Laos - Thailand tour 23 Days: Uncovering the heart of the two countries

Arrival at Luang Prabang international airport and meet your guide, then transfer to your hotel. Check-in time is between 13h30-14h00. Time for resting at hotel

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals               : Breakfast

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. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast.

This morning, depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao The Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Wat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.

This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals               : Breakfast

This morning, you will be driven to the Elephant Village, a center with a focus on the protection and rehabilitation of elephants in Laos. Upon arrival you will be provided the information about the work in caring for the elephants. Next, enjoy your time with elephants in camp.

This afternoon, travelling outskirt of Luang prabang, driving through green rice paddies and farms. Stop for visit few villages of H’mong and Lao loum people, your guide can introduce you to local people and its great opportunity for you to involving with their daily activities such as wooden cotton spinning, weaving, rice harvesting and green vegetable farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Sy fall, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued centre and enjoy front main waterfalls with spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Driver back to Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals               : Breakfast

This morning, drive to Nong Khiew. Stop to visit Nam Bak market and Ban Nayang village. Arrival in Nong Khiew. Lunch on your own. Then embark on long tail boat for a relaxing cruise (~1h40mns) on Nam Ou river to Ban Sojam village where you learn about local life and culture. Then continue your cruise to Muong Ngoy.  Arrival and check-in guesthouse in Muong Ngoy.

Meals on your own. Overnight in guesthouse (Simple comfort)

Accommodation : At the guesthouse in Muang Ngoy  

Meals               : Breakfast

After breakfast, embarking on boat to cruise back Nong Khiew. On the way, stop to visit an authentic village Houi Hoy, located on the bank of Nam Ou river.

Drive from Nong Khiew to Luang Prabang. On the way, wisit Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. Heading to Luang Prabang by van. Arrive and check in hotel in Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals               : Breakfast

lookout points on the winding mountaintop road.  There are several stops en route to take photos in the scenery. 

Arrive in Vang Vieng and descending the Nam Song by long tail boat leads us through idyllic scenes of rural life: a unique sight with the limestone mountain in the background.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation : At the hotel in Vang Vieng  

Meals               : Breakfast

After breakfast, heading to Tham Jang cave 172 steps where you can see the spectacular views of the city and the landscape. Then drive to Vientiane.

Arrival in Vientiane and visit Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Next, visit the huge golden That Luang monument, where all Lao citizen respect as holy pagoda.

End your day by Victory Monument Patuxay, which looks like the Arc de Triumph. This was built at the end of the Indochina wars with money rumored to be American, and earmarked for the airport’s new runway. Thus the departing Americans dubbed this monument the vertical runway! Have a look at the lovely arches inside the monument.

Meals on your own.  Overnight in hotel

Accommodation : At the hotel in Vientiane 

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

We will depart to Ayutthaya; it takes about more than hour to reach the former Thai capital. Witness the glory of the ancient capital through its temple and palace ruins. First you will visit Wat Phu Khao Thong, or the “Monastery of the Golden Mount”, which is located just outside Ayutthaya. Then you will proceed to the ancient palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. You will also visit Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, one of the largest bronze Buddha’s in Thailand. Have lunch by your own account. Afterwards you will visit Wat Lokaya Sutha. This temple enshrines a large reclining Buddha image. Our last visit will be the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, built during the Ayutthaya era. The palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles. It’s the favorite summer palace of the King.       

At the end of the afternoon, return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Ayutthaya 

Meals               : Breakfast

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we pay a visit to Meaklong Railway Market - a local market has grown up along the rail tracks. When a train pulls in or out of the station, the sellers quickly clear their stalls, and set them up again when the train has passed. We continue our way to Damnoen Saduak Floating market. Arrival at the market, you can see the vendors who wear traditional farmer dresses and hats bring local Thai foods, fruits and products to sell on rowing boats. You should not miss the opportunity to experience sitting and giving them a try on one of these boats on the canal. You are free to explore around the market, take photos/videos or even hire a paddling boat to breathe the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere here.  

We then take a boat ride out of the floating market and journey along the winding canals to see remote villages, gardens and plantations.

Arrive at a jetty pier where you board on the vehicle and continue transfer you to Hua Hin for your overnight

Accommodation :           At the hotel in Hua Hin 

Meals:                          Breakfast

Breakfast and departure for Prachuap Khiri Khan which is a fishing port located in the heart of an exceptional bay. Beautiful beaches are nearby. Visit the Khao Chong Krachok (the Mount of Mirror): you will see a venerated monastery at the top of Mountain. 395 steps to a small pagoda populated by many monkey players. You will then go to Ao Manao (Bay of Lemon). Famous for its calm, this beach is the most pleasant to relax and swimming. The calm of this place is replaced by many animations on weekends. There is also a place where you will find a monkey monument, which is very cute. Afternoon transfer to Bang Saphan. Paradise for nature lovers and tranquility, Bang Saphan develops at its own pace. Its main attraction is the large sandy beach lined with coconut palms and bungalows. The afternoon is free. We suggest you visit the local market in the city and participate in a typical barbecue on the beach in the evening. Stay overnight at a hotel in Bang Saphan.

Accommodation :           At the hotel in Bang Saphan

Meals:                          Breakfast

Breakfast and transfer to Chumphon we you will board a join boat trip from Chumphon to Koh Tao. Koh Tao is an island in the Gulf of Thailand about 70 kilometers from the coast. His name means "Turtle Island". This island is a Royal property. Koh Tao is a world famous scuba diving spot. Thanks to its clear waters, its many diving schools attract tourists from all over the world.

Pick up by sharing shuttle bus of the hotel

The rest of time would be free at your own

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Koh Tao  

Meals                           : Breakfast

Today, you are free to explore the charm of Koh Tao. You might enjoy swimming, snorkelling, rock climbing, sea kayaking, scuba diving or just lazy by the beach.

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Koh Tao

Meals                           : Breakfast

Today, you are free to explore the charm of Koh Tao. You might enjoy swimming, snorkelling, rock climbing, sea kayaking, scuba diving or just lazy by the beach.

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Koh Tao

Meals                           : Breakfast

After having dreakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the port by sharing shuttle bus and board for a boat trip from Ko Tao to Ko Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan is another island in the Gulf of Thailand in the south-east of the country just north of Koh Samui. The most convenient way to get around is the scooter. This island is a destination mainly known for its beaches, and to host the "Full Moon Party" party.
Installation in the hotel and spend the rest of day at leisure.

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Koh Phangan  

Meals                           : Breakfast

Today, you are free for your leisure.
Koh Phangan, a beautiful Thai island, where you can go on an adventure and have fun. Guests can try scuba diving or snorkeling, go canoeing, take boat trips to Ang Thong National Marine Park, see Thai boxing match, go fishing, yoga, archery, guided tours, elephant rides and enjoy the beauty of the landscapes (Not included)

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Koh Phangan  

Meals                           : Breakfast

Having breakfast at the hotel, then private transfer with our driver to the port and boarding for a boat trip from Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Samui. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui is the third largest island of Thailand. You will enjoy its beautiful beaches, tropical trees, exotic fish and resplendent corals.

Pick up by sharing shuttle bus of the hotel
Installation in the hotel and spend the rest of day on your own.  You can make an impression on the island by night by exploring yourself.

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Koh Samui

Meals                           : Breakfast

Today, you are free to explore the charm of Koh Samui. You might enjoy swimming, snorkelling, rock climbing, sea kayaking, scuba diving or just lazy by the beach.

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Koh Samui

Meals                           : Breakfast

Today, you are free to explore the charm of Koh Samui. You might enjoy swimming, snorkelling, rock climbing, sea kayaking, scuba diving or just lazy by the beach.

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Koh Samui

Meals                           : Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel, then drive to the port by Sharing shuttle bus and boarding for a boat trip from Ko Samui to Don Sak. Upon arrival Don Sak, we will transfer to resort in Khao Sok (2.5 hours) . Check – in your hotel and spend the rest of day on your own.

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Khao Sok 

Meals                           : Breakfast

08:30    Meet in the reception area of Our Jungle Camp Eco Resort or get picked up in Khao Sok Town.

09:30    Local Market Visit, and arrival at Rachabrapa Dam

10:00 – 12:30   Explore the lake by local long-tail boat, taking in the majestic scenery of striking white lime stone cliffs and the Guilin of Thailand, surrounded by emerald green waters.

12:30 – 14:00   Lunch break at a Raft House, 3 dish set lunch, leisure time for swimming and canoeing.

14:00 – 16:00   Jungle Activity depending on the Guide, either Coral Cave (additional Sanctuary Fee of 200THB pp.) Hike or View Point Visit. Alternatively, visitors can remain at the raft house at their own leisure.

16:00 – 17:30   Return back to Cheow Lan Lake Pier and arrive back at Our Jungle Camp 45 min Later.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Khao Sok 

Meal:  Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel, then intra-city transfers in air-conditioned private vehicle from Khao Sok to Phuket (2.5 hours) airport for your flight to next destination. End of our service.

Accommodation            : NA

Meals                           : Breakfast