Thailand & Laos Adventure (10 destinations)

Travel from Bangkok to Vientiane and experience the delights of northern Thailand and the laidback river lifestyle of Laos. Over 13 days, you’ll balance relaxation with exploration, taking in the bright lights of Bangkok in Thailand, the age-old charms of Luang Prabang in Laos and the temples of Vientiane. Travel down the mighty Mekong River and become immersed in the tranquillity of remote villages as you meet friendly faces along the way. Not to mention the delicious local food, the amazing natural landscapes, the UNESCO World Heritage sites and the handy local leader by your side. You'll get to see lots of major highlights and cover plenty of distance over the course of this trip, which means some long travel days. Laos is less developed than some of its neighbours so roads can be bumpy, delays common and accommodation simpler in some locations compared to Thailand or Vietnam., Pak Beng, where we pause to break up our Mekong journey, is a remote and quiet town with little tourist infrastructure – a contrast to the traveller hubs of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang., It can be surprisingly cool, especially at night from November to February. Make sure you have some warm gear packed for this period so you can be comfortable. Smoke haze can be common for Northern Thailand into Laos between March and April due to burning off season of crops. You may wish to take a quality mask with you if you’re particularly sensitive to smoke., Due to dam construction upstream, water levels on the Mekong aren't as reliable as in previous years. When the Mekong River is at its lowest from February to April, part of the journey may occasionally need to be made overland by bus instead of by boat., There is free time in several destinations to spend as you wish. Your leader can make suggestions, and some prior research to work out what you’re most interested in will help you make the most of your time.