Itinerary
- Day 1
Kunming
You'll meet your group and leader at 6 pm at your hotel in Kunming. If you get there earlier, there's time to walk around Green Lake Park, check out The Loft galleries and cafes, or visit Yuantong Temple. Dinner is optional and features crossing-the-bridge noodles, a signature Yunnan dish you shouldn't miss if you're hungry after traveling.
Optional Activities
- Explore Green Lake Park and watch locals practising tai chi
- Visit galleries and cafes in The Loft (old factory area)
- Visit Yuantong Temple
- Optional dinner with Yunnan cuisine including crossing-the-bridge noodles
Landmarks Green Lake Park Yuantong Temple 
- Day 2
Kunming to Jinghong
The high-speed train takes you from Kunming to Jinghong, getting you there around midday. After checking in, your leader will take you on an orientation walk to get your bearings. The afternoon is free, though you can optionally head to Manting Park to see Dai architecture and Buddhist temples. By evening, the Starlight Market beneath the Golden Pagoda opens up with local artisans and food stalls where you can try Dai specialties.
Included Activities
- Starlight Night Market visit with leader
Optional Activities
- Visit Manting Park - former royal garden of the Dai Empire with Dai architecture, rare flowers, and Buddhist temples
Landmarks Manting Park Golden Pagoda Starlight Market - Day 3
Nannuo Mountain
A private vehicle takes you to Nannuo Mountain and a local Hani village where you'll learn about pu'er tea directly from growers. You'll walk through 800-year-old tea plantations, pick some leaves yourself, and taste the tea with your hosts. Lunch is home-cooked and served on banana leaves before you head back to Jinghong for a free afternoon to rest or explore on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-cooked lunch with Hani family served on banana leaves)
Included Activities
- Visit to local Hani village on Nannuo Mountain
- Short hike through tea plantations
- Pu'er tea making and production education
- View of 800-year-old tea tree
- Tea leaf picking
- Tea tasting with Hani family hosts
- Home-cooked lunch on banana leaves
Landmarks Nannuo Mountain - Day 4
Luang Prabang
You'll cross into Luang Prabang this morning on a bullet train, and your leader handles all the border paperwork so you don't have to worry about it. Once you check into your hotel in the early afternoon, take an orientation walk around the city to get oriented with the UNESCO-listed streets lined with temples and French colonial buildings. The free time after that is yours to wander around on your own, then later you'll head up to Wat Phu Si hill to catch the sunset views over the city.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk with leader in Luang Prabang
- Sunset walk on Wat Phu Si hill
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Talad Mued Night Market - traditional communal BBQ (sindad)
- Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls
- Craft workshop (bamboo, embroidery, etc.)
- Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre
Landmarks Wat Phu Si Talad Mued Night Market Kuang Si Waterfalls Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre 
- Day 5
Mekong River
A half-day cruise on the Mekong takes you past reeds and forested mountains. You'll stop at Pak Ou Caves, a religious site with hundreds of Buddha statues inside limestone caverns accessible only by boat. Lunch happens on the boat as you return to Luang Prabang early afternoon. After that, you can optionally swim at Kuang Si Waterfall or try more Laotian food at the night market.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch served on the boat during return journey)
Included Activities
- Half-day Mekong River cruise
- Pak Ou Caves visit
- Lunch during river cruise
Optional Activities
- Visit Kuang Si Waterfall to swim
- Explore night market for Laotian dishes such as khao niew (sticky rice) and larb (minced meat salad)
Landmarks Pak Ou Caves Kuang Si Waterfall - Day 6
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Wake early to watch saffron-robed monks in the sunrise alms-giving ceremony, a centuries-old Buddhist ritual your leader will explain. The morning is easy after that, or you can visit a fair trade centre to make your own bamboo basket and support traditional crafts. The bullet train to Vang Vieng leaves in the afternoon, getting you to your hotel late evening.
Included Activities
- Traditional alms-giving ceremony at sunrise
- Optional visit to local fair trade centre to make bamboo basket
- Day 7
Nam Song River
Kayaking on the Nam Song River starts your morning with limestone cliffs and forested mountains all around you. You'll paddle through some mini rapids and pull ashore to hike up to Phar Norn (Sleeping Cave) for photos of the karsts. Kayaking downstream brings you back to Vang Vieng with the rest of the day free. You can optionally explore Tham Chang cavern or rent a bike to wander the area.
Included Activities
- Nam Song River kayaking trip
- Hike to Phar Norn (Sleeping Cave)
Optional Activities
- Visit Tham Chang - a beautiful cavern fed by a natural spring
- Explore the area by bike
Landmarks Nam Song River Phar Norn (Sleeping Cave) Tham Chang - Day 8
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
A relaxed morning leads into a train ride to Vientiane, Laos's capital, arriving mid-afternoon. Walking, renting a bike, or taking a tuk-tuk lets you explore at your own pace and take in the laid-back vibe. The older part of town along the Mekong has faded mansions, tree-lined streets, and old temples that feel timeless. The night market opens after sunset for dinner and snacks.
Optional Activities
- Walk through the city exploring faded mansions and tree-lined boulevards
- Hire a bike to explore Vientiane
- Jump on a tuk-tuk (jumbo) to explore the city
- Visit old temples
- Grab food at the lively night market
Landmarks Mekong River 
- Day 9
Vientiane
Start with Wat Si Saket, the city's oldest temple containing almost 7000 Buddha images. Then visit COPE, an organization helping people affected by unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War. The visit teaches you about Laos's difficult war history and you'll support a good cause. Grab something at their Karma Cafe, then relax for a few hours before boarding an overnight train to Bangkok.
Included Activities
- Visit Wat Si Saket temple
- Visit COPE and Karma Cafe
Landmarks Wat Si Saket - Day 10
Bangkok
You'll arrive in Bangkok early morning and can use multishare rooms to freshen up. Your leader shows you where to grab breakfast, so try khao tom (savory rice soup) or pathongko (Thai doughnuts) to taste real Thai flavors. The rest of the day is yours to wander Chinatown, see the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or hang out at Khao San Road. The group regroups in the evening for an optional farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Classic Thai breakfast such as khao tom (savoury rice soup) or pathongko (Thai-style doughnuts))
Optional Activities
- Explore Chinatown
- Visit the Grand Palace
- Visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Visit Khao San Road (backpacker hub)
- Treat yourself to a Thai massage
- Optional farewell dinner with leader and fellow travellers
Landmarks Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Chinatown Khao San Road 
- Day 11
Bangkok
This is your final day with no planned activities. You're free to check out and leave whenever you're ready. If you want to stay longer in Bangkok, let your booking agent know in advance so they can arrange an extension for you.
