BEST OF LAOS & NORTHERN THAILAND

DAY 1 CHIANG MAI ARRIVAL

A local representative will greet you at Chiang Mai Airport, and you will be transferred to the Rachamankha Hotel, a journey of approximately ten minutes by vehicle. Upon arrival, you will check in to your Superior room, where you will be accommodated for two nights, with breakfast provided each morning. The Rachamankha Hotel is highly regarded for its beautiful Lanna architectural design and its peaceful courtyard ambiance, creating a serene and relaxing environment within the bustling city of Chiang Mai.

Overnight at Rachamankha
Meals: none

DAY 2 DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK

Following breakfast, please meet in the hotel lobby for your excursion to Doi Inthanon National Park, which is roughly a one hour and thirty-minute drive. The day will be dedicated to exploring the scenic landscapes, traditional practices, and cultural heritage of the local Hill Tribe people. Our journey begins at Mae Klang Luang Village, where you will have the opportunity to observe the picturesque terraced rice fields. You will then have the chance to interact with the residents and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the late afternoon, we will return to the hotel. Doi Inthanon National Park is renowned for being home to Thailand's highest peak, displaying lush forests, spectacular waterfalls, and a wide variety of plant and animal life. Mae Klang Luang Village provides a glimpse into the traditional agricultural methods of the area's hill tribes.

Overnight at The Rachamankha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 FANG

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and embark on a three-hour drive to Fang. Upon arrival, check in at the Phumanee Lahu Hotel. After Lunch, you will receive a briefing on the historical significance of the forgotten city and then visit Doi Phu Muen, which is situated within the Doi Pha Hom National Park. Subsequently, we will venture into the mountainous terrain by 4WD to visit a Lahu Village. Here, you will have the opportunity to witness the daily routines of the villagers and learn about their traditional methods of tea and coffee cultivation. In the evening, we will return to the hotel. Doi Phu Muen is known for its stunning mountain scenery and provides valuable insights into the traditional lifestyle of the Lahu people, particularly their cultivation of tea and coffee.

Overnight at Phumanee Lahu Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 CHIANG RAI

Following breakfast, we will depart for Chiang Rai. The drive will take us higher into the hills of Doi Mae Salong, towards the Santikhiri Kuomintang village, a journey of approximately one hour and twenty minutes. Here, you will learn about the village’s establishment in the 1960s as a refuge for Chinese soldiers who were expelled from Myanmar. You will see how they have maintained their cultural traditions and observe their current way of life. We will then have lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the hotel, a drive of approximately 50 minutes, where you will have free time in the afternoon.

Doi Mae Salong is famous for its unique fusion of Chinese and Thai cultures, its tea plantations, and its historical role as a former settlement for Kuomintang soldiers.

Overnight at Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 5 CHIANG KHONG

After breakfast, check out and meet in the lobby for your transfer to the Golden Triangle. You will learn about the area's history related to the opium trade, followed by lunch at Banrai Sabaidee. We will then visit the site of the former Thai Kingdom and explore its riverside towns and ancient ruins. Subsequently, you will be transferred to your Pandaw ship in Chiang Saen or Chiang Khong, with arrival scheduled for approximately 16:00. The Golden Triangle is historically significant as the meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, and is known for its past opium trade and beautiful views of the Mekong River. The ancient ruins near Chiang Saen provide a window into the kingdoms of the past.

Lunch will be provided at Baan Rai Sabai Dee (or similar). Continue to Chiang Khong to embarkation to Pandaw Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (dinner aboard your Pandaw)

We cordially invite our guests to board their Pandaw vessel at Chiang Khong, a historic gateway to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar converge. On behalf of the captain and the entire crew, we wish you a warm welcome aboard for this amazing cruise downstream to Vientiane. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Thai dance performance on the upper deck, a graceful art form characterised by slow, deliberate movements and elaborate costumes that reflect the region's rich Lanna heritage.

DAY 6 INTO LAOS - BAN PAK SIT

We take a minivan for 15 minutes to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge for immigration formalities before transferring to the ship on the Lao side. Onboard, join a Lao language class to learn essential phrases such as "Sa-bai-dee", an integral part of local etiquette. In the afternoon, we visit Ban Pak Sit, a village home to the Khmu people, one of the oldest ethnic groups in Laos known for their intricate basket weaving and animist traditions. The evening features a screening of the documentary "The Secret of Nature" regarding Laos' natural wonders.

DAY 7 BAN LOUNG TONG - PAK BENG ELEPHANT CAMP AND SANDBANK BBQ

Our morning excursion takes us to Ban Loung Tong, a lowland Lao village, offering insight into the agricultural lifestyle and traditional stilt-house architecture typical of the region. We then arrive at the Pak Beng Elephant Camp, a rescue sanctuary dedicated to the preservation of elephants in Laos—historically known as the "Land of a Million Elephants"—and providing sustainable livelihoods for Mahouts. We moor at a riverbank for a special evening where guests are invited to fly traditional paper lanterns with the crew and enjoy a dance performance in this remote setting, followed by a BBQ.

DAY 8 BAN BOR VILLAGE - BAN HUAY KHAE

We explore Ban Bor Village, a unique settlement where Lao and Khummu people coexist, demonstrating the harmonious blend of different ethnic customs and farming practices. Onboard, we screen the documentary "Luang Prabang Timeless" . In the afternoon, we visit Ban Huay Khae, a village inhabited by Khummu and Hmong people; the Hmong are renowned for their vibrant textiles and distinct cultural heritage originating from the mountainous regions of Southern China.

DAY 9 PAK OU BUDDHA CAVES - BAN XANG HAI - LUANG PRABANG

We transfer to a local boat to visit the extraordinary Pak Ou Buddha Caves, a sacred Buddhist sanctuary set within limestone cliffs containing thousands of Buddha statues left by pilgrims over centuries. Afterward, we sail downstream to visit Ban Xang Hai, locally known as the "Whisky Village," to observe the production of Lao-Lao (rice whisky) and traditional handicrafts Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its fusion of traditional Lao architecture and European colonial structures, join your guide for an orientation walk to familiarise yourself with the local area.

DAY 10 LUANG PRABANG

We take Tuk Tuks to visit the National Museum (the former Royal Palace), which houses the sacred Phra Bang Buddha image, and the Buddhist temples of Wat Mai and Wat Xieng Thong, a masterpiece of Lao temple architecture featuring intricate glass mosaics. In the afternoon, we climb the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phou Si, the spiritual heart of the city offering panoramic views of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. The evening features a traditional Lao Baci Ceremony followed by a performance of Pha Lak Pha Lam (Ramayana), a dance-drama that is integral to Lao culture.

DAY 11 LUANG PRABANG

We depart on foot to observe the morning Alms Offering (Tak Bat), a sacred ritual where locals offer food to hundreds of monks processing through the streets. Later, we take a Tuk Tuk to visit Ock Pop Tok, a social enterprise preserving traditional Lao textile techniques, and the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC), dedicated to the diverse ethnic cultures of Laos. In the afternoon, we take a Tuk Tuk to visit Ban Xang Khong, a village famous for its traditional Saa paper making and silk weaving.

DAY 12 KAUNG SI WATERFALL

We visit the Ban Chan Pottery House to witness a demonstration of traditional pottery techniques that have been passed down through generations. We then travel by minivan to visit the Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm, a sustainable enterprise supporting local farmers, and the dramatic Kuang Si Waterfall, a 15-minute drive away, where turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. In the evening, we present the movie "Mekong River" by Sue Perkins.

DAY 13 BAN NA SAN VILLAGE - XAYABURI DAM - LOWLAND LAO

Our morning excursion visits Ban Na San Village to meet the Hmong people, an ethnic group historically known for shifting cultivation and distinctive silver jewelry. Onboard, our guide gives a presentation on Laos. We arrive at the Xayaburi Dam, a controversial yet impressive hydroelectric engineering project, and pass through the lock. Our chef demonstrates how to prepare famous Lao dishes such as Tum Som (Green Papaya Salad). Later, we visit Ban Khok Fark to observe the lifestyle of the Lao Loum (Lowland Lao), the dominant ethnic group in the country. The evening concludes with a screening of the "Pandaw History" documentary.

DAY 14 BAN PAK YUN - PAK LAI

We visit Ban Pak Yun, a village known for its mix of minority groups living together, offering a unique perspective on ethnic integration in rural Laos. Back onboard, guests can enjoy a napkin folding demonstration and a guided tour of the vessel, including the galley and engine room. In the afternoon, we walk through Pak Lai, a former French administrative town featuring colonial buildings and bustling local shops that reflect its history as a commercial outpost. The captain and crew present a farewell gathering on the upper deck.

DAY 15 VIENTIANE ARRIVAL

We disembark at Pak Lai and transfer by local long-tail boat downstream to Vientiane, the charming capital city known for its French colonial architecture and Buddhist temples.

After your disembarkation transfer from the ship, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. We suggest heading to the riverside and exploring the night market.

Meals: none

DAY 16 VIENTIANE FULL DAY CITY TOUR

Depart with your local guide for a full day city tour exploring Laos' French colonial capital. Visit Talaat Sao - Vientiane's Morning Market, Wat Sisaket, Haw Phra Kaew and Putousay, the victory gate inspired by the Arc of Triumph in Paris. After lunch at a local restaurant, head out of town to visit one of Laos' slightly stranger attractions - Xieng Khuan Buddha Park which is home to over 200 statues including a 40-metre reclining Buddha.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

DAY 17 VIENTIANE DEPARTURE

Check out of your hotel and our driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast