Laos to Northern Thailand: Treks & Trails
14 days
from Vientiane to Bangkok
From
$ 1299
Duration14 days
See a side of Southeast Asia that's further from the tourist track with this 14-day tour that takes you through Laos and northern Thailand. This itinerary brings you unique opportunities to learn about traditional village life by trekking through northern Thailand to explore peaceful towns among rice fields and settlements in rugged forests. Some of your accommodations are booked in local homestays, where you can prepare meals with hosts and get a true glimpse into daily life.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 14 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: VientianePhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: BangkokAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Vientiane
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Vientiane/Vang Vieng
A picturesque drive north takes us to beautiful Vang Vieng. This quiet town is set along the Nam Song river amidst rice fields and limestone karsts.
Enjoy the beautiful limestone karsts surrounding Vang Vieng. Free time to hike, bike, swim or go caving.
Meals: B
Day 3: Vang Vieng
Free time to explore Vang Vieng. Opt to explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk. In the evening, soak in the natural beauty of the countryside as the sun sets over the river.
Feel like a full-day kayaking and caving adventure is more your speed? Pre-book the Vang Vieng Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour.
Feel like a full-day kayaking and caving adventure is more your speed? Pre-book the Vang Vieng Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour.
Meals: B
Day 4: Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang
This morning travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Get your bearings with a CEO-led orientation walk. This evening enjoy learning about local delicacies at the night market on Walking Street.
Meals: B
Day 5: Luang Prabang
Traditional Laotian culture is to give daily alms to monks. Monks are only allowed to eat food which has been donated to them before noon. On one of your mornings here, you may decide to rise with the sun, and watch one of the most important religious ceremonies in Laos. This is simply an unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.
Witness the giving of alms to the Buddhist monks and visit the night market. Opt to take a cooking class, visit temples or cool off at Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Meals: B
Day 6: Luang Prabang/Pak Beng
We board our boat for the two-day journey up the mighty Mekong River making our way to Chiang Khong.
Cruise the Mekong on a long houseboat before arriving at a village homestay for the night.
The evening meal is eaten together in one of the houses. The food is typically Laotian - very simple yet delicious. A vegetarian option is always served and the second option is typically a pork stirfry.
Meals: B, D
Day 7: Pak Beng/Chiang Khong
Start place: Muang Pakbeng
This morning we re-board our boat and continue our leisurely cruise along the river before arriving at the Laos/Thai border and crossing to Chiang Khong in the late afternoon.
Mekong River travel day. Cross into Thailand.
End place: Chiang Khong
Meals: B, L
Day 8: Chiang Khong/Chiang Mai
Start place: Chiang Khong
Departing Chiang Khong after breakfast, we drive to Chiang Mai where you have the afternoon free to explore this fascinating city, once the capital of the Kingdom of Lan.
Drive to Chiang Mai. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, catch a Thai boxing match or grab a bargain at the famous night market.
End place: Chiang Mai
Day 9: Chiang Mai
Start place: Chiang Mai
Enjoy free time to explore. Opt to do a cycling tour, catch a Thai boxing match, or visit Doi Suthep temple.
End place: Chiang Mai
Day 10: Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok
Start place: Chiang Mai
We might have time to visit a local market before stopping for lunch and starting our trek.
Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand is where the most colourful and unchanged traditional communities can be found. Trek through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these diverse hilltribe villages; often, each will have their own unique language, clothing style, and belief system that differs significantly from those of neighbouring tribes. You are well looked after by your local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.
Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand is where the most colourful and unchanged traditional communities can be found. Trek through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these diverse hilltribe villages; often, each will have their own unique language, clothing style, and belief system that differs significantly from those of neighbouring tribes. You are well looked after by your local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.
Trek through rugged forests and experience the wonderful diversity of this region: each village has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. Drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where the trek will begin. After a few hours of hiking, reach the first village.
The exact itinerary of the walking on this trip may change from time to time, taking into account the weather and local conditions. Also, please note there may be times when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate -- your CEO and guides will be able to advise you. Be prepared for the accommodation to be basic; remember, it's all about an authentic and unique experience!
End place: Ban Mae Lao
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam
Start place: Ban Mae Lao
You will also have the chance to fish at Mae Tang River using local tools; learn how to construct a bamboo raft.
Trek 2-3 hrs and, after lunch, head to a Karen village to learn about traditional basket weaving and scarf-making. Continue trekking another few hours to the next village for the night.
End place: Ban Pa Khao Lam
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai
Start place: Ban Pa Khao Lam
After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft, stopping at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai for some free time to explore.
End place: Chiang Mai
Meals: B, L
Day 13: Chiang Mai/Bangkok
Start place: Chiang Mai
Opt to go shopping, enjoy a Thai massage, or explore Chiang Mai's many temples. Board an overnight train to Bangkok.
Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.
End place: Bangkok
Meals: B
Day 14: Bangkok
Start place: Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok at approximately 8am. Tour finishes on arrival at the train station.
The trip ends on arrival at the Bangkok train station.
End place: Bangkok
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Mekong River Homestay & Baci Ceremony, Muang Pakbèng Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Luang Prabang Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai
- Slow boat up the Mekong
- Orientation walk of Luang Prabang
- Witness the giving of alms (Luang Prabang)
- Street food crawls
- Hilltribe trek
- Bamboo rafting
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Train, Local bus, Air-con bus, Slow boat, Walking, Songthaew, River raft -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (twin-share) or hostels (multi-share) (9 nts), Homestay (1 nt) basic hilltribe huts (2 nts, multi-share), Sleeper trains (1 nt)