Thailand and Laos Exploration

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Bangkok

  Upon your arrival at the Bangkok airport, your guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you or you can step out to discover the capital of Thailand.

  • Bangkok

• Day 2: Bangkok - Grand Palace

  In the early morning, go to the flower and vegetable market to feel the bustle of an authentic working market. Next, explore the beautiful Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew inside it. Any trip to Bangkok will never be complete without a visit here.

  After lunch, seeing Thai houses and rural life by long-tail boat cruising along the canal. Finally, move on to Wat Arun, also called the Temple of the Dawn, for a nice photo opportunity.

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  • Bangkok

• Day 3: Bangkok - Train Market

  After breakfast, spend the early morning exploring the famous Train Market where trains pass through some eight times a day. The bustling Damnoen Saduak Floating Market makes your next unforgettable stop, as you will not want to miss the chance to taste some delicious local snacks such as sticky rice and hot soup with fish balls gathered from various boats. Later, return to Bangkok for a visit to the Jim Thompson House, the historic home of the American entrepreneur Jim Thompson who gathered a large collection of antiques and artworks from around Southeast Asia.

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  • Bangkok

• Day 4: Bangkok - Chiang Mai

  In the morning, you will fly to Chiang Mai. You will be picked up and escorted to the hotel by your local guide after arrival. Later, experience the traditional culture and customs of northern Thailand's Miao people at the Meo Hill Tribe Village, followed by a visit to the Buddhist Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the summit of Mount Doi Suthep, reached by a 309-step climb-where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Chiang Mai.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 5: Chiang Mai, Baan Chang Elephant Park

  This morning, visit Baan Chang Elephant Park to enjoy an Elephant's Day Care activity. Leaving the hotel at around 8:30 to 9:00 by shuttle bus you will reach the park in around 50 minutes. In this ethical and sustainable park, you will learn about the elephants and can touch, bathe and play with them as well as preparing their lunch after enjoying your own. Before returning to Chang Mai you will meet some baby elephants in their own nursery area.

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  • Chiang Mai

• Day 6: Chiang Mai - Golden Triangle - Chiang Rai

  Drive to Chiang Rai in the morning and make a quick stop at a small hot spring. Later, head to Chiang Sean for the Golden Triangle, so-named as it is the mountainous border point of three countries' - Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. In the afternoon, discover the major international border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar- the Mae Sai Border. The rest of the day will give you an indelible memory. Wandering through the Akha and the Yao hill tribe villages, you will see the beautiful ethnic-minority dresses as they are spun, woven and dyed; you will also get an insight into the traditional culture, religious beliefs and the tumultuous history of the villages.

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  • Chiang Rai

• Day 7: Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Pakbeng

  Kick-start your day with a trip from Chiang Khong to the border of Laos, followed by a boat ride along the Khong River, before going through the checkpoint at Houayxay. Upon arrival, you will get a visa for Laos with the assistance of your guide. Later, enjoy a fine view of the Mekong River by boat and cruise down to Pakbeng. Along the river, take in the views of the Ban Gon Durn village and local agricultural life. You will then disembark at the Luang Say Lodge before dark, followed by a special dinner at the terrace overlooking the spectacular Mekong River, the 12th-longest in the world.

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  • Pakbeng

• Day 8: Pakbeng - Mekong River - Luang Prabang

  Perched high on the banks of the Mekong River, the peaceful Pakbeng Market, where you can experience authentic rural lifestyles, provides for your first visit today. From the upper course of the Mekong, you can appreciate the serene countryside view on a boat cruise. Following this, take a trip to the Ban Baw Village, where you can learn how rice wine is produced, followed by a special buffet lunch on board the vessel. Then proceed to the Pak Ou Caves, crammed with a myriad of Buddha icons in different positions, at the mouth of the beautiful Nam Ou River, before arriving at Luang Prabang before sunset.

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  • Luang Prabang

• Day 9: Luang Prabang Highlights

  Waking up early before daybreak, you will be intrigued by a sacred alms-giving ritual, the traditional giving of food items to orange-robed Buddhist monks. You will then observe local life at the Morning Market or the Phousi Market, before trips to the ancient Wat Sene, the Wat Xieng Thong, the Wat Visoun, the Wat Aham, the Wat Mai and the Royal Palace Museum. Built in 1904, the palace boasts a large collection of artifacts featuring the richness of Lao culture. Later, catch a beautiful view of the cityscape from the vantage point of Mount Phou Si and wander through the Night Market.

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  • Luang Prabang

• Day 10: Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls - Vientiane

  Start the day with your morning excursion to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, to admire their splendid natural beauty. The radiant sunlight here spills through the foliage and shimmers on the surface of the lake, creating a wonderful natural ambiance. Then, you will continue to visit the Lao Hmong ethnic minority group at Ban Ouay village before having lunch close to the waterfalls. After that, you will take a flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

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  • Vientiane

• Day 11: Vientiane Highlights

  Today, you can take in all the key landmarks this small but charismatic capital city has to offer: Wat Si Saket, Wat Phra Keo, That Luang Stupa and the domineering Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane's answer to the Arc de Triumph. Then, in the afternoon explore the Buddha Park, a sculpture garden so-named due to the impressive array of Buddhist icons, many of which are centuries old.

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  • Vientiane

• Day 12: Departure

  After breakfast, you will have free time at your disposal to explore a bit more or just relax until you transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination

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