Northern Thailand, Laos and Vietnam Holiday 15 Days

Day 01: Chiang Mai arrival (D, GP)

Arrival at Chiang Mai International airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, you will have a welcome dinner at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center and enjoy northern cultural and the hilltribe shows. You will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 2: Chiang Mai City Tour (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will drive west towards the famous Doi Suthep Mountain and embark on a walk leading us to Wat Prathat Temple near the summit. You will then visit to the old and new parts of the town featuring the great diversity. The “Rose of the North”, Chiang Mai has been always noted for exquisite handicrafts whose the combination with the traditional wares of the hill tribe people offers fantastic shopping opportunities. In the afternoon, you will drive to the neighboring villages of Sankampaeng and Borsarng to see the various cottages industries including silk weaving, woodcarving, silver ware and umbrellas making. Overnight will be in Chiang Mai.

Day 3: Chiang Mai/Elephant Training Camp/Chiang Mai (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will drive to northeast of Chiang Mai then to Maesa Elephant Camp. The idea of this trip is to see the demonstration of how trained elephants are used as working animals in teak forests includes elephant bathing in the river, working in the jungle, dragging and pushing logs, and responding commands. After the show, you will visit Orchid Nursery to see a large collection of more than 50 different types of colorful exotic year-round-bloom orchids. After taking great pleasure at the Orchid Nursery, return to the hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Day 4: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai/Chiang Saen (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will drive to Chiang Mai, then to Chiang Saen, the former capital of the first Thai Kingdom, situated directly on the Mekong River at the borders between Thailand and Laos. On the way, visit to Wat Phra That Chom Kitti by climbing up 383 steps to the top of the hill. You will also visit Wat Chedi Luang and the small museum nearby. You will finish your day by a longtail speedboat up river on the Mekong River towards The Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos convene. On arrival in Chiang Saen, you will be transferred to the hotel and check in. You will spend the night in Chiang Saen.

Day 5: Chiang Saen/Chiang Khong/Houei Say/Pakbeng (B, L, G)

Breakfast at hotel, you will then transfer to Chiang Khong on the border, for custom and immigration clearance. You will then cross the river by small boat to Ban Huay Xai in Laos, where your Laotian guide is waiting. You will then board a traditional boat down the Mekong to Pakbeng. Arrive Pakbeng before sunset and check in at the hotel. You will spend the night in a beautiful lodge overlooking the Mekong River.

Day 6: Pakbeng/Pak Ou Cave/Luang Prabang

After breakfast, you will sail downriver as a second leg, you will pass areas of un-spoilt forest with little villages along the riverbanks and perhaps the odd elephant or two with his mahout. You will visit a fishing village and a rice winemaking 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. The rest of the day will be free to wander around the Nigh Market offering handmade textiles woven by local people and ethnic minority communities. You will spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Luang Prabang city (B, L, G)

Today, you will visit the the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun, Wat Mai temple and the ‘Day Market’.

After lunch, you will climb up to the top of Mount Phousi provides a panorama of the ancient royal city and the Mekong River. You’ll spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 8: Luang Prabang/Xieng Khoang (B, G)

After breakfast, you will visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts and the Central Market. After that, you will take a short flight to Xieng Khoang where you will be greeted on arrival. The rest of the day will be free. You will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 9: Xieng Khoang/Vientiane (B, G)

Today, you will visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site encompassing hundreds of large stone jars scattered throughout the plateau. You will then visit the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and its' nearby villages which are home to the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people who possess an interesting local culture and a vibrant history.

In the afternoon, you will take a short flight to Vientiane. The rest of the day will be free to visit the Morning Market in Vientiane. You will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 10: Vientiane City Tour (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. Your overnight accommodation will be in Vientiane.

Day 11: Vientiane/Hanoi (B, GP)

Free time until transferred to the airport for afternoon flight to Hanoi. Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You will spend the night in a hotel.

Day 12: Explore the capital Hanoi (B, L, G)

Today, you will visit some of the must-see sites in Hanoi. First, you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum’s complex including Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, museum, his simple house-on-stilt and One-Pillar Pagoda. You will then visit oldest pagoda in Hanoi, Tran Quoc Pagoda.

After lunch, you will visit the excellent Ethnology Museum and the bustling Old Quarter. You will finish your day by attending a Water Puppetry performance. You will spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

After an early breakfast, you’ll leave for Ha Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas where you’ll board a wooden junk built from the model of the old Vietnamese court vessels. The cruising route will take you to the busy World Heritage area and then to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Meals will be provided on board with fresh seafood mainly. You will spend the night in a twin or double cabin with an en suite toilet and shower.

Day 14: Ha Long/Hanoi (Brunch, G)

You’ll spend the morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch just before docking around noon and leaving for Hanoi. The rest of the day will be free. You will spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 15: Hanoi departure (B, DP)

Free time until transferred to the airport for departure flight. Tour ends.