Journey through Laos Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 18
Arrival Transfer: Not included
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader
Transport: Local bus, overnight train, Mekong river boat, tuk tuk, songthaew (pick-up truck)
Activities: Optional cycling in Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, optional inner-tubing in Vang Vieng, extensive walking in towns or at sites
Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels, 1 night village homestay, 2 nights sleeper trains
Meals: Some breakfasts included. Allow approx $8 per day for other meals
Entrance Fees: Not included Allow approx $30
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Free day to explore the exciting city of Bangkok
• Sail up the Mekong River
• Mysterious Plain of Jars
• Holy city of Luang Prabang & superb scenery
• Homestay in hilltribe village

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, BANGKOK: Arrive and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2, BANGKOK: Free day to explore. Overnight train to Nong Khai. (B)

Day 3, VIENTIANE: Today we arrive at the 'Friendship Bridge' and our first glimpse of the mighty Mekong. We cross into the mysterious jungle republic of Laos and proceed to Vientiane, possibly the sleepiest capital city in the world.

Day 4, VANG VIENG: Transfer by public bus to the peaceful riverside hamlet of Vang Vieng. (B)

Day 5, PLAIN OF JARS: Drive to the ancient and mysterious Plain of Jars. Nobody knows the exact origin or use of these amazing artefacts, some as large as 6 tonnes.

Day 6, PLAIN OF JARS: Today you have a whole day to explore the Plain of Jars.

Day 7, LUANG PRABANG: Continue by road to Luang Prabang, one of the most lovely towns in South East Asia.

Day 8, 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.

Day 9, HOMESTAY: We take a beautiful boat trip up the Nam Khan River and stay with one of the hilltribe minorities of northern Laos.

Day 10, UDOM XAI: Leave our village hosts and travel to Udom Xai.

Day 11, PAKBENG: Travel by local bus/truck through jungle clad mountains. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse in Pakbeng.

Day 12, HOUAY XAI: Start our journey up the meandering Mekong, travelling by public boat and passing through thick jungle with abundant bird life We transfer to our guesthouse in Houay Xai.

Day 13, CHIANG MAI: Today we cross the Mekong and take either a songthaew (pick-up truck) or minivan to Thailand's northern capital Chiang Mai. Transfer to railway station for the overnight train to Bangkok.

Day 14, BANGKOK: Arrive and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Day 15, 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]