Thailand Treks and Tours

Day 1
Arrival in Bangkok – connecting flight to Chiang Rai – transfer to Chiang Khong and Crossing the border to Laos.

Upon arrival at the Chiang Rai airport, transfer with private vehicle (2 hrs) to Chiang Khong. This Thai border town with Laos is nestled on the banks of the Mekong river. Then we cross the Mekong River to Laos. Overnight at Arimid GH. Welcome dinner at local restaurant ( D ).

Day 2: Houeixay to Pakbeng
Here we will board our own private boat and commence cruising down the Mekong river to Pakbeng. Our boat will be a simple wooden boat with wooden benches and cushions for seats. En route we will make a stop over at a village of ethnics minority groups and observe rural life along the Mekong river. The time spent on the boat will be about 6 and half hours. A picnic lunch will be served on the boat. We will arrive Pakbeng before sunset and check in our local hotel.(B/L)

Day 3: Pakbeng to Luang Prabang
If one rises early there is a good opportunity to visit the local markets and witness people from the surrounding minority villages exchanging their wares. We return to our hotel for a quick breakfast before rejoining our boat for the second leg of our trip down the Mekong. The total time to spend on the boat today is about 7 hours. We will stop for lunch at a small local restaurant on the way. Further upstream, near the Pac Ou village and opposite mouth of Nam Ou River, we find the Tham Ting caves that emerge directly beside the river where literally hundreds of Buddha images cover the surrounding interior walls. The climb to the caves is quite a challenging one as there are hundreds of steps to reach them. The caves are actually on two different levels- the upper and lower caves. After exploring them we continue on toward Luang Prabang, with a short stop en route to learn about the traditional process of making local rice alcohol or whisky and weaving. We will arrive Luang Prabang before sunset and transfer to our local hotel. ( B/L )

Day 4: Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the well-preserved ancient capital of the Lao kingdom - the religious and imperial capital of the past, yet today it is a delightful, tranquil village easily explored on food. Wedged between the Mekong and Khan rivers, it has been nominated as a world heritage site and its famous for its many Wats ( temples ) - 32 of the 66 that were built before French colonisation still stand. All of them are well kept and in use, with numerous monks in residence. The most beautiful Wat is Xieng Thong overlooking the Mekong. This and others are on the agenda for the day. You will also have some free time for personal exploration. After lunch we visit Ban Phanom, a traditional weaving village where you will be able to appreciate the skill and design of the craftspeople in making these intricate clothes and hangings. Arround 4 or 4:30pm back in the township, the monks in Wat Ho Xieng begin to beat the drum and clang the cymbals high in the drum tower. The acoustics are incredible! For those who has an appreciation of foreign instruments, it is certainly not to be missed.
Phousi hill, topped with a white stupa, offers an excellent view of the city and the winding Mekong River. Again - be prepared for some lengthy step climbing. At dusk we will have the option of venturing out to the Wat Siphuthabath to enjoy the sunset or simply strolling down by the river before returning a local restaurant for dinner. ( B/L )

Day 5: Arround Luang Prabang
Following breakfast at the hotel we'll visit the former kings palace, which is now a museum. Furniture, costumes, jewellery, art and ornaments as well as working tools and untensils of the early part of the 20th century are well displayed arround the " palace" museum.
We then continue to the scenic and popular waterfalls of Kuang Si a half hour drive from the town. Good idea to wear shorts today, in case you get wet, and pack your swimming costume. En route we will encounter the Ban Xom (traditional Lao Lum village ) and Ban Thapan near the waterfalls, known as the Lao Theung village. In these traditional villages, the women weave beautiful bags and clothes of fine embroidery. We have a picnic lunch in the gardens by the falls and it's clear blue pools, and return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon. The central market is another of Luang Pragbang's highlights, as well as That Luang Market near Wat Phabatai. There will be an apportunity to visit these markets at your leisure in the afternoon.( B/L )

Day 6: Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng
After breakfast, heading south and travel to the sleepy riverside hamlet of Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng is a small town next to Nam Song River and surrounded by jagged limestones karsts. Along the way we'll stop for lunch at Kasi, you will pass through villages where local children will be playing in the streams, and where the villagers weave material for sale in local markets. we will be in the city around 1500-1600pm. If we have time enough we'll also to explore the town. ( B )

Day 7: Vang Vieng - Vientiane
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Tam Chang Caves and time to leave our riverside paradise and drive to the sleepiest capital city "Vientiane"
Pronounced " Vieng Chane ", the capital of Laos is a slow paced, clean city. The people of Lao and in particular Vientiane could be ranked among the most friendly and honest in the world. Vientiane sits on a bend in the Mekong River amid fertile alluvial plains. At times controlled by the Bermese, Siamese, Vietnamese, and Khmers, it was made a capital city by the French in the late 19th century and the retains flavours of all its past inhabitants. Like Luang Prabang, the main attractions of Vientiane are the Wats; Pha That Luang ( the Great Sacred Stupa built in 1566 and later covered with 500kg of gold leaf ), and the Wat Sisaket. The latter is the oldest monastery in Vientiane, built in 1824. Inside the walls surrounding the main temple are niches displaying Buddha's. It is said that there are over 10.000 representations of Buddha here. The Friendship Bridge between Thailand and Laos located just outside the city. A walk along the path beside the Mekong at the sunset is always popular for travellers and locals alike.( B )

Day 8: Vientiane
Following breakfast, and we have a bicycle tour around the city, lunch at local restaurant. Afterward we return to hotel and free at leisure. ( B/L )

Day 9: Vientiane
After breakfast we will drive out of the town to visit Buddha Park where there are many statuses. In this park will explain about the Buddhism and Hinduism.
Afterward we will return to the town and free at leisure time. ( B )

Day 10: Vientiane – Departure
Following breakfast and transfer to the airport for the departure
End of the trip in Laos

Trip price includes:

- English speaking guide from day 1 to day 10
- Additional meals as indicated in the itinerary
- All accommodation on twin sharing room with breakfasts
- All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance fees and permits during guided time
- Government taxes
- Drinking water 1bottle/day during guided time

Trip price does not include:

- International/domestic airfares and taxes
- Foods and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Visas and visa fees
- Entrance fees and permits during free time
- Personal expenses such as: Telephone, laundry, and bar bills
- Tips and gratuitie