Hanoi to Bangkok - Overland Trip
2 weeks: to Bangkok (IMT-SAHB08)
Intro
The northern areas of Vietnam and Laos have been virtually off limits to travellers for years, and many places have remained a mystery since the days of the Vietnam War. On this trip we spend time with ethnic minorities of both Vietnam and Laos in homestays, we explore the mysterious \'Plain of Jars\' and the even more mysterious \'Stonehenge of Laos\'. We travel on the mighty Mekong and walk in the serenely peaceful streets of Luang Prabang.Group Size
Max 18Activities
Extensive walking at sites, boat trip on the Mekong RiverAccommodation
10 nights basic hotels or guesthouses, 2 nights village homestays, 1 night overnight trainTransport
Private minibus/coach, public bus, boats, overnight train, songthaews (pick-up trucks)Fully Escorted
By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and services of local guides and repsMeals
As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner. On days where meals are not included allow US$12 per dayItineraries
PLEASE NOTEBrochure error; an airport transfer on Day 1 is NOT included on this tour.
Day 1, HANOIArrival day.
Day 2, MAI CHAU HOMESTAYToday we drive east through stunning scenery to Mai Chau where we are guests of a White Thai family in their stilt house. (BLD)
Day 3, SAM NEUAWe travel onto this sleepy hamlet for the night, home of the dramatic caves that housed the revolutionary Pathet Lao during the Vietnam War. Also found here is the little-known 'Stonehenge of Laos', monolithic rock slabs that protrude from the ground. (B)
Day 4, PLAIN OF JARSWe arrive in Phonsavan which will be our base to explore this mysterious area.
Day 5, PLAIN OF JARSToday you have a whole day to explore the ancient and mysterious Plain of Jars. Nobody knows the exact origin or use of these amazing artefacts, some as large as 6 tonnes. (B)
Day 6, LUANG PRABANGContinue by road to Luang Prabang, one of the most enchanting towns in South East Asia. (B)
Day 7, LUANG PRABANGA full free day to explore this wonderful centre of religion and royalty of old Laos. Hire a bike or wander the leafy streets, stopping at golden temples to chat with the monks. (B)
Day 8, HOMESTAYWe take a beautiful boat trip up the Nam Khan River and stay with one of the hilltribe minorities of northern Laos.
Day 9, PAKBENGTravel by local bus/truck through jungle clad mountains. We spend the night in a simple guesthouse in Pakbeng.
Day 10, HOUAY XAIStart our journey up the meandering Mekong, travelling by public boat and passing through thick jungle with abundant bird life. We transfer to our guesthouse in Houay Xai.
Day 11, HOUAY XAIFree day with an optional trip to a Laten tribal village, a tribe that originally travelled from Tibet to settle in Laos centuries ago.
Day 12, CHIANG MAIToday we cross the Mekong and take either a songthaew (pick-up truck) or minivan to ThailandÂ’s northern capital, Chiang Mai. Transfer to railway station for overnight train to Bangkok.
Day 13, BANGKOKArrive and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Day 14, BANGKOKTour ends. (B)
Last updated: 8th June 2008
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