Bangkok to Luang Prabang

Welcome to Bangkok! Get ready for a wild mix of food, heat, and glorious chaos. Tonight, you’ll roll into Khao San Road with your Trip Manager and the crew for your first hit of neon lights, street eats, and that proper first-night buzz.

Bangkok's all yours today — tuk-tuks, temples, street stalls - the whole lot. You can go big with an optional half-day Floating Markets mission and see the city’s waterways in full swing, or even jump on a street food tour and let Bangkok feed you properly.

One last day to soak up Bangkok’s energy. Opt in for a hit of royal history at the Grand Palace and cruise the city’s klongs to see the city from the water.In the evening, we’ll transfer to the station and board an overnight bus to Chiang Mai (a proper Thailand travel rite of passage). The ride will take around 11 hours, so you’ll rest on the way and wake up ready for fresh air and mountain views.

Morning, sleepyheads. This morning, we'll wake up to Northern Thailand’s fresher air and roll into Chiang Mai where a Local Guide will be waiting for us.Today's yours to tailor. Join an optional local market wander followed by a cooking class to dish out your fave Thai cuisine. Wanna turn up the energy? Book an optional Muay Thai session.

A free day? In Chiang Mai? Oh my. Yup, this laid-back mountain city is all yours to explore today too. You can choose to visit Elephant Nature Park to see the biggest and cutest local residents up close. Later, you’ll also have the option to jump on a Vespa tour and see the city in night mode.

Catch ya later, Chiang Mai. Today, we'll hit the road to Chiang Dao, rolling past rice paddies and big green views. You’ll stop at Sri Lanna National Park, then climb up Bua Thong “Sticky” Waterfall (yep, you ain't slipping here).Next, we’ll head into Chiang Dao Cave for a guided walk through huge limestone chambers, epic formations, and hidden Buddhist shrines. In the afternoon, we'll continue on to Chiang Dao and check into our hotel. The rest of the day is all yours to do what you please.

Fuel up with breakfast, then head further north towards Fang. Today will be all about slowing down and soaking up Thai highland scenery. We'll stop at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park for its natural hot springs, where you can dip into mineral-rich pools, chill in the sauna, and watch steam rise with mountain views in the background.After a very special spa session with Mother Nature, we’ll roll into Fang. Use up the rest of the day to explore the local town. Or do absolutely nothing and enjoy that quiet mountain air.

Time to swap the main roads for a 4WD ride into the hills, heading to the secluded village of Doi Pu Muen.Wander through tea and coffee plantations, try your hand at picking leaves, and learn how tea is heated and dried using traditional methods passed down through generations in the Lahu community. Then you’ll sit down with your hosts to taste the goods, hear their stories, and share a delish local lunch.After lunch, we’ll head back down the mountain and transfer to Chiang Rai.

Bye-bye, Thailand. We'll cross into Laos via the Huay Xai border, then jump on a private slow boat for a two-day cruise down the legendary Mekong River. This ain't just transport — you’ll kick back on deck, watch river life roll by, swap stories with the crew, and even enjoy lunch onboard before docking for the night in riverside Pak Beng.Once you arrive, we’ll check into the hostel and have the evening to settle in.

Back on the boat and cruising onward, we'll leave Pak Beng behind on a roughly 7-hour journey to UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang. Along the way, we'll also visit the stunning Pak Ou caves and grab a simple lunch onboard.Hey there, Luang Prabang. This is place where ancient temples and French-colonial streets will set the vibe straight away. If you’re keen, you’ll have the option to hike up Mount Phousi at sunset for panoramic views over the city and river.

Prepare to be absolutely stunned! Today, we'll head out to the postcard-worthy Kuang Si Falls — a multi-tiered cascade with turquoise pools (that’ll be begging for a swim). Afterwards, we’ll visit a local social enterprise supporting women through traditional weaving, where you’ll learn about the craft and the impact behind it. Next: free time to wander Luang Prabang’s night market and maybe even lock in the perfect souvenir.

You can choose to start the day with Alms Giving (a quiet, meaningful Luang Prabang moment before the pace switches up). Then jump on the high-speed train and rocket your way to Vang Vieng.Limestone cliffs on full display and the river running the show - that's how you know you're in Vang Vieng. You’ll have the rest of the day free to choose your own adventure, whether that’s chilled-out exploring or turning the dial up.

Today's a you-do-you kinda day. Need ideas for things to do in Vang Vieng? Your Trip Manager will point you in the right direction. Feeling adventurous? Join the crew for some kayaking on the Nam Song River.

Next stop: Luang Prabang. We'll jump on the high-speed train and be back by the river in about an hour.Rolling into Luang Prabang, you’ll transfer out to Ban Laesivilay and get the kind of welcome that makes you instantly relax.Once you’ve dropped your bags, we’ll head out into the plantations to see what’s growing in season and get a real feel for village life. We’ll hop on a local boat and cruise the Nam Xeuang, with stops along the banks to try gold panning and traditional fishing. Then it’s back to the homestay for a big shared family feast — you’ll get involved in the cooking, learn a few Lao faves, and sit down together for a night of food and stories.

Start the morning with an included Lao-style breakfast made by your hosts, then head out on a village walk to see how daily life runs out here. Expect farming chats, hands-on moments, and a proper look at the rural rhythm beyond the tourist trail.And just like that, our Southeast Asian adventure has come to an end. Hug it out, say your goodbyes, and hop on for a transfer to Luang Prabang.