THAILAND & LAOS

Bangkok (Thailand) / Arrival Day

Upon arriving in Bangkok you will be transferred to our centrally located hotel, where you can relax, recover from your journey, and meet your fellow travelers.

For those who arrive early, our tour leader will be on-site to offer recommendations and help arrange any activities you might want to do. In the evening we’ll gather for a welcome dinner for a first taste of Thai cuisine. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel 
Included meals: Dinner 

Bangkok

After a relaxing morning we'll head out on a boat tour along the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok’s main canal that flows through the heart of the city and offers views of everyday life along its banks. Afterwards we'll enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before exploring the Grand Palace, a magnificent complex that once served as the royal residence.

We'll then head towards Wat Pho, where we'll admire the famous Reclining Buddha and experience the peaceful chanting of monks in the temple’s central area.

We'll conclude the day with dinner at a restaurant overlooking Wat Arun, a striking riverside temple celebrated for its ornate spires and some of the best views in the city. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Bangkok / Sukothai

We’ll begin our day with a visit to the famous Bangkok Flower Market, where we'll explore a colorful display of fresh flowers and take part in a hands-on garland workshop led by local artisans.

During the workshop, we'll learn the traditional methods of creating garlands, strings of flowers used to decorate and honor deities or loved ones during Thai celebrations.

After an early lunch at a nearby restaurant, we'll head to Bangkok’s Airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Sukothai. Recognized as the first capital of Thailand, Sukothai is home to a historical park filled with ancient ruins and temples that offer a glimpse into early Thai civilization.

Once we arrive, we'll transfer directly to our hotel, where we'll enjoy dinner and a good night's rest. 

Accommodation: 3* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sukothai

After breakfast we'll embark on a half-day guided tour of the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Thailand's first capital, where we'll explore age-old ruins and temples that reveal the art and architecture of early Thai civilization.

After the tour, we'll enjoy lunch back in town before continuing with a hands-on session at a family-run workshop that's been operating for six generations, where we'll learn the time-honoured techniques behind Thai Buddha amulets and try our hand at shaping our own small Buddha charm, believed to bring protection and good fortune.

The rest of the evening will be at leisure, allowing time to relax, enjoy our resort’s amenities, or explore the quaint town. 

Accommodation: 3* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Sukhothai / Chiang Mai

Today we’ll set out on a 6.5-hour drive to Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand known for its ancient temples, rich cultural heritage, and scenic mountain views. Along the way, we'll make several stops to stretch our legs and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel in the old town, located in the heart of Chiang Mai’s historic district, surrounded by centuries-old temples and vibrant markets. In the evening, we’ll head to one of the city’s top restaurants to savor traditional Northern Thai cuisine. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Chiang Mai

We’ll begin our day with a visit to a bustling market where we’ll learn about fresh Thai produce and pick up the ingredients needed for our upcoming cooking class.

Next we'll head to a small cooking school for a hands-on private class, where we’ll learn how to prepare some of Thailand’s most popular dishes such as Pad Thai (a stir-fried noodle dish), Tom Yum (a hot and sour soup), and Mango Sticky Rice (a dessert of sweet sticky rice served with mango).

After enjoying a lunch featuring the dishes we just prepared, we'll wander through the Old City, explore some temples and small markets to experience the everyday culture of the area. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Chiang Mai

Today will be a free day in Chiang Mai to relax and enjoy this charming town, with your tour leader available to help arrange any activities you may wish to do.

For those looking for a bit of adventure there will be an optional day-trip to an ethical elephant sanctuary, where we’ll have the opportunity to see these gentle giants up close in a caring, respectful setting. Here we’ll learn about the elephants' behavior and the dedicated conservation efforts in place to protect them.

Alternatively you can stay back in town to relax, treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage, or explore one of the many restaurants at the city center. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast 

Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai / Chiang Khong

Today we'll head toward Chiang Khong, a small village on the northern border with Laos that will serve as our boarding point for our boat ride along the Mekong River. We'll begin with a 4-hour drive to Chiang Rai, a city in northern Thailand known for its scenic mountain views, with multiple stops along the way to stretch our legs and take in the scenery.

Upon arrival we'll enjoy lunch and then tour the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), a modern Buddhist temple known for its white exterior and detailed murals that depict Buddhist teachings alongside local cultural designs, offering a modern take on classical Thai architecture.

After the visit we'll continue on a 2.5-hour drive to Chiang Khong, where we'll check into our hotel and enjoy dinner. 

Accommodation: 3* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Chiang Khong / Mekong River / Pakbeng (Laos)

We'll begin the day by boarding our quaint river cruise that will take us along the Mekong River toward Pakbeng, a charming small town in Laos. On board you'll have the chance to relax on the sun deck or enjoy a refreshing drink in the lounge.

As we cruise, you'll be treated to picturesque views of riverbanks, fishing boats, and quiet villages that showcase rural Southeast Asia. Along the way we'll visit a hill tribe village, where you'll learn about local customs and traditional crafts. The boat will arrive in Pakbeng before sunset, where we’ll check into our hotel for the night and enjoy dinner. 

Accommodation: 3* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pakbeng / Mekong River / Luang Prabang

During the morning we'll board our boat once again, enjoying the peaceful riverside scenery as we continue our journey. We'll have lunch on board as we make a couple of stops along the way. First we'll visit the famous Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting), where thousands of Buddha images create a striking display that reflects local spiritual traditions.

We'll also stop at Lao Lao village, commonly known as the Whisky Village, where our guide will explain the process behind locally made rice whisky and offer a chance to sample it.

We'll then arrive in Luang Prabang in the afternoon, a UNESCO World Heritage city in northern Laos renowned for its unique blend of Lao and colonial architecture, its beautiful Buddhist temples, and its tranquil setting along the Mekong. Once there, we'll check into our hotel before capping off the day with dinner. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Luang Prabang

Today we'll head to a women’s cooperative with a long history of preserving local crafts and empowering the community. Here we’ll take part in a hands-on, half-day bamboo weaving class, where we'll learn how to weave a traditional fan made from bamboo and natural fibers, a craft that uses locally sourced materials and techniques passed down through generations.

After the workshop we'll take a relaxed walk around the city, exploring its historic temples and charming streets. We'll then wrap up the day with a very traditional Lao dinner at a famous restaurant, featuring dishes prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

 Luang Prabang / Kuang Sii / Luang Prabang

After an early breakfast we'll embark on a light hike toward Kuang Sii, a series of waterfalls famous for their clear, turquoise water cascading over rocky cliffs into natural pools. This easy hike will allow us to take in the beauty of the surrounding forest, although please note that the trail can be uneven and a bit slippery. Along the way we'll pass a bear rescue center, a facility dedicated to rehabilitating rescued bears and supporting local conservation efforts.

After the hike, we'll head to a buffalo dairy farm for lunch, where we'll also learn about a community farming project focused on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and providing ingredients to community restaurants. We'll then return to Luang Prabang, where we'll enjoy our farewell dinner before leaving Laos the next day. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel 
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Luang Prabang / Bangkok (Thailand) / Departure Day

Early in the morning we'll head to the airport for our 2-hour flight back to Bangkok, where you'll have the opportunity to connect to your departing flight home. Please note that your return flight from Bangkok should depart at 2:30pm or later. 

Included meals: Breakfast

*Please note: While we do our best to follow the above itinerary, changes may be made to any aspect of the tour due to a variety of potential situations or unforeseen circumstances.