Hanoi to Bangkok Tour

The northern areas of Vietnam and Laos have been virtually off limits to travellers for years, and many places have remained a mystery since the days of the Vietnam War. On this trip we spend time with ethnic minorities of both Vietnam and Laos in homestays, we explore the mysterious 'Plain of Jars' and the even more mysterious 'Stonehenge of Laos'. We travel on the mighty Mekong and walk in the serenely peaceful streets of Luang Prabang.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 18
Arrival Transfer: Not included
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and services of local guides and reps
Transport: Private minibus/coach, public bus, boats, overnight train, songthaews (pick-up trucks)
Activities: Extensive walking at sites, boat trip on the Mekong River
Accommodation: 10 nights basic hotels or guesthouses, 2 nights village homestays, 1 night overnight train
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner. On days where meals are not included allow US$12 per day
Entrance Fees: Not included. Allow US$12 for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Journey along the Mighty Mekong
• See Beautiful Luang Prabang
• Visit the enigmatic Plain of Jars

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, HANOI: Arrive and check in to your hotel. No meals.

Day 2, MAI CHAU HOMESTAY: Today we drive east through stunning scenery to Mai Chau where we are guests of a White Thai family in their stilt house. (BLD)

Day 3, SAM NEUA: We travel onto this sleepy hamlet for the night, home of the dramatic caves that housed the revolutionary Pathet Lao during the Vietnam War. Also found here is the little-known 'Stonehenge of Laos', monolithic rock slabs that protrude from the ground. (B)

Day 4, PLAIN OF JARS: We arrive in Phonsavan which will be our base to explore this mysterious area.

Day 5, PLAIN OF JARS: Today you have a whole day to explore the ancient and mysterious Plain of Jars. Nobody knows the exact origin or use of these amazing artefacts, some as large as 6 tonnes. (B)

Day 6, LUANG PRABANG: Continue by road to Luang Prabang, one of the most enchanting towns in South East Asia. (B)

Day 7, LUANG PRABANG: A full free day to explore this wonderful centre of religion and royalty of old Laos. Hire a bike or wander the leafy streets, stopping at golden temples to chat with the monks. (B)

Day 8, HOMESTAY: We take a beautiful boat trip up the Nam Khan River and stay with one of the hilltribe minorities of northern Laos.

Day 9, UDOM XAI: Leave our village hosts and travel to Udom Xai.

Day 10, PAKBENG: Travel by local bus/truck through jungle-clad mountains. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse in Pakbeng.

Day 11, HOUAY XAI: Start our journey up the meandering Mekong, travelling by public boat and passing through thick jungle with abundant birdlife. We transfer to our guesthouse in Houay Xai, Laos.

Day 12, CHIANG MAI: Today we cross the Mekong and take either a songthaew Chiang Mai. Transfer to railway station for overnight train to Bangkok.

Day 13, BANGKOK: Arrive and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Day 14, BANGKOK: Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you want to spend more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Maximum Group Size - 18: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.
Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees
Single Supplement: Not available. [Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]