Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart Dublin
Depart Dublin for Bangkok with 1 stop en route. Overnight on the flight.
Day 2 – Arrive in Bangkok
Morning arrival at Bangkok airport where you will be welcomed at by your guide & transferred to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 3 – Bangkok
After breakfast you will depart for full day sightseeing in vibrant Bangkok, a city of mind-boggling history and spirituality with ancient Thai temples that rise magnificently from the riverbanks & colourful palaces that glisten spectacularly in the sunlight. First visit the home of the Kings of Siam of the Chakri Dynasty. Adjoining the Grand Palace you will find the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keo), this is probably the best known of the royal temples & the most important temple in all of Thailand. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Also enjoy a performance of classical and folk dances - some of them dating back hundreds of years to the early days of Siam. This spectacular performance more than compensates for the small inconvenience of removing your shoes and sitting on the floor in true Thai style! Dinner at your own expense & overnight at your hotel.
Day 4 – Chiang Mai
After breakfast depart for the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai, an ancient walled city of leafy green trees, winding alleyways, gentle inhabitants and spectacular cuisine. You will be met by your guide & transferred to your hotel for check-in. After lunch at the hotel restaurant discover Wat Phra Singh within the ancient walls and encircling moat of Chiang Mai. This expansive temple compound houses several spectacular structures with high roofs that sparkle with gold as well as a towering stupor. Afterwards ascend Doi Suthep Mountain to one of Chiang Mai’s most spiritually significant sites, Doi Suthep Temple. Enjoy fabulous views & uncover the fascinating site. In the evening experience a Khantoke Dinner with a presentation of classical, folk and hill tribe dances, songs and ceremonies. After removing your shoes, you will be seated, comfortably, on the floor with Thai-style cushions & enjoy a dinner of northern-Thai food, served in Lanna Kingdom court style. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 5 – Elephant Nature Park
After breakfast depart for the Elephant Nature Park. Set in a natural valley, bordered by a river and surrounded by mountains the park provides a sanctuary for dozens of rescued elephants & other animals from all over Thailand. Relax at the park and hear personal stories of rescued and orphaned elephants & see how they became a proud herd. Enjoy buffet lunch at the park and return to Chiang Mai. Free time in the evening & dinner at your own expense. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 6 – Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle
Breakfast at your hotel. Depart Chiang Mai for Chiang Rai (transfer approx. 3.5 hours). Along the way you will stop at a stunning orchid farm, offering a variety of different species. On arrival at Chiang Rai town enjoy a visit to Wat Rong Khun, a contemporary unconventional Buddhist and Hindu temple designed by renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Depart Chiang Rai for the Golden Triangle. Visit Hall of Opium Museum before checking in at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 7 – River cruise to Pakbeng
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Laos border passing through Chiang Khong Border gate by the bridge. You will be met by your Lao guide and will embark on a traditional boat to cruise for seven hours to Pakbeng. Enjoy the splendid landscape and discover the banks of the Mekong, the mythical river which crosses China and also separates Laos from Burma and Thailand. Stop in a village bordering the river, enjoy lunch on board, and arrive at Pakbeng in the evening. Pakbeng is a meeting point for local hill tribes including H'Mong, Lue and Khamou. After checking in to your lodge discover the area on foot. Dinner & overnight at the lodge.
Day 8 – Cruise to Luang Prabang
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will cruise along the Mekong River for about seven hours through beautiful landscapes towards Luang Prabang. Located at the bottom of a steep sided valley tropical forests invade the river banks but from time to time a village will appear. Lunch is served on board and you will also stop to visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which shelter hundreds of statuettes of Buddha. The caves also offer a splendid view of the Mekong. Upon your arrival in the UNESCO Heritage Town of Luang Prabang, your guide will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. In the evening you are invited to attend a Baci (Soukhouan) ceremony, one of the most popular traditions in Laos, which comes with any important life event: weddings, funerals, births, illnesses, trips, etc. This ceremony usually takes place amongst a handful of people, with one or two recipients, the officiate and a few assistants. But for larger occasions, such as weddings, they can gather dozens of people. During the ceremony you attend, the officiating person recalls your souls (according to Lao belief, each human being has 32 souls) to attract beneficial influences towards you, and will then tie a cotton string around your wrist symbolising the wishes he will formulate in your favour. It will then be the assistants’ turn, your travelling companions, to also tie a cotton string around your wrist. This solemn moment will help you to understand the local beliefs. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 – Luang Prabang
After breakfast, visit Luang Prabang. The crown jewel of Laos, Luang Prabang, is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in South East Asia. Magical and charming, it has preserved its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture with its splendid natural scenery and sense of timelessness. Enjoy a visit to the Royal Palace, which is today the National Museum. Continue to the important Wat Mai from 1796 which emphasises the graceful Luang Prabang architecture. On your return journey stop at Khuang Sy Waterfall. Enjoy a countryside lunch at the waterfall & swim in the waterfall which scatters into many basins (if weather permits). Along the road you will see the traditional rice fields and stop in some of the quaint villages. Dinner at your own expense. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 – Luang Prabang
After breakfast visit the glamorous Wat Xieng Thong on the end of the peninsula to learn about the Lao’s interesting history. Stop at Vat Visoun - the oldest temple in the city with its wooden windows inspired by the Khmer Temple of Vat Phou. Also see the Vat Aham, which is one of the city’s major shrines, dedicated to the spirit Deveta Luang. Following lunch in a local restaurant visit the private Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre featuring ethnic clothing, household objects, religious artifacts and tools. This is a great chance to enhance your understanding of the lifestyles and traditions of Laos’ ethnic diversity. Free time in the evening and dinner at your own expense. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 11 – Luang Prabang
In the early morning around 5am, you will be taken by your guide to Vat Nong temple to witness the Tak Bat ceremony, the procession of monks. During the ceremony devoted locals stand on the sidewalk bearing food in their arms which they offer to the monks as they walk by in a procession of orange robes. No words exchanged between the monks and the locals making the offerings. You will experience the peaceful and respectful ambiance of the rituals. As a guest you are recommended not to wear revealing clothing and you should take photos from a distance to show your respect. Continue to a vibrant local market. Each stall offers different kinds of food ranging from fruits and vegetables to meats, herbs and fragrant spices. The sights, sounds and smells are sure to awaken all your senses! While walking through, you’ll have a chance to taste and savour some local snacks. Continue to a local restaurant for breakfast followed by a relaxing coffee by the Mekong. Afternoon at leisure & lunch at your own expense.
At around 4.30pm you will be transferred to the Mekong River for a sunset cocktail. On the beach of the Mekong river bank you will enjoy tasty Lao food in a peaceful atmosphere with wonderful scenery. Return to the town for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 12 – Depart
Breakfast at your hotel. Free time until taking your transfer to the airport for your return flight. Room is at your disposal until noon. Fly to Bangkok and onward to Dublin with 1 stop en route.
Day 13 – Arrive Home
Arrive back in Dublin.
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