Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Laos - Thailand - Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Pak Beng - Chiang Saen - Bangkok - Koh Samet
100% customisable for you
Bags packed and passports at the ready: your journey across Thailand and Laos begins today. Head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy a pre-flight tipple in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Bangkok, which takes around 11 and a half hours.
When you arrive in Bangkok early the next morning, there’ll be time to stretch your legs and grab a quick breakfast before boarding the speedy two-hour flight to Luang Prabang, one of Laos’s ancient capitals. Touch down, meet your private driver and set off on the speedy transfer to your hotel, your home for the next three nights.
It’ll be afternoon by the time you arrive, so check in, freshen up and spend the afternoon however you like, whether you’d rather stroll through the gardens or simply lounge poolside. Come evening, enjoy your first taste of Laotian fare before heading up to bed, ready for the real adventure to begin tomorrow.
We’ve left today free for you to explore Luang Prabang at your own pace. Shaped by the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, the city is best explored on foot, so fuel up with a hearty breakfast before setting off.
Luang Prabang is bursting with Buddhist temples, so embrace your spiritual side at Wat Visoun, Wat Aham or Wat Xieng Thong. Whatever you do, be sure to stop at Wat Chom Si, which sits atop the towering Mount Phou Si and boasts an impressive golden stupa.
Fancy a spot of history instead? Stroll along the city streets, pausing to admire the colonial architecture, before heading to t he Royal Palace and Museum, built in the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong. Prefer nature to culture? Swap landmarks for landscapes at the Pak Ou Caves, set just outside the city.
This morning, get your hands dirty on a visit to a local organic farm, where you’ll learn all about the region’s most prized crop: rice.
The tour begins with an interactive introduction to rice cultivation, from germinating seeds to ploughing a field with a bumbling water buffalo (yes, really). Finally, visit a more mature paddy to harvest the seedlings and extract the tiny grains before enjoying a tasty picnic lunch in the lush fields.
On the way back, stop at the famous Kuang Si Falls, set just south of Luang Prabang. Surrounded by verdant forest, these sparkling falls cascade into a series of natural pools – the perfect place for a mid-afternoon dip.
Back in the city, contact our clued-up Concierge for some stellar restaurant recommendations to toast your final night in Luang Prabang.
It’s time to leave the city behind for the next leg of your adventure: a journey along the Nam Ou River, a tributary of the mighty Mekong. Although you had your introduction to this iconic river in Luang Prabang, it actually flows through a whopping six countries: China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and, of course, Laos.
This morning, grab your bags and board a boat heading north to the pretty village of Nong Khiaw. Along the way, stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sacred caverns home to hundreds of Buddha statues, as well as two other nearby caves. Be sure to snap a few shots over the water – this is where Nam Ou begins to merge with the Mekong itself.
When you reach Nong Khiaw in the mid-afternoon, disembark and check in for two nights in a traditional bungalow overlooking the river. Spend the rest of the afternoon unwinding before heading down for a tasty dinner, made with fresh, local ingredients.
Enjoy a riverside breakfast this morning before hopping aboard a motorised canoe to continue your boating adventure.
Today, you’re heading for Muang Ngoi, an idyllic village home to friendly locals, bamboo houses and towering limestone peaks. Once you’ve disembarked onto the river’s sloping shores, set off on a hike through Muang Ngoi’s breathtaking landscapes.
You might work up a sweat, but don’t worry: halfway through, you’ll have the opportunity to cool off in the Tam Khang Cave, which once served as a local war shelter and is now home to a crystal-clear spring. Next, wander through lush rice fields to Ban Na, a charming traditional village, then continue back to Muang Ngoi, stopping at the Pha Noy viewpoint for breathtaking mountain views.
Suitably shattered, you’ll be whisked back to Nong Khiaw by canoe for a lazy dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Another day, another peaceful cruise along the river. This morning, check out of your hotel and bundle your bags onto a private boat for the journey to Pak Beng, a small village in the Oudomxay province. As you drift along Nam Ou (and, later, the Mekong), keep your eyes peeled and cameras poised for mountain peaks, lush forest and local fishermen gathering on the banks.
When you arrive in Pak Beng, settle in for a night amid lush rice paddies and dense jungle. Come evening, relax with a fresh fruit juice (or cocktail – we won’t judge) in hand, soaking up views over the Mekong’s gentle waters.
After one last breakfast overlooking the river, it’s time for your final journey along its waters. This morning, board a traditional boat and set off on the seven-hour journey along the Mekong to Houayxay, a small village on the Thai border. It might sound a long way, but don’t worry: en route, you’ll have the chance to stop in a local village before enjoying a tasty lunch on board.
When you arrive in the late afternoon, you’ll be met and privately transferred to the Thai border, before being assisted with immigration and given a bus ticket. After the short bus ride across the border, it’s another two-hour private transfer to Chiang Saen.
Once at your hotel, check in, drop your bags and head down to the restaurant for a refuelling dinner – you deserve it after a jam-packed day of travelling. Your first full day in Thailand awaits tomorrow…
Rise bright and early this morning for a visit to a local Buddhist temple. Here, you’ll have the chance to witness and take part in the Tak Bat, a sacred religious practice rooted in deep generosity, during which locals present food offerings to Buddhist monks in exchange for their spiritual blessings.
After a tasty breakfast back at your hotel, delve even further into northern Thai culture with a Lanna massage.?This traditional massage helps to promote rejuvenation and relieve muscle tension and stiffness in the feet, legs and lower back.
Spiritually nourished and physically relaxed, it’s time to swap the peace of Chiang Saen for the hustle and bustle of the capital. Grab your bags and meet your driver for the one-hour private transfer to Chiang Rai, where you’ll board the one-and-a-half-hour flight to Bangkok.
When you arrive, it’s another private transfer (lucky you) to your centrally located hotel, your home for the next three nights. Check in, freshen up and head straight out for dinner – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend the best restaurants in town.
This morning, escape the buzzing streets of central Bangkok with a cruise along the canals of Thonburi, a district often referred to as ‘the Venice of the East’. As you drift down narrow canals and waterways, look out for wooden houses on stilts, hidden temples and floating markets filling the air with mouthwatering aromas.
Later, dock and disembark the boat with an expert guide for a tour of Wat Arun, a majestic temple inspired by Khmer architectural styles, before stopping at Baan Silapin (or The Artist’s House), an old wooden house chock-full of local artwork, photography and souvenirs.
We’ve left today free for you to explore at your own pace. Feeling spiritual after your visit to Wat Arun yesterday? Don't miss the iconic Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, or Wat Phra Keaw, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After visiting Wat Phra Kaew, be sure to stop at the Grand Palace, the official home of the Thai royal family since 1782.
Fancy a spot of shopping instead? Visit Siam Square, where a plethora of modern malls connected by the iconic Skywalk bridge offer a mix of luxury boutiques and small stalls. If that’s not quite enough for you, head to the Khlong San district to Icon Siam, an eight-storey mall complete with numerous restaurants, hundreds of shops and even a traditional floating market.
in the afternoon, grab a souvenir at Bangkok’s Amulet Market, where rows and rows of spiritual amulets promise to protect you against evil. Suitably shopped out, it’s time to indulge in some of the city’s finest street food – som tam (papaya salad), anyone?
The final leg of your adventure begins today. This morning, meet your private driver for the short transfer to the port, where you’ll board a speedboat bound for Koh Samet. After the 15-minute boat ride, it’s just one more transfer to your beachfront hotel, your home for the next three nights.
When you arrive, drop your bags and spend the rest of the afternoon as you please. If you’re raring to go, don a mask and snorkel and dive straight into the sea; if you’d prefer a gentler introduction to island life, simply lounge poolside with a good book in hand.
Later, as the sun sets, sip a sundowner at the bar before enjoying fresh seafood and grilled meats overlooking the sparkling sea.
In Koh Samet, it’s all about the beach. Nestled within the (deep breath) Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, Koh Samet boasts crystal-clear waters and postcard-perfect shores, so spend the next two days making the most of this island paradise.
Feeling active? Try your hand at water sports, from paddleboarding to kayaking, or learn?to play takraw,?a local game of volleyball played with your feet and a rattan ball. If you’re after some good old-fashioned R&R, simply head to Hat Sai Kaeo to pick between sun-soaked sand or palm-shaded spots, or visit Ao Hin Hok for a paddle in the bath-warm water.
Come evening, enjoy romantic sunsets at Ao Prao beach (preferably with a beachfront beverage) before tucking into local fare with your feet in the sand. Pure bliss.
It’s sadly time to drag yourself away from the beach. After one last dose of fresh fruit and ocean views, hop back on the speedboat for the 15-minute crossing to Bangkok, where you’ll be privately transferred to the airport.
Flights to the UK take around 12 and a half hours and, thanks to the time difference, you’ll touch down this evening, armed with a golden tan and a camera roll full of memories.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
