Indochina Explorer (15 Days) Thailand, Laos, Vietnam Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Khong, Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Hanoi Take in the beauty of northern Thailand and its inspiring temples, relax as we travel through Laos on the Mekong River, explore Luang Prabang - a royal capital from a past era, and travel through scenic frontier country into Northern Vietnam
Itinerary: 1.-2. Day: Bangkok Arrive in Bangkok on the first day at any time u want. There are no planned activities so u can decide what u feel like doing. We will have a group meeting in the evening, check the noticeboard on the second floor for a message from your leader confirming the time and place for this meeting. Please bring your insurance documents and passport to the group meetings so your leader can commence visa formalities for the group's entry into Laos and Vietnam and be prepared to pay your local payment (USD200) for ur leader. On the second day we will enjoy a longtail boat trip on the other side of Bangkok and experience life in the famous khlongs. After that we planned a guided tour of the impressive Wat Pho, home of a magnificent and huge reclining Buddha. There is free time in the afternoon and a popular activity among the travellers is to experience a traditional Thai massage, to relax from the long flight. In the late afternoon we will start our journey in a comfortable overnight train to Chiang Mai (approximately 13 hours). Our baggage travels in the carriage with us and there is a food and drink service available on board. 3. Day: Chiang Mai Arriving at Chiang Mai station we will have breakfast and then check in to our guesthouse. U will have enough time to explore the many temples, the old city of Chiang Mai and the fantastic view over Chiang Mai from the mountain temple of Doi Suthep. In the evening u can visit the famous vibrant night bazaar or have some fine dining on the riverfront. 4. Day: Chiang Khong After breakfast we travel about 5.5-hour through rural countryside to the Thai border town of Chiang Khong. Our accomodation is a guesthouse with spectacular views overlooking the Mekong River into Laos. If u feel like walking u can easily explore the town on foot and have an excellent Thai cuisine dinner.
5.-6. Day: Mekong River The following two days we will enjoy a boat-journey down the mighty Mekong River to Luang Prabang. U can relax on this trip, while floating by the slow pace of village life and the breathtaking scenery along the river. The first night we will spend in the small town of Pak Beng. The standard of accommodation in this trading port is extremely basic and simple but comfortable. The following morning we re-board our boat and cruise to Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha images, before arriving in the former royal capital of Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. Please note that the river boat is of a basic standard. Your leader will help arrange the purchase of food and drinks for the boat journeys. It can also be quite cold from November to February so make sure you have some warm gear packed! 7.-8. Day: Luang Prabang U can discover the magical city of Luang Prabang with its ornate temples and French colonial architecture. We visit the Royal Palace Museum, which has remained untouched since the royal family departed in 1975. We will also hop on a songthaew to the beautiful Kuang Si falls, with its beautiful turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. If u feel like being active u can, for a small additional cost, take a 3 to 4-hour walk through the countryside to the falls (in wet season it may be too slippery). At the base of the falls there is a large pool, making this an ideal location for a refreshing swim. There is also free time to experience the charm of Luang Prabang. A climb to the top of Mt Phousi provides a fantastic view over the town and its surrounds. You can also visit Dala market, the many temples or take a longboat across the river to a traditional Laotian village. 9.-11. Day: Vientiane On this day we take the bus from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. There is time to explore the daily life of the town and admire the fantastic limestone karst scenery, wander through the local markets, or take a walk along the river. U also should visit the numerous caves in the area, travelling through small villages and gaining an insight into the local life. Sometimes the road beween Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng is closed due to road conditions in which case we will have to fly between Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Life in Vientiane is relaxed with daily affairs conducted at a slow pace. There is a wealth of cultural delights to discover - on foot, by bicycle or, for the less energetic, by songthaew. Its worth to visit Laos' most important national monument, Phat That Luang, or meander down the dusty riverside tracks to find traditional village life. Don t miss visiting Vientiane's vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!), where u can find plenty of local treasures. At the end of the day we recommend to enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Mekong at one of the many stilt restaurants along the riverbank. 12. Day: Lak Sao A 7 hour bus ride takes us trough wonderful landscape, along the mountains and limestone karsts south and east to the border town of Lak Sao. Our accommodation is basic though comfortable, in the town u can feel the strong cultural presence of Vietnam.
13.-15. Day: Hanoi On day 13 we will reach the lifely city of Hanoi. We will notice the contrast to the calm and slow Laos already when traveling about 12 hours on the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Vietnam. Arriving Hanoi we will have plenty of time to explore this wonderful city with its wide tree-lined boulevards and natural lakes. It is a great place to relax in one of the alfresco cafes and watch life pass by. If u feel like shopping take a tour of the vibrant old quarter which is comprised of 36 streets where all manner of goods can be found - silk, wood carvings, lacquerware. We will meet up in the evening and watch the famous water puppet performance before having our last meal together. Feel free to depart at any time on day 15, as no activities are planned.
Price: EUR 705 (1 April to 31 August 07); other dates: EUR 756 + Local payment of USD200 Included: Accommodation: Guesthouses/hotels (13 nights), overnight train (1 night) Transport: Train, riverboat, jumbo tuk-tuk, songthaew, taxi, local and charter bus Meals: 3 Breakfasts Activities: Klong trip in Bangkok, Wat Po entrance and guide, Doi Suthep entrance and guide, Entrance to Pak Ou caves, Entrance to Royal Palace Museum, Kuang Si Falls trip, Water puppets in Hanoi Not included: International Flight: approx. EUR 1.100,00 + departure taxes Approx. USD 240,00 for meals which are not included. Extra accommodation in Bangkok EUR 16,00 per person and night for twin/double, EUR 28,00 for single Extra accommodation in Hanoi EUR 16,00 per person for twin/double, EUR 30,00 for single Arrival transfer Bangkok EUR 22,00 for 1 person, EUR 14,00 per person for 2 or more persons arriving on the same flight Optional Activities: Costs in todo for all optional activities not included in the trip: USD50. Grand palace (Bangkok ) USD7, Visit one of the many temples (Vientiane) - Most entry fees USD1, Buddha Park (Vientiane) - USD1, Royal Theatre (Luang Prabang) - USD2-12, Cooking demonstration (Luang Prabang) - DUS10, Wat Xieng Thong (Luang Prabang) - USD1, Cooking school (Chiang Mai) - USD14, Bicycle tour (Chiang Mai) - USD12, Bamboo rafting (Chiang Mai) - USD7, Elephant riding (Chiang Mai) - USD7, Revolutionary Museum (Hanoi) - USD1, Temple of Literature (Hanoi) - USD1, Museum of Ethnology (Hanoi) - USD2 Drinks, Shopping and Tipping
Dates: Trips throughout the year; start weekly on Sundays, sometimes additionally on Thursdays Important notes: During the months of October and November Vietnam is prone to heavy rains. While we continue to run successful trips during this period please note that our itinerary is subject to change as the conditions require. Travel insurance is compulsory Single travellers: We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers are usually paired in twin share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip, with the exception of accommodation on some Basix itineraries which is on a mixed gender share basis. Prior to or following the trip, single travellers must book pre and post trip accommodation on a single room basis. Group size: max. 12