Tour Route:

Thailand : Bangkok - Ayuthaya - Pitsanuloke - Sukhothai - Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai -Golden Triangle -Chiang Khong -
Laos : Houey Xay - Pakbeng - Oudomxai - Muang Ngoy - Nam Ou & Mekong boat trip - Luang Prabang - Plain of Jars - Vientiane

About The Trip:

Thailand - Laos Expedition is a trip that you can explore the inner lands of Thailand, and laos. You will have the opportunity to experience a variety of local people, their fascinating lifestyles and cultures, the magnificent historical ruins, and natural beauty of these two countries. On this adventurous trip, you may even stray off the tourist track and travel the way local people do; by a river boat, local truck bus,etc. Your overnight stays can vary, whether it be at a standard hotel or a small guesthouse, ecolodge, or hilltribe village overnight stay. If you agree, that this kind of exploratory travel is the spice of life, you can view the Mekong Countries the way local people see it.

Itinerary

Day 1 Bangkok - Ayuthaya - Pitsanuloke

am Pick up from the hotel, travel by an air-cond. van to visit Bang Pa-In, the Royal Summer Palace and Ayuthaya Historical Park.

pm After lunch, continue to Pitsanuloke. Visit Wat Phra Maha That, where Phra Buddha Chinnaraj is housed. This is the most beautiful Buddha statue of Thailand.

Overnight at the La Paloma or Phailyn Hotel

Day 2 Pitsanuloke - Sukhothai - Si Satchanalai-Chiang Mai (B)

am Breakfast. Travel to Sukothai (1 hr. drive ) and visit Sukhothai & Si Satchanalai Historical Parks. Then continue the trip to Lampang on the scenic route with visit to the amazing Wat Phra That Jomping and the magnificent Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. After that travel straight to Chiang Mai. Check in Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel for overnight.

Day 3 Chiang Mai-City Tour (B,D)

Am Breakfast. Travel to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on Suthep Hill, then travel to visit the Tribal Museum, and Sirikit Botanical Center, where many rare Thai plants are grown in group. After that, visit Kard Luang, the biggest market, located on the bank of Ping River. This is a good place to observe the way of life of the Northern people.

19.00 Kantoke dinner (a Northern style of dinner) at Chiang Mai Cultural Center and visit the Night Bazaar, the center of Northern handicrafts.

Day 4 Chiang Mai-Mae Wang-Hmong Village (B,L,D)

Am Breakfast. Travel to Mae Wang along the beautiful local road for about 1 ½ hrs. to the Forest Rafting Camp. Enjoy bamboo rafting along Mae Wang River for 1 hr., then connected with elephant riding for 2 hrs. to Hmong Village. On arrival check in the Hmong Cultural Center.

Wander to chat with Hmong hilltribes, visit the children school and play with children, etc.

After home-made dinner, the cultural exchange will be arranged at the Camp Fire, where Hmong people and guests/visitors will have a great time for their information and cultural exchange, including some performance. This is the real great experience !

Overnight at dormitory rooms, separated male & female in the Hmong Cultural Center

Day 5 Hmong Village-Doi Inthanon National Park-Karen & Hmong Hilltribes (B,L,D)

Am Breakfast. Late morning, good bye to people and hike about 1 hr. along scenic route down to the main road. Then travel by van to Doi Inthanon National Park (1 hr.)

After lunch hiking on Ang Ka Nature Trail at the summit (45 mins.) and Kiew Mae Pan Nature Trails(3 hrs.). And visit the Hmong’s Fruit & Flower Market before check in Karen Ecolodge, located in the beautiful Karen terrace rice field. At leisure for a while before hiking up (45 mins.) to visit Karen Hilltribes, who are happy to show you their fruit & vegetable farms. Dinner and overnight at the romantic Karen Ecolodge.

Day 6 Doi Inthanon-Chiang Mai-Doi Saket-Chiang Rai (B)

Am Breakfast. Return to Chiang Mai with visit to Ban Roi An Phan Yang. This is the exhibition center of the Northern antiques and woodcarving masterpieces (closed on Wednesday). Continue the trip to visit the Princess Dararusmi Museum, where old art objects including old hand-woven clothes are displayed. Then travel straight to Chiang Rai via Doi Saket. On arrival, check in Wiang Inn or Wiang Come Hotel for overnight.

Day 7 Chiang Rai-Doi Mae Salong-Golden Tri Angle-Chiang Saen-Chiang Khong (B,L)

Am Breakfast. Travel to Doi Mae Salong. This is not only beautiful, but it offers some of untouched hilltribes as well as a very diverse group of cultures. See overview of Ban Santi Kiri at Princess Mother Pagodas. Try Yunnanese Lunch. Visit Yao, Lahu, Lisu and Akha villages. Walk along roadside – Chinese/Hilltribe market, known for its trading with hilltribes and tourists. After that travel down to visit the Golden Tri Angle, Chiang Saen, and end at Chiang Khong. Check in Ruen Thai Sopapan, the beautiful Thai style of house, located on the bank of Mekong River.

Day 8 Chiang Khong-Houey Xay-Pakbeng (boat) (B)

Am Breakfast. Transfer to Chiang Khong Immigration Office. Take the boat across Mekong to Arrive Houey Xay before 9 am. Meet with your Lao guide. Transfer to slow boat pier. Board a slow motorized sampan and cruise down the Mekong river to Pakbeng. Several stops on the way to visit villages of ethnic minorities Yao and Hmong such as Houey Lam Phene , Houey Nam Yut.

Arrive late afternoon . Overnight at Salika Guest House or Luang Say Lodge.

Day 9 Pakbeng-Oudomxay (road) (B)

Am Breakfast. Drive on a pick-up truck to Oudomxay through beautiful sceneries of mountains and deep forest. Visit on the way traditional villages of Khmus ethnic groups such as Muang Houn

Arrive late afternoon . Overnight in Linda Guesthouse or SingThong Hotel with simple
accommodations.

Day 10 Oudomxay-Muang Ngoy-Luang Prabang (road and boat) (B)

Am Breakfast. Continue to Nam Ou Valley on a pick-up truck. Several stops on the way at nice villages of other Hmong ethnic groups (Black Hmong) or Ko. Arrive late morning at Muang Ngoy by Nam Ou river. Board a motorized local boat and cruise down to the Mekong and Luang Prabang through sceneries of mountains and limestone forest. Visit the holy caves of Pak Ou before arriving at Luang Prabang late afternoon. Transfer to Auberge Calao, Villa Santi, Souvannaphoum or similar hotel.

Day 11 Luang Prabang-Sightseeing (B)

Am Breakfast. Full day visit of Luang Prabang and her most beautiful temples,such as Wat Xieng Thong ,Wat Khilly ,Wat Vixun, Wat Pha Khe ,Wat That Luang . Excursion in the afternoon to weaving villages such as Ban Phanom and to others villages "forgotten" by tourists such as Ban Xang Khong and Xieng Lek, where we can spend more time watching dyeing natural process or a traditional family of paper makers. Return late afternoon to enjoy the sunset from Phousy holy hill. Overnight at Auberge Calao, Villa Santi, ot similar hotel

Day 12 Luang Prabang (B)

Am Breakfast. Visit the former royal palace and the famous Wat May nearby, before departing for an excursion to Kouangsy waterfalls. Nice walk in the villages nearby such as Ban Ou or Ban Tha Phene. Return late afternoon to the hotel.

Day 13 Luang Prabang-Xieng Khouang (flight) (B)

Am Breakfast . Transfer to the airport for a flight to Xieng Khouang on QV 031 (10.00/10.30 hrs). On arrival , depart for an excursion to the mysterious archéological sites of the Plain of Jars . Return late afternoon to Phouphadeng Hotel for overnight in bungalows overlooking the Plain of Phonesavanh

Day 14 Xieng Khouang-Vientiane-Udorn Thani ( flight and road ) (B)

Am Breakfast. Visit Phonesavanh's market before transfer to the airport for a flight to Vientiane on QV 402 (08.45/09.15hrs.). On arrival visit the Lao capital city and its most famous temples and monuments such as Wat Phra Keo, Wat Sisaket, That Luang Stupa and the Morning market before leaving to the Friendship Bridge in the afternoon . Cross to Thailand before 5 pm and transfer to Udon Thani Airport for an evening flight to Bangkok.

20.20 Arrive Bangkok Airport. End of services.