Hotel

Arrival at BANGKOK airport and take a taxi to your hotel, situated in the centre of the city and with a fantastic view from the rooftop bar .

Relaxation

The day is at leisure to enjoy the city or relax by the hotel’s swimming pool, and your tour leader will be able to give you advice on places to see. There will be a group introduction early evening on the hotel’s garden roof terrace.

Sightseeing

In the morning , there will be a guided boat trip on the Bangkok River. The rest of the day is free until early evening.

Train

Transfer to the railway terminus for an overnight train to UBON RATCHATHANI. You will have sleeper carriages; food and drink can be purchased on board.

Sightseeing

On departing the train you head for the Laos border. After crossing, travel to DONG KHONG island, one of the “4000 islands” in the Mekong river – the final part of the journey to our locally–run guesthouse is by small local boat. On the way we will visit Champasak, home of Angkorian–era temples. Welcome your arrival in Laos with some of the delicious local fish!

Sightseeing

After breakfast, travel again by boat to visit the biggest waterfalls in South East Asia – Khon Phapheng and Somphamit Falls – where you can have lunch. On the way back, make a few stops to look at the old French architecture and the old railway (still with a train abandoned in the jungle!), before returning to the guesthouse for a cool drink while watching the sunset.

Sightseeing

After breakfast, drive from Dong Khong Island to Dong Daeng. Local villagers will take you on a boat and for a short walk to the village, where you can enjoy a local lunch. Continue to BOLAVEN PLATEAU, stopping a few times on the way to see some of the local minority villages.

Hotel

Stay overnight in a local resort in the middle of the forest – an ideal place to relax, with opportunities for swimming in the waterfall.

Adventure

Today is a walking day in the mountains to appreciate the truly beautiful scenery. There will be a packed lunch (included).

Sightseeing

Drive to the town of SAVANNAKHET on the Mekong River, which is in an area inhabited by many ethnic minorities. The journey will take around 4 hours and there will be a stop for lunch in this lovely town. When you look over the river you will see ‘modern’ Thailand. Go on a short trek through the forest accompanied by guides from an Environmental NGO which has set up a project in the region, and learn about the plants and animals in the region.

Sightseeing

Drive to VIENTIANE, the capital city of Laos. On the way appreciate the magnificent views and open spaces – there are many opportunities to take photos. In the evening, you can visit the riverside for a local barbecue and a cool drink.

Museums

A guided walking tour of the city – including Ho Phra art museum, That Stupa national monument, the National Museum and Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane.

Shopping

In the morning walk to the morning market, one of the oldest ones in Vientiane, and an NGO that helps street children, to learn more about their project. The afternoon is free.

Bus

Early morning travel by minibus through the mountains and rivers to Vang Vieng.

Sightseeing

After you have checked in at your local resort – right next to the river – make a small boat trip to visit one of the stunning caves for which Vang Vieng is justifiably famous.

Early morning, drive to Phonsavan, site of the PLAIN OF JARS. These huge jars (some weigh six tons each!), of unknown age and origin, are scattered over a number of sites.

Sightseeing

On the way you may also be able to visit a few minority villages which grow delicious fruit.

Hotel

Stay overnight in a small, locally–run hotel.

Bus

Travel by minibus to Luang Prabang. This is a very scenic trip – driving through many mountains, and you can stop to see the tea plantations. Also you will probably see many different kind of ethnic groups walking besides the road.

Shopping

On arrival, it will be possible to go for a traditional Laos massage, before visiting the night market – an opportunity to buy some beautiful locally–made items at very reasonable prices.

Sightseeing

Luang Prabang is the best–preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia and a World Heritage Site. In the morning visit the Kwang Xi Waterfall, where you can swim surrounded by jungle and eat a packed lunch (included).

Museums

In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace Museum and Vat Xieng Thong – considered the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang with its classical Lao architecture.

Take a boat trip up the Mekong River to the famous caves of Pak Ou housing thousands of retired Buddha statues. We will have a packed lunch here (included) overlooking the river.

Sightseeing

On the way back, visit a village making paper using traditional methods and the home of your boat driver, a young student who lives with his family on the site of the Mekong in a village with only 14 houses.

Commercial Flight

The morning is free until your afternoon flight to BANGKOK.

Trip ends after breakfast.