What are the highlights in this 14 day adventure:
- Klong riverboat tour
- Kuang Si Waterfalls excursion
Itinerary:
Day 1: Bangkok. Arrive at any time.
Accommodation: Prince Palace Hotel Bangkok (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Meet your CEO and group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
The welcome moment begins at 18:00. Please ensure you arrive at the joining hotel by then to ensure you do not miss the meeting.
Day 2: Bangkok/Chiang Mai. Guided longboat tour of Bangkok's klongs and Wat Po. Optional Grand Palace and National Museum visits.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Basic Overnight Train (beds) - Overnight Train
Today's activities:
- Klong Riverboat Tour: Travel by longtail boat on the busy Chao Phraya River and through the small canals of western Bangkok's Thonburi district. Observe colourful scenes of everyday life along the river banks.
- Wat Po Guided Tour: Immerse yourself in Thai Buddhist culture and visit the famous giant 46m (151ft) reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf. Relax with a traditional Thai massage at the country's leading school of massage at Wat Po.
- Free Time: Use some free time in Bangkok to make the most out of this city.
- Basic Overnight Train (beds): Bangkok - Chiang Mai, 12 hours. Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, and a long public holiday, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.
Day 3: Chiang Mai. Enjoy a guided tour of Doi Suthep temple. Optional activities include a cooking class or visit to the night market.
Accommodation: Duangtawan Hotel Chiang Mai (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Free Time: With so much to do in Chiang Mai, make the most of your free time here.
- Private Vehicle: Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep, 45 minutes. Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour: Climb the 300-step naga (mystical serpent) staircase to one of northern Thailand's most sacred temples, or opt to take a cable car and enjoy the view. Learn all about Doi Suthep's history from a local guide - built on top of a mountain, the temple sits among pagodas, statues, bells and shrines.
- Private Vehicle: Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai, 45 minutes. Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 4: Chiang Mai/Chiang Khong. Head to Chiang Khong via Wat Rong Khun and enjoy the view of the mighty Mekong.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Nam Khong Guesthouse (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Private Vehicle: Chiang Mai - Chiang Khong, 5 hours. Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) Visit: Visit Wat Rong Khun (better known among foreigners as the White Temple), an unconventional Buddhist temple designed by prominent Thai painter-turned-architect Chalermchai Kositpipat. Be wowed by the temple's contemporary exterior made up of a mosaic of mirrors. View the interior walls that have a pop culture and sci-fi influence. Find murals of Batman, Superman, Predator, and the Matrix.
Day 5: Chiang Khong/Muang Pakbèng. Cross the border into Laos then travel by traditional boat down the Mekong River. Experience a local homestay in a nearby village. Here, enjoy traditional Laotian food while getting to know your host family. Your CEO will provide insight into the way of life of village residents.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Ban Huay Thum Homestay (or similar) - Homestay
Today's activities:
- Border Crossing (Thailand - Laos): Chiang Khong - Ban Houayxay. Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
- Mekong River Slow Boat: Enjoy the ride down the Mekong on our private boat (it's pretty comfortable and spacious, and there's a toilet on board). Have some fruit, tea, and coffee (free of charge); water and soft drinks are available for purchase. Bring some warm gear - it can be quite cold from November to February.
- Mekong River Homestay & Traditional Performance: The Planeterra Foundation have worked with a community in the Mekong River to help develop their homestay programs, providing a unique cultural experience for travellers and the local community. Here you have the chance to stay overnight in a Mekong village to get a glimpse into rural daily life. Enjoy dinner with your hosts. Experience a traditional Khamu Cultural Performance, and enjoy the chance to dance with the locals.
Day 6: Muang Pakbèng/Luang Prabang. Continue down the Mekong for most of the day. Take a guided tour of the Pak Ou caves before arriving in Luang Prabang.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Villa Malida (or similar) - Guesthouse
Today's activities:
- Mekong River Slow Boat: Enjoy the ride down the Mekong on our private boat (it's pretty comfortable and spacious, and there's a toilet on board). Have some fruit, tea, and coffee (free of charge); water and soft drinks are available for purchase. Bring some warm gear - it can be quite cold from November to February.
- Pak Ou Caves Visit: Visit these dramatic caves considered an important spiritual site by many Lao people. See thousands of Buddha statues and images that line the limestone walls.
Day 7: Luang Prabang. Enjoy a guided tour of the Ethnology Museum and Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre before heading to the new Planeterra project Ban Ou community. Relax in the afternoon at the Kuang Si waterfalls.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Villa Malida (or similar) - Guesthouse
Today's activities:
- Ethnology Museum Guided Tour: Take a guided tour of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) to learn about the traditional arts and cultures of Laos's many diverse ethnic groups. Shop in the TAEC Boutique for authentic village-made handicrafts and relax with a drink at the museum café.
- Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre Visit: Visit Ock Pop Tok "East Meets West" Living Crafts Centre on the banks of the Mekong River to learn from artisans about Laos handicrafts and the importance of woven textiles in Laos culture. Wander around the grounds for free, for opt to enjoy a drink in the cafe, join a workshop, or take an audio tour.
- Meal with Local Baan Ou Community: Enjoy a delicious meal with the local Baan Ou Community. Learn about Laotian cuisine and life in Luang Prabang. Start the visit with a welcome drink and a brief introduction to the village before a Baci Welcome ceremony. Then walk through the village and visit the noodle house and weaving house. Sit down for a lunch prepared by a group of women in the community.
- Kuang Si Waterfalls Excursion: Journey to this magnificent tiered waterfall, where relaxing is highly recommended. Opt for a dip in the turquoise waters and explore multiple picture-perfect pools, framed by the jungle landscape.
Day 8: Luang Prabang. Enjoy a free day exploring all Luang Prabang has to offer. Options include cooking classes, temple visits, massages, night market shopping, and cycling.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Villa Malida (or similar) - Guesthouse
Today's activities:
- Free Time: There's a wealth of activities going on in and around Luang Prabang. Pick and choose what sounds best.
Day 9: Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng. Take a high speed train to Vang Vieng this morning. Enjoy the afternoon free to rest or explore!
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: PM Hotel Vang Vieng (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Bullet Train: Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng. Get to your next destination faster than the speed of light (ok maybe not that fast) aboard a high-speed train.
- Free Time: Spend the afternoon free in Vang Vieng.
Day 10: Vang Vieng. Enjoy free time in Vang Vieng, an ideal location for exploring the countryside by bicycle or kayak.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: PM Hotel Vang Vieng (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Free Time: With many options for Vang Vieng, choose what suits you best.
Day 11: Vang Vieng/Vientiane. Explore the capital of Laos. Opt to visit temples, see the National Museum, or explore highlights of the town.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today's activities:
- Private Vehicle: Vang Vieng - Vientiane, 3 hours. Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
- Free Time: Opt to visit the sights, get a massage or indulge in one last day of Laotian cuisine in Laos' capital city.
Day 12: Vientiane/Hanoi. Fly from Vientiane to Hanoi.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Chalcedony Hotel (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Free Time: Enjoy a free morning in the capital before you take flight.
- Plane: Wattay International Airport - Noi Bai International Airport, 2 hours. After the short flight to Hanoi, a private vehicle will transfer the group 45 mins to the hotel in the city centre.
- Old Quarter Orientation Walk: Take an orientation walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter, a maze of streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Each street is named after the trade practiced on that street for several generations; it's an interesting glimpse into the life of a Hanoian in one of the oldest parts of town. Need a rest? Stop at Bia Hoi corner and pull up a plastic stool. Drink the local brew with the locals and make new friends.
Day 13: Hanoi. Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, stilt house, and Presidential Palace. Enjoy an included water puppet show. Opt to visit the Temple of Literature, museums, and Hoa Lo Prison.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Chalcedony Hotel (or similar) - Hotel
Today's activities:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum Visit: Take a guided tour of the mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body is housed in a glass case. Continue to the Presidential Palace and visit the museum to learn about Ho Chi Minh's life and political history. Opt to visit the palace gardens.
- Free Time: Choose what interests you most with some free time in Hanoi.
- Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance: Watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with beautiful live music and intricate puppets dancing in a water stage.
Day 14: Hanoi. Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Next Steps
Ready to go? Simply request a spot via your MyIVHQ profile, and our team will reach out with availability and seasonal pricing details.
This tour can be completed before your volunteering experience in Laos, we'll help with recommendations to bridge any gaps between your volunteer program and the tour. These arrangements are your responsibility and we can provide you with personalized transit and accommodation advice to make your travel straightforward.
Best of all, you’ll be in great hands with our trusted partners who have led sustainable, community-first travel for 30 years. Your adventure makes a real, positive difference every step of the way.
Please note that exact activities and timing can vary depending on the season and availability. Don't worry, your tour provider will share your final, confirmed itinerary once your dates are set!
Let’s get your journey started!
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