Real Thailand & Laos

Day 1 Bangkok    
Sawasdee! Welcome to Bangkok. Arrive in this bustling hub and get to grips with this awesome city. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm.    

Day 2 Bangkok to Chiang Mai    
Today, explore some of Bangkok's oldest neighbourhoods on a walking tour with your leader. Begin after breakfast and head to Wat Tri Mit temple – the site of the world’s largest solid gold seated Buddha from the Sukhothai era, measuring nearly 5 metres tall and weighing 5.5 tonnes. You’ll have an included lunch at the famous Labour Egg Noodle (or similar), so tuck into some Fish Ball Noodles or Tom Yam Pork Noodles – they’re to die for. Finish in the Chinatown area and the rest of the day is yours to do what you like: shop and haggle for bargains or check out Chinatown. Head north to Chiang Mai in the evening on an overnight train.    

Day 3 Chiang Mai    
Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning. The day is yours – see how many (or how little) activities you want to pack into your stay. You will be staying in a centrally located Hostel in Chiang Mai so you will be close to all the action. There are over 120 temples in the city centre alone. You can set off on an excursion to the top of Doi Suthep. There are a few hundred steps to climb, but the views are well worth it. Maybe treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage, or even partake in a cooking class so you can impress your friends in the kitchen when you get home.    

Day 4 Chiang Mai    
Another day, another chance to get your fill of Chiang Mai. In the morning, you’ll have the chance to learn one of the legendary martial arts, Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). Spend around 2 hours exercising and learning the basics with professional trainers. You’ll be shown how to adapt yourself to be the ‘weapon’ and to guard. Seriously cool. Then, the rest of the afternoon is yours.  

Day 5 Chiang Mai    
Have you realised how thai-riffic Chiang Mai is? Well, you’ve got another day to explore. To really get the blood pumping, perhaps head to the Jungle Flight and negotiate the zipline and canopy course within the treetops.

Day 6 Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
Take a public bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong via Chiang Rai. Explore this quiet town that sits on the Thai side of the Thailand-Laos border. Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Luang are both beautifully ornate temples well worth a visit while you are here. Perhaps rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding countryside and Hmong villages along the banks of the Mekong.  

Day 7 Chiang Khong to Pakbeng    
This morning you will complete border formalities at Huay Xai before boarding a slow boat for a calming trip down the Mekong River. This is where the real relaxation starts, as you ease into Laos. Read a book, play cards, swap travel stories or just watch the amazing scenery pass by. Arrive in Pakbeng late in the afternoon and have a wander around this colourful village.    

Day 8 Pakbeng to Luang Prabang    
Get back on your private boat, stopping to stretch your legs and explore the Pak Ou Caves, which contain hundreds of Buddha statues. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the evening and wander the streets of ‘the best-preserved city in South East Asia’. Tonight, something special is planned for you. Think Korean barbecue, but Laotian style. Your group leader will take you to one of the best all-you-can-eat places in Luang Prabang, where you may be treated to some live music or a show while you’re cooking.    

Day 9 Luang Prabang    
It’s worth getting up early morning to view the procession of saffron-robed monks on their daily outing collecting alms, a practice that dates back centuries. The people of the town wait out the front of their houses with food for the monks to collect and take back to the temple. It is done early, as the monks cannot eat anything after midday. Next take tuk tuks to visit Wat Xieng Thong. This temple was built in the 16th Century under the patronage of the royal family, and the Laotian kings were crowned here. Afterwards, enjoy some free time for optional activities! A trip to Kuang Si Falls is highly recommended if you feel like a swim in nature (and when you see these waterfalls, you probably will).    

Day 10 Luang Prabang    
Today you can do whatever you choose. Whether it's cruising around town or heading to those waterfalls that even an Instagram filter couldn't make more pretty, this is another day in the middle of Laos. By now you may have discovered the delicious (and amazingly inexpensive) night market food, which is always a great excuse to mingle with locals and dine with other travellers.    

Day 11 Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng    
Transfer in a private minivan to the village of Vang Vieng. Take in the views of mountains, rivers and big limestone cliffs that are so close you'll feel like you could reach out and touch them. Cross the river and explore the huge caves that line the West Bank. There will be plenty of time to make your own discoveries.  

Day 12 Vang Vieng    
This morning, take a leader-led walking tour around Vang Vieng on your way to Tham Jung and the caves. Spend your morning checking out the caves and maybe stop by the crystal-clear lagoon for a swim! Take some free time in the afternoon to spend as you wish – there’s some beautiful countryside around, so maybe hire a bike or kayak down the Mekong River to take it all in.    

Day 13 Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Finish up in Laos’ classy capital of Vientiane by catching a public bus from Vang Vieng. Your tour leader will show you around this chic, French-influenced city, and take you to COPE – an organisation dedicated to assisting those who have been injured or affected by the shocking number of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in the countryside. COPE provides prosthetics and other assistance to people affected by this devastating war history still present around the country. Grab some dinner with your travel mates tonight, and explore what Vientiane has to offer on Quai Fa Ngum Road.    

Day 14 Vientiane    
After breakfast, there are no activities planned, so you are free to depart at any time.