Thailand & Laos Classic Tours 08 days/ 07 nights

TYPOLOGIES

Multi-Country Tour

DIFFICULTY

MIN. AGE

Tour Overview:

A superb introduction to the spectacular scenery and traditional culture of the northern Thai and the fascinating Laos. This tour will take you from Thailand's Golden Triangle to the northern Laos through the unspoilt mountains and jungles.

After your arriving at Chiang Mai, spend the day to explore the unique and unchanged cultures and traditions surrounding it and then to visit the Elephant Camp, learn to get to close to and take care of them. After two days Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai discovery tour, take the Cruise to get to Luang Prabang, stopping along the way to visit traditional villages and meet the locals. You'll see thousands of Buddha images at the oldest temple in the capital and discover more during a riverboat trip to Pak Ou caves. A tour to Kuang Si Waterfall to soak up the beauty of the Kuang Si Waterfalls and swim in the crystal-clear waters.

Itinerary

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or on requests.

Warmly welcome at Chiang Mai International Airport, meet & greet service by our guide and transfer from the airport to hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide. Check in at the hotel. The balance of the day free for your own times.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, excursion to the old city of Chiang Mai where the old walls are still mostly intact. Walk to visit the Three King Monument-King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai-According to legend, the three worked together to lay out the city of Chiang Mai. Then onward though old city to see charming temples, Wat Phra Sing is perhaps the largest and most interesting, although it may not seem so at first glance. Upon entering the main gate, you’re greeted by a large and dusty parking area. Across the lot is a large wiharn (prayer hall) with an intricately carved front. Wat Chedi Luang must have been the most impressive temple in Chiang Mai. Built about 600 years ago, the huge chedi gave the temple its name. Take Tuk Tuk to visit the largest central market, Worarot Market, alive with its daily hustle and bustle. Exotic fresh fruits, preserved food, local delicacies, clothes galore, flowers and other knickknacks, all at reasonable prices. We drive to the quaint and picturesque Meo Hill Tribe Village, where you can dress up in tribal costumes or shoot the crossbow. Continue to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a highly revered temple that sits on the top of Mount Doi Suthep overlooking Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Set off by minibus to the Mae Ta Maan elephant camp (Join-in Group Tour) to see the elephants take their morning bath before giving a demonstration of how they were trained to haul lumber in the forest. Afterwards take an elephant ride through the forest and across streams, and then an ox-cart ride, passing by rice fields and small farms. After lunch take an exciting bamboo-raft trip down the Mae Tang River. Rejoin the minibus and drive to visit a delightful orchid and butterfly farm. Return to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Depart Chiang Mai airport to Chiang Rai. Stop to visit White Temple. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to visit Long Neck and hill trip.

Further drive along the Mekong’s River Bank to The World Renowned, Golden Triangle, the mystery land in the past related to the Drug Trade.

Enjoy with the boat trip along Mae Khong River around Laos’ Island (Laos’ Side, Passport Required), drop off at your hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

After Breakfast, check out and drive to Chiang Khong, a district in the northeastern part of Chiang Rai. Then cross Khong River by boat to Houayxay check point. After passing through immigration, you will cross the Mekong River to Houayxay in Laos where your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point. After completing border formalities, you board a ready traditional boat for the trip down the Mekong River (Join Cruise). Serene, timeless Laos is one of Asia's most unvisited, unchanged countries. This once-powerful kingdom known as Lane Xang (Million Elephants) was founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers, and it went on to become one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until its demise in the late 19th century. Bisected and bordered by the Mekong River, omnipresent symbol of Indochina, Laos today is an amalgam of cultural influences; Theravada Buddhism, animism, France, and the socialist ideal. It is a peaceful place, and the legendary hospitality, resilience and friendliness of the Lao people is much in evidence. Laos is Old Asia preserved. As your journey downriver you will stop at some tribal minority villages such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu. Upon arrival in Pakbeng, we visit local market; experience daily lifestyle of colorful hill tribe traders exchanges their goods.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

Breakfast, as you sail downriver as a second leg, you will pass areas of unspoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You visit a fishing village and a rice wine making village and perhaps even taste some of the infamous beverage known as Lao Rice wine. You also visit the Pak-Ou caves, where thousands of Buddha statues are stored. You arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

AM: We excursion out of town to experience local lifestyle of nearby villagers and visit the most beautiful waterfall in Luang Prabang. On the way, we visit Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weaving. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and today we will visit the villages of Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom which are populated by Lao ethnic minority groups. We spend time at the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths.

PM: We spend the rest of this day touring the Lao capital, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai. We continue seeing Luang Prabang with the temple of Wat Xieng Thong, a magnificent piece of architecture, which nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The temple structures are decorated in various ways with gilded stuccoes as well as doorways and the main sim has a marvelous 'tree life' mosaic pattern on an outer wall. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient and once royal city and the Mekong River. Then, we stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or on requests. Transfer to LUANG PRABANG airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.

Services

What’s include :

TOUR COST INCLUDES:

TOUR COST NOT INCLUDES:

Accommodation with daily breakfast in double / twin shared room

Meal: as mention in program (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch and D: Dinner)

Airport transfers & Transport by air con. vehicles as per program

Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified

Local English speaking guide as per program

All boat trip as mentioned in program

Complementary local Sim Card

24hours supporting hotline

Cold water and towel during tours

Visa stamp fees to Thailand (if any)

Laos Visa stamp fee: 35$ (Passport valid more then 6 months, enough space for visa stamp (1 free space), 1 passport photo (4X6), cash 35$)

All International air ticket

Other meal, drink, personal expenses, tip, Travel insurance, all bank fees

Other thing not mentioned in included

    ” Possiamo dire che è stata la luna di miele perfetta. Abbiamo avuto la possibilità di entrare a stretto contatto con la gente locale, di vivere diverse esperienze molto interessanti e di visitare dei posti fantastici. Tutto era organizzato in maniera perfetta grazie anche al validissimo supporto del nostro corrispondente Roberto, che non ci ha mai lasciati soli. Da dietro le quinte ci ha assistito per tutta la durata del nostro magnifico viaggio di nozze, dandoci un valido supporto per qualsiasi cosa. Le guide e i drivers erano sempre puntuali, cordiali, molto disponibili e molto preparati. Difficile dire in una sola frase cosa ci sia piaciuto. In una sola parola: TUTTO. L’organizzazione pre e durante il nostro viaggio è stata ineccepibile. Non possiamo che ringraziare Roberto ed Eurasie per questa meravigliosa esperienza.”

    Erika e Andrea

    Tour Vietnam & Cambogia