Thailand and Laos: Ancestral Mekong Route 12 Days

Arrival in Bangkok, customs procedures, and transfer to the hotel. Free time to explore Thailand’s capital, a vibrant city that blends ancient temples with modern skyscrapers.

We will take an extensive tour of the city of BANGKOK. We will visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha (entrance included), the Golden Mount (entrance included), from whose summit we will enjoy panoramic views of Bangkok, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (entrance included), home to one of the largest reclining Buddhas in the world.

We will end our tour at the Grand Royal Palace (entrance included), the former residence of the Kings of THAILAND. Inside the palace, we will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most important in all of Thailand. Afterwards, we will cross the Chao Phraya River by ferry to the IconSiam Shopping Mall. Free time. Return to the hotel on your own.

Note: To visit the Grand Palace, visitors must wear long pants or a long skirt, and a long-sleeved shirt or one with sleeves at least to the elbow.

Transfer to BANGKOK Airport to board a flight (included) to CHIANG MAI. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

Nestled among mountains and lush forests, this city captivates visitors with its perfect blend of tradition and modernity. As the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai preserves a rich cultural heritage with more than 300 temples, vibrant markets, and a strong local identity. Enjoy free time at your own pace.

We begin the day by visiting two unique mountain temples in CHIANG MAI: Wat Pha Lat (entrance included), hidden in the jungle, and the legendary Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (entrance included), one of the most sacred temples in northern THAILAND. Afterwards, we head north to visit Elephant Eco Valley (entrance included) and learn more about the lives of elephants. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Later, we will have the opportunity to visit a Karen ethnic community—an experience designed to promote respect, intercultural understanding, and support for local development. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Visit to the Tweechol Botanical Garden (entrance included), a large and well-maintained botanical garden featuring a rich variety of tropical plants and an orchid garden. A vehicle tour inside the park is included. We continue to the MAE KACHAN Hot Springs. Afterwards, we stop at the iconic White Temple (entrance included), decorated with mirrors and blending Buddhist symbolism with modern creativity. Lunch included at a local restaurant.
We then head toward the Mekong River, where the “Golden Triangle” is located—the border between THAILAND, MYANMAR, and LAOS. We will learn about the culture and history of the area at the Opium Museum (entrance included). Arrival in CHIANG RAI in the late afternoon.

Early departure toward CHIANG KHONG (Thailand border control). A shuttle bus (included) will take us to HOUAYXAY (Laos border control). We then continue to the pier to begin a seven-hour journey on a traditional boat. Along the way, rural life unfolds on both banks, with hidden villages, lush jungles, and landscapes that seem frozen in time. Lunch included on board. Arrival in PAKBENG in the early afternoon. Accommodation and dinner included.

Note: Please make sure you have the required documents at hand for entering Laos: passport, visa, and a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (required by authorities depending on your country of origin).

Note: LAOS has less-developed infrastructure compared to its neighboring countries. The pier for boarding and disembarking on the Mekong is very simple. The boat used on the Mekong River is not luxurious; it is a very traditional vessel with basic services.

We cross to the other side of the Mekong River by boat to visit an Elephant Sanctuary (admission included), where rescued elephants—formerly used in hard labor—are now cared for and allowed to live with greater dignity in a natural environment. We will take a gentle walk through the forest alongside them and watch them bathe in the Mekong. Lunch included in the park. Then we continue by road toward LUANG PRABANG. Arrival in the late afternoon.

City tour of the former royal capital. We will begin with the Royal Palace, now the National Museum (admission included). We continue to Wat Mai Temple (admission included), known for its five-tiered roof, and then to the Temple of the Golden City (admission included), the most important Buddhist monument in LAOS, featuring roofs that slope almost to the ground and dazzling mosaics. From there, we head to the pier for a boat ride along the Mekong River, observing local life. Lunch included on board. The journey concludes with a visit to the Pak Ou Caves, a sacred sanctuary that houses thousands of Buddha statues hidden within the rock. Return by road and stop at the village of BAN XANG KHONG, well known for its cotton and silk weaving. Accommodation

Early departure to attend the Tak Bat ceremony, where saffron-robed monks walk barefoot and in silence to receive food offerings. Traveling through lush green fields, we arrive at Living Land Farm, where we will discover the entire rice-farming process from start to finish.

Nearby, at Laos Buffalo Dairy, we will have the chance to interact with the animals and sample handcrafted cheeses. Nature then takes center stage with a visit to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, where turquoise waters cascade over terraced pools surrounded by dense jungle.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Return to LUANG PRABANG.

At the end of the day, transfer to a local home to take part in the traditional Baci ceremony, where you will have the privilege of experiencing this sacred ritual. Dinner is included. Return to the hotel.

Transfer to LUANG PRABANG train station to board the train (included) to VANG VIENG, a town surrounded by impressive karst formations and rice fields. Arrival and lunch included at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we transfer to PHOXAY to begin an approximately 1.5-hour hike. The walk starts in the small Hmong village of BAN PHATHAO. Along the way, we cross lush green rice paddies until reaching the Elephant Cave Temple (entrance included). Return by road to Vang Vieng. Arrival at the hotel and free time.

Note: During the rainy season, the walking portion will be replaced by a vehicle transfer from Ban Phathao village to the Elephant Cave.

Transfer to a viewpoint to enjoy the sunset from an elevated terrace. One drink is included while you take in the sunset. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Departure to visit the Angel Cave (entrance included), home to impressive caverns, stalactites, and stalagmites. We then continue to VIENTIANE for a city tour.

Our visit begins at That Luang Temple (entrance included), often visited by local pilgrims. We then pass by the Patuxay Monument, one of the city’s main landmarks. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we continue to Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo (entrances included), home to an impressive collection of Lao and Khmer religious art. We conclude the day with a visit to COPE (entrance included), where we learn about the tragic legacy of LAOS as one of the most heavily bombed countries in the world during the Vietnam War.

Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.