Trailblazing Expedition in Thailand and Laos in 18 days

After breakfast, we visit the Grand Royal Palace dedicated at the ceremony of the Thai royal family. It is the most sacred, respected and majestic place in Bangkok. The Grand Palace, or the Royal Palace, is a complex comprising of many historical monuments built for centuries. For the most, they are temples and official buildings stillused today. 

In the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew which is known for the Emerald Bouddha Statue. 

We continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the Buddha layer. The Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest Buddhist temples in Bangkok. It is located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, south of the Grand Palace. The symbol of the temple is the statue reputed "Reclining Buddha". This statue represents Buddha on his deathbed. It is 45 meters long and 15 meters high. His feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl. 

After having lunch (on your own charge), we visit the Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha.

Then, embark on a long tail boat for the excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many canals lively interiors of the Thonburi shoreline that offer views fantastic local life nearby. You will have the opportunity nibbling, buying trinkets or using the toilets stops on the way. Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the temple of dawn.  

Return to hotel for free time. 

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok  

Meals: Breakfast

One Way Tour A      

Cruise : Bangkok – Nonthaburi

From River City Pier to Wat Chonglom Pier

08:30 am Check In at River City Pier counter tour No.2 to Embark “Grand Pearl Cruise”

09:00 am Welcome to Luxury Boat Grand Pearl To Cruising along the Chao Phraya River (The River of King) to Nonthaburi Relax and Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the riverside, Viewing of the temple of Dawn and Grand Palace. Cruising about 2 hours on the River of King, Seeing the Typical Life Style of Thai People passing Nonthaburi to Wat Chonglom Pier. 

11:00 am         Buffet Lunch will be Served with Thai & International Cuisine.

12:00 am         Arrive Nonthaburi at Wat Chonglom Pier. 

Then, transfer by private vehicle to Ayutthaya. Arrive BANG PA-IN SUMMER PALACE, The Palace of King Rama V with its mixture of Thai, Chinese and Gothic Architecture.

Arrive Ayutthaya The world heritage ancient city. Former Capital City of Thailand (B.E.1350-1767). Ayutthaya has been included in UNESCO list of World heritage since December 13, 1991.

Visit to WAT MAHATHAT,   The royal monastery and served as the residence of the supreme monk.

Visit to WAT PHRA SRI SANPHET, The largest, most important and beautiful with in the Royal Palace compound in Ayutthaya like the temple of The Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.

Visit to VIHARA PHRA MONGKHON BOPHIT, located in the south of WAT PHRA SRI SANPHET. The large bronze Buddha image was originally enshrined in the open area outside the Grand Palace and later covered by building.

Check-in at the hotel. Overnight in Ayutthaya.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Ayutthaya.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Morning after breakfast check out, drive to Nakhon Sawan for boat trip on Bueng Boraphet, the big natural lake to enjoy the scenery and hundreds of birds live around the lake.

After that proceed to Kamphaeng Phet stop at Banana Market to see people make different sources of banana and taste. There are various kinds of banana snacks and species being on offer at this special market. 

We have lunch at local restaurant (on your own charge).

We continue exploring Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, recognized by UNESCO as World’s Heritage Site. The park is an archeological site, containing the ruins of the ancient town of Kamphaeng Phet, an important town in the Sukhothai Kingdom.

We also visit Wat Prakaew, which is a large royal temple in center of town. The temple itself was used on important city events and had no monks in residence. Major features are the principal chedi with lion-adorned base and a round chedi with elephant-adorned base. There are also other chedis of different bases and remains of several chapels. Its boundary is marked off by laterite walls.

Then cheking-in the hotel and you are free to relax after a day of exploring. 

Overnight in Kamphaeng Phet.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Kamphaeng Phet

Meals: Breakfast

Morning, drive to Sukhothai where we visit Sukhothai Historical Park by bike. It covers the ruins of Sukhothai, literally "Dawn of Happiness", capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th and 14th centuries. Dozens of well preserved and restored monuments dating back to the 13th until 15th centuries are found in a well maintained park like setting with lakes, ponds and trees.

After lunch, we come to Si Satchanalai Historical park. The park covers the ruins of Si Satchanalai and Chaliang. Si Satchanalai, which literally means "City of good people", was founded in 1250 as the second center of the Sukhothai Kingdom and as a residence of the crown prince in the 13th and 14th centuries. 

Overnight at the hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Sukhothai

Meals: Breakfast

Morning, you will be transferred to Lampang, a small and pretty town. We will visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, one of the best examples of Lanna style architecture in Thailand. Its viharns, open on all sides, are typical of the early Lanna style. While some temples have been restored using modern construction materials and techniques, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang has been preserved in its original state. The temple was founded in the 13th century. Its name translates as "the temple of the relic of the Great Buddha of Lampang". The architecture is a mixture of Lanna and Thai Lü styles. After that we will take a 30 minute horse-drawn carriage ride through town and villages.

Lunch at local restaurant (on your own charge).

We continue to Chiang Mai. Arrival in Chiang Rai at the end of the day.

Proceed to the hotel in Chiang Mai. Checking-in the hotel and you can relax after a long day exploring.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast

The morning will be mainly devoted to visit the old city with a stop at the ancient wall, the moat and a door of the old city. You will see more   beautiful temples in Chiang Mai:   Wat Prah Singh Temple, Wat Phan Tao temple and the temple Wat Chedi Luang. Then you will stroll along streets lined with traditional houses, where you make a rickshaw ride. From there, you'll at large Central Market Warorot. 

Lunch at local restaurant (on your own).

Afternoon, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous pagoda Chiang Mai. It is reached after climbing a staircase of 290 steps with ramps represent two giant naga. From the square, you can admire the panorama of the whole Chiang Mai Valley.

Then visit craft villages: lacquer factories, silk weaving, manufacture of umbrellas, wood carvings and goldsmith work.

Then transfer back to the hotel. 

You are free exploring night market in evening.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast

Start from the hotel in Chiang Mai driving along a wildly route via Doi Saket through scenic hills, valleys and villages.

A short break is made at Mae Khachan Hot Spring.

Visit White Temple. It nevertheless very recent temple is the most visited monument in the region, the work of Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, started in 1997. Its creator himself announces that he will only be completed 60 to 90 years after his death. Its uniqueness, its whiteness, making it a unique temple of its kind. In wihaan a fresco mixing Buddhist codes with Matrix, Star Wars, the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York and even Kung Fu Panda stands out from the usual decorations such monuments.

Proceed to Chiang Rai province. Lunch on your own.

We will visit the local market to discover the local products. After that we visit the world famous Wat Phra Kaew where the Emerald Buddha image was once enshrined. Move on to Wat Phra Singh where one of Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha images is now enshrined. 

Then short drive from Chiang Rai City to Black House. Baan Dam (Black House) is the unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs. 

Check in at the hotel. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Rai

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast we depart for northern Thailand, a wooded, mountainous and beautiful area. This morning, visit the Golden Triangle where the borders of three countries; Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar are met. Arrange a boat trip along the Mekong River at Sop Ruak. A quick visit to the island and market at Don Sao, (which belongs to Laos). Then transfer to Chiang Khong for overnight. 

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Khong

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, free time until pick up and transfer to Thai Immigration check point. After leaving Thai immigration, our guide will help you to buy bus tickets to pass the Friendship Bridge to Laos Immigration Office by yourself. At 08:00am, the guests will meet our English-Speaking guide with a welcome sign at Houay Xay immigration office (Lao border).

Our guide will assist customers to apply for the visa. After getting the VISA, guests will take a sharing transfer (minivan) to the slow boat pier to embark on the Shompoo boat (sharing boat + guide on boat). During the morning, Quick lecture about Do’s and Don’ts in Laos and fun facts will be presented by our guide. Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.

Before reaching Pakbeng, we will stop to visit a traditional Kamu village (Ban Houa Phalam), a tiny cozy place which host about 90 families. Travelers will learn about rural lifestyle in a very remote area.

The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before the night. Check-in hotel in Pakbeng

Dinner on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation: At the Lodge in Pakbeng 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

The boat will leave Pakbeng at 08am toward Luang Prabang.

Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey. In the morning, our guide and cooker will make a short demonstration on how to make some lao desserts and local drinks that travelers will eat later in the afternoon.

First stop will be at Ban Baw village, a complex but harmonic mixed of three ethnicity: Lao Loun, Shan and Tai Lue. Today the village is famous for its lao lao whiskey making.

Right after the visit, a Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.

In the afternoon, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its over two thousands Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage place for lao people. After the visit, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and the travelers.

The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 4:30pm. Transfer to hotel in town for check-in. Time at leisure

Dinner on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals: Breakfast

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast.

This morning, depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao The Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Wat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.

This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple. 

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, you will be driven to the Elephant Village, a center with a focus on the protection and rehabilitation of elephants in Laos. Upon arrival you will be provided the information about the work in caring for the elephants. Next, enjoy your time with elephants in camp.

This afternoon, travelling outskirt of Luang prabang, driving through green rice paddies and farms. Stop for visit few villages of H’mong and Lao loum people, your guide can introduce you to local people and its great opportunity for you to involving with their daily activities such as wooden cotton spinning, weaving, rice harvesting and green vegetable farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Sy fall, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued centre and enjoy front main waterfalls with spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Driver back to Luang Prabang. 

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, drive to Nong Khiew. Stop to visit Nam Bak market and Ban Nayang village. Arrival in Nong Khiew. Lunch on your own. Then embark on long tail boat for a relaxing cruise (~1h40mns) on Nam Ou river to Ban Sojam village where you learn about local life and culture. Then continue your cruise to Muong Ngoy.  Arrival and check-in guesthouse in Muong Ngoy. 

Meals on your own. Overnight in guesthouse (Simple comfort)

Accommodation: In Guesthouse in Muang Ngoy

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, embarking on boat to cruise back Nong Khiew. On the way, stop to visit an authentic village Houi Hoy, located on the bank of Nam Ou river.

Drive from Nong Khiew to Luang Prabang. On the way, wisit Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. Heading to Luang Prabang by van. Arrive and check in hotel in Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive to Vang Vieng, drive passes through splendid scenery and past many panoramic lookout points on the winding mountaintop road.  There are several stops en route to take photos in the scenery.  

Arrive in Vang Vieng and descending the Nam Song by long tail boat leads us through idyllic scenes of rural life: a unique sight with the limestone mountain in the background.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation: At the hotel in Vang Vieng 

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, heading to Tham Jang cave 172 steps where you can see the spectacular views of the city and the landscape. Then drive to Vientiane.

Arrival in Vientiane and visit Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Next, visit the huge golden That Luang monument, where all Lao citizen respect as holy pagoda. 

End your day by Victory Monument Patuxay, which looks like the Arc de Triumph. This was built at the end of the Indochina wars with money rumored to be American, and earmarked for the airport’s new runway. Thus the departing Americans dubbed this monument the vertical runway! Have a look at the lovely arches inside the monument.

Meals on your own.  Overnight in hotel

Accommodation: At the hotel in Vientiane 

Meals: Breakfast

Free time until your transfer by our driver to the airport for your international flight.

Accommodation: NA 

Meals: Breakfast