18 Days Nature and Culture Tour of Northern Thailand and Laos

Welcome to Bangkok!

Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel and check-in.

Note: if your arrival time is early, and you prefer to explore the city instead of taking a nap, please kindly tell our travel consultant, and we’ll recommend one of our suggested activities like watching a boxing game at Rajadamnern Stadium, a half-day city highlights tour, or night market & food tour, etc.

Accommodation: Overnight in Bangkok

Meals: NA

Enjoy your breakfast in Bangkok and prepare to enjoy a full day’s Bangkok city’s exploration. In the morning, you will visit:

1. Wat Phra Kawe & the Grand Palace: a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam.
2. Ride like a Local by tuk-tuk to Wat Pho temple

Then, have a nice local lunch after the long morning tour, and have a short break.

In the afternoon, explore the city’s renowned klongs (canals) by boat and cruise the Chao Phraya River. Also, visit the following two sites:

1. Wat Arun: one of the most visited temples in all of Thailand
2. Royal Barge Museum: many exhibitions on Thai history, royalty, and Buddhism.

After the tour, you will be escorted to a spa center to enjoy one-hour traditional Thailand massage to relax your senses. The go back to your hotel to have a good rest.

Accommodation: Overnight in Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, after your breakfast at your hotel, you'll be going to a place a little farther away from downtown Bangkok. Around 1-hour drive, you’ll get to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Then you’ll be driven to Kanchanaburi.

1. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: experience the traditional Thai market with numerous vendors selling local foods, fruits, and products from their boats.
2. Kanchanaburi: learn about the region’s storied past and present-day culture.
3. Death Railway: built during WWII, made famous by the book and movie The Bridge on the River Kwai.
4. Thailand-Burma Railway Center: learn more history about the Death Railway.

Today, carriages still go on the tracks, taking travelers through the fields of sugar cane and rice terraces. After the tour, your tour guide will escort you back to the hotel in Kanchanaburi. You can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Overnight in Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your tour guide and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby at around 8:00 – 8:30 am and take you to the historic city of Ayutthaya for around 1 hour.

Welcome to Ayutthaya, Thailand's former capital, which is renowned for its temple ruins and historical sites! During this day tour, you’ll visit:

1. Historic City of Ayutthaya: the second Siamese capital founded in C.1350.
2. Wat Mahathat: 600 years old ruins.
3. Temple of the Reclining Buddha: Large reclining Buddha image.

End of the sightseeing, you will have lunch at an authentic Thailand restaurant, then take a rest. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the following activities:

Enjoying a traditional Thai lunch, you’ll continue to visit:

1. Bang Pa-In Palace: an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai, and Chinese architectural styles, once used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century.
2. Wat Yai Chai Mang Khon: a Buddhist temple with over 600 years of history.

Around 5:00 pm, you’ll get back to Bangkok and the rest of the day is your own time.

Accommodation: Overnight in Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy your breakfast and morning until your tour guide picks you up at the airport in the afternoon, taking a flight to Sukhothai, about 80 minutes.

Welcome to Sukhothai, which once was the capital of the first kingdom of Siam in the 13-15th centuries. Upon arrival at the airport, our tour guide will warmly welcome you and accompany you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is your free time to explore this ancient city.

Accommodation: Overnight in Sukhothai

Meals: Breakfast

At around 8:30 a.m., your experienced English-speaking guide will come to pick you up from your hotel. Then, you'll start your bike ride in a small village on the outskirts of Sukhothai called Ban Khuai. You'll pedal through this quiet village, enjoy the pretty views, and ride on a dirt road past lots of rice fields and a big mountain called Kao Laung.

When you reach the Eastern Gate of Sukhothai, you'll see beautiful temples and statues from a long time ago. Your guide will tell you about the history of Sukhothai and the amazing buildings.

There are numerous breathtaking views in the Sukhothai Historical Park, just waiting for you to discover and enjoy. You'll also find many splendid and remarkable monuments that can help you learn about the local culture and traditions.

After that, you'll stop for lunch at a local Thai restaurant and then you’ll be driven to Doi Inthanon National Park for about 4 hours. The rest of day is yours.

Accommodation: Overnight in Doi Inthanon National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, after breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and take you to Doi Inthanon National Park, which is one of the most popular national parks in Thailand, famous for its beautiful waterfalls, picturesque landscape, and Thailand culture.

Upon arrival in the park, it’s time to have a local Thai lunch, after a short rest, you’ll visit:

1. Wachirathan Waterfall: one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand
2. Sirithan Waterfall: a centrally-located falls in Doi Inthanon National Park, dropping a total of 40 meters into the river.
3. Grand Pagoda Nabhapolbhumisiri: the great holy relics pagoda.
4. Ang Ka Nature Trail: 2500 meters above sea level and surrounded by hi evergreen forest.
5. Ban Mae Klang Luang: a S’gaw Karen village in Doi Inthanon National Park.

After the end of the tour, you’ll be driven to Chiang Mai for about 1.5 hours.

Welcome to Chiang Mai, a delightful city in northern Thailand, celebrated for its rich culture and stunning natural beauty. Upon arrival, you could have a rest in your hotel.

Accommodation: Overnight in Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you will be picked up by our guide at 7:30 am – 8:00 am, to enjoy a full-day visit to Elephant Nature Park, which is a natural home and sanctuary for elephants, buffalos, and other rescued animals.

Watch the saved elephants in two different places where they live together with their friends. You can learn about their stories. Besides, you could get a cool view of the small groups of elephants from SkyWalk.

1. 'Hands Off' Project: This is where elephants freely roam together, and you can see them from the SkyWalk, which is a special viewing spot.
2. Watch the Herd: Take a walk in the park to see the elephants in their groups. You'll also learn their stories and what they need.
3. See Them Socialize: Watch the elephants hang out together, play in the mud, or roll in the sand after they've had a bath in the river.
4. Visit Rescued Animals: You can visit the Dog Project and Cat Kingdom to learn about the saved dogs and cats. Besides, you can meet other saved animals in the park.

Enjoy a tasty buffet with vegan food from Asia and the West. At 3:30 pm, it's time to say bye to the elephants. Then, we'll drive you back to your hotel or guesthouse in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: Overnight in Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

At around 8:00 a.m., you are driven to Pai, a beautiful mountain village in northern Thailand. This small town has a cool climate, a relaxed atmosphere, and picturesque views.

You can immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings of mountains, fields, and streams on a half-day trip to Pai! During the tour, you’ll stop at the following spots:

1. Memorial Bridge: it’s a historical wooden bridge, part of the route from Chiang Mai to Burma.
2. Pai Canyon: get a great view of natural sights.
3. Santichon Village: experience Chinese Yunnan culture.
4. Wat Phratat Mae Yen: enjoy a complete and impressive perspective of Pai, from homes to rice paddies.

Around 4:30 am, the tour ends. The rest of the time is on your arrangement to relax in this small county. The rest of the day is yours, and it’s suggested to explore the night market in Pai.

Accommodation: Overnight in Pai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today you will be leaving for Chiang Rai. After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:00 am. During the drive to Chiang Rai, you’ll visit:

1. Mae Kachan Hot Spring: hot water geysers; bathe feet in thermal water; boil quail eggs.
2. Meow Hill Tribe Village: located on the Mountain Doi Pui and once famous for opium cultivation.
3. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple): it's all white and has shiny pieces of glass that glimmer in the sunlight.

After lunch at a local restaurant, your Chiang Rai tour continues. In the afternoon, you’ll visit:

1. Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple): recognizable for its brilliant shade of rich sapphire.
2. Baan Dam (Black House): a special art museum with both old-style Thai buildings and new, unusual designs.

After the tour, your tour guide will escort you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours.

Accommodation: Overnight in Chiang Rai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, after breakfast, your tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and drive you back to Chiang Mai. It takes about 3 hours.

Upon arrival, you will be escorted to the hotel and check in. After having a tasty lunch for local Thai dishes, it’s time for a half-day cultural tour of Chiang Mai. You will visit:

1. Kad Ton Payom Market: renowned for its fresh fruits and flowers, aromatic spices and northern Thai cuisine.
2. Wat Umong: the underground Buddhist temple in the forested foothills of Suthep Mountain.
3. Wat Suan Dok (Suan Phutthatham): built in the 14th century, a white bell-shaped temple housing a 20-foot (6-meter) Buddha

In the evening, here comes our most popular tour-street food tour.

Evening Street Food Markets: trying out some northern Thai delicacies and learning how to order food in Thai.

Accommodation: Overnight in Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you’ll take a flight to Luang Prabang after enjoying breakfast. It will take about 70 minutes.

Welcome to Luang Prabang, the charming town in northern Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore its serene streets, adorned with temples and colonial architecture, and soak in the rich culture at vibrant night markets. Luang Prabang awaits with its unique charm and tranquility!

Upon your arrival in Luang Prabang, your private local tour guide will welcome you in the airport and then escort you to your hotel in Luang Prabang city.

Accommodation: Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at 8:00 am – 8:30 am to start the day of the Luang Prabang city tour. In the morning, you will visit:

1. Royal Palace Museum: once served as the residence of King Sisavang Vong and was designed in the French Beaux-Arts style with many interesting artifacts of traditional Lao culture.
2. Wat Sene: the oldest temple of Luang Prabang.
3. Wat Xiengthong: its roofs sweep low to the ground and represent classical Laotian architecture.
4. Wat Visoun: the oldest Buddhist temple and the city’s museum of religious arts.
5. Wat Aham: the monastery of the blossoming heart.

After eating a delicious Laotian lunch, you are going on a tour in the afternoon.

1. Arts and Ethnology Center: learning about Laos’ many ethnic cultures.
2. Weaving Villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek: known for their arts and crafts including saa paper and silk.
3. Weaving Class: Start with a simple explanation of silk, dyeing, and weaving. Tourists will get their own loom and guidance from a weaver to learn how to weave.

After the class, you will return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai, which is one of Luang Prabang’s largest and most richly decorated temples.

You will finish the afternoon trip by enjoying a refreshing drink at one of Café. Then, you will be escorted to the local night market to discover the local life of Luang Prabang.

After the tour, back to the hotel for a good rest.

Accommodation: Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:00 am – 8:30 am. The day begins with a boat ride up the Mekong River, which gives you a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside. Along the way, you'll stop and visit:

1. Ban Xanghai village: the place where Laos rice wine and rice whiskey are produced. You'll have the opportunity to try some and learn about the process used to make it.
2. Pak Ou Caves: two linked caves filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Lunch will be served near the caves. You'll try a local Laotian dish called "Orlam" which is a soup with vegetables and features a spicy wood that is partially edible. After a short rest, you’ll continue on your half-day tour to the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall.

1. Bear Rescue Sanctuary: three bear houses were built with a capacity for 25 rescued bears. 
2. Khouang Si Waterfall: the most beautiful in Laos. You can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

After the tour, your tour guide will escort you to enjoy a Lao-style spa and get relaxed. Then, you will get back to the hotel for a good rest.

Accommodation: Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll take the fast train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, which takes 1 hour.

Welcome to Vang Vieng, a popular small town with limestone karsts and caves. You’ll start a half-day adventure kayaking tour. During the trip, smoothly navigate numerous small rapids and admire the breathtaking mountain landscapes lining both banks of the river.

Next, rest from your kayaking trip by exploring Tham Nam Cave. Slide through the amazing 1,640-foot-long cave using a rope to help you. Then you can join fun activities like zip lining and swimming at Blue Lagoon 1.

After the tour ends, your tour guide will escort you to the hotel in Vang Vieng.

Accommodation: Overnight in Vang Vieng

Meals: Breakfast

Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a spectacular view over Vang Vieng town, river, and mountains on a hot balloon ride around 800 meters high and around 40 minutes in the air.

After the hot balloon ride drive back to the hotel for breakfast. Then you’ll be driven to Vientiane. On the way, you can enjoy the picturesque lush countryside. Besides, you’ll visit:

1. Market of Thalat: where local hill tribes come to trade and shop and the archaeological site of Vang Xang is located.
2. Ban Keun: famous for its salt extraction plant and a village of local Lao rice wine whiskey distillation.

Welcome to Vientiane, the largest city and the capital of Laos. You’ll be escorted to the hotel in Vientiane for check-in. The rest of time is for you to explore this calm city.

Accommodation: Overnight in Vientiane

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, your tour guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:00 am – 8:30 am. The day will go through the highlights of Vientiane. You'll stop and visit:

1. Buddha Park: also known as Xieng Khuan, is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.
2. Patuxay Monument: a monument about the war in Vientiane that honors the people who fought for freedom from France.
3. Pha That Luang Stupa: a huge Buddhist stupa covered in gold and constructed in the 3rd century.

Enjoying a local Laotian lunch, you’ll continue your Vientiane day tour in the afternoon:

1. Wat Si Saket: the oldest surviving temple with thousands of Buddhist images.
2. National Museum: get to know some history of Laos.

After the tour, your tour guide will escort you to the hotel for a good rest.

Accommodation: Overnight in Vientiane

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, after breakfast, your tour guide will escort you to the airport.

Tour service ends here.

Hope you enjoyed a great trip with us and we look forward to seeing you next time.

Note: If you’re planning to continue exploring Indochina region, like Vietnam,Cambodia and Myanmar, please never hesitate to tell us, we’re tour experts for all of these destinations.

Accommodation: NA

Meals: Breakfast