Thailand Laos Tour 15 Days: Bangkok - Luang Prabang via Houeixay

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

Meal               : 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

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 proceed to the Klong Khone Conservation Center where you will learn about the biodiversity and the importance of mangroves

Taking a long-tailed boat to explore its abundance of naturally beautiful sceneries and nowadays hard to find mangrove forest. One of highlights is to see sea monkeys live along the coastline. Once the monkeys come and spot on, they will race to greet you in the hope for some fruit.

Pick up and transfer you back to Bangkok for your overnight

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok

Meal:  Breakfast

In the morning, 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.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival pick up and then transfer you to your hotel for your overnight.

Accommodation            : At the hotel in Chiang Mai

Meals                            : Breakfast

Breakfast served at the hotel. The morning will be mainly devoted to the walking tour of 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, Wat Phan Tao temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple.

Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour.

After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot. In the afternoon you will visit the Doi Suthep hill.

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

Then transfer back to the hotel. To brighten up your evening, browse the Night Market for yourself. Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation :           At the hotel in Chiang Mai

Meals:                           Breakfast

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.

Accommodation :           At the hotel in Chiang Mai

Meals:                           Breakfast, Lunch

Morning after breakfast, transfer to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival 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.

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.

Then short 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.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Rai 

Meal:  Breakfast

After breakfast, you'll leave the hotel to head to Mae Chan. You'll make a stop along the way in the village of Patai to meet the Padong Karen ethnic group, famous for their 'giraffe' women who wear copper rings around their necks for elongation. Next, you'll explore the surroundings, starting with the road to Doi Mae Salong. You'll ascend and descend lush green hills covered with tea plantations. You'll also taste the delicious tea produced by one of the many plantations in the region. From Doi Mae Salong, you'll visit an ethnic minority village: the Akha village of Loyo.

Afterward, you'll continue the journey to the Golden Triangle, a strategic point where you'll witness a unique landscape shared by Thailand, Burma, and Laos – the meeting point of the three borders.

Upon arrival, visit the Opium Museum, which tells the stories of opium and the Golden Triangle. Explore the town of Chiang Saen, founded around 1328, and visit various sites, including ancient temple ruins, stupas, old city walls, and moats.

Then, embark on a long-tail boat to the Laotian side and marvel at the splendor of the mighty Mekong joining with the Ruak, forming the real 'Triangle' with Laos, Burma, and Thailand. Transfer to Chiang Saen for your overnight.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Saen

Meal:  Breakfast

Today we depart hotel and complete the border formalities to enter Laos.

At 08:00am, the guests will meet our English-Speaking guide with a welcome sign at Houay Xay immigration office (Lao border). Our guide will assist customers to apply for the visa. After getting the VISA, guests will take a sharing transfer (minivan) to the slow boat pier to embark on the boat.

During the morning, Quick lecture about Do’s and Don’ts in Laos and fun facts will be presented by our guide. Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.

Before reaching Pakbeng, we will stop to visit a traditional Kamu village (Ban Houa Phalam), a tiny cozy place which host about 90 families. Travelers will learn about rural lifestyle in a very remote area.

The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before the night.

Overnight in your hotel in Pakbeng.

Note:

From October to April: Departure every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday

For downstream, out boats leave Houay Xay pier at latest for 9:00am. So please be in front of Lao immigration office in Houay Xay for 0800am. One of our team will wait with a sign of guest names.

If the guests stay already in Houay Xay, pick up will be arranged directly at their hotel between 0830am and 09am.

From November to February, it can get cold during the cruise, do not forget to bring a jacket.

It is possible to leave luggage and suitcase on the boat and take only small daypack for your overnight in Pakbeng.

For safety reasons and according to the weather conditions, the program may change without prior notice

Accommodation: At the hotel in Pakbeng

Meal:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The boat will leave Pakbeng at 08am. Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey. 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.

First stop will be at Ban Baw village, a complex but harmonic mixed of three ethnicities: Lao Loun, Shan and Tai Lue. Today the village is famous for its lao lao whiskey making.

Right after the visit, a Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board. In the afternoon, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its over two thousand Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage place for lao people.

After the visit, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and the travelers.

The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 4:30pm.

You are met and transferred with our driver only to your hotel in Luang Prabang. 

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meal               :  Breakfast, Lunch

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. 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.

Nighttime is for your own discovering Luang Prabang night market

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meal               :  Breakfast

This morning, depart to visit grand Phou Si market where you observe local activities and find a huge number of local products.

Then, travelling outskirt of Luang prabang, driving through green rice paddies and 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.

Return to Luang Prabang. Stop along the way to visit a local village where 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. Next, visit Living Crafts Ok Pop Tok Centre where our guide explains about the textiles and traditional crafts of Laos. Enjoy a sunset drink before reaching your hotel.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meal               :  Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be driven to the Elephant Village, a center with a focus on the protection and rehabilitation of elephants in Laos.

• Arrival 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 our elephant hospital, museum, gallery and dung paper making facility!
• Learn to communicate: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a Mahout and how they communicate (elephants riding not available)
• Boat trip to the Tad Sae Waterfall: Ride in a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall and relax or swim in the clear water.  Swimsuit recommended!  (note: water levels will vary with seasonal conditions)
• Lunch at Elephant Camp restaurant.  Your buffet lunch is served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options are available)

In the afternoon, transfer to train station and catch train to Vang Vieng. Arrive and check in hotel. If time permits, 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.

Dinner on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation: At the hotel in Vang Vieng

Meal               :  Breakfast, Lunch

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, capital of Laos.

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  

Meal               :  Breakfast

After breakfast, free time until your transfer to the airport for your international flight.

Accommodation: NA  

Meal               :  Breakfast