Thailand and Laos Discovery Tour

Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel where you have the rest of the day at leisure.

In the evening after a short tour briefing your guide will take you out for a Welcome Dinner.

Join us for a delightful welcome dinner that celebrates the unique flavours of the region. Held at a charming local restaurant, this evening promises an unforgettable experience as we indulge in a menu featuring authentic regional dishes.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Important Information

We highly recommend that you download the Tweet Trip App before you travel. The app gives you easy access to your trip details and travel vouchers, and allows you to chat with our customer support team anytime, anywhere.It is very important that you attend the welcome briefing and dinner on this day. If you expect to arrive late, please contact our customer support directly through the Tweet Trip App. For details about the meeting location, simply ask the hotel reception.

Early this morning, you will be transferred to the border town of Huay Xay. At 09:00 hours, board the Luang Say Cruise boat at Huay Xay pier for a journey down the Mekong River to Pakbeng.

During the cruise, we will make a stop to observe rural life along the Mekong and visit local minority ethnic groups, offering insights into their traditional ways of life. A buffet lunch will be served on board the boat.

Arrive in Pakbeng before sunset and check in at your hotel. In the evening, enjoy dinner on the terrace of your hotel, with views overlooking the Mekong River.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

Begin your day with a full breakfast at your hotel (Optional Activity: Take a walk to the Pakbeng market, where you can observe the exchange of goods among people from surrounding minority villages.)

At 08:30, board the boat for the second leg of your Mekong River cruise. Enjoy a brief stop at a Hmong village to gain insight into local traditions. A buffet lunch will be served on board the boat. Continue the journey to Pak-Ou village, located at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, and visit the Pak Ou Caves, famously known as the "Cave of a Thousand Buddhas."

En route to Luang Prabang, a short stop will be made to observe the traditional process of manufacturing local rice alcohol. Arrive in Luang Prabang before sunset. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast we visit the Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We begin our walking tour, by taking in some of Luang Prabang hidden secrets, we will venture through the quiet back lanes leading to Wat Xiengthong.

Along our journey we will stop at Wat Chomkhong, famous for its decorative carvings. This area contains a mix of beautiful old French Colonial buildings, and traditional old Lao houses, which you will have time to admire, along with a stop at the small but charming Wat Phapai.

We also stop at the Fine Arts School, where we can see some of the quality artwork on display. Our final visit of the day is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, a great representative of Luang Prabang classical building style.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Depart from Luang Prabang with your private guide and driver, traveling approximately one hour and twenty minutes out of town. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of rural landscapes, including rice terraces and pineapple fields.

You will visit Ban Longlao, a local H'mong village, where you will experience a culture, customs, and language distinct from mainstream Laos. From this village, you will commence a trek, which will take approximately two to two and a half hours through primary forest and jungle, culminating at the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall.

Lunch is not included, but you can enjoy it at the falls. There will be time for relaxation, swimming, and the opportunity to climb to the top of the waterfall.

After your visit, return to Luang Prabang in time to witness the sunset over the Mekong River.

Note: During the rainy season the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative program is available.

We start early this morning, around 8 am, to reach Xiangkhouang, the location of the renowned Plain of Jars. The journey takes us along a winding mountain route. Our first stop is Houi Hei, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

We then proceed to Ban Kiu Kam Pone, a Khmu village, before arriving in Phou Khoun for lunch. After lunch, we continue our drive into Xiangkhouang province, reaching our highest altitude of the day just after Phou Khoun at 1,500 meters above sea level. We will also make a stop at Ban Son Boom, a Hmong village.

Our final destinations for the day include a visit to a hidden Buddha Cave, which served as an army hospital during the Vietnam War. Additionally, there is an optional stop to view an old Russian tank. We will arrive at your hotel by early evening.

Overnight in Xiangkhouang.

This morning we visit the Mines Action Group or MAG office to learn about the work they do in clearing land mines and unexploited ordnance in the area.

Afterward we make our way to the Plain of Jars. The site is dated to the Iron Age (500 BC to AD 500) and is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Southeast Asia. Our first stop is along Jar Site 2, from here we take a 1-hour trek along the ridge to the impressive Jar Site 3. Site 3 consists of over around 150 jars located on top of a hill, offering great views over the surrounding countryside.

In the afternoon we visit Jar Site 1, the largest site, containing over 300 jars, before returning to your hotel by late afternoon.

Overnight in Xiangkhouang.

We set out early this morning, to visit the interesting Central Market, then (time permitting) we will drive out to the ancient town of Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital. Where you can explore the ruins of a number of ancient pagodas in the Lanna style and Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha.

We then travel by road to Vang Vieng, stopping for a late lunch in Phou Khoun. Following lunch we stop at Ban Hin Ngon, a picturesque Hmong village. We also have an optional stop at Koe Kuang, which boasts a local forest market, offering edible snakes, rats and assorted reptiles!

Our final stop of the day is a short photo stop of the stunning limestone karst scenery at Phatang Mountain view point. We then arrive in Vang Vieng by early evening where you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight Vang Vieng.

This morning we visit the picturesque Tham Jang cave, enjoy stunning views over the Nam Song River and surrounding karst scenery. We then set out on the road towards Vientiane.

En route we stop at Tha Heua, a small village that specializes in dried fish, which you will see hanging in front of the houses. We then continue to Nam Ngum, a picturesque lake created by damming the Nam Ngum River. Following lunch overlooking the lake, we stop over at Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt mine. Here you can learn about the daily working life of the local people.

Just outside of Vientiane we make a final stop at the lively Don Makai Market, an insect market, where, the adventurous can try some of the tasty snacks on offer! Return to Vientiane by early evening.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Our half-day city tour begins with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane. This historic site is renowned for its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, which line the temple's walls and provide a serene atmosphere.

Next, we will proceed to Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple. This sacred site is home to significant religious artifacts and offers insight into the city’s royal heritage. Following this, we will visit the That Luang Stupa, an important religious monument that holds great spiritual significance.

We will then take some time to photograph the Patuxay Monument, an imposing structure reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and a symbol of Vientiane’s national pride.

Our final stop is the COPE Exhibition Centre, which educates visitors about the severe impact of unexploded ordnance and mines on local communities. The center also functions as a rehabilitation facility for people with disabilities and provides training in prosthetics and orthotics for local staff.

Overnight in Vientiane.

You will be transferred to the airport early this morning for your flight to Pakse.Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred by road eastward into the Bolaven Plateau, renowned for its cooler temperatures due to its elevation above the Mekong Valley.

Your first stop will be at Houey Ten, a Katu village known for its traditional knifemaking. Following this, you will visit a tea plantation to learn about local tea production. Next, stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a striking twin-chute waterfall that offers scenic views and photo opportunities.

Continue to a coffee plantation, where you can explore the process of coffee cultivation and production. Then, proceed to Tha Teng Market, a vibrant ethnic minority food market showcasing the region's diverse culinary offerings.

The tour will then take you to Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village notable for its sacrificial altar and unique cultural practices.

Arrive at the picturesque Tad lo Waterfall in the afternoon. You will have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquil environment.

Overnight accommodation will be provided at Tad lo, Salavan Province.

After breakfast, you will depart from the Bolaven Plateau. Your first stop will be Paxuam Waterfall, a picturesque and serene location known for its natural beauty.

Next, you will transfer to Champassak, where you will visit Wat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2002. Wat Phou features ruins older than those at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and showcases some of the most ancient Khmer architecture, dating from the 7th to 11th centuries.

In the late afternoon, you will drive to Don Khong, an area within the 4000 Islands region of the Mekong River. This area represents the widest point of the river during the rainy season, while the dry months reveal thousands of islands and islets scattered across the river.

Arrive at Khong Island via ferry in the early evening.

Overnight Khong Island.

Following breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a long tail boat tour to Don Khone, where we disembark. You have the option to explore the island by bicycle, and visit the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall or "the Corridor of the Devil".

We return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. Khone Phapheng is considered the largest waterfall by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive site near the Lao-Cambodian border, The site is also teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos.

Then we drive back North and take the boat across the Mekong to the island of Don Daeng, where you have the rest of the day at leisure to relax, or explore this peaceful island.

Overnight Don Daeng.

Today is a free day for you to enjoy at your leisure. You can relax by the pool at your accommodation or rent bicycles to explore Don Daeng Island and its charming villages at your own pace.

In the evening, gather for your Farewell Dinner, a special occasion to reflect on your journey and enjoy a final meal together.

Overnight accommodation will be at Don Daeng.

After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Pakse and onto the airport for your departing flight.