Meaningful Laos – 15 days (BT-Vm)

Starts Bangkok & ends Vientiane

This tour can be done on its own or combined with ‘Saigon to Bangkok via Cambodia’ on. Incorporating volunteer projects in Luang Prabang where you stay in a small village on a river and participate in activities such as farming, basket weaving & cooking, you will find this experience to offer the best of both worlds – adventure, cultural insight & authentic experiences.

 Day 1 Bangkok
Arrival day so no activities planned. This evening your Guide will meet you for the tour briefing. No meals.

Day 2 Bangkok/Overnight train
Guided tour of the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha in the morning. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own, and in the evening board overnight train to Chiang Mai (B).

Day 3 Chiang Mai
Arrive Chiang Mai in the morning and enjoy a day on your own sightseeing around Chiang Mai’s old town, visiting the historical highlights of the city thatdate back to the mid 14th century.

Day 4 Chiang Mai- Chiang Rai
This morning after breakfast we will leave Chiang Mai and drive along the mountain roads to Chiang Rai. We stop for lunch along the way and still arrive in plenty of time to allow you to explore this city on your own (BL).

Day 5  Chiang Rai – Ban Ruammit Elephants –  Mirror foundation - Golden Triangle
This morning we will head out of town for the day. Go on an elephant ride and later meet a representative of the Mirror Foundation  and visit one of the villages the Foundation works with, to learn more about the work of the organisation. In the afternoon we will go to theGolden Triangle (BL).

Day 6 Chiang Rai– Chiang Khong border crossing - Pak Beng
In the morning, check out and transfer to Chiang Khong border crossing. After Customs & Immigration formalities, meet with your Lao leader and take a boat to Pak Beng (B).

Day 7 Pakbeng- Luang Prabang
Early in the morning continue the journey on the Mekong by boat. Transfer from public boat to the ferry and than transfer to Luang Prabang (B).

Day 8 Luang Prabang- Seuang River Project
After breakfast, we introduce our community service project with a survey of the Seuang River Community-Based Tourism site - approximately 1 hr drive north of Luang Prabang. This session will also introduce the principles of Sustainable Tourism for the Elimination of Poverty – a central theme of our time in the villages (BLD)

Day 12 Seuang River Project -Luang Prabang
In the morning we will say good bye to our hosts and drive back to Luang Prabang for check-in. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this wonderful town (B).

Day 13 Luang Prabang- Vang Vieng
After breakfast we will leave Luang Prabang. The route will wind through scenic mountain passes and there will be plenty of opportunity to stop along the way for photos. Lunch will be at a local restaurant on the way. Option to explore some of the caves by bicycle, float down the river in an inner tube or visit an organic farm (BL) Approx 6hrs drive.

Day 14 Vang Vieng- Vientianne
After breakfast continue driving towards the sleepy capital of Laos. Free afternoon to visit some of the sights around Vientianne such as Wat Sisaket, Victory monument, Wat Simuang and Wat Prakeo (B) approx 3hrs drive.

Day 15 Vientiane
Tour ends after breakfast (B)