Thailand and Laos Tour Package 12 days

Tour Brief

Day 1: Chiang Mai Arrival.
Day 2: Chiang Mai Discover.
Day 3: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Sightseeing.
Day 4: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Khong.
Day 5: Chiang Khong – Huay Xay – Boat to Pakbeng.
Day 6: Pakbeng – Boat to Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Luang Prabang – City Tour.
Day 8: Luang Prabang – Alms Giving – Kuangsi Waterfall.
Day 9: Luang Prabang – Drive to Vang Vieng – Tham Phoukham.
Day 10: Vang Vieng – Tham Jang – Drive to Vientiane.
Day 11: Vientiane – City Tour.
Day 12: Vientiane Departure.

Day 1: Chiang Mai Arrival.
Welcome to Chiang Mai, gateway to Northern Thailand, surrounded by mountain and countryside which make it quite and serene. Meet your guide and transfer to hotel for check in (check in time: 14:00).
Meals: Not Available.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai.

Day 2: Chiang Mai Discover.
The day will start with The Mae Sa Elephant Camp to watch the elephants bathing and the elephant show. Here you can choose the option of riding the elephants either through the natural forested slopes in the Mae Sa Valley or to Baan Tong Luang the picturesque 4 hill tribe exhibition village set in a beautiful valley amongst the rice paddies.
After a leisurely lunch, proceed to the Sankampeang area to view the manufacture of famous Chiang Mai and Thai product such as silk, celadon and paper umbrella. Your final destination of the day is the impressive Doi Suthep temple which sits on the mountain overlooking Chiang Mai.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai.

Day 3: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Sightseeing.
This morning, you will head to Chiang Rai, the city remains a sleepy provincial town with a pleasant atmosphere offering you spicier food and good percentage of hill tribes and Myanmar exiles
On arrival, spend your time to visit Wat Rong Khun (also known as White Temple) – the unique northern art temple with the beautiful painting and the chapel of this temple is in pure white and adorned with exquisite traditional Thai style stuccowork, aiming to represent heaven. Continue with the visit to other main attractions in Chiang Rai such as Wat Phra Kaew where the Emerald Buddha; Wat Phra Singha where the famous Buddha image housed here is believed to be built in 157 A.D. in Sri Lanka or Ceylon and was brought to Thailand in the Sukhothai period (1238-1438).
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Rai.

Day 4: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Khong.
Depart from your hotel in the morning to Mae Sai Border - the Northern most point of Thailand, where you can also experience the local lifestyle of people at the border point. Then continue your trip to the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak River and the Mekong River meets forming the border of three countries, and the opium museum. Thereafter, you will take a boat trip on the river to view the splendor of mighty Mekong River. Drive to hotel in Chiang Khong to rest.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Khong.

Day 5: Chiang Khong – Huay Xay – Boat to Pakbeng.
Leave hotel early morning for border crossing. You will board a cruise downstream Mekong river.
08:00 am: You will meet team of the cruise in front of the Chiang Khong International border with a sign of your name. They will help you get the shuttle bus to cross the bridge and go to Lao immigration. Just after landing, English speaking tour guide will welcome you and will help you to apply for your visa. Then, we will transfer you by minivan to the boat pier. The boat leaves Houay Xay at 09:30am.
12:00 pm: Lunch is served on board. You will taste traditional Lao food with several dishes.
2:00 pm: The first stop will be to visit a Hill Tribe Village along the Mekong River. Our guide will explain the way of living and the origins of these rural populations. The tribe being small, we ask you a special attention to respect the private space of the habitants while the visit.
During the afternoon, you will be free to relax on board and taste some local snacks and fresh fruits.
4:30 pm: The boat arrives in Pakbeng before sunset, where you will retreat to your accommodation for the night.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Pakbeng.

Day 6: Pakbeng – Boat to Luang Prabang.
8:00am: The boat leaves Pakbeng.
The boat departs for another day of impressive nature landscapes all along the river. 2 stops are planned during the afternoon.
Use your free time in the morning for asking some questions about Luang Prabang and Laos the guide.
12:30pm: Lunch is served on board. You will taste traditional Lao food with several dishes.
1:00pm: After the lunch, the first stop will be at Pak Ou to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its thousands of Buddha images.”
2:30pm: Next step, the Lao Lao village, commonly known as the Whiskey Village.
In there, the guide will provide information about the locally made rice whisky, and you will have the chance to taste it if you wish.
You will also have time to enjoy the charm of this small and authentic village, its temple and local artisans.
You will be served some local snacks and fresh fruits before arrival.
You will arrive in Luang Prabang around 4:30pm. Meet your private guide and driver and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Luang Prabang – City Tour.
Profoundly influenced by the French, unquestionably earns the title of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this exquisite town in Laos is not to be missed under any circumstances. Situated on the peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River, Luang Prabang is a perfect spot to unwind, eat good food and enjoy the scenery. This relatively small, palm fringed place is packed with fabulous colonial villas, top class restaurants, coffee shops and stunning Buddhist temples.
Today we take a trip around the ancient city to visit the most highlights. We begin with Royal Palace Museum, was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Continue our trip to Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang. Then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong - representative of classic Laotian architecture.
In the afternoon we ride to visit the unique Wat Visoun, entirely rebuilt after its destruction in 1887 by the invading Black Flags from southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa, which is shaped like the fruit it takes its name from. Then head to the excellent Arts and Ethnology Center which will give you further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. Later that day, we adjourn to the Phousi hill to enjoy the marvelous panoramic views of the town at sunset.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Luang Prabang – Alms Giving – Kuangsi Waterfall.
This morning you will wake up early (05:30 AM) and take participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. Back to hotel for breakfast.
After refreshment, we explore Ock Pop Tok craft living center overlooking the Mekong river, set in a tropical Mekong garden. Meaning “east meets west”, Ock Pop Tok brings the fascinating world of traditional Lao handicrafts alive for visitors. Continue our trip to the morning Phosi Market where you will see exotic things as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.
Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will take a walk to visit the Ban Ouay, Hmong Hill tribe and Ban Ou, Lowland Lao. Continue driving to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. You are free to visit the Bear Rescue Centre which relies solely on partners, corporate sponsors and donations from the public. Buying T shirt or other merchandise is highly recommended to fund this preservation. Back to the old town to relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 9: Luang Prabang – Drive to Vang Vieng – Tham Phoukham.
After breakfast and refreshment, we check out and take a drive to Vang Vieng (6 hours), a little charming town settle on the bank of Nam Song river with karst mountain backdrop.
Arrive, check in and head to Tham Phoukham cave, the country’s beautiful and famous limestone caverns surrounded by forest. Along the way, you will meet local villagers and learn about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool called Blue Lagoon in front of the caves where you can swim and refresh yourself from the heat.
Back to hotel to relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng.

Day 10: Vang Vieng – Tham Jang – Drive to Vientiane.
Breakfast and relax then we drive to explore Tham Jang cave, the home for migrating people, who settled near the town’s southern Meuang Xong Village to rise vegetables. The locals stumbled into the cavern during the civil war, while seeking refuge deep in the forest.
After lunch we drive to Vientiane (4 hours), the capital of Laos, arrive and check in.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane.

Day 11: Vientiane – City Tour.
We have a day to explore Vientiane – The charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indo Chinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: Wat Sisaket the city ‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interior and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees. Next is the visit Pha That Luang, the giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Then you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane. In the afternoon we visit Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan (as well as other variations of the spelling), is a sculpture park located 25 km southeast from Vientiane.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane.

Day 12: Vientiane Departure.
Have breakfast at the hotel then enjoy free time before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home.
Meal: Breakfast.
Have a good journey & See you again!