The best of Thailand and Laos
A 14 day trip to Laos Thailand provided by Buffalo Tours
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Our Northern Thailand & Laos taster offers city, mountains, jungle, waterfalls, elephants, markets, cooking class and lots of chilling out!
Photos
Details
Departures:
On request
Places Visited:
Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Pakbeng - Luang Prabang - Kuang Sii Waterfall - Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Activities:
Architecture
Children Friendly
Cruise
Cultural Activities
Eco-tourism
Family Vacation
Gay / Lesbian Friendly
Gourmet & Cooking
History & Archaeology
Outdoor Adventure
Spectacular Scenery
Walking Tours
Price:
Price depends on accommodation chosen, number of people travelling together and period of travel. Please enquire for a quote.
Detailed Description
This itinerary is a perfect introduction to Thailand and Laos. Starting in Bustling Bangkok you will enjoy the main sights before heading up north to Chiang Mai. Explore the city, go to an elephant orphanage, check out the night market before heading east to Chiang Rai near in the Golden Triangle. From here continue your journey east and enjoy a cruise down the Mekong River to the UNESCO town of Luang Prabang in Laos. Spend time here soaking up the temples and laid back charm of this beautiful city. Visit waterfalls, try your hand at Laos cooking with a cooking class, partake in the morning Alms and much more. Then head south to Vang Vieng to enjoy caving, kayaking or just relaxing in this tiny town nestled between mountains. Finish your adventure in Laos' captial city, Vientiane visiting the many Buddha statues. For those wanting to we can then arrange a beach extension to one of Thailand's paradise beaches.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 :
Bangkok
Arrive into bustling Bangkok and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 :
Bangkok
Visit the Jim Thompson House and Textile Museum to see the art and textiles of a man who was credited with reviving and revitalizing the Thai silk industry. Continue to the golden Grand Palace and royal barge museum before relaxing with a cocktail whilst cruising the canals, passing vendors selling food such as spices and grilled chicken from their boats. (BL)
Day 3 :
Bangkok - Chiang Mai
Fly to Chiang Mai, a charming city nestled in the hills of the north and visit some of the beautiful and historic Buddhist Wats (temples). In the evening you may choose to walk and shop the Night Bazaar, full of Thai and Lao textiles, silver and much more. (BL)
Day 4 :
Chiang Mai Adventure Day
Morning transfer into the Hills outside of Chiang Mai. Start your adventure with an easy 13 kms (about 8 miles) of cycling to the rafting point. Then enjoy 45 minutes of rafting on an inflatable raft downriver to a traditional Thai country village, followed by a short transfer to the Elephant Camp for a scenic picnic lunch.Enjoy an hour of elephant riding through the beautiful mountainous jungle down to the river.Then take a short drive to an Akha village for a village visit, including a chat with the shaman (spirit doctor). Return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon. (BL)
Day 5 :
Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
Head east through stunning mountainous scenery to the quieter city of Chiang Rai. (BL)
Day 6 :
Chiang Rai - Pakbeng
An early start to cross the border into Lao for a boat cruise on the Mekong River to Pakbeng, stopping for a picnic lunch on the riverbank and a visit to a village of the Yao or Lu tribes along the way. (BL)
Day 7 :
Pakbeng - Luang Prabang
This morning visit Pakbeng market, where people from surrounding villages exchange their goods, then board a boat for the second leg of the cruise. Journey to Pak Ou Village at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, enjoying a buffet lunch along the way. Visit the Tam Ting Caves, containing over a 1000 Buddha images of all sizes and shapes. Observe the traditional process of producing local rice alcohol (Lao Lao).(BL)
Day 8 :
Luang Prabang
Enjoy a guided tour around Luang Prabang and you will understand why it deserves its World Heritage title. (BL
Day 9 :
Kuang Sii Waterfall
Morning at leisure before spending the afternoon cooling off at Kuang Sii Waterfall. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. (BL)
Day 10 :
Day 9: Luang Prabang
Guided by the cooking school’s chef, visit the colourful and vibrant Phosy Market to select ingredients. Begin your cooking class creating dishes under a sun roof in the garden. Enjoy the lunch that you prepared. (BL)
Day 11 :
Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng
Drive along winding beautiful roads south to Vang Vieng (approx 6 hours). Pass by many beautiful limestone karst vistas and upon arrival the afternoon is yours to relax in this lovely town.(BL)
Day 12 :
Vang Vieng
Enjoy the scenic wonders of Vang Vieng at leisure. You may choose to go inner tubing down the river, kayaking, caving or just relax and enjoy the amazing views from your balcony! (B)
Day 13 :
Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Drive three hours to Vientiane. Visit Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, as well as many other sites and monuments sparkling golden in the sunlight. (BL)
Day 14 :
Depart Vientiane
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
