Tour overview

This 13-day adventure travels from Bangkok through northern Thailand and down the Mekong into Laos. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen, with Lao guides joining in Laos. You stay twelve nights in simple hotels and guesthouses, plus a night on a sleeper train, with breakfast on most days and a lunch.

After a cruise along the Chao Phraya River and its canals, you take the overnight train to Chiang Mai to explore its old city and visit the ChangChill elephant experience, watching free-roaming elephants. On the way to the border you stop at Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, then cross into Laos and board a slow boat for two days on the Mekong, staying at Pakbeng and visiting the Pak Ou Caves.

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Three nights in Luang Prabang, a World Heritage town of golden temples, include the dawn alms giving. A high-speed train takes you to Vang Vieng, surrounded by limestone karsts, for adventures on the river, before you finish in Vientiane, Asia’s most laid-back capital.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits travellers who want a classic overland journey through Thailand and Laos.

Trip highlights

  • A canal cruise in Bangkok (Day 2)
  • An elephant experience (Day 4)
  • The White Temple (Day 5)
  • A slow boat down the Mekong (Days 6–7)
  • Luang Prabang (Days 7–9)
  • Vang Vieng (Days 10–11)

Your route

9 stops from Bangkok to Vientiane

13-day route: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Chiang Khong – Pakbeng – Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane
  1. Bangkok Days 1–2
  2. Chiang Mai Days 3–4
  3. White Temple Day 5
  4. Chiang Khong Day 5
  5. Pakbeng Day 6
  6. Pak Ou Caves Day 7
  7. Luang Prabang Days 7–9
  8. Vang Vieng Days 10–11
  9. Vientiane Days 12–13

Why choose this tour

The classic Mekong slow boat into Laos. Great value with a local leader.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers and couples
  • First-time visitors to Laos
Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai from above

Day-by-day itinerary

13 days from Bangkok, Thailand to Vientiane, Laos

  1. Day 1 · Bangkok Bangkok

    A welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Chao Phraya River Bangkok

    Canals and the night train.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    The old city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  4. Day 4 · ChangChill Chiang Mai

    An elephant experience.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  5. Day 5 · Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Khong Chiang Khong

    The White Temple.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
  6. Day 6 · Mekong River, Pakbeng Pakbeng

    A slow boat into Laos.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Pak Ou Caves, Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    Caves on the Mekong.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    A World Heritage town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    Alms giving at dawn.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng

    A high-speed train.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng

    An adventure town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Vientiane Vientiane

    The laid-back capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Vientiane Vientiane

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Boats on a river beneath misty mountains in northern Laos

Where you stay

  • Bangkok (1 night) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Chiang Mai (2 nights) Hotel
  • Chiang Khong (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Pakbeng (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Luang Prabang (3 nights) Hotel
  • Vang Vieng (2 nights) Hotel
  • Vientiane (1 night) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 12 nights, including a sleeper train
  • Meals 9 breakfasts and 1 lunch
  • Sleeper train, slow boat and high-speed train
  • Bangkok canal cruise
  • ChangChill elephant experience
  • Pak Ou Caves visit
  • Local leaders throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Meals not included 3 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 12 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
The tiered cascades of Kuang Si Falls

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfortable hotels throughout
  • You don’t want to sleep on a train
  • You want most meals included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2 and 6–13 · Lunch: Day 4 · Dinner: none included
Sunset over the Mekong River

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £1,356 per person, twin share, tour only. 150 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.

Do I need visas?

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

What is the slow boat like?

A covered river boat with seats, taking two days with a night in Pakbeng.

Is the elephant experience ethical?

Yes, you observe free-roaming elephants. There’s no riding.

What is the sleeper train like?

Air-conditioned berths with a sheet and pillow.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available, except on the train.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with local leaders.

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
From £1,356
See dates & prices