Highlights of Laos

Day 1: Bangkok

Your trip starts today with your arrival in Bangkok. No activities are planned until your evening group meeting, so you may arrive at any time. Please check the noticeboard in the hotel lobby, located on the ground floor, for a notice containing details of your tour. This will advise you of your tour leader's name, telephone number and the time and location of your group meeting. Normally this meeting takes place around 6pm. Until your meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Bangkok has to offer, including Thailand's famous cuisine. Make sure that you take a hotel business card so that you will be able to find your way back to the hotel.

Day 2: Bangkok

Bangkok is home to some of Asia's most elaborately adorned temples and the modern city's sights and attractions are so numerous you won't know where to begin. So we'll give you a helping hand and introduce you to some of Bangkok's most famous sights, including a visit to the impressive Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. Near our hotel we jump on board a khlong, or local canal boat, before catching a public bus to Wat Pho. This is a great way to introduce you to a couple of the more popular forms of local transport. The remainder of the day is free for us to further explore this vibrant city, and the elevated Skytrain service now makes it easier than ever to get around the city centre, by avoiding the nasty traffic snarls in the streets below. In the evening we board the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai (approximately 13 hours).

Day 3: Chiang Mai

We arrive in Chiang Mai early in the morning (as long as our train is on time!) and transfer to our centrally located guesthouse by local songthaew. The day is free to do as you wish, as there is much to see in this northern city, with over 120 temples in the centre alone. A visit to the Tribal Research Institute provides excellent background information on the cultures and customs of the various ethnic groups that inhabit the hill regions of northern and western Thailand and Laos. An excursion to the top of Doi Suthep offers fantastic views over the city and can be combined with a visit to the museum. It's best to visit Doi Suthep in the morning or late in the afternoon, to avoid the heat of the day, as there are over 300 steps to climb! You may also wish to get a traditional Thai massage, or even partake in a cooking class, beware - you eat what you cook! Your tour leader will be able to offer other suggestions for things to see and do during your free time. This evening the Night Bazaar beckons, a shoppers paradise, it is a great chance to practice your bargaining skills.

Day 4: Huay Xai

In the morning, we travel by local bus through the picturesque countryside to Chiang Rai (approximately 3½ hours), where we stop for lunch before boarding our next local bus (fan-cooled) for Chiang Khong (approximately 2½ hours). After completing border formalities, we take a small boat across the Mekong River to Huay Xai, our first stop in Laos. For centuries Huay Xai was a disembarkation point for Yunnanese caravans, led by the Chinese Muslims on their way to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, in ancient Siam. Today, Huay Xai is a hustling ferry town on the banks of the Mekong River. There's time to wander around this small place and perhaps ascend the Naga stairs to Wat Jom Khao Manilat, a fascinating temple overlooking the river and town. There is also the opportunity in your free time to visit a nearby minority village, where they make rice whiskey, noodles and handicrafts.

Day 5: Pakbeng

After breakfast we transfer to the boat pier where we board our slow boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The pace is very relaxed - a perfect way to observe the local lifestyle close up. We arrive in the late afternoon at Pakbeng; a colourful village situated at the junction of the Mekong River and the smaller Beng River, hence the town's name 'Pak' meaning 'mouth' in Lao. Hmong and tribal Thais are frequently seen on the main street of Pakbeng, and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicrafts. We spend the night in a simple hostel. Please note that the accommodation standard is very basic, but also bear in mind that you are travelling in a remote area. Please have an open mind and come with an adventurous spirit!

Day 6-8: Luang Prabang

We continue on our private slow boat and stop to stretch our legs and explore the amazing Pak Ou Caves, which contain hundreds of Buddha statues, before arriving in Luang Prabang in the evening. We have time here to wander the streets and discover this beautiful town, with its gleaming temple roofs, fading French architecture and stunning mountain backdrop. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be 'the best preserved city in South East Asia'. A highlight of our 3 night stay is a visit to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls. We will trek to the waterfalls (approximately 3 hours), this is a great opportunity to stretch the legs after 2 days on a boat and gives you a chance at some physical activity.

Day 9-10: Vang Vieng

On Sunday morning we transfer to a local fan cooled bus and make our way to the village of Vang Vieng, located on a beautiful bend in the Nam Song River (approximately 6-7 hours). During our stay we cross the river to explore the huge caves that line the West Bank. These caves are riddled with unexplored tunnels and caverns, and there is plenty of time to make our own discoveries or partake in a day-trip of kayaking (additional cost) along the Nam Song.

Day 11-12: Vientiane

Travelling south by local fan cooled bus we continue to the Lao capital (approximately 4 hours), located on the banks of the Mekong River. Vientiane was originally one of the early Lao valley fiefdoms that were consolidated around the time that Europe was leaving the Dark Ages. Despite early prosperity, Vientiane lost its independence at various times during its history to Vietnamese, Burmese, Siamese and Khmer forces. When Laos became a French protectorate in the late 19th Century, Vientiane was named as its capital. It remains so today, under communist rule. The curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Soviet, French and US influences result in a somewhat exotic atmosphere. This small and laid-back capital is easily explored by bicycle or on foot. A walking orientation tour takes us to the oldest remaining temple in Vientiane, Wat Si Saket, which was constructed in 1818. During free time, you can further explore Vientiane's other historical sites, including Haw Pha Kaew, the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and home to some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures to be found in Laos. On Sunday afternoon we cross the International Friendship Bridge into Thailand, where we transfer to Nong Khai train station and join the overnight train to Bangkok. Our Lao tour leader will say goodbye to us at the railway station and we will be unescorted for the duration of this train journey.

Day 13-14: Bangkok

We arrive into Bangkok around 8.00am and are met by our Thai tour leader. We have a full day to further explore the exciting Thai capital - there are many other pagodas and temples scattered all over the city and it is possible we would probably not have seen as many jewellry shops in one place as on a walk in the Chinatown district! There are quite a few notable museums tucked away in various corners of the city - popular ones are Jim Thompson's House and Vimanmek Teak Mansion, the latter a former royal palace. Our adventure finishes after breakfast on Day 14.

Tour Grade: Moderate

A moderate level of fitness is required. These trips generally involve some physical activities and occasional long travelling days. Accommodation and travel conditions may be more basic.