13 Days Thailand and Laos Discovery Tour

Meals: B

In the morning, visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can experience the traditional Thai market with numerous vendors selling local food, fresh fruit and products from their boats.

After an exploration of the market, drive to Kanchanaburi that is famous for the Death Railway built during WWII. Made famous by the book and movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, the bridge and railway are notable attractions in Kanchanaburi. Today, carriages still go on the tracks, taking travelers through the fields of sugar cane and rice terrace.

Finally, pay a visit to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to learn more history about the railway.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals: B

You will be picked up from your hotel in Bangkok in the morning and depart for northern Thailand. The first stop is at Bang Pa In, the former summer residence of the kings of Ayutthaya, built in the 18th century. Here, you will visit the Royal Palace, the Thai Pavilion, the Chinese-style Palace Vihat Chamrun with its bushes trimmed in elephant shapes.

Continue to Ayutthaya, which used to be the former royal Siamese capital and visit the most interesting temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Proceed to Lopburi, visiting Phra Prang Sam Yod, a temple with three towers and impressive ornaments as well as the shrine of the Hindu Goddess Kali at the Sarn Prakarn Temple. Lunch at a local restaurant then continue on to Kamphaeng Phet. Arrive and transfer to hotel for checking in and rest will be your own arrangement.

Overnight in Kamphaeng Phet.

Meals: B

After breakfast at the hotel, you will start to visit the Kampaeng Phet Historical Park with the remains of ancient sites such as Muang Chakangrao and Muang Nakhon.

Then depart for Sukhothai to explore this ancient city packed with historical landmarks, the most impressive being the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the ruined temples and palaces as well as the Buddha statues of all sizes. Lunch en route at a local restaurant.

Relax in the tranquil town of Sukhothai, set amid leafy forests, perfumed gardens and fertile rice paddies on a fertile plain. If you’d like, head to the fascinating night market and try a local dish such as Sukhothai noodles, fried rice or even fried insects! Or, enjoy some pampering at Sukhothai's herbal sauna and massage center.

Overnight in Sukhothai.

Meals: B

After breakfast, take a short drive to  Si Satchanalai, which boasts the evocative ruins of half a dozen temples, including Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat – which is reached by crossing a wooden suspension bridge – as well as countless statues of Buddha and elephants.

Continue head to Lampang. Upon arrive, we will drive into town and make a one hour horse cart ride through the old streets of Lampang. After this we will visit Wat Pong Sanuk, Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao, Ban Sao Nak and the former house of Louis T.Leonowens, the son of Anna Leonowens from the book “Anna and the King of Siam”.

After lunch, we will visit the Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum and Factory where the famous “chicken bowl” is being produced. The dragon kiln is the oldest kiln in Lampang Province. You will get a guided tour and will see the production process of ceramics from upclose.

Overnight in Lampang.

Meals: B

After breakfast, continue our visiting to Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang and Wat Phra Keo Don Tao before proceeding to Lamphun. Visit Wat Haripoonchai, a Burmese-style temple. Finally, arrive at Chiang Mai.

After lunch, Start with the crown jewel: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located near the summit of its namesake mountain. Take a drive up the mountain’s winding road, then disembark for the final climb of 306 steps via a staircase designed as a magnificent naga (dragon-headed serpent). Inside the temple you'll find a copper-plated chedi (stupa) topped by a five-tiered gold umbrella, believed to contain partial relics of Lord Buddha. On a clear day, enjoy commanding views over Chiang Mai.

After your descent, continue on down a road into town, passing by Warorot Market before visiting two more impressive temples. First is the must-see Wat Chedi Luang, which towers 196 feet (60 meters) high and is the revered home of the Emerald Buddha. Next, visit the 14th-century Wat Phra Singh (Temple of the Lion Lord), which houses a sacred 1,500-year-old Buddha image and served as the principal religious center of the Lanna Kingdom. The complex is composed of several buildings of varying architectural and artistic merit. 

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will head to the Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai, listen as your guide details the full-day itinerary ahead and shares information about this former opium-producing capital. Make a stop at the Mae Ka Chan hot springs, where you can soak sore muscles in three natural pools. Let tiny fish nibble dead skin from your feet, or purchase quail eggs to cook in the boiling waters. Back in the vehicle, you’re taken to where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos meet.

From a viewpoint set high on a hillside, enjoy a panoramic vista over the three countries. Your guide points out the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers; watch the scene unfold below or opt for a boat ride across the mighty Mekong (own expense). Continue on to Mae Sai, the northernmost trading post located near the Thailand-Myanmar border, where a regional lunch is served.

Nearing the lovely city of Chiang Rai, your guide accompanies you to Wat Rong Khun — aka the White Temple — a contemporary complex made of shimmering glass and painted white plaster rebuilt by a local artist who began construction in 1997.  On the return journey to Chiang Mai you’ll visit the hill tribe villages of Akha and Yao before drop-off at your hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: B

Today, tour the elephant rescue and rehabilitation center - Elephant Nature Park, involving in the rescues of the disabled elephants, dogs and cats.

You can volunteer and care for the animals. Take your time to wander freely on the grounds and get close to these gentle giants. You get the opportunity to feed them and learn how to bathe them.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Flight: International flight will arranged by GTT and include in the quotation

Meals: B

Today, enjoying your free morning until check out your hotel and transfer to airport for your onward flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and escort to your hotel for checking in.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B

Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, you will visit the Royal Palace Museum (closed on Tuesday), which hosts a range of interesting artifacts; See the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground and representing classical Laotian architecture; Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

In the afternoon, head to visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before heading out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. Later, return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. Finally climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and a sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

At night, you will visit the famous Night Market, where you'll find handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe peoples living in the surroundings.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B

Your memorable trip will start from partaking in an alms ritual in the morning, you will accept the blessing by monks who you give the alms. Have breakfast in the hotel and then, visit the Royal Palace Museum to learn some history of Laos. Continue to you will embark on a private boat for a 2 hours boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Cave. During the boat trip, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Mekong River and see the daily fishing life of local people in the riverside.

Then, go to visit the Pak Ou Cave which locates by the Mekong River. Here, you will discover a number of gold lacquered Buddha statues in the cave.

After that, you can have an excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you will enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, have fun in waterfalls and relax.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B

Today, the tour will bring you to experience the process of making rice at a Living Land Farm, a project that supports the local community through the cultivation of rice, vegetables, and herbs.

This organic project was started in response to destructive farming methods that persist elsewhere in Laos, and the farm sells produce to Luang Prabang restaurants and supports education for underprivileged children.

Start by helping out in fields where farmers plow, plant, and harvest without the aid of machinery. Roll up your pants and push up your sleeves as you get knee-deep in the mud to plant rice, or learn to steer a water buffalo to plow the field. Help out with picking the herbs, plucking vegetables, or husking the rice, or just enjoy the view from the shady verandah.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, the guide will transfer you to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

Service end.