22 Oct 2026
Twin share
£1,755pp
Escorted tour
China & Laos by Rail: Kunming to Bangkok – 11 Days
South-west China, Laos and Thailand by high-speed train and sleeper, in a group of up to twelve.
11 days
From £1,755
Tour overview
This 11-day journey follows the new railway from south-west China through Laos to Thailand, by high-speed train, bullet train and overnight sleeper. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve. You stay nine nights in hotels and one night on a sleeper train, with a few breakfasts and two lunches.
From Kunming, the city of eternal spring, a high-speed train takes you to Jinghong in Xishuangbanna, where you visit a Hani village on Nannuo Mountain, one of the ancestral homes of Pu’er tea. A bullet train then carries you across the border to Luang Prabang, a World Heritage town of golden temples, for a half-day cruise on the Mekong and the dawn alms giving.
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In Vang Vieng you kayak the Nam Song River beneath limestone cliffs, then take the train to Vientiane to visit Wat Si Saket, the city’s oldest temple. An overnight sleeper train brings you to Bangkok for your final night.
The physical rating is low. This trip suits rail lovers and travellers who want to cross three countries overland.
Trip highlights
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A high-speed train to Jinghong (Day 2)
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A Hani tea village (Day 3)
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A bullet train to Luang Prabang (Day 4)
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A Mekong cruise (Day 5)
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Kayaking in Vang Vieng (Day 7)
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A sleeper train to Bangkok (Day 9)
Your route
8 stops from Kunming to Bangkok
- Kunming Day 1
- Jinghong Days 2–3
- Luang Prabang Days 4–5
- Pak Ou Caves Day 5
- Vang Vieng Days 6–7
- Vientiane Day 8
- Nong Khai Day 9
- Bangkok Days 9–11
Why choose this tour
Three countries by the new trans-Asia railway. A small group of no more than twelve.
Best suited to
- Rail lovers
- Adventurous travellers
- Solo travellers
- Travellers on a budget
Day-by-day itinerary
11 days from Kunming, China to Bangkok, Thailand
-
Day 1 · Kunming Kunming
A 6pm welcome meeting.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Jinghong Jinghong
A high-speed train south.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 3 · Nannuo Mountain Jinghong
A Hani tea village.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Lunch
-
Day 4 · Luang Prabang Luang Prabang
A bullet train into Laos.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 5 · Mekong River Luang Prabang
A river cruise.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 6 · Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng Vang Vieng
Alms giving and the train.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Nam Song River Vang Vieng
Kayaking among the karsts.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Vientiane Vientiane
The Lao capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Wat Si Saket Vientiane
A temple and the night train.
- Hotel
- Overnight sleeper train
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Bangkok Bangkok
Arrive in Thailand.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 11 · Bangkok Bangkok
The trip ends.
Where you stay
- Kunming (1 night) Hotel
- Jinghong (2 nights) Hotel
- Luang Prabang (2 nights) Hotel
- Vang Vieng (2 nights) Hotel
- Vientiane (1 night) Hotel
- Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
- Bangkok (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 10 nights, including a sleeper train
- Meals 5 breakfasts and 2 lunches
- High-speed and bullet trains and a sleeper train
- Hani village visit on Nannuo Mountain
- Mekong cruise and Nam Song kayaking
- Wat Si Saket visit
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Visas
- Meals not included 5 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 10 dinners
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want luxury hotels
- You want most meals included
- You don’t want to sleep on a train
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 5–9 · Lunch: Days 3 and 5 · Dinner: none included
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,755 per person, twin share, tour only. 27 upcoming departures.
15 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
25 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,970pp
15 Apr 2027
Twin share
£1,990pp
22 Apr 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
13 May 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
01 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
15 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
19 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
02 Sept 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
16 Sept 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
07 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
14 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
28 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,945pp
13 Mar 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
23 Mar 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
13 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
20 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
11 May 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
29 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
13 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
17 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
31 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
14 Sept 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
05 Oct 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
12 Oct 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
26 Oct 2028
Twin share
£2,040pp
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.
Do I need a visa for China?
UK citizens can currently visit China visa-free for short stays. Check the latest advice before travel.
Do I need a visa for Laos?
Yes, UK citizens need a visa for Laos, available on arrival or online.
What is the sleeper train like?
Air-conditioned shared berths with a sheet and pillow and shared toilets.
Is the kayaking suitable for beginners?
Yes, on a calm stretch of the Nam Song River.
Can I have my own room?
A single supplement is available, except on the train.
How many people travel together?
No more than twelve 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