North Thailand and Laos

Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Thailand
Travel day to Thailand. You will lose a day as you cross the International dateline.

Day 2: Bangkok - Arrive to Bangkok
Travel day and arrival in Bangkok TBD on Flight TBD. Upon arrival into Bangkok your private shuttle and guide will meet you at the airport exit to be transferred to your accommodations. In the evening you will have a night tour of Bangkok to see some of the local sites and sounds of this bustling city. (D)

Day 3: Bangkok - Floating Market, Grand Palace and Wat Pho
After a leisurely breakfast you will join your private tour of the famous floating markets of Bangkok along with a tour of the majestic Wat Pho and Grand Palace. After lunch you will travel the river and canals that snake their way through the city. This tour will show you some of the best sites in Bangkok and help you understand the amazing culture of Thailand. Your evening is free to explore the area around your hotel and enjoy a meal on your own. (B, L)

Day 4: Bangkok to Chiang Mai - Explore Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. After arrival you will tour the Doi Suthep Hill top temple. This spectacular Buddhist temple can be seen from wherever you happen to be in the city, clinging to the mountainside near the summit of Doi Suthep.  Doi Suthep hill has been seen as a holy place for more than twelve hundred years. Lunch will be with the group and then you will visit the local handicraft cooperative. (B)

Day 5: Chiang Mai to Maetang - Hill Tribes Trekking Day
After breakfast you will drive to Chiang Dao where you will begin a 2 hour trek to visit Ahka, Karen, Parong and Lisu Hill tribes. The hills of Thailand are famous for the variety of cultures and people living in this rugged topography. Lunch will be in the village and then you will drive to Thaton to visit the Long Neck Hill tribe. You will return to Maetang for dinner and to relax at your resort. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Maetang to Pai - Activities and Trekking
Breakfast at the resort and then you will enjoy a day of activities in the area.  You will enjoy a short Elephant show, have a chance to ride the elephants through the jungle, take a bamboo raft down a tropical river, and a 1 1/2 hour hike up to the Mok Fah Waterfall. This 60 meter waterfall will amaze you almost as much as the jungle trek that you have to take along the way. After your trek you will drive to Pai for dinner and overnight at your resort. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Pai to Chiang Mai - Hill Tribe Trekking and Caving
Breakfast at the resort and then you will drive to Phang Mah Fah where you will visit more hilltribes and enjoy an hour long trek to the Tham Lod Cave. This is one of the longest and largest in Thailand and will allow you to explore the magnificent underground world of the Thailand limestone. Here you will explore the cave on a bamboo raft. Lunch will be near Phang Mah Fah and then you will drive back to Chiang Mai. (B, L)

Day 8: Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang - Fly to Luang Prabang
After a leisurely morning you will be transferred to the Chiang Mai airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon your arrival you will be transferred to your accommodations in Luang Prabang. After settling in, the afternoon is free to relax and explore the city. (B)

Day 9: Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang Tour
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. After breakfast, you will visit The National Museum (closed Tuesdays). You then board a boat upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives you a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Enjoy lunch at the riverside restaurant. Along the way, you will stop at the small village of Ban Xanghai, where local rice wine is distilled. You will enjoy climbing up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. From here, you will explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. (B, L)

Day 10: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng - Wat Xienthong and Scenic drive to Vang Vieng
After breakfast, you will visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Your intrepid journey will be strenuous as you drive along a pot holed road, yet one of the most scenic drives. Stop for lunch on the way at a junction of Sala Phoukhoun. After a roughly 6 hour drive, you arrive in Vang Vieng by late afternoon, a small town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with a mixture of quiet river waters and limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism. (B, L)

Day 11: Vang Vieng to Vientiane - Tham Jang Caves and Nam Ngum
After breakfast, you will explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. Then you depart on road to the capital city Vientiane. You will make your way to Nam Ngum, a huge reservoir created by damming the Nam Ngum River. The next stop is at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whiskey. On arrival at Nam Ngum Lake you will enjoy lunch, following lunch you will experience the lifestyle of the local fishermen and salt field production before continuing to Vientiane. Arrive in Vientiane by late afternoon to stay for the night. (B, L)

Day 12: Vientiane to Bangkok - Vientiane City Tour
After breakfast, this morning you will pay a visit to some of the major sights; including the oldest temple Wat Sisaket, with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao's national precious heritage at the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. Lunch will be at local restaurant, then transfer to the airport for your departure to Bangkok. (B, L)

Day 13: Bangkok - Free day
After a leisurely breakfast you have the day free to enjoy the many sights and activities in the bustling city of Bangkok. The night will be spent in Bangkok. (B)

Day 14: Bangkok - Depart Bangkok for U.S.
After breakfast at your hotel, a private shuttle will transfer you to the Bangkok Airport to catch your flight back to the U.S. (B)