Tour overview

This 10-day adventure for travellers aged 18 to 35 crosses from northern Thailand into Laos, with plenty of free time in its most beautiful towns. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen. You stay nine nights in simple hotels, guesthouses and a resort, with breakfast daily and a dinner.

Starting in Chiang Mai, you take a local bus to Nan, a quiet town of temples and galleries on the Nan River, and spend a night at a resort in Chiang Klang. Crossing into Laos at Muang Ngeun, you reach Luang Prabang, a World Heritage town of golden temples, for three nights, with a barbecue feast at the night market and time to swim at the Kuang Si Falls.

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After watching monks collect alms at dawn, you take a high-speed train to Vang Vieng, set among limestone karsts and rivers, for two nights of kayaking, tubing or simply relaxing. A private bus brings you to Vientiane, Laos’ laid-back capital, where the trip ends.

The physical rating is low. This trip suits sociable travellers aged 18 to 35 who want a short, great-value adventure.

Trip highlights

  • The temples of Nan (Day 2)
  • A riverside resort (Day 3)
  • A night market feast in Luang Prabang (Day 4)
  • Kuang Si Falls (Day 5)
  • Alms giving at dawn (Day 7)
  • Vang Vieng (Days 7–8)

Your route

6 stops from Chiang Mai to Vientiane

10-day route: Chiang Mai – Nan – Chiang Klang – Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane
  1. Chiang Mai Day 1
  2. Nan Day 2
  3. Chiang Klang Day 3
  4. Luang Prabang Days 4–6
  5. Vang Vieng Days 7–8
  6. Vientiane Days 9–10

Why choose this tour

Northern Thailand and Laos in ten days. A group your own age at a great price.

Best suited to

  • Travellers aged 18 to 35
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers
  • Travellers short on time
Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai

Day-by-day itinerary

10 days from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Vientiane, Laos

  1. Day 1 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    A 6pm welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Nan Nan

    A quiet northern town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Nan, Chiang Klang Chiang Klang

    A riverside resort.

    Hotel
    Resort
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    Into Laos.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Kuang Si Falls Luang Prabang

    Turquoise pools.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Wat Xieng Thong Luang Prabang

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng Vang Vieng

    Alms giving and a fast train.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng

    Karsts and rivers.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Vientiane Vientiane

    The Lao capital.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Vientiane Vientiane

    The trip ends.

A colonial-style building in Luang Prabang

Where you stay

  • Chiang Mai (1 night) Hotel
  • Nan (1 night) Hotel
  • Chiang Klang (1 night) Resort
  • Luang Prabang (3 nights) Guesthouse
  • Vang Vieng (2 nights) Hotel
  • Vientiane (1 night) Guesthouse

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 9 nights in hotels, guesthouses and a resort
  • Meals 8 breakfasts and 1 dinner
  • Local bus, overland transport and a high-speed train
  • Luang Prabang night market feast
  • Border crossing into Laos
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 1 breakfast, 8 lunches and 8 dinners
  • Visas
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Vang Vieng beneath limestone karsts, Laos

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are over 35
  • You want comfortable hotels throughout
  • You want most activities included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–9 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: Day 4
The Royal Palace temple in Luang Prabang, Laos

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £695 per person, twin share, tour only. 28 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What ages is this trip for?

Travellers aged 18 to 35.

Do I need visas?

UK citizens need a visa for Laos, available on arrival. Thailand is visa-free for short stays.

How do you cross into Laos?

Overland at Muang Ngeun, with your leader’s help.

Are activities included?

Most are optional, so you choose.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available on request.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary