Highlights of Thailand & Laos

Today's sightseeing will start with Wat Pho, the largest and oldest temple complex in Bangkok. It is well known for housing one of the world's biggest reclining Buddha statues, which measures 46 meters (151 feet) long and is covered all over with gold leaf. Moreover, a thousand more stone tablets in the temple were inscribed with information about a wide range of fields including history, literature and medicine, earning Wat Pho the fame of "First University in Thailand". Then, explore the nearby Grand Palace, the largest and best-preserved royal palace in Thailand. Marvel at the combination of the essence of Thai architecture, paintings, sculptures and decorations. In the northeast corner of the palace sits Thailand's most famous temple, Wat Phra Kaew. Besides appreciating the exquisite Emerald Buddha in the temple, immerse yourself in its 178 exquisite murals, which were painted along the corridor during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809). It depicts the Hindu epic “Ramayana” - King Rama was banished to the forest and his beautiful wife Sita followed him. One day, Sita was snatched by the evil, which triggered a battle between man and beast. With the help of the monkey god, King Rama finally saved Sita.

At noon, your guide will lead you to a popular local restaurant to taste authentic Thai food, which generally focuses on a balance of sour, spicy, salty, sweet and bitter flavors, and emphasizes on seafood, fruits and vegetables.

After lunch, let’s take a private long-tail boat to Khlong Bang Luang, a tranquil floating market. With well-preserved traditional Thai wooden houses standing along the river, the market offers a leisurely and peaceful atmosphere. Why not slow down your pace and disembark to paint a handbag in a DIY studio, stroll around shops brimmed with ceramics, paintings and other handicrafts, or feed fish? Besides, it will be an astonishing moment when you see the giant Buddha in Wat Paknam from afar on the water.

Then, on our way back to the hotel, visit the beautiful Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, which is in memory of Thailand's 41st king, the national hero King Taksin. You’ll marvel at the soaring tower complex that is mostly decorated with ceramic pieces and shell patches.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom, Bangkok (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Ayutthaya. En route, first stop at Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, the largest summer residence of the Thai royal family, combining Chinese, Burmese and Gothic architectural styles. It was abandoned for nearly a hundred years and restored in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings you see today were built by Rama V Chulalongkorn, who took the initiative to renovate and embrace Western culture between 1872 and 1889. Then proceed to Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, which looks like a Gothic Catholic church, but it is actually a Buddhist temple.

Then, let’s explore the historic Ayutthaya, which was once the capital of Thailand's oldest Ayutthaya Dynasty (1350-1767). This UNESCO-listed site once boasted three royal palaces, more than 2,000 gold-plated temples and 4,000 Buddha statues, a large portion of which, unfortunately, were destroyed by wars later. But the ruins are still a reminder of the city’s glory. Now, being less commercialized, Ayutthaya is a great place for you to escape the hustle and bustle and take in the architectural essence of Khmer style. Upon arrival, you’ll be guided to explore the significant temples including Wat Lokayasutharam, Wat Pananchoeng, and Wat Mahathat, which is famous for the Buddha's head wrapped in the Banyan tree, known as one of the seven wonders of Thailand. It should be noted that you need to squat to show respect when you take pictures with the Buddha's head. In Thai Buddhist culture, a person's head should not be higher than a Buddha's head. After the visit, we’ll drive back to the hotel in Bangkok.

► Tips:
1. The temperature in Ayutthaya is higher than that of Bangkok and there is not much shade, so we suggest you bring a hat and sunglasses. Besides, parasols are available at the entrance for free.
2. Please dress modestly when visiting temples, and avoid wearing tank tops, sleeveless, and short skirts. Shawls can also be purchased here for about THB 300 (USD 9).
3. The main colors of the temples are dark red, black and gray, and you can wear clothes in bright colors for nice photos.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom, Bangkok (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your private guide and the driver will escort you to the airport for the 1h15m flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, your local guide will pick you up on time and then transfer you to the hotel. After a short break, have an excursion to Meo Hilltribe Village for a unique experience of local village culture. Walk through the quiet hiking trail, get a glimpse into the local market that sells Hmong costumes and hand-woven fabrics, and maybe sample local wines and fruits such as Hass avocados grown by villagers. The small garden and waterfall in the village are also quite lovely.
► Tips:
1. Parts of the roads are narrow, slippery and covered with moss, especially after the rain, so please wear non-slip sneakers.
2. Located on top of the mountain, the village sometimes can be foggy and a little cold, even in summer, so we suggest you bring a long-sleeved shirt.

Then proceed to Mount Suthep to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most sacred temples in Northern Thailand. You can either take the one-way cable car or walk to the top. At the foot of the 306 stairs, you’ll see two statues of Naga, serpent deities that guard the Mekong River, bending down from the temple entrance. Following the private guide, marvel at the splendid golden pagoda enshrining one piece of Shakyamuni Buddha's relics, and the crystal lotus on the golden umbrella, which Rama IX donated. Then stand in awe of the holy Buddha's statue in the main hall. Mingle with locals to walk around the pagoda three times for good wishes. In addition, you can head to the observation deck to take a bird’s-eye view of the whole Chiang Mai. On sunny days, the planes taking off and landing on the runway of Chiang Mai airport can also be captured. Finally, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel.

► Recommended Activities in Chiang Mai at Night
If you are still energetic, take a songthaew, a local vehicle like a small bus, to Chiang Mai Night Bazaar on your own. It is about 10 minutes away from the hotel. Spanning several streets, this vibrant place is brimming with a wide variety of street food like juicy kebabs, roasted eel, and coconut ice cream. Costing only USD 5, you can get your stomach full. Delicate handicrafts like wood carvings and accessories, local clothing like the iconic loose-fitting Elephant Pants, creative independent artists and street performers all make the bazaar even more appealing. We suggest you bargain down to around at least 70% of the given price when buying souvenirs. If you are a Muay Thai fan, don’t hesitate to watch a fight at Loi Kroh Boxing Stadium nearby.
Address: Changklan Rd, Chang Moi Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Rim Resort, Chiang Mai (4 stars) or similar

Can you imagine spending precious hours with gentle elephants? Today, let’s make this amazing dream come true in Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (EJS), where the Karen community works to heal and rehabilitate elephants that have suffered severe abuse. Volunteers here take good care of elephants and they are healthy and never be tied down. You’ll see these gentle giants roaming around at will, and they will not be forced to interact with humans. You are advised to bring mosquito repellent, towels, swimsuits, shower supplies, sunscreen, etc.

★ Ethical Elephant Encounter - Feeding, Bathing, and Playing with Them!

When you arrive after a 1.5-hour drive, change into prepared clothing, and the volunteer will explain safety instructions on staying with elephants. Then fill your bag with bananas and sugar cane, and go feed the elephants! It must be an amazing experience when these gentle giants roll food out of your hands with their trunks. At noon, after a delicious buffet lunch, change into your bathing suit and go for a walk with elephants along the river. And you can give them a mud bath in the pond. Please avoid touching their eyelashes, the skin around their eyes or the belly. Finally, the driver will escort you back to your hotel.

► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense)
After several days of Thai food, if you want something different, walk less than 5 minutes north from Tha Phae Gate, and you’ll find Hummus Chiang Mai Restaurant. This is a highly rated Middle Eastern cuisine restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating options. Try the specialties - creamy hummus served with fluffy pita bread. Baklava, a sweet pastry, and shakshuka, made of eggs mixed with tomatoes and onion sauce, are also worth a try. Make a reservation before you go.
Average Cost per Person: THB 300-400 (USD 9-12)
Address: 109, 1 Mun Mueang Rd, Sri Phum Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Rim Resort, Chiang Mai (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we’ll set out for Chiang Khong. En route, take a short visit to the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen, where the three countries Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This is the very place once notorious for planting poppies, the opium raw material. But now, after years of successful rectification, green tea and coffee plantings replace poppies, becoming one of the main incomes of residents here. Stretch your legs and enjoy the beautiful view of the Mekong River delta dotted with lovely red-roofed huts in the distance.

Afterward, your guide will take you to visit the Akha and Yao hill tribe villages to experience local traditional lifestyles. Akha people live a self-sufficient life in northern Thailand. From late August to early September, the traditional Akha Swing Festival is held for 4 days to celebrate the harvest, when locals are all well dressed up and dance. Their colorful and artisanal traditional outfits made of navy blue native cloth are sure to catch your eye. If you happen to visit during this time, join locals to swing for good fortune. Upon arrival in Chiang Khong, your guide will help you check into the well-selected hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Chiangkhong Teak Garden Riverfront Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Taking a 2-day slow boat ride down the Mekong River to Laos is a unique experience. Early in the morning, your private driver will escort you to the Thai-Laos border in Chiang Khong. After finishing the Thai immigration formalities, your Laos representative will help you apply for the Laos visa. The visa fee will be on your own and only THB and USD notes with no creases or stains are accepted. After that, you’ll be escorted to board the Shompoo Cruise for a join-in group journey sailing to Pakbeng, Laos. To cope with a poor internet signal on the river, you can bring a book or download some TV series, as well as prepare some snacks in advance.

The cruise will set sail from Houei Sai Pier at around 09:30. One hour later, you’ll come to a traditional riverside village, Khmu Village (Ban Houa Phalam) to get a glimpse of the simple and rustic local life with wooden and bamboo houses, children with innocent eyes, and farmers and water buffalo working in the rice fields. You’ll also find warm-hearted locals who practice animism and live in harmony with nature and animals.

After that, a buffet lunch will be served on board. You can have lunch while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Mekong River. Then, disembark at Pakbeng town before sunset and you can enjoy the brilliant sunset view if the weather is fine. Tonight, a Laotian dinner will be offered.

► Friendly Notice about the Cruise
The Shompoo Cruise is available every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from October to next March; Monday and Friday from April to September. If your date can’t match the cruise’s sailing date, we need to adjust the date accordingly. Alternatively, we can also book a private boat for you exclusively at your request.

► Useful Tips for Laos
1. Due to limited healthcare services, we suggest you bring some commonly used medicines such as painkillers, anti-diarrheal drugs, and Band-Aids.
2. As Lao food is generally sour and spicy, you can ask the cook to reduce the spiciness if you can't eat spicy food.
3. Laos keeps hot and humid throughout the year. Apply sunscreen generously and mosquito repellent is a necessity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Luang Say Lodge, Pakbeng or similar

Today we’ll continue to take the cruise to Luang Prabang, which is known as the spiritual center and once the ancient capital of Laos, in search of inner peace and tranquility. In the morning, have breakfast while enjoying the fresh air and a rustic atmosphere. Please arrive at the boat pier before 08:00 on your own, when the cruise will set off.

Along the way, we’ll first stop at Ban Mouang Village, where you can learn about how the villagers make the unique lao lao whiskey in a traditional way. Enjoy their hospitality if they offer you a treat and catch a glimpse of the authentic local life. Then stop at Pak Ou Caves, originally known as Tham Ting, for a deep exploration. Locals believe this is the place where the river god lives, so for 400 years, they have continuously brought Buddha statues here to worship. Walk into the caves and marvel at more than 2,000 Buddha statues in various sizes.

After the exploration, to help you unwind after the exploration, savor some delectable homemade desserts and refreshing beverages we have prepared for you. At about 16:30, we’ll arrive at Luang Prabang. Your local private guide will pick you up from the pier and escort you to the hotel.

► Recommended Place: Luang Prabang Night Market
After check-in, take a stroll around Luang Prabang Night Market by yourself to feel the local atmosphere. Sample street food like coconut cake and grilled dishes, iced Beer Lao and smoothies. Pick up some handicrafts like a handmade purse or scarf. When shopping, remember to haggle a bit to make the best deal. If it happens to be Friday or Saturday, there will be a live band, and don’t miss it.
Address: V4QM+XFV, 16 Chaofa Ngum Rd, Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Xiengthong Palace, Luang Prabang (4 stars) or similar

★ Witness the Long-standing Buddhist Ritual of Alms-giving

Today, be an early bird to see the daily traditional morning alms-giving, Tak Bat, a Buddhist tradition that has been maintained for nearly a thousand years, rain or shine. Around 05:30 to 06:30, barefoot monks in orange robes carrying alms bowls come along in a row, accepting food from the faithful. And they will give the surpluses to stray animals and children in the end. You may mingle with locals to offer them the food if you wish.
► Tips:
1. The alms-giving runs on the road near Wat Xieng Thong and the parallel Sakkaline Road, and the most local scene happens in the former one, on which your well-selected hotel is located.
2. During the alms-giving, remove your hat and shoes, keep a respectful distance from the monks, and sit to lower your head than the monk's bowl.
3. You can take photos during the process, but please avoid shoving the camera in the monks’ faces.

After that, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the ancient town to savor the indigenous daily atmosphere before returning back to the hotel for breakfast. Then, a few temple highlights of the city will be visited in succession. We’ll first sightsee the time-honored Wat Wisunarat, which was built in 1512 and houses a wide range of religious artefacts. Next, proceed to Wat That Luang, once the royal cremation site for Lao royals. Stand in awe of the marvelous gold-covered stupa, which is believed to preserve a breastbone of the Buddha. Afterward, admire Wat Xieng Thong, the unparalleled and most beautiful one. Appreciate typical Laotian arts and crafts through the main hall, whose carved wooden door is adorned by gold stenciling and it depicts scenes of Buddha’s life, and 17 columns at the top symbolize 17 emperors throughout Laos history. On the back wall insets another must-see of the temple - the Tree of Life in a stained glass mosaic, representing wisdom, life and awakening. You’ll marvel when it glitters in the sunlight.

In the afternoon, admire Wat Mai, one of the most luxurious temples in the city. During Lao New Year, around 13th to 16th April, the Prabang Golden Buddha, which is usually enshrined in the Royal Palace Museum, will be moved to Wat Mai for public display. Then, proceed to the Royal Palace Museum, where you’ll appreciate many relics of the Lan Xang Kingdom (1353-1694) and national treasures. The most noteworthy one must be the Phra Bang golden Buddha statue, from which the city got its name. At last, let’s round off the day by climbing up Mount Phousi, with the gilded stupa That Chomsi on its top, for nice views of the whole city and a stunning sunset. At the moment, the Mekong River is dyed red by the setting sun and red-brick Western houses are scattered among the lush coconut trees.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Victoria Xiengthong Palace, Luang Prabang (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast and the check-out procedure, we’ll devote the whole morning to the picturesque Kuang Si Falls, the No. 1 natural sightseeing spot in Luang Prabang. En route, hike through jungle park lands and drop by the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre to learn about the bears rescued by the organization. Afterward, proceed to the waterfalls. We specially arrange the visit in the morning to avoid large tourist crowds, when the temperature is mild enough to swim and the water is clear. Prepare to be blown away by the tiered falls, turquoise water and lush forests. It will be wonderful to swim and dive in the tempting cold water on a hot day or to walk up the trails to explore the upper areas.
Tips:
1. The best time to visit Kuang Si Falls is during the dry season, from November to April, when you can see turquoise water.
2. Roads near the falls are slippery, so please wear non-slip shoes.
3. If you plan to swim, please take sunscreen, swimwear and a towel.

After the visit, enjoy a picnic lunch in the serene jungle park before returning to the town. Then you can have some rest or wander around on your own. In the afternoon, you’ll be escorted to catch a 2-hour fast air-conditioned train to Vientiane. Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you outside the baggage claim area and accompany you to the downtown hotel.

► Dinner Recommendation (at your own expense)
After a short rest, you can treat yourself at Khop Chai Deu restaurant on your own. It boasts various Laotian dishes, indoor and outdoor seats, and a live band that plays in the evening. Try authentic Lao sausage Sai Oua, fried noodles Khop Chai Deu and spring rolls, paired with a glass of iced Lao beer. After dinner, enjoy a breezy stroll in Chao Anouvong Park to improve digestion, just a 5 minutes’ walk away from the restaurant.
Average Cost per Person: LAK 220,000 (USD 10)
Address: 54 Sethathirat road, nampou fountain, chanthaboury, Vientiane

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch
Accommodation: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (4 stars) or similar

Today's sightseeing will start with Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple in Vientiane. Thanks to its Thai style, it was the only temple that survived the war in the 1920s, when the Thai army destroyed almost all Laotian temples. The ancient murals display daily life and Laos Buddhist culture in the past. Afterward, take a wander through Wat Ho Phakeo, the former Royal temple and now a Buddhist museum with a good selection of sculptures, before we pass through the majestic war monument Patuxay.

Then, proceed to Vientiane’s most magnificent temple Pha That Luang, aka Great Sacred Stupa, sacred for enshrining the breast bone of Buddha Shakyamuni. The main pagoda is surrounded by 30 smaller ones, sparkling in the sunlight, as they all feature opulent gilded exteriors. That Luang Festival, a grand religious festival in Laos, takes place in Pha That Luang every beginning of November when monks and locals from all over the city gather together and hold activities like trade fairs and almsgiving.

After that, visit the riverside Buddha Park, where you’ll see various Buddha sculptures in different shapes and sizes. Step into the mouth of the three-story pagoda, which represents hell, earth and heaven, and climb to the top to enjoy a full view of the park. Finally, finish today’s itinerary by watching the sunset over the Mekong River. After that, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel.

► Massage Recommendation (at your own expense)
You may be a little bit tired after the long travel, and a Lao massage will help you relax. Consider the highly rated ‘Lao Mekong Nail, Spa and Massage-Mixay’, which provides reasonable prices and perfect techniques. A 90-minute Laotian massage costs around LAK 220,000 (USD 10) per person.
Address: XJ74+W78, Mixay, Chanthabuly, Laos

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Eastin Hotel Vientiane (4 stars) or similar

Today, say farewell to your Thailand and Laos adventure tour. At the appointed time, your guide will escort you to the airport and see you off. Wish you a nice outbound journey!

If you are interested in other attractions in these two countries, like Ko Samui and Pattaya in Thailand, as well as the karst landscape and Blue Lagoon in Vang Vieng of Laos, please feel free to contact us and we would be honored to customize a new itinerary for you.

Meal: Breakfast