Compare Thailand & Laos Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs Laos,the Mekong & Thailand Tour by

Day 1 Bangkok

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Thailand's bustling capital, Bangkok, is famous for its tuk-tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious local food. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, if you arrive earlier, why not venture out into this enigmatic city. Bangkok has so much to offer those with time to explore, so perhaps arrive a day or so early to uncover the Chinatown area, visit the magnificent (but very crowded) Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, indulge in a Thai massage or see the backstreets of Bangkok by bike on an Urban Adventure. Find out more at urbanadventures.com. After the meeting tonight, gather your fellow travellers together and tuck into some into world famous street food for our first optional dinner.

Day 2 Bangkok - Overnight train

Begin the day with a 1-hour river cruise down the Chao Phraya River to explore the famous ‘khlongs’ (canals). Life along these canals seems a world away from the chaotic streets of the capital. Pay a visit to Wat Pho, one of the Bangkok temples, with a 46-metre long gold-plated Buddha reclining inside. Even the feet of this statue are incredible, three metres long and intricately decorated with mother of pearl. The temple grounds are equally fascinating, filled with beautifully decorated stupas, halls, and shrines. This evening you’ll head north to Chiang Mai on an overnight train journey, accommodated in a sleeper carriage (approximately 13 hours). The carriages are air-conditioned, with bunk beds; clean sheets, blanket and pillow are provided. Your baggage travels in the carriage with you. There is a food and drink service available on board. Sometimes the air conditioning can make the carriage quite cold so you may want to bring a warm layer of clothing.

Day 3 Chiang Mai

The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has many famous temples and an interesting old city area. Renowned for its lively cafe scene and extremely welcoming locals, this place captivates many travellers. First, embark on a scenic, winding drive up a mountain (around 45 minutes) to one of the country's most stunning temple complexes, Doi Suthep. A 300-step naga-guarded stairway leads you to the temples, and the climb is well worth the effort. The hypnotic atmosphere of chanting Buddhist monks and sweeping views of the city make this a most memorable experience. After making our way back down from the temple, check in to the hotel and plan the rest of your time here. In the evening you can choose to wander through the enormous, colourful Night Bazaar or perhaps relax at a fine restaurant along the riverfront. Make sure to sample some delicious traditional northern Thai food – the signature dish is kao soy, yellow wheat noodles in a curry broth, traditionally served with chicken or beef.

Day 4 Chiang Mai

Today is free for you to explore and there are plenty of optional activities available. Perhaps join a local cooking class today and discover the secrets of real Thai cuisine, you'll learn the key ingredients, how to use them, and what to use in their place if you can’t get them at home. As well as taking your own comprehensive recipe book with you after the class, you'll feast on the fruits of your labour for lunch. Get active with a bicycle tour to discover the city and surrounding countryside from a different perspective, or be spirited away on an early morning Chiang Mai tour that puts you at the epicentre of Buddhist rituals. Learn to meditate, offer alms to monks, and make an offering at a temple. Also popular is the lovely Elephant Sanctuary at Chang Chill.

Day 5 Chiang Khong

Take a journey through rural countryside to the Thai border town of Chiang Khong (approximately 5.5 hours). On the way visit privately owned Wat Rong Khun, more commonly known as the White Temple – a must visit in Chiang Rai. This contemporary temple is constantly being updated, and its strange design features references to Buddhist mythology, human sin and pop culture icons such as Michael Jackson, Harry Potter and Superman. Formerly known as 'Juon', peaceful riverside Chiang Khong remains an important market town for the surrounding hill tribes and for trade with Laos. Stretch your legs with a stroll around town, and if you find yourself with time, then Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Luang are both well worth a visit while you’re here. Tonight, why not enjoy a final Thai drink and dinner, while Laos beckons from across the mighty Mekong.

Day 6 Mekong River - Pak Beng

After crossing into Laos and for the duration of our time in the country we will be joined by additional Laos guides – a government requirement. Board a slow boat for the 2-day journey down the mighty Mekong River to Luang Prabang. The journey is relaxed, so you can experience the slow pace of village life and the breathtaking scenery along the river up close. The river boat is basic in nature, with a toilet, covered roof, and open sides to take in the fresh air. There are seats in the front of the boat and a small open area in the back where you can have a nap on the mat, play cards, read or have lunch. Dock at the small town of Pak Beng (after about 6 hours) to spend the night. Hmong and tribal Thai people are frequently seen on the main streets, where vendors sell local textiles and handicrafts.

Day 7 Mekong River - Luang Prabang

Reboard the boat and cruise to the Pak Ou Caves. An important religious site overlooking the river at the junction of the Mekong and Ou Rivers, the revered Pak Ou Caves consist of two sacred limestone caverns filled with Buddha images of all styles and sizes, brought by devoted villagers over the centuries. The lower cave, known as Tham Ting, is entered from the river by a series of steps and can easily be seen in daylight. The higher cave, Tham Phum, is deeper and requires a torch for viewing. Continue on to the former royal capital of Luang Prabang (approximately 7 hours total journey time). This atmospheric World Heritage-listed city is a favourite of many travellers. Nestled in the hills of northern Laos on the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, the city is claimed to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’ by UNESCO. The city and its people retain a refined, yet relaxed, air and it’s a wonderful place to wander the streets into boutiques, cafes and small shops. Stay in a hotel tonight and if you are feeling energetic, climb Mt Phousi for some sunset views – the large hill that dominates Luang Prabang's skyline, topped by a glittering golden stupa. You can climb the 328 zigzag steps up to the sacred gilded stupa and big drum of the Phu Si Temple for a panoramic view of Luang Prabang and its surrounds.

Day 8 Luang Prabang

Once the heart and soul of the ancient Lao Kingdom (Lan Xang) and designated a World Heritage site in 1995, Luang Prabang is endowed with a legacy of historic red-roofed temples and French-Indochinese architecture, not to mention some of the country's most refined cuisine, a multi-ethnic population and rich culture. Rise with the sun this morning and witness a traditional alms giving ceremony. View the procession of saffron-robed monks on their daily outing collecting food offered by devotees, a practice that dates back centuries. The offerings must be collected early, as the monks cannot eat anything after midday. By giving food to a monk, it is believed you ‘het bon’ (make merit) which will be carried over into the next life. Your leader will guide you through the do’s and don’ts and help you to take part in this alms giving tradition. Return back to your hotel for breakfast and a free morning. In the afternoon, head south of town and stop for a sweet (socially responsible) treat at Laos Buffalo Dairy, an enterprise that works with the surrounding villagers by renting their buffalo, in order to produce delicious products including yoghurt, cheese and ice cream. The Dairy ensures a regular income for locals while ensuring the buffalo and their calves are well looked after. Why not contribute to this local business by purchasing an ice cream! Continue on to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls, a picturesque, multi-level cascade that offers fantastically blue pools that are perfect for a mid-afternoon dip. Back in Luang Prabang this evening you’ll have free time to make further discoveries, including visiting the popular night market.

Day 9 Luang Prabang

This morning, experience a wonderful local elephant project in nearby Mandalao that will give you a new perspective and profound understanding of these magnificent beasts. Discover the mysterious beauty of the Lao jungle as you walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on stroll through their natural habitat – a perfect way for these happy creatures to enjoy their freedom after decades of hard labour in logging camps. Begin by leaving Luang Prabang for the village of Xieng Lom (approximately 30 minutes) before taking a quick boat ride across the Nam Khan River where you’ll be introduced to your new gigantic companions. Feed them some special treats (a sure way to win their friendship) followed by a gentle, therapeutic walk, that offers you the opportunity to absorb their calming energy as you wander along a small dirt path through the surrounding flora and fauna, past traditional farms and the Huay Nok stream – where you may be able to spot elephants splashing around in the water as they cool off from the hot Lao sun! As you prepare to start your walk back to Mandalao, say goodbye to your new friends. Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10 Vang Vieng

Take a high-speed train today to Vang Vieng (approximately 1 hour). Situated on the Nam Song River, Vang Vieng is surrounded by towering limestone karsts and is a great place to enjoy being out in and surrounded by nature. After checking in to the hotel, use tonight to plan out your next few days with your group and leader.

Day 11 Vang Vieng

There’s plenty to do in and around Vang Vieng, known as an adventure town thanks to its unique and varied surrounding country. The area is renowned for its caves, many of which are easily accessible from the town. Perhaps the most famous is the cave of Tham Chang, a beautiful cavern fed by a natural spring making it a perfect spot for a refreshing swim. Hire bicycles to explore further afield, hike the trails to nearby lookout points, join a day trip to go kayaking on the river, or you can visit an organic mulberry farm just outside town and enjoy a meal there.

Day 12 Vientiane

Continue by private minibus to the country's capital, Vientiane (approximately 3.5 hours). Possibly Asia's most laidback capital, even here everything seems to be conducted at a relaxed pace. Vientiane has a wealth of cultural delights to discover on foot, or for the less energetic, by jumbo (tuk-tuk). Faded colonial mansions, tree-lined boulevards and old temples create an atmosphere of timelessness, particularly in the older part of town along the Mekong River. Pay a visit to Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane and home to almost 7000 Buddha images. Visit COPE vistors centre, an organisation dedicated to assistance those who have been injured by the multitude of unexploded ordinance across the country. This is an excellent cause and a chance to educate yourself about Laos' devastating war history as well as buy a snack or drink from their Karma Cafe. This evening, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner tonight.

Day 13 Vientiane

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. For those with more time here, there are plenty of choices, including the Pha That Luang Monument.

Day 1: Departure

You should arrive at the airport for your overnight direct flight to Bangkok.

Day 2: Arrival In Bangkok

On arrival, you transfer to the excellent four-star superior Eastin Grand Hotel for two nights with breakfast. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the excellent pool and restaurants at your hotel. Exploring the city is easy, as the hotel is connected by its own footbridge to the efficient skytrain system.

Day 3: Bangkok

Bangkok is a truly amazing city with ‘must sees’ being its spectacular Grand Palace, plus the most important of all Thai Buddhist monuments, Wat Phra Kaew - the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Palace is Bangkok’s most famous landmark - for 150 years the Siamese Kings’ home and seat of government. Adjacent is Bangkok’s largest temple, the astonishing Wat Pho, famed for its huge 46-metre long reclining Buddha, staggeringly covered with gold leaf and also home to the original Thai massage school. You will discover Bangkok’s delightful klongs (canals), explored by small boat, which surprisingly quickly lead to an enchanting countryside full of verdant orchards, palm trees and picturesque paddy fields, plus communities with a fascinating water-borne way of life unchanged for centuries.

Day 4: Fly To Chiang Rai

Today you fly to Chiang Rai, Thailand’s most northerly town, staying for three nights in the four-star superior Dusit Island Resort with breakfast. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the extensive facilities of your hotel, which include a huge pool, three restaurants and a spa.

Day 5: Golden Triangle

Today we explore the rainforest-covered hills deep in Chiang Rai province where the present King’s mother spent many years overseeing numerous projects developing new crops, thus enabling villagers to eradicate opium cultivation. We visit her Royal Villa with its museum and delightful gardens.

Thailand’s most northerly point is the small market town of Mae Sai and with Burma just across a small river, its streets are crammed with remarkably priced Burmese sarongs, cheroots, puppets and intricate embroidery. This afternoon we explore the nearby Golden Triangle where the Mekong and the Ruak rivers meet, as do the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma, with a huge glistening Golden Buddha on the riverside. Just downstream is the ancient city of Chiang Saen, a fascinating juxtaposition of centuries-old ruined city walls and temples, sitting ‘cheek by jowl’ with modern day villagers’ homes.

Day 6: White Temple

In the morning we see the original Wat Phra Kheow, once housing Thailand’s most sacred Buddha image, the Emerald Buddha which you saw in Bangkok. The work of one of the province’s most famous sons and now one of Thailand’s foremost artists, Chalermchai Kositpipat, can be seen throughout this small town, his tour de force is the stunning and remarkable White Temple, undoubtedly Thailand’s most unusual – mostly white and silver with just one room of another colour – the public toilet, which is gold! Started in 1995, it is scheduled for completion in 2070! The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 7: River Mekong

Today we have an experience the memories of which will last many years – a fascinating two-day boat journey through Laos along the river Mekong. Accommodating 40 passengers, our boat is very comfortable with a bar and kitchen, and with its open sides you can truly experience river life just as

it has always been, plus see some staggeringly beautiful countryside. Meals, snacks, tea/coffee and bottled water are included. Around each sweeping bend is another staggering assault on the senses and as the sun sets in an explosion of colour we stay in the riverside village of Pak Beng at the Pakbeng Lodge. Dinner is served on the open-air terrace beautifully overlooking the river.

Day 8: River Mekong

We are way off the beaten track here – waking up this morning you will feel relaxed, privileged and wonderfully distant from home. Continuing our cruise of discovery, we observe traditional village life before arriving at the Pak Ou Caves, filled with hundreds of Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes. After our on-board buffet lunch we arrive in Luang Prabang in the afternoon, staying two nights at the three-star superior Luang Prabang View Hotel. As dusk falls the enterprising zeal so typical of the emerging world can be seen to be alive and well in the noise and sizzling open-air restaurants of the atmospheric night market.

Day 9: Luang Prabang

This morning you can witness, and even partake if you wish, in the early morning ritual of ‘Tak Bat’, or offering alms to the monks, a tradition followed avidly and providing some wonderful photo opportunities. You’ll also visit the market learning how the locals shop for superb fresh produce.

Our morning walking tour explores this amazing small town, with its quaint Royal Palace Museum and by walking through the quiet back lanes you unearth some of Luang Prabang’s amazing hidden secrets. Wat Chomkhong temple is especially noted for its decorative carvings, but this whole UNESCO-protected area contains a wonderful fusion of beautiful French colonial buildings and traditional Lao houses. Next it’s the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping towards the ground, in the classic Luang Prabang style.

Next we explore Luang Prabang’s stunning hinterland. Our destination is the beautiful Kuangsi waterfall, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. We enjoy a delicious picnic lunch under the shade of the lush tropical forest surrounded by its unique sights and sounds. Just adjacent is the Bear Rescue Centre whose worthy mission is protecting the rare Asiatic Black Bear. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon so you can explore as you wish.

Day 10: Fly To Bangkok

We catch the morning flight back to Bangkok, driving on to Kanchanaburi province and the River Kwai, immortalised by David Lean’s iconic film. Constructing that bridge was just one of many tasks set for the thousands of allied POWs as they laboured to build the infamous ‘Death Railway’ under the most terrible of conditions. We visit the Chong Kai War Cemetery, on the site of a hospital and prisoner of war camp. We then continue to the excellent riverside four-star superior Dheva Mantra Hotel for two nights with breakfast.

Day 11: River Kwai

This morning we leave our hotel by long-tail boats, approaching the River Kwai Bridge in the most wonderful way – by river. We board the local train which crosses the bridge and travels along the line and viaducts built by the POWs.

After a stop for lunch, you head upcountry by road to Hellfire Pass – a deep railway cutting only 500 metres long, although it took Allied prisoners of war more than three months to dig this out of solid rock, working 24 hours a day. One thousand Australian and British servicemen toiled here with just 300 surviving. There’s a trail that leads to the pass where you can observe the simple black granite memorial. The excellent museum is operated by the Australian Office of War Graves and has some very poignant testimonies and videos.

Day 12: Hua Hin

After a relaxing morning we head for the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, spending three nights at the superb five-star Hyatt Regency Resort near the beach resort of Hua Hin. For many years Hua Hin was the resort of choice for the Thai Royal family, who have a palace nearby and still visit regularly. These days the town is known for its vibrant night market and numerous fish restaurants. The Hyatt Regency is a 10 minute drive away, set in lush tropical gardens and boasting three restaurants, a superb meandering pool area and excellent spa. There are several world-class golf courses close by.

Days 13 and 14: Free Days

Two full days at leisure to enjoy the wonderful pool and facilities at your hotel.

Day 15: Return Flight

Today you will have a late afternoon transfer back to Bangkok airport for your return flight home.

Day 16: Arrive Home

You arrive back in the UK in the morning.