14-Day Thailand to Laos Explorer Adventure

Today we’re going to tour the canals of Bangkok which are known as the Klongs. Far away from the bustling city centre, this tour will take you to see the quieter, ‘real’ Bangkok where you’ll see wooden houses on stilts and colourful temples, meet friendly locals, and spend some time in an unexpected green oasis.

This evening we’ll head to the train station to board the overnight train to Chiang Mai for an overnight sleeper train experience. For those who have never been on one before this is an adventure complete with lie flat beds and a restaurant carriage. It’s the most fun way to travel to Chiang Mai and get to know your new travel mates!

We’ll arrive at Chiang Mai train station around this morning and head for breakfast where you can begin to see the beauty of the city and plan your optional activities. As the largest city in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a popular place for many travellers full of endless activity options, such as Thai cooking classes and bike tours to name a few. Once a kingdom unto itself, there are over 300 Buddhist temples to discover and we’d recommend visiting the old walled city to see the Tapae Gate.

This afternoon we’ll head to the Doi Suthep mountain and temple. You have the choice to climb the towering 300 steps or take the scenic cable car ride where you’ll get stunning views over Chiang Mai. At 6pm we’ll hear the chanting of the monks ringing out across the valley. Once back in the centre, we recommend spending your evening browsing the famous night market to score a bargain or you can check out the lively music scene.

Today you’ll visit the incredible Elephant Nature Park where you can observe and spend time with a magnificent elephant herd. This immersive experience allows you to watch them in a natural environment, see them walking down to the river and bathing playfully together.

This morning we’ll depart Chiang Mai and head for the Thailand-Laos border.  We’ll make a stop near Chiang Rai to check out the famous White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). Wat Rong is a unique modern Buddhist temple that features some curious statues and murals that include images from Star Wars and The Matrix, Freddie Kruger’s head hanging in the trees and a giant Predator emerging from the garden. We’ll stop here long enough to grab a snack and take a few photos before we continue on to cross the border into Laos. Once in Laos we’ll take a short tuk-tuk ride to the small town of Houay Xai, our stop for the night.

Leaving Houay Xai this morning we’ll board our private slow boat to cruise down the Mekong River to a secluded village where we’ll get to experience a slice of the ‘real Laos’. Sitting back we’ll soak up this incredible journey as we wind your way through lush farmland, past thriving jungle and rugged mountain scenery, arriving in the village in the late afternoon. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become immersed in Lao culture, where you will get a taste of traditional Lao village before we head to the small riverside town of Pakbeng for the evening.

Today we wave goodbye to the village and its lovely residents and jump back aboard our private boat to head downriver to the famous limestone Pak Ou Caves. Pak Ou is an important pilgrimage site for Lao people where we will see thousands of Buddhist images that have been placed throughout the caves over hundreds of years. Back on board our boat, a short trip takes us to the UNESCO World Heritage town, Luang Prabang, which features a fusion of French Colonial architecture and traditional Lao design. Set against a backdrop of misty mountains and lush green jungle, Luang Prabang is a truly majestic place to spend time.

Today we’ll travel to the Living Land Farm which is an organic farm run by locals for the benefit of Lao people. They grow organic produce, herbs and rice which they supply to leading restaurants and hotels in Luang Prabang.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, where the turquoise water and calm pools offer the perfect chance to cool off and enjoy a refreshing swim. At the base of the falls, you’ll find a rescue centre for the native Asiatic moon bears where you can watch them happily living in a safe environment. If you’re feeling fit, climb up to the very top of the falls and take in the view from the above.

Today you have a full free day to explore Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Luang Prabang Province in northern Laos. Explore some of the many Buddhist temples, including the gilded Wat Xieng Thong, dating to the 16th century, and Wat Mai, once the residence of the head of Laotian Buddhism or stroll through the incredible food markets and sample some traditional Lao fare.

This morning we head to the train station to board our fast train for a two hour journey to the little riverside town of Vang Vieng, formerly known as the best place to take tubing trips down the Nam Song River to visit riverside bars and indulge in cheap booze. These days you can still go tubing, but now you get to enjoy the beauty of Vang Vieng's landscape without the sound of pounding bass in the background. On arrival we’ll go for an orientation walk around the town and then you’ll have free time to explore.

With its stunning natural scenery, Vang Vieng offers ample outdoor activities to choose from. We recommend hiring a bike to explore the town and visiting the Blue Lagoon, one of the best natural swimming holes in Laos or if you’re looking for more adventure there are also great rock climbing, caving, zip lining and kayaking options. This evening check out one of several international restaurants for a taste of home or head to one of the bars to really get the party started.

Today we’ll board the bus and cruise through to the capital of Laos. On arrival in Vientiane your Tour Leader will take you on a tour of the city’s main attractions, including Putaxai, Pha That Luang, That Dam, the Presidential Palace, and the COPE centre – a non-profit organisation that educates visitors and raises awareness for victims of UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) and the Secret War. After checking in at our centrally located accommodation, you are free to explore the city, get a massage, go shopping or people watch at one of the local restaurants by the river.

Today you have a free day to explore Vientiane and enjoy your last full day on tour. Enjoy the French-colonial architecture, explore the Buddhist temples, stroll along the tree-lined streets and enjoy delicious food in one of the many restaurants and cafes around.

Today your journey with Stray comes to an end. Whether you’re spending some extra time in Laos or travelling onwards to your next destination, we hope you’ve had a blast on your great Stray adventure and that you’ve made friends and memories to last a lifetime!