Tour Grand Tour of Thailand and Timeless Laos - 14d - 2027

BANGKOK 27ºC - 28ºC

Arrival in BANGKOK, customs procedures, and transfer to the hotel. Free time to explore Thailand’s capital, a vibrant city that blends ancient temples with modern skyscrapers.

BANGKOK 27ºC - 28ºC

We will take an extensive tour of the city of BANGKOK. We will visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha (entrance included), the Golden Mount (entrance included), from whose summit we will enjoy panoramic views of Bangkok, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (entrance included), home to one of the largest reclining Buddhas in the world.

We will end our tour at the Grand Royal Palace (entrance included), the former residence of the Kings of THAILAND. Inside the palace, we will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most important in all of Thailand. Afterwards, we will cross the Chao Phraya River by ferry to the IconSiam Shopping Mall. Free time. Return to the hotel on your own.

Note: To visit the Grand Palace, visitors must wear long pants or a long skirt, and a long-sleeved shirt or one with sleeves at least to the elbow.

BANGKOK 27ºC - 28ºC - WAT THAM SUEA TEMPLES - KANCHANABURI 26ºC - 26ºC

Departure toward the west of the country. We will stop to visit the Wat Tham Suea Temples, located at the top of a hill. We will ride up on a cogwheel train, and from the summit we’ll enjoy beautiful panoramic views.

We then continue to the War Cemetery and the JEATH War Museum (entrance fees included), an emotional tribute to the prisoners of war who died during the construction of the Death Railway.

Afterward, we will take a boat ride along the River Kwai, which will bring us to the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai, an important historical landmark. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

We continue on to Hellfire Pass (entrance included), a deep rock cutting that reveals the harsh conditions endured by prisoners during the railway’s construction.

Arrival in KANCHANABURI and check-in at the hotel.

KANCHANABURI 26ºC - 26ºC - AYUTHAYA 29ºC - 29ºC - PHITSANULOK 29ºC - 29ºC

Departure to the majestic historic city of AYUTTHAYA (admission included), the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam. There, we visit two of its most iconic temples: the impressive Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and the enigmatic Wat Mahathat, famous for the Buddha head entwined in the roots of a sacred tree. We then continue traveling north. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Arrival in PHITSANULOK in the late afternoon.

PHITSANULOK 29ºC - 29ºC - SUKHOTAI 28ºC - 28ºC - LAMPANG 25ºC - 25ºC - CHIANG MAI 24ºC - 26ºC

Early in the morning, for those who wish to participate, we will leave the hotel to make an offering to the monks and experience up close one of the most important rituals of Buddhist culture. Afterwards, we will depart for SUKHOTHAI to visit the Archaeological Site (entrance included), known for its incredible beauty and sophisticated temples. We will also visit Wat Si Chum Temple (entrance included), home to a massive Buddha statue. Lunch included en route at a local restaurant.
We continue toward LAMPANG, where we will visit one of the most revered wooden temples in the country (entrance included). Finally, we arrive in vibrant CHIANG MAI, where we will take a brief panoramic city tour to see the main highlights before heading to the hotel. Overnight stay.

CHIANG MAI 24ºC - 26ºC

We begin the day by visiting two unique mountain temples in CHIANG MAI: Wat Pha Lat (entrance included), hidden in the jungle, and the legendary Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (entrance included), one of the most sacred temples in northern THAILAND. Afterwards, we head north to visit Elephant Eco Valley (entrance included) and learn more about the lives of elephants. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Later, we will have the opportunity to visit a Karen ethnic community—an experience designed to promote respect, intercultural understanding, and support for local development. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

CHIANG MAI 24ºC - 26ºC - GOLDEN TRIANGLE 22ºC - 24ºC - CHIANG RAI 25ºC - 26ºC

Visit to the Tweechol Botanical Garden (entrance included), a large and well-maintained botanical garden featuring a rich variety of tropical plants and an orchid garden. A vehicle tour inside the park is included. We continue to the MAE KACHAN Hot Springs. Afterwards, we stop at the iconic White Temple (entrance included), decorated with mirrors and blending Buddhist symbolism with modern creativity. Lunch included at a local restaurant.
We then head toward the Mekong River, where the “Golden Triangle” is located—the border between THAILAND, MYANMAR, and LAOS. We will learn about the culture and history of the area at the Opium Museum (entrance included). Arrival in CHIANG RAI in the late afternoon.

CHIANG RAI 25ºC - 26ºC - HOUAYXAY 24ºC - 24ºC - PAK BENG

Early departure toward CHIANG KHONG (Thailand border control). A shuttle bus (included) will take us to HOUAYXAY (Laos border control). We then continue to the pier to begin a seven-hour journey on a traditional boat. Along the way, rural life unfolds on both banks, with hidden villages, lush jungles, and landscapes that seem frozen in time. Lunch included on board. Arrival in PAKBENG in the early afternoon. Accommodation and dinner included.

Note: Please make sure you have the required documents at hand for entering Laos: passport, visa, and a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (required by authorities depending on your country of origin).

Note: LAOS has less-developed infrastructure compared to its neighboring countries. The pier for boarding and disembarking on the Mekong is very simple. The boat used on the Mekong River is not luxurious; it is a very traditional vessel with basic services.

PAK BENG - LUANG PRABANG 23ºC - 23ºC

We cross to the other side of the Mekong River by boat to visit an Elephant Sanctuary (admission included), where rescued elephants—formerly used in hard labor—are now cared for and allowed to live with greater dignity in a natural environment. We will take a gentle walk through the forest alongside them and watch them bathe in the Mekong. Lunch included in the park. Then we continue by road toward LUANG PRABANG. Arrival in the late afternoon.

LUANG PRABANG 23ºC - 23ºC

City tour of the former royal capital. We will begin with the Royal Palace, now the National Museum (admission included). We continue to Wat Mai Temple (admission included), known for its five-tiered roof, and then to the Temple of the Golden City (admission included), the most important Buddhist monument in LAOS, featuring roofs that slope almost to the ground and dazzling mosaics. From there, we head to the pier for a boat ride along the Mekong River, observing local life. Lunch included on board. The journey concludes with a visit to the Pak Ou Caves, a sacred sanctuary that houses thousands of Buddha statues hidden within the rock. Return by road and stop at the village of BAN XANG KHONG, well known for its cotton and silk weaving. Accommodation

LUANG PRABANG 23ºC - 23ºC

Early departure to attend the Tak Bat ceremony, where saffron-robed monks walk barefoot and in silence to receive food offerings. Traveling through lush green fields, we arrive at Living Land Farm, where we will discover the entire rice-farming process from start to finish.

Nearby, at Laos Buffalo Dairy, we will have the chance to interact with the animals and sample handcrafted cheeses. Nature then takes center stage with a visit to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, where turquoise waters cascade over terraced pools surrounded by dense jungle.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Return to LUANG PRABANG.

At the end of the day, transfer to a local home to take part in the traditional Baci ceremony, where you will have the privilege of experiencing this sacred ritual. Dinner is included. Return to the hotel.

LUANG PRABANG 23ºC - 23ºC - VANG VIENG 22ºC - 22ºC

Transfer to LUANG PRABANG train station to board the train (included) to VANG VIENG, a town surrounded by impressive karst formations and rice fields. Arrival and lunch included at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we transfer to PHOXAY to begin an approximately 1.5-hour hike. The walk starts in the small Hmong village of BAN PHATHAO. Along the way, we cross lush green rice paddies until reaching the Elephant Cave Temple (entrance included). Return by road to Vang Vieng. Arrival at the hotel and free time.

Note: During the rainy season, the walking portion will be replaced by a vehicle transfer from Ban Phathao village to the Elephant Cave.

Transfer to a viewpoint to enjoy the sunset from an elevated terrace. One drink is included while you take in the sunset. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

VANG VIENG 22ºC - 22ºC - VIENTIANE 28ºC - 28ºC

Departure to visit the Angel Cave (entrance included), home to impressive caverns, stalactites, and stalagmites. We then continue to VIENTIANE for a city tour.

Our visit begins at That Luang Temple (entrance included), often visited by local pilgrims. We then pass by the Patuxay Monument, one of the city’s main landmarks. Lunch is included at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we continue to Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo (entrances included), home to an impressive collection of Lao and Khmer religious art. We conclude the day with a visit to COPE (entrance included), where we learn about the tragic legacy of LAOS as one of the most heavily bombed countries in the world during the Vietnam War.

Transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

VIENTIANE 28ºC - 28ºC

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.