Charms of Rustic Laos

Golden temples, river journeys and ancient ruins

Days 1 - 2  The Golden Triangle

On arrival at Chiang Rai, you will be met and transferred to your resort in the heart of Thailand’s picturesque Golden Triangle region. The following day, visit the amazing Hall of Opium museum which is dedicated to the history of opium.  Continue your exploration of the region this afternoon, with an elephant ride, a market visit or a guided walk to a local village.

Days 3 - 4  The Mekong River

This morning you will cross the border from Thailand into Laos. Afterwards, board your traditional style wooden boat for the beautiful cruise downriver. Spend the night at a remote and simple lodge, soaking up the wonderful atmosphere before continuing on your river journey the following day. Stopping at villages which cannot be reached by road and at the amazing temple caves at Pak Ou, you will reach Luang Prabang just before sunset tonight.

Days 5 - 6  Luang Prabang

Discover the unhurried delights of Luang Prabang. Whether you prefer time at leisure, or require an expert guide, be sure not to miss the exquisite Wat Xieng Thong with its gold leaf friezes and mosaic decorations. Sunset from the top of Mount Phu Si also affords some stunning views over the town itself and the nearby Kuang Si waterfalls are worth a visit.

Days 7 - 8  Vientiane

Fly to the tranquil capital Vientiane where you will explore highlights such as the temple of Wat Si Saket and the Patuxai monument. Don’t miss a Beer Lao overlooking the Mekong at sunset, before dining in one of Vientiane’s great restaurants.

Days 9 - 10  Wat Phou Rice Barge

Fly to Pakse and transfer directly to the Wat Phou Rice Barge. Cruising along this particularly beautiful stretch of the Mekong, you will visit the thousand year old ruins of Wat Phou itself and see breathtaking views over the two symmetrical palace structures on the flat plain below. During the cruise, you will also visit the wonderful Four Thousand Islands region, where you will find stunning waterfalls, rare Irrawaddy dolphins and a ‘time stood still’ atmosphere.

Day 11  Pakse

On the third and final day of the cruise, you will return to Pakse and spend a night here. Accommodation is relatively basic in this small town and you may wish to spend part of the day exploring the nearby picturesque Bolaven Plateau, with its tumbling waterfalls, beautiful bio-diversity areas and famous coffee plantations.

Day 12  Bangkok

Today you will cross the border into Thailand and on to Ubon from where there are regular flights to Bangkok. You may wish to finish your trip with some shopping in Bangkok or a stay at one of Thailand’s luxurious beach resorts. Alternatively, there are flights from Pakse to Siem Reap, if you wish to culminate this trip with a visit to the awe inspiring Angkor temple complex in Cambodia.