The very best of Northern Thailand and Laos in one amazing trip.

This trip is all about "the journey" as we travel from Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand to Chaing Rai and then onto Lao, following the course of the great Mekong River via Luang Prabang (the old royal capital) and Vang Vieng to the capital, Vientiane.

At the moment (But changing fast) Laos is still the Asia of old, and retains much of its charm and a slower, more gentle pace of life than the rest of Asia. Now is the time to see this lovely country.
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Chiang Mai (3 nights)
You can arrive any time on the first day as our program will start in the evening around 5pm. Our lovely accommodation is very close to the old city, has a nice swimming pool, and you will have time to relax after a long flight.
Sunday is “Walking Street” night in Chiang Mai and this is a great introduction to the city and its “Vibe” we will eat local street food tonight as we explore. 
Monday is our first full day, and its a busy one as we head to Chiang Mai's most famous temple Doi Suthep, followed by a lunch stop, and some more sightseeing. 
This  evening we will have our "welcome meal"  
Tuesday and its free time in the morning to explore the local area, and then an afternoon, walking tour with Richard around the local markets and Ping river area.
Chiang Mai has some fun, quirky Gay bars, and it’s nice to have some venues where we get to meet the locals, watch some shows, and enjoy evening time and each other’s company.
Chiang Mai is a wonderful city to walk around, the old city has literally hundreds of temples and I will take you to see the very best of them.
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Chiang Rai (1 night)
After a leisurely breakfast we load up our private airconditioned minivan and head north, as we drive the 3.5 hr trip to Chiang Rai, with lunch at the ''Pie shop" on the way.  Here we will be visiting the famed ''White'' and ''Blue'' pagodas. 

Chaing Khong (1 night)
After breakfast we visit and the artistic delight of the "Black house" before heading north towards the boarder with Lao and our overnight hotel in Chiang Khong.

2 days river cruise down the Mekong River
(1 night in Pak Beng)
​Early start this morning as we drive to the boarder with Laos and after completing the visa and boarder crossing, board our long boat for a trip of a lifetime as we head down the Mekong River, stopping on the way to see the Cave temples and local villages. The scenery is wonderful, as on this stretch of the river the banks are high and covered in native forest.
Half way we stop for an overnight stay in Pak Beng on the banks of the Mekong. 

Luang Prabang (4 nights)
Arriving by longboat at the UNESCO listed former Royal Capital of Luang Prabang, a true delight. Here we stay in a lovely historic colonial style hotel in the old city, perfect for heading out on foot to explore at your leisure. 
We get to visit the fabled waterfalls of Kuang Si, and enjoy some of the most beautiful Buddhist Wat's in the whole of Asia. There will be time here to do some exploring on your own, or join Richards 1/2 day waling trip around the old town and markets.

Vang Vieng (2 nights)
From Luang Prabang we speed through the many tunnels along the Lao-China "Belt and Road" bullet train (which opened in 2021) to Vang Vieng a small town with a sublime location in spectacular limestone cast mountains.
Here there will be options available and you just pick what excites you the most.

• Tubing down the river or Kayaking (optional)
• Guided walk through the rice fields.
• Explore the village independantly.
• Ballooning (Weather dependant)
• Chilling by the river with a beer.

Our lovely hotel has a view over the river and mountains. This is truly a place to chill out with a beer and a book. 

Vientiane (1 nights)
From Vang Vieng we take our private road transport with guide and head through lush farmland and scenery to one of the most laid-back capitals on the planet, Vientiane feels more like a country town than capital city. 
After checking into our hotel we have the afternoon to explore with our guide and driver before heading to the riverside in the evening, to visit the night markets, street life and aerobic classes on the riverfront along the Mekong.
Weather permitting our the last evening together, we can head down to the river for a open air final meal together.

Departure Day 14
You can depart anytime today with an easy taxi transfer to the airport or onwards if extending your adventure.
Suggestions.
Add a few days after your trip in Bangkok or on one of the Thai islands famous for their great beach resorts.

Accommodation is a highlight of this trip, lovely properties located in the heart of where we want to be, so expect to be able to walk out of the hotel and be in the middle of the action. All are of 3-4-star quality and have been chosen for their location and ambiance. All have ensuite bathrooms, and some will have a swimming pool. 

As with all our trips let go of the concept you're signing up for a structured tour, you're not, you're joining us on a Thailand and Laos adventure, yes, it’s a semi structured adventure with all the hard work done, but it is nevertheless an adventure. Things will go wrong some days, and changes will need to be taken in their stride, you will need your wits about you, and to expect to do some exploring on your own occasionally.
This is an active tour and a modest degree of fitness and agility is expected as well as being able to handle your own luggage. 

29th November -12th December 2026.

​Starts Chiang Mai (CNX) and finishes in Vientiane (VTE) Capital of Laos.

A 13 night, 14 day adventure. 
Min 6 Max 12.
​FULL

Includes:-

• 13 nights’ accommodation twin share (single supplement if you would like a room on your own)
• 13 breakfasts
• 2 Lunches 
• 2 dinners
• All transport (private minivan, bullet train, taxi, (Private) longtail boat, tuk-tuk)
• Tubing down the river in Vang Vieng (Very restful)
• Mekong river cruise 2-day.
• Traditional Thai foot massage.
• Entry tickets into "White" and "Blue" Pagoda and "Black house" in Chiang Rai.
• Entry to "Silver" Pagoda in Chiang Mai
• Entry into 2 Wats of Luang Prabang and Vientiene.
• Entry to the famous waterfalls of Luang Prabang 
• Evening visit to the fun "Lady Boy" show bar in Chiang Mai ​
• Plus of course daily help and suggestions of what to do and go see from Richard.

​Not Included

• Visa costs (U$40 varies depending on passport)
• Arrival and departure Airport to hotel transfers (easy instructions as to how to get to our arrival hotel will be provided)
• International airfare, to CNX and out of VTE
• Optional entry fees to places not listed as inclusions above.
• Drinks and meals other than above inclusions.
• Discretionary tips for local drivers, guides. Budget $10 per day for the trip 
• Personal spending money.​

Cost estimate for 2026
USD $3995pp twin share
Single room + USD $790
Deposit to confirm your place $500 pp 
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Payment can be made in AUD,GBP,NZD or USD and you need to organize your own flights and travel insurance.
​Bangkok, Singapore, or KL are the best hub cities to fly into CNX and out of VTE on the same ticket.

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Due to the nature of Adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 60 days before the departure.