12-Day Laos and Thailand Golden Triangle Tour with Mekong Explore Cruise

Welcome to Luang Prabang! Settle into your cabin as we begin our 8 day Mekong River cruise. Your cruise will begin with a city tour of Luang Prabang where you will explore the famous temples of Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Khili and Wat Sene.In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and traditional Laotian dance show and Baci ceremony. The rest of the night is free for you to relax.

After breakfast, you will be given a guided tour of the highlights of this wonderful city. Visit the National Museum, followed by a trip to Wat Visoun, Wat Manorom and the Sa Paper Village along the Nam Khan River.We will then go on a hike up Mount Phou Si, enjoy a spectacular view and sunset overlooking the surrounding mountains as well as the Mekong and the Khan Rivers. Appreciate the unique atmosphere created where the French colonial architecture collides with traditional Buddhist temples.Take a stroll along the Mekong river and then head to the vibrant night market of the local Hmong minority group.

Today, you will begin the day by observing the traditional alms giving ceremony in the streets of Luang Prabang. Once you have returned to the ship we will set off on our cruise, sailing up a secluded riverbank.For our first stop, we will head to Laotian village to observe how Lao-Lao, the local liqueur, is traditionally distilled. After a relaxing stroll through the jungle, we will visit the Pak Ou Village, where you will visit the breathtaking Tam Ting Caves of a Thousand Buddhas.The rest of the day is free for you to appreciate the beautiful views as we continue our cruise.

Today is a day full of relaxation and appreciation of the beautiful natural wonders of Laos. Enjoy the breathtaking untouched views of hills covered in tropical vegetation and rock formations along the river banks as we continue to cruise upstream.In the afternoon, you will visit a small local village school sponsored by guests of the Mekong Explorer. The rest of the day is free for you to relax.

Enjoy the astonishing landscape and tranquility along the river as we continue to sail the Mekong Explorer.In the afternoon, we will make a short stop to visit the market of Pakbeng Town.Continue your cruise sailing alongside stunning mountains and rolling green hills. The rest of the evening is free for you to relax on deck.

We will begin our day by cruising upstream towards Pak Tha, a small local village where you will take a boat excursion along the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. You will also visit another small village school sponsored by guests of the Mekong Explorer. After your return to the cruise, we will proceed onward to Chiang Khong and Huay Xai, the border cities of Laos and Thailand.Enjoy a relaxing dinner in the evening.

After breakfast, you will be taken on an excursion to the Golden Triangle, the region between Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand. Here, you will visit the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak and the Hall of Opium, a fascinating museum that gives a deep background on the history and politics of opium and the opium trade.Enjoy your last evening on board with a lovely farewell dinner.

After breakfast, you will sadly say goodbye to your wonderful Laotian crew and your guide will be waiting for you and take you to the Tenasserim Hills, you'll go up to highest peak on the Thai-Myanmar border to explore the local hill villages and enjoy the beautiful view of the terraced farms below you.After this, you will be taken to Chiang Mai, along the way, you will visit a contemporary Buddhist temple, Wat Rong Khun - the White Temple; this extravagant and ornate complex was built in 1997. You'll never have seen anything quite like this.Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, you will visit the Maetaman Elephant Camp. You'll get the chance to tick Elephant ride off your bucket list, as you ride across the river and through the forest. Then back to the elephant village for lunch, after which you can get up close and personal with the world's most gentle giants.In the afternoon, enjoy a bamboo rafting along the Mae Taeng River. The rest of the day is yours.Overnight in Chiang Mai.

The morning is yours to explore on your own, until its time to go to the airport for your short flight to Bangkok. Once you arrive and check in you can spend the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.

After breakfast at your hotel, you begin your fantastic journey of discovery; the first stop, is the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. You will board a private motorboat and travel down the canals to marketplace; colourful, overflowing, exotic boat-stalls surround you. This is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs and take lots of photographs.

After the market, you'll be driven back downtown for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll visit some of Bangkok's most exquisite Buddhist temples. You can marvel at the attention to detail and the spectacular architecture at the magnificent Grand Palace. Then its on to Wat Traimit – The Temple of the Golden Buddha, which houses the world's largest solid gold statue; the incredible 3 metre high buddha statue is quite a sight to behold. Next it's onto Wat Arun - the Temple of Dawn, which sits on the banks of the Chao Praya River and is considered by many the most beautiful temple in Thailand. Today's tour ends with Wat Po - Temple Of Reclining Buddha, which houses a 46-metre gold leaf gilded Buddha statue.

Enjoy a final morning in this enchanting place, before you are taken to the airport for your flight on to your next destination. Leaving Thailand with a new found appreciation for this spectacular country and it's people.

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