Jungle trees shine like jade and rivers meander along the base of soaring mountains during your custom tailored Laos tour, immersing you in ineffable scenery. Children glide down mighty waters on shallow dugout canoes. Secluded villages add intricate embroideries to their colorful handmade textiles. Monks bathe in thermal springs situated near the base of their historical temple. Panoramas open to rice paddy fields and misty mountain summits. From caves filled with Buddha statues to flying through...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Chiang Rai – Surrounded by Lush Jungle
Chiang Rai is considered the capital of Northern Thailand, situated between mystical mountains and the rushing current of the Mekong River. Its proud history began in the 13th century under the Lao-Thai Lanna Kingdom, featured in the jade Buddha adorning the Phra Kaew Temple, a glistening icon modeled after the emerald Buddha that once filled the ceremonial halls of the Temple of the Bamboo Grove. Your flight lands at Chiang Rai International Airport, where your private transfer greets you upon your arrival. The aroma of fresh noodles emanates from the Night Market. The aisles fill with locals enjoying a stroll amongst the vendors offering candles, fresh cuisine, and handicrafts made by the hill tribe communities. Your luxury hotel offers you the first sense of Southeast Asia’s northern landscape, offering views of the rolling mountains and dense exotic jungles.
Ruins of the Lanna Kingdom decorate the countryside on the outskirts of your accommodation bordering Chiang Rai. You return to the streets of the city with your guide for an introductory tour of the past and present splendors embodied in the various temples. The White Temple provides a glimpse into the new artistic movement meant to modernize the Lanna culture. The structure resembles an ice palace reflected in the stoic waters of the decorative pond. The décor fuses elements of orthodox Buddhist teachings with Westernized beliefs, such as the color white symbolizing purity and perfection. Ornate reliefs depict Buddhist legends and frame the glistening mirrors leading to the main chapel.
What's Included:
Day 2
Luang Namtha – Into the Emerald North
Day 3
Luang Namtha – Finding Emerald Everywhere
Day 4
Muang La – Scenic View of Hidden Laos
Day 5
Muang La – Countryside on Wheels
Day 6
Nong Khiaw – On Stilts
Day 7
Nong Khiaw – Discovery in the Place of Relaxation
Day 8
Luang Prabang – Down the Mighty Mekong
Day 9
Luang Prabang – At the Spiritual Heart of the Emerald North
Day 10
Luang Prabang – At the End of the Scenic Route
Trip Highlights
- Visit local villages across northern Laos to learn about historical culture and traditions passed down through the generations
- Sample handcrafted Lao Lao, Laotian Whiskey, after a tour of a small distillery in what locals refer to as Whiskey Village
- Learn about the medicinal use of plants around Nam Ha National Protected Area while searching for leopards, birds, and elephants
- Relax in the turquoise pools fed by the gorgeous flowing waters of Kuang Si Falls outside of Luang Prabang
- Relish a cycling tour around the countryside of Muang La to view historical temples, hot springs, and glowing rice paddy fields
- Revel in the tranquil ambiance of your luxurious hotel embellished with the lush landscape and rushing waters of the Nam Ou River in Nong Khiaw
- Enter the renowned shrines of the Pak Ou Caves, known for housing thousands of Buddha icons within the two natural caverns etched into a cliff
- Glide across the forest canopy over the course of six lines while zip lining over northern Laos
- View the traditional morning procession in Luang Prabang, where locals offer alms to the passing monks in an act of piety
Starting Price
$2,800 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.81 stars based on 138 reviews.
Everything worked out great. Zicasso's travel company was super-supportive.
Reviewed By Rich D.
I have used Zicasso to pair me with professional, qualified travel companies in the past and naturally turned to the platform for our recent trip to Laos and Thailand. We were matched with this travel company and I was delighted with their performance. My wife and I wanted an in-depth experience to really see Laos in depth, and the company created an itinerary that incorporated the things we wanted to do.
The detailed planning began with an hour-plus phone conversation where we communicated what was important to us and what we hoped to see and experience. It was easy to make our wishes understood as the person we spoke with was a native English speaker, so there was no miscommunication. Once we had the framework of our itinerary planned out, we worked with another travel specialist to refine it. Both of our primary contacts were always available via WhatsApp and responded quickly via text and/or email to move our travel plans along. This was also the case while we were traveling, as they checked in to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and were on standby in the event of any disruptions.
The suggested activities, local guides, vehicles, and hotels were all perfect based on our expectations and preferences. We were met at every airport by knowledgeable, welcoming guides and drivers who made sure we were comfortable and all our needs were met. They were flexible and customized itineraries based on our wishes. This travel company was highly capable and did an excellent job coordinating all of our movements, so we maximized our time and enjoyed every minute of our adventure.
Reviewed By Ron T.
The Zicasso travel specialist was great.
Reviewed By Christopher M.
Zicasso's travel agent was amazing in organizing a nine-and-a-half-week custom trip through Southeast Asia for us. She was intelligent, organized, efficient, and very clear in her communications. And patient too, going through several revisions. It was a concierge service! From the moment we arrived, everything the travel agent organized went like clockwork – the pick-ups, accommodations, flights, guides, and drivers were all perfect.
The accommodations all matched closely with the guidance we gave the travel specialist on quality, facilities, etc. Most of the guides spoke excellent English (for a couple, it was passable). All had a passion for their country’s culture and history, and spending a few days with each of them in the car allowed us to have some wonderful conversations on more personal and nuanced topics.
Then, when one of us needed to be hospitalized, the travel specialist jumped in to facilitate communications, arrange extra nights in hotels, and then recover what refunds were possible for the final two weeks we had to eliminate from the trip. You will not find a better tour operator!!
Reviewed By Kristen C.
Zicasso's travel specialist did a great job! The drivers and guides were on time and very helpful. I was the one who suggested hiking in the Nam Ha NPA and they made arrangements. Unfortunately, there were no animals and very few birds to be found.
We were hoping for a remote and lush rainforest. Borneo provided just that! We had a wonderful tour of wildlife, including elephants and six kinds of monkeys.
All the lodgings and food were excellent at all of our locations.
Reviewed By Terry G.
This trip exceeded all of our expectations! With the help of Zicasso’s travel agents, we were able to plan an itinerary that was perfectly suited to our interests. The local knowledge and options offered by our travel company greatly enhanced our experience.
The guides and drivers provided were all extremely knowledgeable, arrived early every day, were willing to go above and beyond the day's original agenda, and were very friendly. Our agents stayed in close contact with us during the entire trip, with special attention paid to the days we changed guides. Any questions we had were answered promptly. A WhatsApp group chat was created before our arrival and worked seamlessly to keep everyone in touch.
The hotels selected perfectly matched the criteria we gave our agents and were very, very nice. We will definitely use this travel company for our next trip to Asia!
Reviewed By John O.