Chiang Mai Holidays

13 nights guided adventure tour to Northern Laos and the Golden Triangle - full board

A superb introduction to the spectacular scenery and traditional culture of this truly fascinating, yet little known country.

From Thailand’s infamous Golden Triangle region, we'll travel by road and by boat through the unspoilt mountains and jungles of remote northern Laos to the ancient capital, now World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang. Explore the beautiful temples and colonial architecture of what is acknowledged to be the best preserved city in SE Asia before completing the tour in the present day capital of Vientiane.

Highlights

• Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai
• Golden Triangle tour
• Luang Nam Tha
• Jungle trekking
• Hill tribe villages
• Boat trip on the Ou River
• Temples and colonial architecture of World Heritage Luang Prabang
• Vientiane
• Thai and Lao food

Itinerary

• Day 1: Departure from London for Chiang Mai via Bangkok

• Day 2: Morning arrival in Bangkok and transfer be air to Chiang Mai, the cultural and historical capital of Northern Thailand. Afternoon free to relax or explore this charming, friendly city and an evening tour of the famous night-bazaar. (For those wishing to arrive a day or two early in Chiang Mai various options include spa treatments or a Thai cookery class?)

• Day 3:Leisurely morning to recover from your jet-lag by the pool or wander around one of the local markets before an afternoon drive through the mountains to neighbouring Chiang Rai Town, main commercial centre for the infamous ‘Golden Triangle’ region – so called because of it’s former notoriety for warlords and opium cultivation.

• Day 4:Day tour of some of the main sites of this far northern region: beginning at the bustling trading town of Mae Sai on the Burmese Border and on to Sob Ruak where Burma, Laos and Thailand meet, for a visit to the unusual Opium Museum, before following the Mekong River via the historic, ruined city of Chiang Saen to our day’s destination, the scenic riverside town of Chiang Khong.

• Day 5: Time to cross the Mekong into Laos itself where we’ll begin with a visit to a traditional village of the Lanten people led by our host, the local school teacher, before continuing upcountry with a scenic drive though mountains and dense jungle to the remote town of Luang Nam Tha near the Chinese border. Accommodation at a beautifully situated eco lodge on the banks of the Tha River.

• Day 6: Day trip into the surrounding Nam Ha National Protected Area to hike through some of the spectacular scenery and visit some of the local hill-tribe villages to discover the traditional way of life of the area’s ethnic Akha people.

• Day 7: Drive across the mountains of Oudom Xai Province to the picturesque village of Nong Khiaw on the banks of the Ou River. Stop-offs to visit a Hmong village and a hill-tribe market on the way and overnight in traditional Lao style wooden chalets set high on the banks overlooking the river.

• Day 8: Boat ride down the Ou River, winding through mountains, limestone escarpments and pristine forests to the ancient Lao capital of Luang Prabang.

• Days 9 and 10: Nestled in the mountains, long isolated from the outside world, we’ll discover World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang’s fabulous temples, taste Lao delicacies (and the famous Lao beer!) in riverside cafes and stay in a converted French colonial villa. (Day 9 is a walking tour of the town including the National Museum & former king’s palace, Wat Xiengthong and Phu Si Hill Temple, with day 10 at leisure to explore the handicraft markets, temples or try out the famous herbal saunas.)

• Day 11:Day trip through the surrounding hills to visit the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls and to discover the fascinating, traditional village life of some of the local peoples.

• Day 12:Morning flight to the Lao capital of Vientiane and afternoon tour of some of the city’s fascinating sites; markets, temples and museums.

• Day 13: Morning departure from Vientiane, via Bangkok, and evening arrival in London.

Fitness level: Easy to moderate - maximum hiking approx. 5-6 hours on day 6.

Accommodation: Hotel, eco-lodge, guesthouse.

Transport: Minibus, local bus, boat, pick-up truck, flight

Please note: Our emphasis, as usual, will be on small, family-run accommodation, traditional food and local transport to give you a real feeling for, and genuine insight into these, fascinating cultures and stunning landscapes.

Currency:US$ widely accepted

Language:Lao

Visa:Required - cost: US$50

Time difference:Approximately 7 hours

Price includes: Flights, all meals (except lunch and dinner on day 10), accommodation (based on 2 persons sharing), activities and transport.

Single supplement: No single supplement - single people are most welcome.

Ticketing information: You will be contacted by the tour operator after making your booking

1. Your confirmation email from us is notification that the tour operator has received your request and is processing it. The availability of this holiday is checked on a regular basis, however as the carrier is a scheduled airline we are regrettably unable to provide an instant confirmation.

2. The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa/Mastercard - 1%, Amex – 1%. *This applies between the working hours of 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday - if your booking is received outside these hours you will be notified as soon as possible.