Northwest Vietnam Laos Thailand via land crossing trip of lifetime (#2309)

 

Day 1: Arrival – Saigon (no meals)

You are welcomed at Tan Son Nhat Airport from and be transferred to hotel in center Ho Chi Minh City.
In this, the largest of Vietnam’s cities, you will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere, and there is something invigorating about it all. Contrasting images of the exotic and mundane abound. There are the street markets, where bargains are struck and deals are done; the pavement cafes, where stereo speakers fill the surrounding streets with a melodious thumping beat; and the sleek new cafes and pubs, where tourists chat over beer, pretzels, coffee and croissants. A young office worker manoeuvres her Honda Dream through rush-hour traffic, long hair flowing, high heel working the break pedal. The sweating Chinese businessman chats on his cellular phone, cursing his necktie in the tropical heat. Free time at leisure.
Overnight in Saigon

 

Day 2: Saigon – Dalat (B)

Have breakfast at hotel.
Then at 08.00am transfer (no guide) to Dalat – a long history of being an internal get-away for the residents of Vietnam. It is situated in the mountains, surrounded by valleys, lakes, and waterfalls
Check in at hotel.
Rest of day at leisure
Overnight in Dalat

 

Day 3: Dalat – free time (B), NO GUIDE, NO CAR

Have breakfast at hotel.
Free time at leisure.
Overnight at the same hotel in Dalat.

 

Day 4: Dalat – Lak Lake – Buon Me Thuot (B)

Breakfast and hotel. Leave Dalat at 8.00am for Lak Lake. On the way, visit a silk worm farm, chop stick maker, and a coffee farm. Arrive in Jun, a M’nong ethnic minority village next to Lak Lake by 2 pm. Cross Lak Lake by dug out canoe (piroques), trek through area villages on the far side of the lake. Return by piroques.
Take the transfer to Buon Me Thuot.
Overnight in Buon Me Thuot.

 

Day 5: Buon Me Thuot – visits (B)

Have breakfast at hotel.
08.00am: You will visit some places in Buon Me Thuot city such as the city center, the church, the Ethnic Museum and the market.
Free time at leisure.
Overnight in Buon Me Thuot at the same hotel.

 

Day 6: Buon Me Thuot – Pleiku on Ho Chi Minh trail! (B)

Have breakfast then transfer to Pleiku. This day is particularly long with 110 km of driving through a fairly flat terrain of coffee and rubber tree plantations.
Check in at hotel on arrival
Overnight in Pleiku.

 

Day 7: Pleiku – Hoian on Ho Chi Minh trail! (B)

08.00am: pick up at hotel.
In Pleiku, you will have time to visit Giarai and Bahnar tribe villages
Take a car on the Ho Chi Minh Highway via Dac To and Kontum to Hoi An with stop to visit Yaly waterfall, Ngoc Hoi former battle field and Charlie Hills
Overnight at Hoian.

 

Day 8: Hoi An – visits (no meals)

Bike with your bicycles to explore Hoian charming little town. Whether it is in the silk shops having a new wardrobe tailored or cycling (rent the bicycles by yourself) to the beach about 6 kilometers away, one thing is certain, you will not get bored in this town.
Overnight in Hoi An at the same hotel in Hoian.

 

Day 9: Hoi An – Free day (B), NO CAR, NO GUIDE

Leisure time.
Overnight at the same hotel in Hoian

 

Day 10: Hoi An – Free day (B), NO CAR, NO GUIDE

Leisure time.
Overnight at the same hotel in Hoian

 

Day 11: Hoi An – night train to Hanoi (B)

Leisure time.
12.30: Take the transfer to Danang station (no guide) for the night train to Hanoi, soft sleeper 4 berth sharing cabin ticket. Late check out is not included.
Overnight on train.

 

Day 12: Hanoi – arrival – free day (B)

Arrive Hanoi in the morning, take the taxi by yourself to Hanoi Holiday Gold hotel for refresh and have breakfast and early check in (PLEASE LOOK FOR EITHER HANOI, MAI LINH OR CP TAXI TO AVOID SCAM)
Free time at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi

 

Day 13: Hanoi – free day (B), NO CAR, NO GUIDE

Free time at leisure.
Overnight at the same hotel in Hanoi.

 

Day 14: Hanoi – free day (B), NO CAR, NO GUIDE

Free time at leisure.
Overnight at the same hotel in Hanoi.

 

Day 15: Hanoi – Tay Phuong pagoda – Mai Chau (B)

07h30: Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi, transfer to Tay Phuong Pagoda which was built in the 17th century, and is very famous for the 18 statues of La Han coated with lacquer paint. After that we visit Thay Pagoda which was first built in 11 century. This one is located at the foot of Thay mountain and has a neat setting. In here, you’ll have a chance to see the oldest stage for performing water puppet right in the village lake.
Then transfer to Hoa Binh.
Hoa Binh with visit of Muong ethnic minority village on the way. Hoa Binh province, approximately 75 km from Hanoi, is home to several ethnic minorities, particularly the White Thai and Muong ethnic group. Their traditional stilt houses are large structures with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo floors. The kitchen is located in the center of the house; the cooking as well as the weaving of the colorful tho cam, the material used to make their clothes, takes place there. Arrive Mai Chau Valley.
Home-stay overnight at Villager’s House

 

Day 16: Mai Chau – Moc Chau – Son La (B)

After breakfast, you will visit the Mai Chau market, then departure to Son La. Enjoy the beauty of the northwest mountains of the Thai villages along the pair of Da river. Visit Son La cultural Museum and Son La prison.
Overnight in Son La

 

Day 17: Son La – Dien Ben Phu (B)

In the morning, depart for Dien Bien Phu – crossing the Pha Din Pass. Arrive Dien Ben Phu at noon.
Visit the Dien Bien Phu museum and the old battlefield (Tunnel General De Castries, Hill A1, Muong Thanh bridge …).
Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

 

Day 18: Dien Ben Phu – Tay Trang – cross the border into Laos – Sop Hun – Muong Khoua (B),

After breakfast, 08.00am: take the transfer to Tay Trang border to Laos.
Upon arrival at Lao border Sop Hun, we will check in at the immigration and then meet Lao guide. Briefing about the itinerary and then we drive to Muang Mai where we will have lunch. After lunch we keep on going our journey to Muang Khoua.
Overnight in Muong Khoua.

 

Day 19: Muang Khoua – Oudomxay (B)

It’s a good idea to get up early and visit the local markets and witness people from the surrounding minority villages exchanging their wares. Afterwards we start the second leg of our journey from Muang Khoua to Oudomxay. On the way we will have lunch at Pak Nam Noi or Muang La. We expect to arrive Oudomxay around 1500pm. If we have time enough we will explore the town on foot.
Overnight in Oudomxay.

 

Day 20: Oudomxay – Pak Mong – Nongkhiaw (B), CAR AND GUIDE

Climbing out of the Oudom Xai valley, we are rewarded with some amazing views. Most of the villages are inhabited by the Hmong people who are distinctive in the way they dress. We will have lunch on the way at Pak Mong or somewhere, after lunch we will continue to Nong Khiaw, we’ll check in the nice bungalow near the riverside.
Overnight at Nongkhiaw.

 

Day 21: Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast you’ll have some time left to enjoy the village life before we board our wooden ‘sampan’ and continue our trip on the Ou Rriver. Before reaching Luang Prabang, we will stop to visit the Pac Ou caves, where we climb steps up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Around lunch time we will arrive in Luang Prabang. This afternoon you’ll have some time to relax and unwind or to explore a bit of this world heritage town. All the main sites of interest are close together so you can comfortable wander around and visit Wat Xieng Thong (the golden temple built in 1559) which is strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and mosaic motifs. Late afternoon you can climb the small temple on top of Mount Phousi and enjoy fine views over the town and the surrounding hills.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 22: Luang Prabang (B)

If one rises early there is a good opportunity to see a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander through town blessing local people who give them offers (mostly sticky rice). Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, is best known for it’s ancient temples and romantic setting at the confluence of the Mekong and Kane Rivers. Because of the compact size of the peninsula, Luang Prabang is best explored on foot and bicycle. In the morning we embark on a half-day walking tour, visiting the National Museum (formerly known as the Royal Palace), Wat May, Wat Visoun, Wat Aharm, afterward we have a day trip to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls where turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The abundance of water forms a magnificent display of nature. Below the Kuang Si are large ponds perfect for swimming and cooling off under the spray. Before enjoying a picnic lunch next to the pools, we will pass stupendous landscapes, teak forests and several ethnic minority villages (Hmong and Khmu). Near the waterfalls it’s worth while to visit a centre where the endangered black Asiatic beers found a safe shelter. If we have time enough we will continue to Ban Phanom or Ban Xiang Lom the weaving village for the excellent pieces of Lao textiles.
Overnight at the same hotel in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 23: Luang Prabang – free day (B), NO CAR, NO GUIDE

Free time at leisure.
Overnight at the same hotel in Luang Prabang.

 

Day 24: Luang Pabang – Pakbeng (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the boat and cruise up the Mekong river to Pakbeng. A brief stop is made at a local village to observe the traditional process of obtaining local rice alcohol. A buffet lunch is on the boat.We’ll arrive Pakbeng before the sunset.
Overnight in Pakbeng.

 

Day 25: Pakbeng – Houeixay – cross the border into north Thailand – Chieng Khong – Chieng Rai (B)

It’s a good idea to get up early and visit the local markets and witness people from the surrounding minority villages exchanging their wares. Afterwards we start the second leg of the cruise up the stream to Houeixay. Stops are made en route to observe village life along the river and discover dwellings of ethnic minority groups. A buffet lunch is on the boat, we’ll be arriving at Ban Houeixay in the afternoon. Afterward transfer to the immigration for departure to Thailand.
We will arrive Houeixay at around 16.00-17.00.
Pick up from Thai – Laos – border and transfer to Chiang Rai Hotel.
Overnight in Chieng Rai.

 

Day 26: Chieng Rai (B)

After Breakfast, visit the Golden Triangle, to Chiang Saen, which is about 60 km from Chiang Rai – a small town on the bank of the Mekong River. The ruins of the earthen city walls and temples that scattered throughout the town are existing proofs of the Chiang Sean kingdom and thus are worth visiting especially for those interested in history. After lunch you start your sightseeing with the Chiang Saen National Museum which is located near the old city walls, is famous for its invaluable Buddha images and arte facts of the Chiang Saen Kingdom which flourished in the 11th and 12th centuries.
Wat Phra That Chedi Luang is located next to the museum, this ancient temple features the tallest pagoda in Chiang Rai. The 88-metre high brick pagoda is in the bell shape of the classic Lanna style.
Wat Pa Sak, located outside the city walls, this temple remains with ornamental stucco motifs is regarded as one of the most beautiful examples of Lanna architecture
Overnight at the same hotel in Chieng Rai.

 

Day 27: Chieng Rai – free day (B), NO CAR, NO GUIDE

Free time at leisure.
Overnight at the same hotel in Chieng Rai.

 

Day 28: Chieng Rai – Chieng Mai (B)

It is about 5 hours drive from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. On the way you can visit some hill tribe villages such as those of Akha and Lahu. Proceed to Chiang Rai. Before arrival you can visit Doitung Mae Fah Luang royal project and the Royal Villa, situated at Km. 12 of route 1149. This beautiful royal residence was built for the late Princess Mother in celebration of her 90th birthday in 1990. The villa is a 2-storey building neatly designed in northern Thai and Swiss chalet styles of architecture.
Overnight in ChiengMai.

 

Day 29: Chieng Mai (B)

You start your journey with the most important landmark of Chiang Mai. Visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most important and visible landmark, and overlook the city from its forest mountain backdrop. It is 3,520 feet above sea level. The temple is approached on foot by climbing a steep staircase comprising 290 steps. (While climbing the stairs, you should pay attention to the giant dragons on the sides of the stairs – the less energetic may ascend by funicular railcars) The Temples’ golden pagoda contains a holy Buddha relics and attract Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year.
Overnight at the same hotel in ChiengMai.

 

Day 30: Chieng Mai (B)

You continue your sightseeing with a visit Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao, where the famous Emerald Buddha was enshrined for 32 years (from A.D. 1436 to 1468). Leave Chiang Mai along the mountainous highway to Lampang (90 Kms. away). On the way shot stop at Local market where you could see wild animals. Drive on to visit Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang, one of the northern finest temples and the best presentation of Lanna style architecture. Continue to Lampang, a unique town that still uses a colorful horse carriage as a mean of today’s transport. Then take a Horse drawn carriage around the city center, visit Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao, where the famous Emerald Buddha was enshrined for 32 years (from A.D. 1436 to 1468). Returning to Chiang Mai, branch off the highway into Lamphun, with its history dating back to A.D. 700, and its ancient and revered temple: Wat Phrathat Haripunchai, and Wat Chama.
Overnight at the same hotel in ChiengMai.

 

Day 31: Chieng Mai – free day (B), NO CAR, NO GUIDE

Free time at leisure.
Overnight at the same hotel in Chieng Mai.

 

Day 32: Chieng Mai – fly to Bangkok

After breakfast your guide will pick you up to visit Mae Sa elephant camp which is half an hour drive from Chiang Mai to visit the elephant camp. You will see the demonstration of the elephant work , their skills used in the logging industry as well as even some artistic! Mae Sa elephant camp is the best elephant camp in Thailand. Don’t miss the visit to the paper factory where the paper are made from elephant dung. On the return journey to the hotel a stop is made at the beautiful Mae Sa Waterfall, as well as one of the region’s orchid farms displaying a full variety of some of Thailand’s exquisite blooms. In the afternoon visit some of the handicraft workshops which makes Northern Thailand so popular. Of all Chiang Mai’s cultural achievements, none are more remarkable than their handicrafts. Transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok, Thai Airways Intl (TG)
Meet on arrival Bangkok airport, transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight in Bangkok.

 

Day 33: Bangkok – fly back home (B), CAR ONLY NO GUIDE

Free time
Late check out not included but you can leave your luggage in storage at the hotel
Transfer (no guide) from Hotel to Bangkok International Airport for your flight back home
(ends).

 

Interested? just email us for rates!

 

Price inclusive

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast at hotel as mentioned
• Private transfer with air-conditioning
• Mineral water and wet wipe
• All entrance fees, boat fees, river cruise fees as mentioned
• English speaking local stationed guide except where mentioned no guide
• Train tickets in Vietnam: Danang-Hanoi.
• House slow boat Luang Prabang – Pakbeng
• Speedboat Pakeng – Houiexai
• Airfare from Chieng Mai to Bangkok and tax

Price exclusive

• Services not mentioned
• Lunches and dinners
• Late check out and early check in
• International flight to Vietnam and exit Bangkok with airport tax
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses & Tips
• Vietnam visa stamp fees (US$25,–pp nett nett)

Hotels used

City	Hotel & room type	Website
Saigon	Saigon Mini hotel (Standard room)	http://saigonminihotel.com/
Dalat	Thien An hotel (Standard room)	www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293922-d805858-Reviews-Thien_An_Hotel-Dalat.html
Buon Me Thuot	Dam San hotel (Standard room)	http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g670918-d648113-Reviews-Damsan_Hotel-Buon_Ma_Thuot_Dak_Lak_Province.html
Pleiku	Sesan hotel (Standard room)	http://sesanhotel.com.vn
Hoian	Betal Garden homestay (Standard room)	http://www.betelgardenhomestay.com/
Hanoi	Hanoi Holiday Gold hotel (Superior room)	http://www.hanoiholidayhotel.com/
MaiChau	Maichau Nature Place (Standard room)	http://www.maichaunatureplace.com/
SonLa	Cong Doan Son La hotel (Standard room)	Not Available
Dien Bien	Dien Bien Phu Hanoi hotel (Standard room)	Not Available
Muangkhoua	Seunaly hotel, Standard room	Not Available
Vientiane	Lao Paris hotel (standard room )	www.laoparishotel.com
Vang Vieng	Thavonsouk Bungalow (standard room)	www.thavonsouk.com
Luang Prabang	Luang Prabang Rama hotel (Standard room)	www.ramahotel.net
Pakbeng	Phetsokxai hotel, Standard room	Not Available
Chiang Rai	Rimkok Resort, Superior room	http://www.rimkokresorts.com/contact_us
Chiang Mai	Park Hotel, Superior room	http://www.empresshotels.com/park_hotel.html
Bangkok	All Season Siam hotel, Standard room	http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6291-all-seasons-bangkok-siam/index.shtml