Laos & Thailand: Hill Tribes by Mekong

Day 1 & 2 London to Luang Prabang
You’ll fly overnight to laid-back Laos via Vietnam. You’ll adore the charming town of Luang Prabang, where golden temples, wats and stupa stand on every corner. You’ll be able to explore Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, stroll the streets alongside saffron-clad monks and pick up some handcrafted souvenirs from the atmospheric night market.

Day 3 Luang Prabang
You’ll be escorted to beautiful Kuang Si Falls where you can swim in the idyllic pools (remember your swimsuit) before a visit to the refuge of the endangered Laotian sunbear.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Luang Prabang
A full free today to explore. We recommend an early start for a dawn alms giving to the local monks, or a trip to the weaving centre with a traditional silk-dyeing lesson where you’ll create your own souvenir hand-dyed silk scarf; or how about a fascinating cookery class where you’ll learn the secret of delicious Lao cuisine?

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Mekong River Cruise to Pak Beng
Today’s cruise will bring you to Pak Ou Village, at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, where you will visit the Tam Thing Caves of a Thousand Buddhas. After a buffet lunch on board, you’ll stop at a hill tribe village and watch the traditional process of Lao whiskey production, before arriving at Pak Beng around sunset.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Pak Beng to Chiang Rai
Your river cruise continues to Houei Say where you’ll cross the Laos-Thai border, and be met and be transferred to your hotel in Chiang Rai for a 2 night stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Golden Triangle
You’ll take a full day excursion to the infamous Golden Triangle, long an opium smuggler’s haven, where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet. You’ll visit some of the hill tribe villages including those of the Akha, famous for the artistry of their village gates, Yao and Chinese Kuomintang who fled here after Mao’s victory. You’ll also visit a tea plantation, local market and Don Sao Lao Village on an island in the Khong River.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
Following a scenic morning drive you’ll arrive in Chiang Mai for 2 nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Chiang Mai & Elephant Camp
Today’s excursion takes you northwards to Elephant Mae Sa camp. In the lush tropical jungle of the Maesa Valley, a family of elephants live side by side with their mahout caretakers. Maesa Elephant Camp is home to one of the largest assemblies of elephants in the north of Thailand, and the philosophy here is to create a natural and healthy environment for the elephants while working to conserve and breed them. Later return to Chiang Mai via a visit to a Hmong village and orchid farm.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Depart Chiang Mai
A morning flight will return you to London via Bangkok, arriving the same day. Alternatively, extend your holiday with a Bangkok city stay or the stunning beaches of southern Thailand.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour includes:

All flights specified
Private transfers
Local expert guides in resort
Inspirational sightseeing programme
7 breakfasts and 2 lunches
Luang Prabang alms giving
Mekong River Cruise
Golden Triangle excursion
Elephant Mae Sa jungle camp