Laos-Thailand tour 19 Days: Upstream expedition

Arrival at Luang Prabang international airport, get transferred to your hotel. Check-in time at hotel is between 13h30-14h00. Time for resting at hotel.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals               : NA

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.

Meals on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals               : Breakfast

Notes:

1. This tour includes elephant bathing

2. Itineraries are subject to change based on seasonal conditions.

3. In case that the water level of Tad Sae falls is too low during dry season, we offer you to relax and swim in our beautiful Shangri Lao swimming pool.

Itinerary:

8:00 am – 8:30 am: Pick up by our English-speaking guide and Elephant camp driver from your hotel lobby

Arrive at the Elephant Village Camp: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants

Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants

Explore Elephant Village: Visit elephant hospital, museum, photo gallery and dung paper making area

Learn to communicate with elephant: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a mahout and how they communicate with the elephants.

Bathe the Elephant: Take the elephants down to the Nam Khan River for an exhilarating bathing experience!

Trek along the Trail of Falls: Enjoy a 2 km trek along our exclusive Trail of Falls through

Lunch: Dine in the forest surroundings with a picnic box lunch prepared just for you at our camp restaurant (vegetarian options available).

Continue of the Trail of Falls: Enjoy another 1 km trek on foot along the Trail of Falls, which follows a beautiful stream leading up to Tad Sae Waterfall.

Tad Sae Waterfall: Arrive at Tad Sae Waterfall and relax, dip your feet or take a swim in the clear, cool water

Boat trip back from Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall

Depart:  Transfer back to your hotel in Luang Prabang between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm

Dinner on your own. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals               : Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your private guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and then drive to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Long Lao. You will be able to observe the lifestyles of these two culturally very different minority groups and see how despite their differences they manage to work together on a day-to-day basis and even sharing the same school.

As we continue onwards the trail leads through rice paddy and vegetable fields before reaching the mountainous forest. Afterward, your trekking brings you to one of the many springs which feed Kuang Si waterfalls, a beautiful pool full of sacred fish can be seen here.

You also can visit the bear conservation center which is located nearby and home to many bears which have been rescued from illegal farms. Return to Luang Prabang and stop at a nearby Khmu village of Ban Thapene.

Meals on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals               : Breakfast

Pick up at your hotel in Luang Prabang and then transfer to the pier. The boat leaves Luang Prabang at 7:00am for upstream the Mekong to Pakbeng. Continental Breakfast is served on board.

In the morning, we will stop to visit Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its over two thousand Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage place for lao people. Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board. In the afternoon, our English speaking guide will organize a small lecture and will explain the different ethnicities here in Laos. The boat arrives in Pakbeng before the night.

Overnight in Pakbeng

Note: meeting point is 06:45am at our boat pier in front of T56 restaurant, Ban Pakham.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Pakbeng Lodge

Meals               : Breakfast, Lunch

Embark at 7:00am on the boat. Normally your hotel in Pakbeng must have prepared a take away breakfast box for the shompoo cruise travelers that they can eat on board.
In the morning, our guide and cooker will make a short demonstration on how to make some lao desserts and local drinks that travelers will eat later in the afternoon.
Just before lunch, the boat will stop to visit a traditional Kamu village (Ban Kaeng Lae), a tiny cozy place which host about 70 families. Travelers will learn about rural lifestyle in a very remote area. Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.
Before to reach Houay Xay pier, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and
the travelers. The boat will arrive at destination before 4:30pm then transfer you to the Chiang Saen for your overnight

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Saen

Meals               : Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, visit the Golden Triangle area where once used to be the opium trade area. Here is a chance to go on Mae Kong River by the river boat ride to our neighborhood, Laos and see the beautiful scenery along the giantic Mae Khong River which divide the three countries from each other.

You will continue to explore the surroundings and the first road you will take is the one that leads to Mae Salong. Climb up and down the green hills, covered with tea plantations. You will taste the delicious tea produced by one of the many plantations of the region, bef. From Doi Mae Salong, you will visit the ethnic minority: the village Akah of Loyo.

Transfer to Chiang Rai for your overnight. On the way stop to visit Huai Mae Sai Waterfall, It is a quiet waterfall surrounded by charming landscapes, with a total height of more than 100 meters divided into two levels, and there is a clear water basin below suitable for swimming.

Overnight in Chiang Rai

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Rai

Meals               : Breakfast

Morning after breakfast drive to Black House. Baan Dam (Black House) is the unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs. Move to Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple) The Blue Temple or Wat Rong Seua Ten literally translates to ‘temple of the dancing tiger.’ It was built on a site where tigers were said to have jumped over the river. Lastly we visit the White temple, Wat Rong Khun. It nevertheless very recent temple is the most visited monument in the region, the work of Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, started in 1997. Its creator himself announces that he will only be completed 60 to 90 years after his death. Its uniqueness, its whiteness, making it a unique temple of its kind. In wihaan a fresco mixing Buddhist codes with Matrix, Star Wars, the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York and even Kung Fu Panda stands out from the usual decorations such monuments. In the afternoon transfer to Chiang Mai for your overnight

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai

Meals               : Breakfast

Pick up in Chiang Mai at your hotel and departure for the North, up to Pai. On the way, visit the market of Mae Malai, where you can experience local foods like some exotic fruits. Then you'll stop at Pong Deuid, one of the most beautiful hot springs in the province of Chiang Mai. This Spa is little exploited commercially, in fact, and is part of a well maintained in a very picturesque wooded Valley Park. Downstream of bubbling geysers, the rock formations are shallow pools where you can have a nice swim.

You will then have lunch in a restaurant before arriving in Pai.

It is a small community located in a hilly and beautiful, natural environment clean, refreshing and warm atmosphere. Its different ethnic groups of the Plains or mountains, with their religious beliefs and their different languages, are mixed to form singular and common cultural traditions together. According to the time to arrive, you can visit the isolated village of Pai, and three other villages of the local ethnic groups: Ban Bang Paek (Lisu tribe) - although they represent about 5% of the total population of the tribes, the Lisu are very present, including through their clothing in bright colors. They are established in areas of high altitude. Have dinner by own and night to Pai.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Pai

Meals               : Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, visit the local market then departure to Mae Hong Son. You continue the road towards Ban Tham Lod, and visit the caves of Tham Lod by bamboo raft. Cruise on the inland lake; discover its calcareous concretions and its prehistoric coffins. Since the entrance to the exit of the cavity, a water course follows a circular path on nearly 500 meters of height, by eroding it for more than a million years. The site includes three separate caves, in fact, those Sao Hin, Tukta and IP Man; to visit, tourists must climb aboard a raft on 1600 meters.

Lunch is served along the way.

You then take the road to Mae Hong Son with the visit of three temples near the picturesque lake of Jong Kham. It is one of the central points of the city, the western part of the Lake has a few restaurants, a night market, and a walk along the Lake path. Visit to Wat Chong Kham: located next to Wat Chong Klang, it is the oldest of the two wats (temples), founded in 1827 by the Shan of Mae Hong his sovereign. The Buddha, Burmese style, 5 meters high, is sitting. Wat Chong Klang was built in the 1860s, his Burmese style chedi can easily be seen from the banks of the Lake. Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu is the main attraction of Mae Hong Son, keeping the city like a Sentinel. The best time to visit is during the sunset between November and February when the surrounding mountains are shrouded in fog. Stay overnight in Mae Hong Son.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Mae Hong Son

Meals               : Breakfast, Lunch

Morning we begin the journey by taking a boat for sightseeing along the Pai River. You can catch sight one of the most beautiful scenery and simply life style along the Pai River. Drop in to visit Long-Necked Karen village, the women in this tribal village wear their one brass winding rings on their neck.

Lunch will be provided at local restaurant. Continue the journey to visit the Su Tong Pae Bridge, which is the longest bamboo bridge in Thailand. Then taking the next programmed directly journey to “Baan Rak Thai Village.” This interesting village located on the border between Thai and Myanmar with a big lake nearby. Next visit is the beautiful, calm and peaceful atmosphere in Shan village “Baan Ruam Thai”. Also known as Pang Oung, the village is located among the rugged mountain range. The reservoir or a big lake is so spectacular landscape that it is entitled Switzerland in Thailand, surrounded by pine forest and colorful winter flowers including year-round cold weather.

Stay overnight in Mae Hong Son.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Mae Hong Son

Meals               : Breakfast, Lunch

Morning heading South to Mae Chaem, visit Doi Inthanon national park (Thailand’s highest mountain of over 2,565 meters) Admire the stunning views of the peaks, and enjoy walking along the nature trail for a while, and then visit the beautiful architecture of Royal Pagodas Napamaytanidol and Phra Mahatat Napaphon Bhumisiri which build to commemorate the king’s and queen’s 60th birthdays, and enjoy the beautiful of Royal flower garden around the place. Continue to visit hill tribe market where they sell their own product from farm, such as flowers, vegetable etc. Visit Vachiratharn Waterfalls one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, which has water throughout the year. Arrive in Chiang Mai transfer to the hotel for your overnight

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai

Meals               : Breakfast, Lunch

The morning will be mainly devoted to visit the old city with a stop at the ancient wall, the moat and a door of the old city. You will see more   beautiful temples in Chiang Mai:   Wat Prah Singh Temple, Wat Phan Tao temple and the temple Wat Chedi Luang. Then you will stroll along streets lined with traditional houses, where you make a rickshaw ride. From there, you'll at large Central Market Warorot. Afternoon, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous pagoda Chiang Mai. It is reached after climbing a staircase of 290 steps with ramps represent two giant naga. From the square, you can admire the panorama of the whole Chiang Mai Valley.

Then visit craft villages: lacquer factories, silk weaving, manufacture of umbrellas, wood carvings and goldsmith work.

Then transfer back to the hotel.

You are free exploring night market in evening.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai

Meals               : Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. We will pick you up with a comfortable vehicle to the center of Bangkok to check-in your hotel, then take your time to have a rest

Accommodation : At the hotel in Bangkok

Meals               : Breakfast

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.

The first destination is the Grand Palace. 

This huge architecture complex is over 2 sq. kilometers, including 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is no longer home of Thailand Royal, most of national significant events takes place there. 

Wat Phra Kaew is the most out-standing architecture in complex, built in 1785 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. The pagoda is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue.

Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho – the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge one sit-back Buddha in gold. This pagoda is also famous for being a birthplace of traditional Thai massage, since there is a traditional medicine school established in 1982, educating the arts of Thai massage.

We will board on a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by.

On route, we stop at Wat Arun, known as the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas. The pagoda was decorated with glass pieces and Chinese ceramic, in a complicated style.

 Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue represents for prosperity and purity, as well as strength and power.

Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Bangkok

Meals               : Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, take just a short drive from the bustling streets of Bangkok, the high-rise urban landscape dissolves into a lush green rural idyll. This full-day trip to Samut Songkhram Province, only an hour outside the capital, allows guests to experience the traditional charms of the Thai countryside.

The day starts with a trip to Mae Klong Railway market; a country market has sprouted up along the tracks. When a train pulls in or out of the station, the vendors quickly clear their stalls, only to set them up again moments later when the train has passed! From here, the journey continues to very famous touristic Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although quite touristy today, the market remains the best example to showcase how a floating market originally was like decades ago. A relaxing paddle boat ride through the labyrinth of canals offers the chance to see the old part of the floating market and local lifestyle along the canal side. Off the boat, it is time to enjoy strolling around the colorful floating marketplace bustling with boats and vendors selling tropical fruits and other delights.

Next you transfer to Kanchanaburi for a visit to the World War II memorial including the Cemetery.

Afternoon, We continue to Wang Pho. Afterwards get on a train ride along the railway from Wang Pho along the river around 30 minutes. Transfer to the city for the night. Stay overnight in Kanchanaburi.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Kanchanaburi

Meals               : Breakfast

Early morning departure to Erawan National Park (NO CAVE VISIT) considered as the most beautiful waterfall of Thailand. This is such an impressive series of seven tiers, each with a shape and character on its own. 

Originating from the Monglai Stream, water flows down from the hill at height of 2000m and flows into the Khwae Yai River. The waterfall is named after the legendary three-headed white elephant living in the Himavarna forest. You’ll get to enjoy a relaxing swim in the natural pools.

In the afternoon, transfer by road to Ayutthaya. The ancient city of Ayuthay is known as the “Venice of the East” because it is located along the Chao Phraya River, tributaries surrounding the Ayuthaya province.

Night in Ayuttaya

Accommodation : At the hotel in Ayutthaya

Meals               : Breakfast

Morning after breakfast we will catch Kermit tuk tuk. These ‘cute’ tuk tuks are found in only two of Thailand’s provinces: Ayutthaya, and Trang. Along the ride, explore the temple highlights of the city from Wat Yai Chaimongkol, Wat Mahathat (with a Buddha face emerging from a tree), and strolling through a local market en route to Wat Phra Srisanphet. It is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, founded over 600 years ago. The city boasts many interesting temples and museums. Transfer to Bangkok for your overnight.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Bangkok

Meals               : Breakfast

Breakfast at hotel. Free time until taken (without guide) to the airport for your departure flight.

Accommodation : NA

Meals               : Breakfast