Bangkok to Hanoi

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.

You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Thailand's bustling capital, Bangkok is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food.

Bangkok has so much to offer those with time to explore - why not take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, uncover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road, or indulge in some Thai massage?

Travel by longtail boat down the Chao Phraya River to explore the famous 'khlongs' (canals) of Bangkok (approx 1 hr). Life along these canals seems a world away from the chaotic streets of the capital.

Pay a visit to Wat Pho, home to the country's largest reclining Buddha and keeper of the magic behind Thai massage.

No trip to Thailand is complete without a overnight train journey - we head north to Chiang Mai in the evening, accommodated in air-conditioned sleeping berths (approx. 13hrs). Multi share compartments are air-conditioned, with bunk beds; sheets and pillow provided. Our baggage travels in the carriage with us. There is a food and drink service available on board.

Included Activities

Khlong (canal) tour

Wat Pho

Optional Activities

Thai massage, Bangkok - THB350.00

Grand Palace, Bangkok - THB400.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt), Overnight sleeper train (1 nt)

The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has many famous temples and an interesting old city area. This 'Rose of the North' is also known for its beauty and the friendliness of the local people.

Explore the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep. Drive along a scenic, winding mountain road that ends at an impressive 300-step naga-guarded stairway (approx 45 mins). The rewards justify the climb with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand on display, not to mention fantastic panoramic views of the city and the opportunity to listen to hypnotic evening chanting by resident Buddhist monks.

In the evening wander through the enormous, colourful Night Bazaar, and then relax at a fine restaurant along the riverfront. Make sure to sample some delicious traditional northern Thai food - the signature dish is kao soy, yellow wheat noodles in a curry broth, traditionally served with chicken or beef.

Included Activities

Doi Suthep Temple

Optional Activities

Thai cookery course, Chiang Mai - THB750.00

Bicycle tour, Chiang Mai - THB750.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

Take a journey through rural countryside to the Thai border town of Chiang Khong (approx 5.5 hrs).

Formerly known as 'Juon', peaceful riverside Chiang Khong remains an important market town for the surrounding hill tribes and trade with Laos.

Stretch your legs with a stroll around town, then enjoy a drink and dine on Thai cuisine, while Laos beckons from across the mighty Mekong.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 nt)

Board our boat for the two-day journey down the mighty Mekong River to Luang Prabang. The journey is relaxed, so we can experience the slow pace of village life and the breathtaking scenery along the river.

Our river boat is basic in nature, with a toilet, covered roof, and open sides to take in the fresh air. There are seats in the front of the boat and a small open area in the back where you can have a nap on the mat, play cards, read or have lunch.

We dock at the small town of Pak Beng (after about 6 hours) to spend the night. Our guesthouse here is very basic - a standard accommodation in this small trading port.

It can be quite cool from November to February so make sure you have some warm gear packed for this period. Due to dam construction upstream, water levels aren't as reliable as in previous years, and when the river is at its lowest from February to April, part of the journey may occasionally need to be made by land.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 nt)

Reboard our boat and cruise to the Pak Ou Caves, before arriving in the former royal capital of Luang Prabang (approx 8 hrs).

An important religious site overlooking the river at the junction of the Mekong and Ou Rivers, the revered Pak Ou Caves contain thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims over hundreds of years.

The atmospheric World Heritage-listed city of Luang Prabang is a favourite of many. Nestled in the hills of northern Laos on the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, it's studded with ornate temples and French colonial architecture.

Enjoy a guided tour around the Traditional Art & Ethnology centre - a non-profit museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of its traditional arts and lifestyles

Head out to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls, where pale turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The lovely pool at the base of the falls is perfect for a refreshing afternoon dip.

In your free time consider a climb to the top of Mt Phousi - providing a fantastic view over the town and its surrounds. The Dara Market sells everything and is a great spot to browse. If you'd like to experience more local culture, consider taking a long boat across the river to a traditional Laotian village.

Included Activities

Pak Ou Cave

Traditional Arts and Ethnology Museum

Kuang Si Waterfalls

Optional Activities

Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang - USD2.50

National Museum, Luang Prabang - USD2.50

Mt Phu Si, Luang Prabang - USD2.50

Royal Theatre, Luang Prabang - USD20.00

Accommodation

Guesthouse (3 nts)

ourney by private minibus to Vang Vieng (approx 7 hrs).

Situated on the Nam Song River, Vang Vieng offers limestone karst scenery, local markets and riverside walks.

There is plenty to do in and around Vang Vieng. The area is renowned for its many caves, many of which are easily accessible from the town, perhaps the most famous is the cave of Tham Chang, a beautiful cavern fed by a natural spring making it a perfect spot for a refreshing swim. Hire bicycles to explore further afield, or a tour of an Organic Mulberry Farm is also an option.

Optional Activities

Bike hire, Vang Vieng - USD1.50

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 nt)

Continue by private minibus to the country's capital, Vientiane (approx 3.5 hrs).

Possibly Asia's most laidback capital, Vientiane is a city where daily affairs are conducted at a relaxed pace. Hardly touched by the modernisation that has completely changed the face of other cities in South East Asia, Laos still has a wealth of cultural delights to discover - on foot, or for the less energetic, by jumbo (tuk tuk).

Follow dusty tracks along the river to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. Vientiane's vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!) is full of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong.

Visit COPE, an Intrepid Foundation-sponsored organisation dedicated to assistance those who have been injured by the multitude of unexploded ordinance across the country.

Included Activities

COPE visit

Optional Activities

Buddha Park, Vientiane - USD1.00

Vientiane temples, Vientiane - USD1.00

A bus ride (approx 7 hrs) takes us along stunning mountains and limestone karsts south and east to Lak Sao.

Lak Sao is a frontier border town that is an important trading centre for hill tribes such as white and striped Hmong families.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 nt)

Continue on through rugged mountain scenery and say goodbye to laidback Laos. After completing immigration formalities at Cau Treo, we enter life in the fast lane of Vietnam. This contrast becomes immediately apparent as we descend through the mountains of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and on to the rural plains of Nghe An Province, before heading north to Hanoi. This will be a long road journey, possibly lengthened by delays at the border and by poor road conditions (approx 12 hrs).

The capital of Vietnam is a charming city with a population of around four million. Hanoi is famous for its beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards, verdant public parks and its thriving old town centre, which is an architectural museum piece with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a 1930s provincial French town. As Vietnam develops to compete with other South-East Asian countries, the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake reflects the contrasts of modern office buildings, old Buddhist temples and the tangle of ancient streets in its still surface.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast with our long time friends at KOTO restaurant - a organisation that is supporting street kids with a career in the hospitality industry.

Take in a performance of Hanoi's famous water puppets.

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart our accommodation at any time. Please check the 'Finishing Point Hotel' section for checkout times and luggage storage possibilities.

Included Activities

Breakfast at KOTO restaurant

Water puppet show

Optional Activities

Revolutionary Museum, Hanoi - VND15000.00

Temple of Literature, Hanoi - VND10000.00

Museum of Ethnology, Hanoi - VND25000.00

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nts)