Original
Explorer
Thailand & Laos Adventure
13 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
242 reviews
13 days
Start
Bangkok, Thailand
Finish
Vientiane, Laos
Trip Code
TLSV
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport
Longtail boat, Taxi, Minivan, Overnight train, Boat, Tuk tuk, Private bus
Accommodation
Guesthouse (2 nights), Hotel (9 nights), Overnight train (1 night)
From £1,228(13 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Travel from Thailand's lively capital and exciting Chiang Mai to the riverside tranquility of Laos with its gorgeous natural scenery.
Discover just why Luang Prabang has UNESCO status as you uncover the French influence, beautiful temples, traditional arts and the world-renowned night markets.
Visit impactful local organisations that support local communities, including a social enterprise that empowers local women through preserving traditional textile making.
Explore the mysterious beauty of the Laos jungle as you walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on stroll through their natural habitat at Mandalao.
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.
Is this trip right for you?
You'll get to see lots of major highlights and cover plenty of distance over the course of this trip, which means some long travel days. Laos is less developed than some of its neighbours so roads can be bumpy, delays common and accommodation simpler in some locations compared to Thailand or Vietnam.
Pak Beng, where we pause to break up our Mekong journey, is a remote and quiet town with little tourist infrastructure – a contrast to the traveller hubs of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.
It can be surprisingly cool, especially at night from November to February. Make sure you have some warm gear packed for this period so you can be comfortable. Smoke haze can be common for Northern Thailand into Laos between March and April due to burning off season of crops. You may wish to take a quality mask with you if you’re particularly sensitive to smoke.
Due to dam construction upstream, water levels on the Mekong aren't as reliable as in previous years. When the Mekong River is at its lowest from February to April, part of the journey may occasionally need to be made overland by bus instead of by boat.
There is free time in several destinations to spend as you wish. Your leader can make suggestions, and some prior research to work out what you’re most interested in will help you make the most of your time.
Itinerary
Explore Thailand and Laos, travelling from Bangkok to Vientiane
Travel from Bangkok to Vientiane and experience the delights of northern Thailand and the laidback river lifestyle of Laos. Over 13 days, you’ll balance relaxation with exploration, taking in the bright lights of Bangkok in Thailand, the age-old charms of Luang Prabang in Laos and the temples of Vientiane. Travel down the mighty Mekong River and become immersed in the tranquillity of remote villages as you meet friendly faces along the way. Not to mention the delicious local food, the amazing natural landscapes, the UNESCO World Heritage sites and the handy local leader by your side.
Inclusions
Meals
9 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Transport
Longtail boat, Taxi, Minivan, Overnight train, Boat, Tuk tuk, Private bus
Accommodation
Guesthouse (2 nights), Hotel (9 nights), Overnight train (1 night)
Included activities
Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
Bangkok - Wat Pho
Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (Entrance)
Chiang Rai - Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
Mekong River - 2 day boat trip
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls
Luang Prabang - Alms giving ceremony
Luang Prabang - Weaving workshop and social enterprise visit
Luang Prabang - MandaLao Elephant Conservation (The Tuuur Foundation partner) lunch & trek
Vientiane - COPE visit
Vientiane - Wat Si Saket
Optional activities
Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500
Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB300
Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200
Chiang Mai - Thai cooking course - THB1000
Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB1100
Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary - THB1900
Luang Prabang - Wat Phu Si sunset walk - USD2
Luang Prabang - Night Market - Free
Luang Prabang - Royal Theatre - USD20
Luang Prabang - Wat Xieng Thong - USD3
Luang Prabang - National Museum - USD4
Vang Vieng - Bicycle hire - USD2
Vang Vieng - Wat Si Vieng Song - Free
Vang Vieng - Kayaking - USD35
Vang Vieng - Tham Phu Kham Cave - LAK10000
Vientiane - Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park) tuk tuk & entrance - LAK205000
Vientiane - Pha That Luang Monument (incl. long skirt hire to enter) - LAK15000
Vientiane - Lao Textile Museum - LAK30000
Vientiane - Haw Pha Kaeo Museum of Religious Art - LAK10000
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. 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 Day 6 (Pak Beng) where you will be in shared accommodation 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.
Reviews (235)
5 stars
207
4 stars
23
3 stars
4
2 stars
1
Jonathan
Apr 29, 2025
This trip was excellent, with a good mix of planned activities and free time to explore on your own; made better by our excellent guide.
Darren
Apr 26, 2025
A great trip for those who want to see the highlights of Thailand & Laos in a safe and comfortable way. If you can time it with the new year celebrations you absolutely should!
Anne
Apr 20, 2025
We had a medical emergency while on the tour, and our tour leader and Intrepid handled the whole procedure very quickly and efficiently.
Clare
Apr 20, 2025
A great variety of activities and site seeing in Northern Thailand and Laos. The 2-day boat trip on the Mekong River and the MandaLao Elephant Conservation Centre were highlights for us. A wonderful way to travel and meet new people.
Rosemary
Apr 08, 2025
I can highly recommend the Original Intrepid trip to Thailand and Laos. We had an amazing trip leader in Ning, one of the best leaders I have experienced on any group trip. The itenerary was suvh a great balance between culture and nature. My highlights were the Manadaleo Elephant Sanctuary and the 2 day slow boat down the Mekong. Still buzzing about it all now and I've been back a week!
Cathy
Mar 23, 2025
The Thailand & Laos Adventure was a great trip. Well organised and good value for money. Good range of activities, sight seeing and downtime. A great way to experience some highlights of both Thailand and Laos.
Lynn
Mar 20, 2025
Fast-paced, but well organized tour that covers a lot in a short time period. Will give you a bird’s eye view of a complex, colourful area. Go with Rabbit…she’s a great guide!!
Susan
Mar 10, 2025
It was our first ever group trip and the Thailand/Laos experience was excellent. Well organised, informative and a chance to meet fellow minded travellers. Highly recommend Intrepid.
Martsia
Mar 10, 2025
Group travel is a personal and human experience to live. The cherry on the cake is to have an agency like Intreprid concerned with the preservation of the environment, culture, etc.
Olliver
Mar 10, 2025
Fabulous tour. Comfortable and fun. All the hard work done to perfection by Intrepid.
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