This itinerary brings you unique opportunities to learn about traditional village life by trekking through northern Thailand to explore peaceful towns among rice fields and settlements in rugged forests.
Some of your accommodations are booked in local homestays, where you can prepare meals with hosts and get a true glimpse into daily life.
Itinerary
Day 1. Vientiane
Arrive at any time.
Day 2. Vientiane/Vang Vieng
Enjoy the beautiful limestone karsts surrounding Vang Vieng. Free time to hike, bike, swim or go caving.
Day 3. Vang Vieng
Free time to explore Vang Vieng. Opt to explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk. In the evening, soak in the natural beauty of the countryside as the sun sets over the river.
Day 4. Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang
This morning travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Get your bearings with a CEO-led orientation walk. This evening enjoy learning about local delicacies at the night market on Walking Street.
Day 5. Luang Prabang
Witness the giving of alms to the Buddhist monks and visit the night market. Opt to take a cooking class, visit temples or cool off at Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Day 6. Luang Prabang/Pak Beng
Cruise the Mekong on a long houseboat before arriving at a village homestay for the night.
Day 7. Pak Beng/Chiang Khong
Mekong River travel day. Cross into Thailand.
Day 8. Chiang Khong/Chiang Mai
Drive to Chiang Mai. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, catch a Thai boxing match or grab a bargain at the famous night market.
Day 9. Chiang Mai
Enjoy free time to explore. Opt to do a cycling tour, catch a Thai boxing match, or visit Doi Suthep temple.
Day 10. Chiang Mai/Ban Mae Jok
Trek through rugged forests and experience the wonderful diversity of this region: each village has its own language, belief system, style of dress, and traditions. Drive from Chiang Mai to Mae Malai village, where the trek will begin. After a few hours of hiking, reach the first village.
Day 11. Ban Mae Jok/Pa Khao Lam
Trek 2-3 hrs and, after lunch, head to a Karen village to see how to make traditional baskets and scarves. Continue trekking another few hours to the next village for the night.
Day 12. Pa Khao Lam/Chiang Mai
After breakfast, leave the village by bamboo raft, stopping at other villages along the way. Meet the van after lunch and head back to Chiang Mai for some free time to explore.
Day 13. Chiang Mai/Bangkok
Opt to go shopping, enjoy a Thai massage, or explore Chiang Mai's many temples. Board an overnight train to Bangkok.
Day 14. Bangkok
The trip ends on arrival at the Bangkok train station.
Price
£703
