Perfectly combined to create an unforgettable experience, venture off the beaten track to discover the colourful hill tribe cultures of Thailand's northern highlands. Explore the tranquil treasures and rich culture of beautiful Laos.
Visit Maeklong Railway Market - Visit Maeklong Railway market, famous for being along a railway line – witness the fascinating bustle of activity by the stallholders to move their wares out of the way as a train comes through!
Spend the Night in a Jungle Lodge - Stay at a serene jungle lodge run by the Hmong Hilltribe. Nestled in a scenic valley in Mae Rim, the lodge invites you to experience Hmong culture while surrounded by natural beauty.
Dawn Ceremony of Takbat - Witness the dawn ceremony of Takbat, a daily ritual which sees the saffron-robed monks of Luang Prabang's monasteries collect alms, in the form of food, from the local people who line the streets.
Bangkok (2N) - Chiang Mai (2N) - H'mong Hilltribe (1N) - Chiang Rai (2N) - Pakbeng (1N) - Luang Prabang (3N) - Vientiane (2N)
Day 1: Fly To Bangkok
Fly to the vibrant city of Bangkok. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Includes: Dinner
Day 2: Discover Bangkok
Bangkok is an exotic assault on the senses, a whirlwind of chaos, refinement and rewarding sights where you can go from tranquil golden temples to forests of gleaming skyscrapers before experiencing authentic Asia on bustling streets. Today's sightseeing includes Wat Pho, the dazzling Grand Palace and Chinatown. Take to the Chao Phraya River on a longboat, getting an alternative view of the city as you travel to the Pak Klong Talaat Flower Market. This evening, enjoy inner at a local restaurant.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Floating Market
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and experience the Maeklong Railway market. Fly to Chiang Mai this evening.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Explore Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a chilled out, nonchalant city in the foothills of Thailand's northern highlands. Take a tour of the city via richshaw, visit Flok Life Museum, admire Wat Chedi Luang and ascend to Wat Doi Suthep perched on top of Doi Suthep Mountain. This evening, enjoy a traditional Khantoke dinner and a performance of the ancient songs and dances of northern Thailand and wander through the buzzing night bazaar in search of bargains.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Meditation & H'mong Hilltribe
Visit a local yoga and meditation centre and enjoy a relaxing meditation session. After lunch continue to the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge amidst the striking natural beauty of the region. This evening enjoy a barbecue dinner and a cultural show.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Elephant Care Centre - Chiang Rai
Visit the Thai Elephant Care Centre in Mae Rim this morning. The centre is located in the beautiful Mesa Valley and is the peaceful retirement for elephants rescued from logging camps and elephant shows.. Continue 90 minutes to Tha Ton, a small town by the Mae Kok River, and board your long tail motorboat for your cruise to Baan Pha Tai. Upon arrival, drive a further 2 hours to Chiang Rai where you may wish to take a walk around the night market before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Chiang Rai
Explore the laidback, small town charm of Chiang Rai, visiting the eccentric White Temple and Doi Mae Salong, a hill village once at the heart of the area's notorious opium trade.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Cruise The Mekong
Transfer to the Thai-Laos border and climb aboard a boat to crise along the Mekong taking in the scenery as you go. Stop at Pakbeng with time to visit the village of Ban Houei Lumpane before settling in for the night.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Cruise To Luang Prabang
Back on the river, continue your leisurely cruise down to the beautiful city of Luang Prabang, stopping at the fascinating Pak Ou Caves, a riverside cavern that is full of statues of Buddha that can no longer be used for worship.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Explore Luang Prabang
An enchanting city, Luang Prabang is the quintessential image of Laos – a place of vivid colours with an extremely rich heritage and enduring French legacy. Visit Ban Xang Khong craft village where you can see Sa Paper and local handcraft production. Take a city tour, seeing sights including Wat Visoun and Wat Xieng Thong. Later, spend some time at a local wat, chatting with the friendly monks who love to practise their English.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Kuang Si Waterfalls
Rise early this morning to witness the Buddhist ceremony of Takbat or alms-giving. After breakfast, ascend Phousi Hill for panoramic views over the town and see the treasures at the National Museum. Head out of the town to enjoy the cascading turquoise waters of the enchanting Kuang Si Waterfalls before returning to Luang Prabang via Ock Pop Tok Weaving Centre.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Fly To Vientiane
Catch a flight to Laos' capital city, Vientiane.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Discover Vientiane
Nestled in a sleepy bend of the Mekong, Vientiane is a delightfully quaint city. Spend the day exploring Talaat Sao market, Wat Si Saket, Wat Phra Keo (a former temple that now houses a museum), That Luang Stupa, and the Patuxai Victory Monument, known as the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane. Finally, explore the sculptural Buddha Park. Later, enjoy dinner and a traditional Laos music and dance performance.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 14-15: Fly Vientiane To Australia
Enjoy a free morning in Vientiane, making the most of the languid pace of life. Fly back to Australia arriving the following day.
Includes: Breakfast
* The above itinerary is subject to change.
Advertised pricing subject to departure date and availability. Please call 1300 414 198 to confirm up-to-the-moment availability and pricing.
Furama Silom Bangkok - Bangkok
Furama Silom Bangkok is centrally located, close to the Patpong Night Market, and stylishly modern. The hotel's numerous facilities include a fully equipped gym, steam room, rooftop pool and rooftop restaurant which have fantastic views over the city. The accommodation is spacious with contemporary décor with Thai touches. Floor to ceiling windows keep it light and the en suite bathroom has a shower, bathrobe and slippers.
Duangtawan Hotel - Chiang Mai
Excellently located right next to the famous night bazaar, the Duangtawan Hotel has a full range of facilities, from seven bars and restaurants, a swimming pool, fitness centre and spa. The spacious, light and airy rooms have city views and a bathroom with both a bath and shower.
Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge - Chiang Mai
An hour outside of Chiang Mai, nestled amongst the hills that Hmong communities also call home, the Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge has a beautiful natural setting of lush vegetation and rice fields. This is the perfect place to experience tribal culture and the beauty of north Thailand’s highlands. Rooms are spread through 10 buildings with a communal area at their heart. Each has a balcony and ensuite bathroom but are made extra cosy with the addition of a colourful Hmong quilt. The pool overlooks the surrounding rice fields and a spa and massage treatments are available.
Laluna Hotel & Resort - Chiang Rai
Just minutes from the famous night bazaar, the Laluna offers cosy Thai-style bungalows tucked amongst lush, tropical gardens. The lagoon-style pool, Jacuzzi, massage service and deck makes the friendly, relaxed atmosphere even more pronounced. The bungalows are spacious and simple with large beds and an en suite bathroom and views over the gardens.
Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge - Pakbeng, Laos
Located off-the-beaten-track in lush forest on the banks of the Mekong, the Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge offers a relaxed and peaceful stay. Accommodation is dotted along the riverfront and hillside; each room complete with balcony to full enjoy your surroundings. Each has a traditional, local feel – cosy and comfortable along with the en suite shower room. The hotel also has two bar/restaurants, a botanical garden and sports area.
Chitchareune Muang Luang Hotel - Luang Prabang, Laos
Combing traditional elegance and modern comfort, the three-star Chitchareune Muang Luang is housed in a building that is contemporary Laotian in style. Excellently located just a 10-minute walk from the heart of the old city, the 56 rooms are set around a swimming pool in peaceful gardens. Within you’ll find a modern and comfortable space, with plenty of Laos textiles and local touches and a private balcony. The hotel also offers a gym and spa.
Mercure Hotel Vientiane - Vientiane
This four-star hotel has a wealth of facilities including outdoor pool, tennis courts, a fitness centre and sauna. Well-located for the airport and just a three-minute stroll to the Mekong River, there is also a restaurant and bar and spacious and contemporary rooms with an en suite bathroom plus robe and slippers.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.