Thailand - Laos & North of Vietnam 21 Days 20 Nights

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.

The first destination is the Grand Palace. This huge architecture complex is over 2 sq. kilometers, including 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is no longer home of Thailand Royal, most of national significant events takes place there. 

Wat Phra Kaew is the most out-standing architecture in complex, built in 1785 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. Wat Pra Kwae is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue will bring back fortune and prosperity for the nation.

Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho - the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge one sit-back Buddha in gold. This pagoda is also famous for being a birthplace of traditional Thai massage, since there is a traditional medicine school established in 1982, educating the arts of Thai massage.

The Wat Pho wall-surrounded complex was divided into 2 by Soi Chetuphon running along East – West. The Northern complex is the one including the in gold Buddha statue and massage school mentioned above. The Southern complex, Tukgawee, is a monastery and a school

We will board on a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by.

On route, we stop at Wat Arun, known as the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas. “Arun” means sunrise, but it is most beautiful in the sunset. The pagoda was decorated with glass pieces and Chinese ceramic, in a complicated style. You can climb up to the top of Wat Arun to see Chao Phraya, Grand Palace and Wat Pho at the opposite side.

After having lunch, we visit the last destination of the day: Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue represents for prosperity and purity, as well as strength and power. The Golden Statue was defined to be built in Sukhothai period, the 13-15th century – one of the most famous periods of Thai Buddhism architecture.  

Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we pay a visit to Meaklong Railway Market – a local market has grown up along the rail tracks. When a train pulls in or out of the station, the sellers quickly clear their stalls, and set them up again when the train has passed. We continue our way to Damnoen Saduak Floating market.

Arrival at the market, you can see the vendors who wear traditional farmer dresses and hats bring local Thai foods, fruits and products to sell on rowing boats. You should not miss the opportunity to experience sitting and giving them a try on one of these boats on the canal. You are free to explore around the market, take photos/videos or even hire a paddling boat to breathe the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere here. 

We then take a boat ride out of the floating market and journey along the winding canals to see remote villages, gardens and plantations.

Arrive at a jetty pier where you board on the vehicle and proceed to Kanchanaburi.

Have breakfast at the hotel then we visit JEATH War Museum, which has the name standing for countries taking part in the World War II death railway construction from 1942 to 1945: Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and Holland.

As the name suggests, JEATH War Museum exhibits photographs and illustrations reflecting the living condition of prisoners of war during that cruel time, some of which were donated by former prisoners who survived after war.

Nearby the JEATH War Museum is Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, holding almost 7.000 graves, most of them were Australian, British and Dutch soldiers. They were victims of Japanese immurement during their construction for the Burma Railway. 

The Cemetery contains prisoners buried beside the railway from Bangkok to Nieke, excepting those identified as Americans, who could come back to their hometowns.

We then go to Kanchanaburi the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, the most important landmark of this city.

Continue to Erawan Waterfall, considered as the most beautiful waterfall of Thailand. This is such an impressive series of seven tiers, each with a shape and character on its own.

 Originating from the Monglai Stream, water flows down from the hill at height of 2000m and flows into the Khwae Yai River. The waterfall is named after the legendary three-headed white elephant living in the Himavarna forest.

Proceed to Ayutthaya for overnight.

Wake up in the morning, we visit Ayutthaya Historical Park, situated in the old city of Ayutthaya. The city was constructed by Ramathibodi I in 1350 and was the capital of Thailand until it was destroyed by Burmese – Myanmar army in 1767. Being a ruin with many temples which characterize this handicraft type of architecture built with red bricks, the park was recognized as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Wat Phu Khao Thong is a massive pagoda towering in the middle of paddy fields and can be seen from afar. Built by King Ramesuan in 1395, the pagoda is unique with the combination of 2 architectural styles: Thai – style and Mon – style. There is a high golden plated chedi on the top, which makes the pagoda outstanding.

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet was the most important temple of Ayutthaya and situated within the Ayutthaya Grand Palace grounds. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The highlight of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet is 3 towers standing high together in Ceylonese style, has the same architecture with Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

Vihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit is the pagoda in which the bronze Buddha statue in the attitude of subduing Mara is situated. This is one of the biggest Buddha statue in Thailand. It was considered to be built during the Ayuttaya period of King Srongta, who transferred the location from the east side to the west and has been the location since then. After that he ordered to build a dome on top.

-Wat Lokaya Sutha is considered as the sacred place for pilgrims since it’s famous for the reclining Buddha statue, which is the statue of the Blessed Buddha intact compared to other monuments in the entire Ayutthaya ruins. It is also the most important relics in most of those in Wat Lokaya Sutha. Thai people believe that if they paste the golden leaf onto Buddha statues, they will be protected by Buddha.

You leave for Lopburi, site inhabited since prehistoric times and which has long undergone the Khmer influence of the Angkor Empire.

Visit the Narai King's Palace built by King Narai, the king who ruled Ayutthaya from 1656 to 1688. He ordered the palace built in 1666. King Narai stayed here for about 8 to 9 months a year except during the rainy season. He named Lopburi as the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The palace was a place of relaxation, hunting, business administration of the country and hosting official visitors.

Continue to Khmer temple of Prang Samyod, temple with three spiers and San Phra Kan, this ancient Brahmin temple located near Phra Prang Sam Yot, comprises two parts, the oldest dating from the Khmer period, the most recent dating from 1951. The latter houses a four-armed deity surmounted by a Buddha's head and is the figure of a warship.

Arrival in Sukhothai and check in at the hotel.
 

After breakfast, visit the ancient ruins of Sukhothai Historical Park. Bike to Wat Sri Chum with its gigantic Buddha statue that showcases.

A few minutes by bike from Wat Phra Phai Luang, there is an impressive sitting Buddha statue, the right hand turned to the ground, symbolizing the victory of Buddha on evil incarnated by the demon Mara.

Continue your way to Si Satchanalai. Si Satchanalai Historical Park is a historic park in Si Satchanalai District, in the province of Sukhothai, in northern Thailand. The park covers the ruins of Si Satchanalai and Chaliang.

Heading to Chiang Mai, enjoy a mountainous landscape and a nature of beauty along the way. On arrival, you start the visit of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous pagoda of Chiang Mai.

It is reached after having climbed a staircase of 290 steps whose ramps represent two gigantic nagas. From the forecourt, you can admire the view of the entire Chiang Mai Valley.

We then visit Wat Phra Singh housing a very ancient and sacred Buddha image, Phra Singh.

Check-in at the hotel and free time.

After breakfast, our morning tour will be started by a walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will be able to visit the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai including of Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Prah Singh.

Wat Chedi Luang is the impressive ruins of a temple in the center of Chiang Mai which was built in 1411. Next to the sacred Wat Chedi Luang is a small interesting temple called Wat Phan Tao. This ancient temple is well known for its exquisite Lanna-style ordination hall entirely made of teakwood, which served as a throne hall during the reign of King Mahotara Prateth. 

Wat Prah Singh is the second most venerated temple in Chiang Mai after Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and a glittering example of Lanna art and temple architecture

We then continue wander through small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour. 

And then a walking through the central market of Warorot before visiting the Doi Suthep hill. You then exercise yourself by ascending the 306 steps to the temple. However, it is very well worth the effort. A panorama view of the city and the surrounding areas can be seen from the temple grounds.

Return to hotel in Chiang mai for your overnight

Today start our day to Chiang Dao, a hidden gem in Northern Thailand. With plenty of activities and only a short distance from Chiang Mai, this destination is well worth a visit.

When you visit an elephant camp, you can watch the elephants taking their morning bath and demonstrating some their skills. You will also learn how to properly ascend the elephant and lumber along a trail in the dense, leafy forest and along the Mae Ping River

After lunch, experience a bamboo raft trip along the river. You will have chance to admire the traditional teak houses high on stilts along the lush banks. Bidding farewell to chilled-out Chiang Dao and its gentle people won’t be easy.

Soften the blow with a stop at an orchid farm on your return to Chiang Mai. Revel in the assortment of colors and designs from stripped to dots. At the end of the day, you’ll have seen that Thailand’s natural bounty is an open-air art museum.

Pick up at your hotel at around 8:30 Am, we will head to the Doi Inthanon National Park, passing through various villages, rice fields and orchards.

Upon arrival at Inthanon Mountain, we will spend spend 2-3 hours trekking to Thailand’s highest mountain at 2565 meters above sea level. Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery, impressive waterfalls, and lush mountain forests.

We first stop to the summit to see the great twin Royal Pagodas: Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Bhumisiri. Each pagoda also has relics of Buddha. We then visit Wachirathan waterffalls by a short trek along Michael’s Trail.

After walk down the hill & have a short break at a local Hmong market, we will have lunch time. In the afternoon, continue to visit Hmong and Karen hill tribe village at Ban Mae Klang Village to observe their still primitive lifestyle.

En route we will pass through the farmland where you will see the coffee plantation, flowers farm and the beautiful rice terraces.

Transfer back to your hotel in Chiang Mai.
 

Morning after breakfast, we will visit a local home industry of Elephant Poo Poo Parper, where you can know the procedure from elephant poo to final paper product.

You will also have a chance to make paper by yourself with possibility to buy hand-made souvenir from Chiang Mai.

Heading to Chiang Rai. Check in the hotel and the rest of day is on your own.

Morning after breakfast, we will visit the local market to discover the local products. After that we visit the world famous Wat Phra Kaew, one of the oldest and most revered temple in Chiang Rai city. The Wat Phra Kaew is where the Emerald Buddha image was once enshrined.

We move on to Wat Phra Singh, which was the storage of Phra Buddha Sihingh statue. The main structures of the Lanna style temple are the ubosot, the viharn, a chapel containing a footprint of the Buddha and the Kuti or monks living quarters.

Continue to visit Baan Dam (Black House), an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs.

We have lunch then take a boat to cruise on Mae Kok river from Chiang Rai to Karen village where you can watch elephants or feed them, especially enjoying your 1 hour elephant riding.

Heading back to Chiang Rai to overnight. 

After breakfast we continue the trip by heading to the northern Thailand - a wooded, mountainous and beautiful area. This morning, you will explore the surroundings and the first road you will take is the one that leads to Mae Salong.

Climb up and down the green hills, covered with tea plantations. Here, you can enjoy a cup of tea in a traditional Chinese tea house overlooking the mountains and tea fields before continuing your way towards the Golden Triangle.

From Doi Mae Salong, we will visit two villages of ethnic minorities: the village Akah of Loyo, and the village Lisu of Ban Haygo.

Afterwards we will visit the Mae Fah Luang botanical garden. Last but not least, transfer to Golden Triangle where we take a boat trip on Mekong River to see Thailand, Burma & Laos triangle.

Overnight in Chiang Saen

Today you will be picked up at your hotel and transfer you to Thai – Lao border No. 4. From here you will several options for a Mekong slow boats to Laos for example Mekong Smile, Luang Say, Shompoo cruise …

Boarding the traditional boat for a cruise along the Mekong River towards Pakbeng. During the cruise, you will make stops and visits to villages of ethnic minorities living at the rhythm of the Mekong. Lunch on board the boat. Arrive in Pakbeng in the late afternoon, check in at the hotel.

Free time for a walk in the city

Overnight in Pakbeng.
 

Breakfast at the Lodge (optional: walk to the Pakbeng Market, where minorities come to sell their wares).

At 08:30, we will embark for a second day of cruising. Visit a village of Hmong before lunch buffet on the cruise. Then visit the Pak Ou caves, "cave of thousands of Buddha". Then stop at Ban Xang Hai village to observe the local rice liquor making. Arrival in Luang Prabang before sunset.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.

We then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthongwith its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We then visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas.

From there we stroll around to visit Wat Aham, which was once the residence of Sangkharat, the supreme head of Lao Buddhism.

In the afternoon, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper.

We then come back to town and continue our visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. 

We then take a short walk around the small roads of city center, watching the life of local people, and visiting the traditional house of Heuan Chan, the Chantal wooden house dating back to 100 years old.

Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. 

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Today, our guide will pick up you at hotel in Luang Prabang city and start our trip to Living Land Lao Organic Farm at Phoung Van village. Upon arrival, the farm owner will give us introduction in briefs about the tradition and activity of the farm.  You will have chacne to experience the real activities and life of a Lao farmer.

You will feel how hard to grow the rice when you try to do all the activities such us ploughing, seeding, manuring, until reaping the harvest. Morever, you will never regret to learn and realize many type of vegetable by visting the garden and our guide will kindly help and teach you well.  Learning all those things for the first time could be a real interesting experience.

After lunch, we will reach one of the most beautiful Kuang Si Falls situated 30 kilometers of Southern Luang Prabang

The Kuang Si Waterfall consists of a tiered many of turquoise pools put amongst the dense Laotian jungle where we will have plenty of time to refreshing swim in the pools and hike around the falls.

You’ll also visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park, one of the must-visit spots, a project that was newly opened on January 2014 studying about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation.

We stop at one of the local villages before getting to Wat Siphouthabath to admire the sunset then transfer to airport for your flight to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Today, we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh

Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.

The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.

Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.

We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.

In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum that is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition area with the most popular architectural styles of house’s ethnic people. The museum closes on every Monday.

To round off the day, the evening takes us to the old theatre for a 1-hour water puppet show, a unique Vietnam traditional art.  

19h00 Join the street food tour. Sample delicious Vietnamese cuisine just like the locals do - on the street Stroll through hidden alleyways and bustling markets of Hanoi’s charming old quarter Learn more about Hanoi’s unique food culture Try local specialties with influences from French and Chinese cuisine Take in a spectacular night view of Hoan Kiem lake from a secret cafe Fascinating cyclo tour to discover the 36 ancient Streets of Hanoi Old Quarter with its ancient buildings and temples, transparent lakes and old cultural features, and an unforgettable water puppetry show

Morning drive south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century.

The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. 

The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”.

Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued in the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples.

After that, transfer to Ninh Binh hotel to check-in and rest.

Upon arrival in Hanoi in early morning, we check-in the hotel for relaxing and have a breakfast there.

Approx. 08:00 We depart for Halong Bay. starts a 3-hour drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City
 Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.

Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site.

While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  Dinner served on board. 

Overnight on Junk

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast.

This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it.

At around midday we will return to the main harbor where our private vehicle waiting for you for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. The rest of day is on your own.

Today is at your leisure before checking out and transferring to Noi Bai airport for your flight home