After breakfast, departure to visit the colorful Thong Khan Kham market. There are many markets in Vientiane. There you will find all the foods that constitute the daily diet of Laotians but also all kinds of products (household appliances, jewelry, etc.). Dried red peppers are widely used in Laotian cuisine, particularly for macerating meat and fish. then visit the imposing Patuxay Monument. which is well known as a Triumphal Arch of Vientiane before continuing to the famous That Luang Stupa.

Continuation of the discovery of the city of Vientiane. We start with Wat Sisaket which is the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure has remarkable frescoes and images of Buddha, then Haw Prakeo, the former royal temple of the Laos monarchy, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Statue.

In the afternoon: we will visit to Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. Then go to Buddha Park which takes around 45 minutes. Along the way, stop to take photos of the Friendship Bridge which was built by the Australian government in 1994 and connects Laos and Thailand. Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a walk in the park. Also known as XiengKhuan, this park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The concrete sculptures are bizarre, yet intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful grounds. The peaceful setting of the park on the banks of the Mekong contrasts radically with the somewhat eccentric works sculpted in 1958 by a Laotian shaman-priest-yogi. The concrete sculptures are bizarre, yet intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful grounds. Then you also visit the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge.

Return to Vientiane city center. The rest of the day is free to take a stroll in charming, relaxing colonial neighborhoods or you can enjoy a cup of coffee in shaded terraces while contemplating scenes of river life as the sun sets on the Mekong.

Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, our driver transfers you to the Vientiane train station for a journey up to Luang Prabang. You arrive in Luang Prabang, meet our driver and transfer to hotel.

A Luang Prabang walking tour is a great way to get an introduction to this UNESCO World Heritage site. A knowledgeable and friendly guide will take you for a stroll and share the rich history, culture, and architecture of the city with you along the way. You'll visit some of the top landmarks of Luang Prabang, from Wat Visoun temple to Wat Xieng Thong, the Royal Palace Museum and Mount Phousi. You'll also have a chance to explore traditional markets like Phosi Market and Talat Meuang which offer an insight into everyday Lao life. On a sightseeing walk, your guide will provide interesting facts about each location as well as some useful local tips for navigating around the city. You will understand how the old capital was born in the confluence of the Nam Khan River and the Mekong River, and how Lao people show their respect for local monks.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Do you want to know what it takes to cultivate, harvest and prepare rice before it’s ready to eat?

This unique half-day ‘Rice is Life’ activity takes you on an in depth and hands-on learning experience where you will participate in 14 steps of the rice cycle on the Living Land community farm.

The Living Land Farm, a community enterprise just outside of Luang Prabang, maintains educational programs and professional organic farming right next to village rice paddies. Only small groups are able to join the interactive rice farming experience which actively benefits locals from the community, maintaining their crafts in their traditional form. You’ll also learn about bamboo weaving, tool and trap making, gardening and even blacksmithing.

After a special rice snack at the farm we’ll take a scenic drive along the Mekong River to have lunch at the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall. You’ll have plenty of time to swim, explore, and photograph the waterfalls as well as you stroll through the lush surrounding jungle.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

8:00–8:30. Our English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby in Luang Prabang, Laos. Arrive at the Elephant Village Camp: welcome greeting by your guide; participate in a short briefing about elephants. Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants. Explore Elephant Village: Visit the elephant hospital, museum, photo gallery, and dung paper making area. One on One Experience/learn to communicate with your elephant: Enjoy the impressive experience of being a mahout! Trek along the Trail of Falls: Enjoy a 2 km trek along our exclusive Trail of Falls.

Lunch: Dine in the forest surroundings with a picnic box lunch prepared just for you at our camp restaurant (vegetarian options available). Continue of the Trail of Falls: Enjoy another 1 km trek on foot along the Trail of Falls, which follows a beautiful stream leading up to Tad Sae Waterfall. Tad Sae Waterfall: Arrive at Tad Sae Waterfall and relax, dip your feet, or take a swim in the clear, cool water.

Return to your hotel in Luang Prabang between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Join Slow boat tours up cruise:

Begin your Mekong adventure with an early departure at 7:00 AM from Luang Prabang, cruising upstream towards the charming riverside town of Pakbeng.

Start your day with a delightful French breakfast served onboard as you soak in the peaceful morning views of the Mekong.

Our first stop is the famous Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting), home to over 2,000 Buddha statues. This sacred site is a key pilgrimage destination for the Lao people. After exploring the caves, enjoy a fascinating cultural lecture by our English-speaking guide, who will introduce you to the rich diversity of ethnic groups in Laos.

A traditional Lao lunch is served onboard, allowing you to savor authentic flavors while the stunning landscapes of the Mekong River unfold around you.

Spend the afternoon unwinding on deck as we glide past lush jungles and quiet riverside villages, offering unparalleled views of the natural beauty of Laos.

We’ll arrive in Pakbeng before dusk, where you’ll spend a restful night, surrounded by the tranquility of the river.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

Join Slow boat tours up cruise:

After a memorable night in Pakbeng, your hotel will have prepared a takeaway breakfast box for you to enjoy as we set sail. You are kindly requested to make your own way to the Pakbeng boat pier, where our friendly crew will be waiting to welcome you onboard for the next leg of your journey.

During the morning, our guide and crew will host interactive activites, adding a touch of fun and cultural insight to your cruise.

Before lunch, we’ll make a stop at the traditional Kamu village of Ban Kang Lae, home to around 60 families. This charming village offers a glimpse into rural life in a remote part of Laos. You’ll have the chance to learn about their customs, daily routines, and the challenges of living in such an isolated area. Our company proudly supports the village with regular donations to help improve the community.

A delicious Lao lunch will be served as we continue down the river, allowing you to savor authentic flavors while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Mekong.

We’ll arrive in Houay Xay by 4:30 PM, where we continue your journey into Thailand.

Meet your local drive at Thai side, continue our journey to Chiang Rai.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Highlands and Borders: Tribes, Golden Triangle, and the Mekong

Following breakfast, your day begins with a journey into the lush hills surrounding Chiang Rai. You’ll visit the Akha and Yao hill tribe villages, where centuries-old traditions endure amid breath-taking mountain scenery. Take time to immerse yourself in the local culture – exploring their distinctive embroidery, silver jewellery, and thatched-roof homes – while enjoying panoramic views of terraced rice fields and mist-covered valleys.

From the highlands, you’ll continue north to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town, bustling with cross-border markets and a gateway to Myanmar. A short drive brings you to the legendary Golden Triangle, the dramatic meeting point of three nations: Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, separated by the mighty Mekong River. Here, you have the option to embark on a serene boat ride along the Mekong, drifting past jungle-clad shores and gaining a unique perspective of this historic drug-trade route turned tourist gem.

After the river experience, you’ll visit the Opium House, a museum that sheds light on the region’s complex opium trade history, from its cultivation to its eventual suppression. Finally, explore the ancient riverside city of Chiang Saen, where crumbling Buddhist stupas and old city walls stand as silent witnesses to centuries of Lanna Kingdom glory. As dusk settles, you’ll return to your hotel in Chiang Rai, filled with the day’s rich cultural and natural discoveries.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Visit the famous Blue Temple, or Wat Rong Seua Ten located a few kilometers from Chiang Rai. It is a recent temple that is still under construction, although its main hall is now completed. It is above all its magnificent blue interior with a large white Buddha that marks the spirits. The Blue Temple of Chiang Rai is still little known among tourists for now, because it was completed very recently. Then we will begin the journey that takes us to Chiang Rai, during which we cannot miss a visit to the White Temple or Wat Rong Khun. One of the many religious places in Chiang Rai. With exceptional quality in art and extremely elaborate architecture, the consecrated assembly hall of Wat Rong Khun is unlike any other temple in terms of having both carved pediment peaks and tooth-shaped ridges. The hall itself is mostly constructed in pure white, illustrative of the purity of the Buddha. The clear mirrored sparkling glass serves as the wisdom of the Awakened One shining upon the earth and the universe.

Leave Chiang Rai behind and travel southwest toward Mae Ka Chan, a tranquil stop famous for its natural hot springs. Here, you can watch mineral-rich water bubble up from geothermal pools, fill your lungs with the faint scent of sulphur, and even try the local tradition of boiling eggs in the steaming streams – a perfect way to stretch your legs before continuing the journey.

Refreshed, you’ll press onward to Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of northern Thailand. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at your hotel and free leisure.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Begin your day in Chiang Mai with breakfast at your hotel, followed by a pickup for a tour of Doi Suthep, where you'll visit its renowned temple—one of northern Thailand's most important spiritual sites. Explore the culture and traditional crafts of the Hmong Hilltribe Village.

Later in the day, you’ll be taken to visit one of Chiang Mai’s holiest sites: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Perched on a hillside and built in the traditional Northern Thai style, the temple is home to a sacred relic of the Lord Buddha and offers breath-taking panoramic views over the city.

Continue to Wat Phra Singh is a renowned 14th-century Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai's Old City, Thailand, celebrated for its classic Lanna-style architecture and the highly revered Phra Singh (Lion) Buddha image.

Following the visit, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel, where you’ll have free time to unwind and explore at your own pace.

Next Wat Chedi Luang a Buddhist temple in the historic centre of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The current temple grounds were originally made up of three temples.

Transfer back to the hotel. To brighten up your evening, browse the Night Market for yourself.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, depart with your guide for a full-day excursion to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak and one of the country’s most beautiful natural reserves.

Travel through lush mountain landscapes to the summit of Doi Inthanon, where cool temperatures and misty forests create a refreshing atmosphere. Explore the Ang Ka Nature Trail, renowned for its unique highland ecosystem, moss-covered trees, and diverse flora. Visit the Stupa of Chao Inthawichayanon, dedicated to the last ruler of the former Lanna Kingdom. Continue to the iconic Twin Royal Pagodas, built in honor of Their Majesties the King and Queen, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and beautifully landscaped gardens. Stop at the Hmong Tribal Market, where villagers sell fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and local products grown in the highlands.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the Royal Project, established to support sustainable agriculture and improve the livelihoods of local hill tribe communities. Continue to a Karen Hill Tribe Village to gain insight into the traditional lifestyle of northern Thailand’s ethnic minorities.

Before returning to Chiang Mai, stop at the spectacular Wachirathan Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the region, surrounded by lush tropical forest.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Free till pick up by driver and transfer to Chiang Mai International airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.