Original
Explorer
Thailand & Laos Adventure
4.8
Excellent
270 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 £1,404(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.
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 (262)
5 stars
231
4 stars
26
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
Jamie
Aug 09, 2025
Sophia
Aug 03, 2025
A breath of fresh air- clear literary ftom.intrepid that surpassed my expectations. Ea h time we arrived at next part of tour I was surprised and excited. Group all supported one another and added to enjoyment- well done i trepidation on matching folk together, sharing and celebrating new places and helping us all be part of the i trepidation legacy. Thank you for a job well done!!!
Sean
Aug 03, 2025
Rose
Jul 28, 2025
Everything was amazing! Lalada was the perfect guide and provided us with helpful information and great recommendations for free time. I especially loved our time in Luang Prabang and Chiang Mai. Meeting the elephants was absolutely incredible. Finally, the accommodations were lovely and the food was absolutely incredible.
Jana
Jul 23, 2025
I would recommend our guide, Lalada Kaewpim, and Intrepid Travel to everyone! Lalada has a wealth of knowledge (history and culture, livelihoods, social norms, activities, food), was easy to talk to and empathetic, and always placed priority on safety. I don't think I would have had the amazing experience I did without her. The Intrepid itinerary itself was great -- well-planned and allowed us to immerse into local history and culture without being overwhelming. Such fun activities and amazing food.
Dennis
Jul 20, 2025
Laos is a place we never think about but full of unbelievable settings and villages
Sara
Jul 19, 2025
The tour was excellent. What I like most are the included activities to support local businesses and the elephant preservation programs. It was my first tour with Intrepid, and I am sure it won't be my last. Highly recommended if you want to get genuinely in touch with the local culture.
Martha
Jul 15, 2025
This trip was truly amazing- it was my first time solo travelling and I am 18 so I was really nervous starting the trip that something would go wrong but I had the most perfect time thanks to Intrepid and my tour group. The food, guide (Buddy) and activities were brilliant and I will definitely use Intrepid again!
Alex
Jul 15, 2025
The Thailand and Laos trip was a perfect amount of time, I feel I got a great understanding of the cultures through our awesome guide Lalada (Katie). We had a great group and the balance between the activities and free choice times was perfect.
Philip
Jul 03, 2025
Another amazing Tour, which I would highly recommend. Ning, our tour leader, was wonderful and delivered everything with great passion and a smile! My highlights were the boat travel down the Meekong and visiting the Elephant Sanctuary.
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