Basix
18 to 35s
Real Thailand & Laos
13 days • 5
5
Excellent
41 reviews
13 days
Start
Bangkok, Thailand
Finish
Vientiane, Laos
Trip Code
TLYS
Min Age
18
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Public bus, Slow boat, Private vehicle, Songthaew, Tuk-tuk, Train
Accommodation
Guesthouse (4 nights), Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Resort (1 night)
From £766(13 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Luang Prabang. Rise with the sun and watch saffron-robed monks shuffle between houses, where the faithful wait with offerings as part of an alms giving ritual.
Cruise upstream to Pak Ou Cave along the Mekong River in a traditional-style boat – a classic favourite in South East Asia. Take in the natural landscape and enjoy more photo-ops than you can shake a bamboo cane at.
Ensure your holiday gives back by supporting organisations like COPE, who are dedicated to assisting those who have been affected by the unexploded ordnances left from the Vietnam war.
Chill out with loads of free time to wander at your own pace. Explore Kuang Si Waterfalls for a refreshing swim, visit the gentle giants of ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary or go kayaking on the gorgeous Nam Song River.
Head out on a sunset hike to Wat Phu Si in Luang Prabang for some epic views over Phu Si Mountain. After the sun descends, head to Talad Mued Night Market for a BBQ feast – a local favourite.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
Accommodation is basic but clean and comfortable. The simplicity of life in Laos is one of its many charms.
There are some long travels days on this itinerary, with lots of journeys on local transport. Things take time in Thailand and Laos. But you're on holiday, right?
This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time and it can be part of a longer itinerary if you have more time to explore. You might like to check out Epic South East Asia.
Itinerary
Get to know the real Thailand and Laos and explore countryside, riverside and mountainside havens
This 13-day exploration of the Southeast Asian countryside will keep you guessing at every turn. Kick off in Bangkok, wind through northern Thailand with some good times in Chiang Mai and then cross the border into Laos, where you’ll be able to see the authentic side of this landlocked country. Cruise on the mighty Mekong, laze in the beautiful Luang Prabang, explore a natural paradise in Vang Vieng and finish up in sleepy Vientiane. From street food tastings and sunset hikes to heaps of free time to go cave exploring, get a massage or swim under waterfalls – this trip shows you so many sides of Thailand and Laos that you never knew.
Inclusions
Meals
9 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Public bus, Slow boat, Private vehicle, Songthaew, Tuk-tuk, Train
Accommodation
Guesthouse (4 nights), Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Resort (1 night)
Included activities
Bangkok - Chinatown walking tour
Nan – Orientation Tour
Pua – Hand Weaving Demonstration
Muang Ngern – Local Village Visit
Luang Prabang - orientation walk
Luang Prabang - Talad Mued Night Market
Luang Prabang – Wat Phu Si Sunset Hike
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
Luang Prabang – Mekong River Cruise (Half Day)
Luang Prabang - Alms giving ceremony
Vientiane - Wat Si Saket
Vientiane - COPE visit
Vientiane - Leader orientation walk
Optional activities
Bangkok - Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure - THB2900
Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure - THB2500
Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500
Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB300
Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200
Bangkok - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) - THB200
Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (Entrance) - THB50
Chaing Mai - Cooking at Home Cookery School - THB1400
Chiang Mai - Thai massage - THB300
Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB990
Chiang Mai – Zipline (from) - THB1900
Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB1100
Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex - THB50
Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary - THB1900
Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon (Entrance) - THB300
Chiang Mai – Whitewater Rafting - THB1800
Chiang Mai – Muay Thai - THB400
Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls - USD2
Luang Prabang - Laos Red Cross sauna - LAK10000
Luang Prabang - Laos Red Cross massage - LAK40000
Luang Prabang - Wat Phu Si sunset walk - USD2
Luang Prabang - Wat Xieng Thong - USD3
Luang Prabang – Royal Theatre Performance (from) - LAK150000
Luang Prabang – National Museum (Entrance Fee) - LAK30000
Luang Prabang – Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre (from) - USD45
Luang Prabang – Wat Visun (Entrance Fee) - LAK20000
Luang Prabang – Cooking Class - USD38
Luang Prabang – UXO Lao Visitor Centre (Entrance Fee) - LAK20000
Luang Prabang - Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre - USD2
Vang Vieng - Tham Jung Cave - USD2
Vang Vieng - Bicycle hire - USD2
Vang Vieng - Kayaking - USD20
Vang Vieng - Blue Lagoon (Entrance Fee) - LAK10000
Vientiane - That Luang - USD1
Vientiane - Laos National Museum - LAK10000
Vientiane - Aerobic class - LAK3000
Vientiane - Pratu Xai - USD1
Dates and availability
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Important notes
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING LAOS VISAS
A Laos visa will need to be applied for in advance at the Laos Embassy in your home country. An E-visa or Visa on Arrival is not accepted at Nam Ngeun border crossing. For further information on visa requirements, please visit the "Passports, visas and entry requirements" section of your Essential Trip Information.
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 (Overnight train) and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Please note that some room configurations have two single beds, although a double bed will always be requested if required.
Reviews (39)
5 stars
39
Marie
Apr 26, 2025
Anna
Mar 18, 2025
The Bangkok to Vietnam leg of our intrepid was great. Buddy, our leader was so smiley and approachable. He had such a jolly approach that made the whole group come together very quickly. Both him and his trainee Oat were so knowledgeable and kind making sure we all were heard and seen through out the trip making sure we all got what we wanted out of most days. The trip was well organised and it was good to see places like Nan and Pua which didn’t seem like much prior to arrival but ended up being group favourites.
Gavin
Mar 16, 2025
Buddy the leader and Oat a trainee (is definitely good enough to be a leader) were fantastic and made the trip very easy and the activities were good. If you wanted to do optional or your own thing they were happy to help when possible. Food exceptional, hotels good, activities were fun.
Katelyn
Mar 03, 2025
I really enjoyed this trip! The tour leader was organised and knowledgeable. We got to see and do so much, with plenty of free time.
Tess
Mar 03, 2025
A great trip if your trying to see Northern Thailand and Laos and are short on time. Our tour guide, Buddy, was incredible and made the trip fantastic.
Jakob
Feb 16, 2025
We spend with a small group of 6 people und could shouse a lot of activity in our freetime by our own. Very Kind leader rabbit take a lot of care for us and let us try a lot of local Snacks. We al get a little present a the end and er ate almost every meal together also in her freetime! We saw a lot of Temple, nightsmarkets, amazing nature and local Food.
Mathis
Feb 15, 2025
I had a super good trip! The group leader was perfect, super nice and very responsible. However if you get car sick easily I don’t recommend this trip.
Jacob
Jan 23, 2025
I took a trip to Thailand and Laos, the trip was incredible! The culture, people, views and food. Sasha our tour guide was incredible and really made the amazing itinerary meet such perfection. Had the absolute best time!
Drake
Jan 20, 2025
This trip was an incredible experience from start to finish, I met amazing people, learned so much and made incredible memories. Our leader Sasha was everything we could’ve asked for and went above and beyond at every moment.
Jessica
Jan 20, 2025
What an amazing tour! Fantastic mix of activities and free time with a super varied itinerary. Our tour guide Sasha was excellent and ensured a memorable trip - my first one with Intrepid, certainly won’t be my last!
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