Hill Tribes and River Rides - Overland Trip

2 weeks: Bangkok to Vientiane (KU-AST5)

This Grand Indo-China trip offers a wonderful chance to explore two of South East Asia\'s great cultural centres, the North Thailand hills and Laos\' Mekong Delta. There can be no better way to witness the stunning scenery and experience the friendliness of the people. After an opening tour of Bangkok, we journey to Chiang Mai in the north. Here we trek by foot and on elephant back - plus rafting on a bamboo raft - to the hillside villages. A highlight of Chiang Mai will be the holy Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple visited by Buddhist pilgrims all year round. Next, it\'s on to Laos - a country standing in great contrast to Thailand and one hardly touched by tourism. Its landscape is both stunning and raw and its people welcome visitors with open arms. The highlight of this leg of the tour is a truly memorable boat trip on the Mekong River with the chance to see in all its splendour the spectacular and ever-changing scenery and the rural waterside life. Following on from there are visits to the cultural centres of Luang Prabang, with its monks in their colourful robes going about their religious rituals, and the capital Vientiane.

Tour Type: Small Group Tour

Countries Visited: Thailand - Laos

Age Guide: 18-55

Maximum Group Size: 16

Highlights

Thailand

Bangkok, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Floating Market, Bridge over The River Kwai, Hell Fire Pass, JEATH Museum, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep Temple, Night Bazaar, Trekking, Elephant Trek, Bamboo Rafting, Flora and Fauna, White Karen Tribe

Laos

Mekong River, Boat Cruise, Pak Ou Caves, Kuang Si Waterfalls, Vientiane, Victory Monument

Accommodation

Hotels (6 Nights), Lodge (1 Night), Guest House (3 Nights), Sleeper Train (1 Night), Village Houses (2 Nights)

Kitty Notes

What is included?

12 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners

All Activities and Entrance Fees as per Itinerary

Escorted Tour. Kumuka Tour Leader and/or Local Guides

Domestic Flight within Laos

Hill Tribe Trek

Mekong River Boat Cruise

Itineraries (Bangkok - Vientiane)

Day 1

Join Bangkok

Day 2

Bangkok - City Tour

Day 3

Floating Markets, Kanchanaburi - Bridge over River Kwai, Museum. Optional Visit to Tiger Monastery

Day 4

Hell Fire Pass, Ayutthaya, Dinner on Rice Barge Cruise. Overnight Train to Chiang Mai

Day 5

Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple, Night Markets

Day 6

White Karen Village, Hill Tribe Trek

Day 7

Muser Village, Elephant Trek

Day 8

Bamboo Raft Trip, Drive Chiang Khong

Day 9

Boat Cruise, Mekong River, Pakbeng

Day 10

Boat Cruise, Pak Ou Caves, Luang Prabang

Day 11

Luang Prabang - City Tour, Kuangsi Waterfall

Day 12

Luang Prabang. Fly Vientiane

Day 13

Vientiane - City Tour

Day 14

Tour ends Vientiane

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Departures

Reference	Departure		Arrival		Price GBP	Kitty	Notes
KU-25261	04 Apr 10	Bangkok	17 Apr 10	Vientiane	£1035	0
KU-25262	09 May 10	Bangkok	22 May 10	Vientiane	£1035	0
KU-25263	13 Jun 10	Bangkok	26 Jun 10	Vientiane	£1035	0