Laos Thailand Tour 9 days: Cultural Immersion
Overview
Our Laos Thailand Tour 9 days: Cultural Immersion starts with a full day visiting temples which highly emphasize the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, you also can participate in alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks if you want to. In the next day, we take a cruise departing for Huay Xay, en route you have a chance to visit famous attractions and look through the local life of people on Mekong Delta.
Travelling by this way is absolutely more interesting than by flight as usual. Arrival in Huay Xay border, we enter Thailand and see Thailand, Burma & Laos, confluence at the Golden Triangle on a local boat, also visit Karen long neck hill tribe people. Pass through Chiang Rai to make some sightseeing, we finish the tour by a journey to Chiang Mai, visiting the city and spending a day to interact with elephants.
Highlights
- Pass through colorful capital of Laos with temples emphasizing the uniqueness of Luang Prabang
- Join a 2-day cruise trip sails from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay – the border between Laos and Thailand
- See Thailand, Burma & Laos, confluence at the Golden Triangle on a local boat with romantic scenery
- Admire the beauty of famous temples in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
- Have an opportunity to learn and interact with elephants – symbol of Thailand
Itinerary
Warmly welcome you on arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport. We will pick you up with a comfortable vehicle to the center of Luang Prabang to check-in your hotel, then take your time to have a rest after a long flight.
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Enjoy your UNESCO morning walk to understand insight of this charming town then back to hotel for breakfast.
Then go up Phousi Mount. The hill is popular as a place to watch the sunrise over the Mekong River. From the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular 360 degrees outlook across the city and its many temples, and out over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance.
This morning, visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Continue to visit Wat Aham. Visit Wat Xieng Thong further emphasizes the uniqueness of Luang Prabang, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. See also the impressive "tree of life" mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana.
This afternoon, visit the National Museum, explore the city’s fascinating array of shimmering temples and French colonial buildings. Then explore Wat May built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style.
Today morning, transfer to the pier to join a trip on Shompoo Cruise.
The boat leaves the CALAO pier at 7:00am for upsteaming the Mekong to Pakbeng. On the way, we will stop to visit Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its thousands of Buddha images. Lunch is served on board. The boat arrives in Pakbeng at the end of the afternoon.
Meeting point at 07:15am on the boat. We leave Pakbeng at 7:30am for continuing the journey upstream on the Mekong River to Houay Xay. Visit a Kamu village along the Mekong River. Lunch is served on board. After stopping in Pak Tha to have the boat documents signed, we will arrive in Houay Xay around 5:00pm and will drive you to the Lao immigration office by Tuk Tuk.
We then transfer to Chiang Khong for overnight.
After breakfast, we drive to take a boat trip along Mekong River to see Thailand, Burma & Laos, confluence at the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle is known for its beautiful scenery. Some of the sights in the area include a large golden Buddha image seated in a boat, an ancient temple on a hill.
We then leave to visit the Long Neck Karen village to see the long neck hill tribe people who relocated from the Thai and Myanmar border. If it is possible, you will also able to visit a Cock Fighting near the hill tribe village. Keep driving to Mt. Doi Mae Salong and visit the Chinese village on the top of the mountain.
This morning, after pick up from your hotel, we drive to visit Rong Khun Temple (White Temple). A contemporary Buddhist temple that was design by Chalermchai Kositpipat as a glimpse of heaven. Construction started in 1997 with the goal of creating a tourist destination in the small town that Kositpipat was raised consisting of 13 buildings.
The construction continues to this today. Visit Singha Park, enjoy taking photo in tea plantation, then go to Black House and museum of National Artist - Dr. Thawan Duchanee. The museum has an impressive collection of animal remains such as an elephant skeleton, shark jaws, snake skins, and more all displayed in an artistic manner. It also consists of various black colored buildings constructed in the style of a Thai temple.
We then drive to Chiang Mai for overnight.
Today morning, we have a walking tour to the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, built in Lanna style architecture. Known as “The Monastery of the Lion Buddha’, this temple houses a number of highly revered and very old Buddha images.
The next is Wat Phan Tao, an ancient temple sitting right next to the sacred Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai town.
Next to Wat Phan Tao is Wat Chedi Luang. This is a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take a rickshaw tour. After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot. which is a great spot for travelers wanting to experience the true Thai culture and daily life.
In the afternoon we visit the Doi Suthep hill. The mountain's temple is one of the most historically and spiritually significant places in Thailand. So, many Thais and foreigners come to experience the special magic of this holy place.
Return to the hotel and you can relax or enjoy going to the night market.
Morning after breakfast, we drive to Elephant jungle sanctuary to visit as the program below:
Itinerary:
08:00 – 08:30 | : Pick up from your hotel or accommodation |
08:30 | : Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas. |
10:30 | : Arrive at the Sanctuary. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior. |
11:00 | : Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants. |
12:00 | : Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit. |
13:00 | : Learn how to make herbal medicine balls, feed the Elephants and then walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants. |
14:00 | : Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants. |
15:00 | : Change clothes and say good bye to the elephants |
15:30 | : Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai. |
17:00-17:30 | : Drop off at your hotel or accommodation. |
The time is on your own until we transfer to the airport for an international flight back to your hometown. End of services.
Trip notes
Tour includes:
- Private English speaking guide.
- All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfasts
- All transfers & transportation by private car (or van, bus)
- Meals as indicated at local restaurant with local foods (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
- Boat trip as mentioned
- Entrance fees and permits during guided time.
- Service charge & government taxes
Tour excludes:
- International Airfares.
- Meals not indicated
- Drinks & beverage..
- Laos & Thailand Visa
- Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
- Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills.
- Tips and gratuities
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