NORTHERN THAILAND & LAOS EXPERIENCE

Day 1 - Departure

Depart London Heathrow on Thai Airways to Chiang Mai changing aircraft in Bangkok.

Days 2-3 - Chiang Mai

On arrival private transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day and the next day at leisure in Chiang Mai. (B)

Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest city is a pleasant place to wander on foot and a visit to the famous night markets full of local handicrafts is highly recommended. Accommodation options: Royal Princess Chiang Mai

Day 4 - Lisu Lodge

Overland transfer to Lisu Lodge stopping at Doi Suthep and an Orchid Farm. Visit some local families in a nearby village. Overnight at Lisu Lodge. (B/L/D)

The Lisu lodge was built in 1992 on the edge of the Lisu village of Dton Loong, approximately 50 km north of Chiang Mai. It is staffed and managed by the Lisu Tribe, and was constructed after consultation with the villagers and strongly encourages local participation.

Some of the villagers are earning directly from their work at the lodge, and a profit sharing scheme distributes money to the community via a Village Fund, and also provision of free medical aid. There is also the provision of free medical aid. Furnishings and decorations are made by local craftsmen, and villagers are employed to perform traditional dances and music.

Day 5 - Khum Lanna

In the morning enjoy an elephant ride. After a picnic lunch experience white water rafting that takes you to a traditional Thai country village. Transfer to Khûm Lanna. Thai cooking lesson and dinner that you have prepared. Overnight at Khûm Lanna. (B/L/D)

Days 6-7 - Anantara Golden Triangle Resort

Get up for sunrise and enjoy a bike ride to a local market and back to Khûm Lanna along local canal and through rice fields. Overland transfer to your resort in the Golden Triangle. Stay at the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa. (B)

The Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, one of the most luxurious in Northern Thailand is renowned for its many efforts to protect the environment and promote environmental conservation. An undisputed highlight of a guest’s stay would have to be a visit to the elephant camp. Set within the a lush bamboo forest, the camp is home to 16 adult and 13 baby elephants – all rescued from a life of begging on the streets.  

Day 8 - Boat Landing Guest House

Transfer to the Thai/Laos Border. Overland transfer to Luang Nam Tha stopping at ethnic minority villages to observe their lifestyles. Overnight at The Boat Landing eco-lodge. (B/L)

The Boat Landing try hard to help to make a difference in their community through the money they make from tourism. They help support the village school through the donation of some of their profits, they conserve a small section of Nam Ha River as a fish sanctuary and they also support a Black Cheeked Gibbon conservation project.

Wherever possible they employ local people, and purchase local goods and services . You can sample the traditional dishes of the people of Luang Namtha in the open-air restaurant and bungalows are constructed with local materials in a local Lao style, rooms have a modern bathroom outfitted with solar hot water. The lodge aims to reduce use of solid waste such as plastic and batteries and transform organic waste into fertilizer. Proper disposal of waste chemicals such as motor oil is enforced.

Days 9-10 - Akha Experience

Enjoy the Akha Experience. (B/L/D)

The Akha Experience actively support the community encouraging the Akha to preserve their traditional culture and environment as well as help them gain new skills and sources of income to help improve living standards e.g. medical care, education. The Project is run by the villagers themselves as a small scale business. The program protects the environment and empowers and gives benefit to Akha villagers whilst fostering cultural exchange and increasing outsider understanding of minority lifestyles and beliefs. The Project allows full participation in Akha daily tasks, accommodation in traditional lodges, and bathroom facilities equipped with solar energy. Meals on overnight treks are prepared using simple foods purchased in villages. The treks employ local guides trained up through Toursim Ministry. Your participation in a trekking, mountain bike or kayaking program will not only give the villagers in the forest a significant alternative source of income, you will also be contributing directly to wildlife and forest conservation projects through access permits.

Day 11 - Boat Landing Guest House

Transfer back to Muang Sing and to Luang Nam Tha. Overnight at The Boat Landing. (B/L/D)

Days 12-14 - Luang Prabang

Overland to Luang Prabang (about 7 hours). The UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang is considered ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. Temples abound and steeped in history, you will see traditional stilted wooden houses and French Colonial buildings in Laos. While here visit the local sights and temples and the Kuang Sii Waterfall. (B,L)

Day 15 - Vientiane

Fly to Vientiane. Enjoy a city tour. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

Day 16 - Return

Time at leisure until your departure flight to London Heathrow on Thai Airways changing aircraft in Bangkok.