Today is a free day in Luang Prabang. Maybe take a tuk-tuk to visit Wat Xieng Thong – this temple was built in the 16th century under the patronage of the royal family, and the Laotian kings were crowned here. The main viharn (assembly hall) and buildings have carved gilded wooden doors depicting scenes from Buddha’s life. Otherwise, just wander the streets and take photos of the lush greenery and beautiful buildings. You can also take a hike on Mt Phu Si or take on a cooking class and meet some new friends as you gain some skills.
Day 10 Day 10: Vang Vieng
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Vang Vieng

It’s worth getting up early this morning to view the procession of saffron-robed monks on their daily outing collecting alms – a practice that dates back centuries. The people of the town wait out in front of their houses with food for the monks to collect and take back to the temple. This is done early in the morning as the monks cannot eat anything after midday. The rest of the day is free until your late afternoon train to Vang Vieng. Maybe cruise around town or mingle with the locals at the markets. For lunch, you might want to try some delicious noodle soup at one of the top-notch French cafes along the main drag. Later, you’ll take a transfer to the train station and then jump on a high-speed train to your destination. This beautifully located adventure gateway lies on a bend in the Nam Song. Take in the views of mountains, rivers and big limestone cliffs that are so close you’ll feel like you could reach out and touch them.
Day 11 Day 11: Vang Vieng
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Vang Vieng

Today is a free day to explore Vang Vieng however you like – this natural paradise has no shortage of fun activities! Maybe cross the river and explore the huge caves that line the West Bank – Tham Poukham cave has a blue-green lagoon and a reclining Buddha statue that’s well worth a look – or take a cycling tour of the town. You can also go kayaking on the Nam Song River or explore the nearby 16th and 17th century monasteries. With hiking, ballooning and boating options in this gorgeous area, the day is your oyster.
Day 12 Day 12: Vientiane
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Vientiane

After breakfast this morning, you’ll take a private bus to Vientiane – Laos’ classy capital. Swap your instant coffee and white rice for a latte and a baguette before snapping a few pics at Wat Si Saket – the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane and home to almost 7000 Buddha images. Your trip leader will show you around this chic, French-influenced city and take you to COPE – an organisation dedicated to assisting those who have been injured or affected by the shocking number of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in the countryside. UXOs are explosive weapons, such as bombs and grenades that still pose a risk after they were used. About 30% of Laos remains contaminated with UXOs from the Vietnam War and poses a serious risk to residents. COPE provides prosthetics and other assistance to people affected by this devastating war history. Grab some dinner with your travel mates tonight, and explore what Vientiane has to offer on Quai Fa Ngum Road.
Day 13 Day 13: Vientiane
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Vientiane

With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end today. If you want to spend more time in Laos, just speak to your booking agent.

+10

13 days tour

Real Thailand & Laos (6 Destinations)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Real Thailand & Laos (6 Destinations)

Day 1: Bangkok

Day 2: Bangkok - Overnight Train

Day 3: Chiang Mai

Day 4: Chiang Mai

Day 5: Nan

Day 6: Pua

Day 7: Luang Prabang

Day 8: Luang Prabang

Day 9: Luang Prabang

Day 10: Vang Vieng

Day 11: Vang Vieng

Day 12: Vientiane

Day 13: Vientiane

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