Essential Bangkok to Hanoi

Arrive in Bangkok and make your way to our starting hostel. There is a pre-departure welcome briefing at 17:00, so you can get to know the rest of the group and our tour leader. Please note that we can arrange pre-tour accommodation for you.

At around 18:30, we head out for an included tuk-tuk ride to a local rooftop restaurant. Get to know your fellow travellers over this included dinner. We'll then hop back on our tuk-tuks for a quick tour of the city's main sights. The tour will end at around 21:00 - 21:30 back at the hostel.

Bangkok - Chiang Mai. This morning, join our optional tour to Bangkok's main temples, including Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace (approx 1,000 THB).

Mid-afternoon, we are transferred to the train station where we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai. We board at about 19:45 and dinner is served onboard. However, the quality is not great, and we recommend bringing plenty of snacks with you. Alcohol is not permitted on the train. Please note that sometimes, overnight trains are not available. Alternative arrangements will be made in this scenario.

We should arrive in Chiang Mai just before 9:00. We'll make a stop so you can grab some breakfast and then will transfer to our homestay in the hills of Chiang Mai. Enjoy a included freshly prepared lunch before we head out for a day of trekking in this incredible landscape. We will trek for 2-3 hours, with an approximate distance of 4-6 km. We will enjoy a swimming stop at a local waterfall, so wear your swimsuit under your clothes if you'd like to enjoy a dip.

Back at our homestay, we enjoy dinner and a unique night in one of the homestay's simple local houses. Note that if you have paid for a room upgrade on your tour, this will be unavailable at the homestay.

This morning, we are collected from the hostel and transferred to Chang Chill Elephant Park, an ethical, hands-off elephant sanctuary. With a local guide, we will walk into the forest to observe the elephants from a safe distance as they feed and socialize. Lunch is included at the elephant park before we head to our hostel for tonight.

You can enjoy an evening at leisure or join an optional cooking class (approx 800 THB). There is also a Muay Thai show for those interested in this Thai martial art (approx 600 - 1,000 THB).

This morning, we can ride a traditional songthaew to Wat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's most famous temple. Back at the hostel, you can spend the rest of the day at leisure, or join an optional tour to the Sticky Waterfall, known for its unusual face.

If the group fancies it, we can head out for a few drinks at some of Chiang Mai's popular bars this evening.

Today is completely free for you to explore Chiang Mai at your own pace, or to partake in some of the optional activities available. You can enjoy trekking (approx 1,400 THB), white water rafting (approx 2,400 THB) or both (approx 2,900 THB), and will need to book these activities in with your tour leader in advance.

If you prefer, head into the Old Town independently, your tour leader will be able to advise you on where to go. You could visit the local market too, a great place to enjoy local street food and shop for souvenirs.

Chiang Mai - Luang Prabang (Laos). We are saying goodbye to Thailand as we cross the border into Laos and head to the city of Luang Prabang. The exact timings of our journey vary by departure, your tour leader will make sure you have all the necessary information. Many nationalities can get a Laotian visa on arrival, but please check in advance of your tour.

After settling in to our accommodation, we can head out for a group dinner, and perhaps browse the famous Hmong night market.

You can choose to rise before sunrise if you'd like to see the Takbat Lao Ceremony, when local monks collect food from all around the city. There's also an optional cooking experience this morning (approx USD $20). If joining this tour, a tuk-tuk will pick you up from the hostel, whisking you off to explore a local wet market where you can pick up fresh ingredients for your cooking experience. Upon arrival, enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and a brief rest before diving into a hands-on cooking class. Other optional activities this morning include volunteering at Big Brother Big Mouse, a local school or a rice experience (approx USD $36). Finally, you can opt for a cycle ride to a pottery making class (approx USD $22).

After a morning of activities, we have an included trip to the famous Kuang Si Waterfalls this afternoon. We will be able to hike around the waterfalls and enjoy a swim at this scenic spot. Back at the hostel, there's an optional dinner at a local home (approx USD $21) where you will join a Baci ceremony.

Today is completely free for you to explore Luang Prabang, or you can join our optional visit to an ethno-village (approx USD $30). From the hostel, you will travel by local transport to the boat pier, where you'll embark on a scenic Mekong River cruise. First stop: a riverside village, offering a glimpse into local daily life and customs. Continue to the renowned Whisky Village to learn the craft behind their famous rice wine and whisky, with a chance to sample the local brew. Sail onward to the Pak Ou Caves, home to over 4,000 Buddha statues and accessible only by boat, adding to its mystique. Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before the return trip to town, where you'll finish the day watching the sunset over the stunning views from Mt Phousi.

Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng. We are leaving Luang Prabang today, and heading to Vang Vieng. Put your swimsuit on underneath your clothes, as we are stopping en route at Blue Lagoon 2, a beautiful natural pool at the foot of a mountain. We'll spend around 3 hours here, with plenty of time for you to have a swim. We'll arrive at our hostel in Vang Vieng at about 17:00, and the rest of the day is at leisure.

You can enjoy another free day today. Our tour leader will be leading an optional bike ride to the Pha Ngern View Point (approx USD $5), and you can also opt for a half day rock climbing experience (approx USD $30) or try your hand at tubing (approx USD $6).

Vang Vieng - Vientiane - Hanoi (Vietnam). At around 9:00 we depart Vang Vieng and head to the airport in Vientiane, Laos' capital city. We are flying to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, and will then travel by public bus (86) to the centre of the city and our hostel. Some members of the group may be ending their tour in Hanoi, and others may be joining the group. To help everyone get to know each other, we suggest a group dinner tonight, and perhaps a bar crawl - our tour leader will know the best spots in town.

Today’s itinerary begins with an included visit to Hoa Lo Prison, known as the "Hanoi Hilton" during the Vietnam War, offering insight into the nation’s complex history. Next, you can head to Hoan Kiem Lake, a serene spot with a central temple steeped in legend, surrounded by wide, French-designed streets in the heart of Hanoi’s historic district. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake, observing locals as they gather for games and activities. If you’re ready for a bite, explore the nearby Old Quarter, packed with street food options showcasing Hanoi’s culinary diversity.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time to wander Hanoi’s narrow streets, learning the art of crossing its famously lively roads. For an authentic cultural experience, end your day with an optional Water Puppet Show - a traditional art form unique to northern Vietnam (approx 100,000 VND).

Not all of the group will be ending their tour tomorrow, but since some of us, we can head out for an optional group dinner and some drinks tonight, to say goodbye to those ending in Hanoi.

Your tour comes to an end today after breakfast - check out is 12:00. We can arrange post tour accommodation and airport transfers if you'd like.