‘Unexplored, The Far North’ | Thailand, Laos and Vietnam Tour

Arrival in Chiang Mai, the cultural and historical capital of northern Thailand. Afternoon free to relax or explore this charming, friendly city before an evening tour of the famous night bazaar and a local-style welcome dinner.

Scenic drive through the mountains to neighbouring Chiang Rai Town – the main commercial centre for the infamous ‘Golden Triangle’ region – so-called because of its former notoriety for warlords and opium cultivation. A stop on the way to visit the unique ‘White Temple – Wat Rong Khun – and overnight in charming chalet-style accommodation set in a lush tropical garden.

Day tour of some of the sites of this northern region. Travel to Sob Ruak where Burma, Laos and Thailand meet, and visit the unusual Opium Museum, before following the Mekong River via the historic ruined city of Chiang Saen to our day’s final destination, the scenic riverside town of Chiang Khong.

Cross the Mekong into Laos and upcountry through scenic mountains to the remote town of Luang Nam Tha near the Chinese border. Stops on the way at villages of the Lanten and Khmu ethnic minorities, as well as the recently discovered, Kao Rao limestone cave system.

Visit the Nam Ha National Protected Area. Hike through the spectacular scenery and visit hill-tribe villages to discover the traditional way of life of the area’s ethnic Akha people. Guides will show you some of the various forest plants used by the villagers as medicine or food, as well as cooking up a traditional-style, Akha ‘jungle lunch’!

Drive across the mountains of Oudom Xai Province to the picturesque village of Nong Khiaw on the banks of the Ou River. On route we will visit a Hmong village and a hill-tribe market with an overnight stay in traditional Lao-style wooden chalets set high on the banks overlooking the river.

Journey by boat up the Ou River. The section north of Nong Khiaw is perhaps the most spectacular stretch of the river as it winds its way through dramatic limestone escarpments where we’ll stop at a Khmu/Hmong village accessible only by boat. Return to Nong Khiaw, with some time to relax in this superb mountain setting, explore the area on foot or bicycle or just sit back on your balcony and admire the scenery.

Morning drive south, following the Ou River Valley, to the famous cave temples near Pak Ou. Lunch in a riverside café with an afternoon arrival in the ancient Lao capital and now World Heritage site of Luang Prabang and perhaps sunset at the nearby Phu Si hill temple?

Walking tour to discover the fabulous temples and French colonial architecture with the afternoon at leisure to allow you to wander the quiet, picturesque lanes, check out the hill-tribe handicraft market or a well-placed riverside café at your own pace.

Head into the picturesque, surrounding hills where we’ll visit the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls and excellent Free the Bears Rescue Centre. Stops en-route allow us to discover the fascinating, and still very traditional, village life of some of the region’s local people.

Early departure for a drive along scenic mountain roads to Phonsavan in Xieng Khouang province – location of the famous and mysterious Plain of Jars. Stops on the way include Khmu and Hmong villages and a hidden cave temple that served as an army hospital during the Vietnam War. Late afternoon arrival and an atmospheric dusk visit to one of the famous jar sites.

Morning visit to the Mines Action Group, (MAG), office to learn about the work they do in clearing land mines and unexploded ordnance in the area. We then travel out to the picturesque Jar Site 2 and begin our 1-hour trek along the ridge to the impressive Jar Site 3, consisting of over around 150 jars located on top of a hill and offering great views over the surrounding countryside.In the afternoon we’ll take a scenic drive across the plateau to visit the atmospheric ruined city of Muang Khoun – a once opulent royal capital sacked by both Siamese and Vietnamese invaders and largely finished off by US B52s.

Departure for the remote town of Sam Neua in far north-eastern Laos. Our journey includes a visit to the mysterious Hintang menhirs, (Lao’s own mini-Stonehenge), stops at Hmong and Khmu settlements and a Tai Phong weaving village, as well as plenty of photo opportunities of the breath-taking scenery.

After a stroll around Sam Neua town, including a riverside walk to the local fresh market, we’ll set off on the short drive to visit the former Communist Vieng Xai cave complex, now known as the Hidden City. The fascinating tour includes the famous tunnels, as well as lesser-visited sites hidden among the area’s beautiful karst, scenery.

Early morning departure through more spectacular countryside and past traditional Black Tai villages to the nearby border crossing at Nam Meo. From here we’ll head into the stunning scenery of Vietnam’s Pu Luong with an orientation hike into the national park and overnight at a superb eco-resort.

Our 1-day exploration of stunning Pu Luong National Park includes nature hikes through the area’s differing ecosystems and (water levels permitting) a bamboo rafting trip, as well as visits to some of the local villages.

On through the mountains to Moc Chau – a small town set atop a 1,000-metre plateau, famous for tea plantations and inhabited mainly by people of the Hmong minority. Our afternoon’s activities include the ‘Pine Forest Trail’ and or the chance to participate in an unusual Hmong cookery class. Accommodation is chalet-style at a delightful village homestay in Hua Tat.

Continue north to stunning Mu Cang Chai district – a sparsely inhabited region of rugged limestone mountains where most of the locals we’ll encounter are of the various Tai or Hmong minorities. In the afternoon we’ll explore the area’s spectacular and world-famous rice terraces before continuing to Tu Le, beyond Khau Pha Pass, and accommodation at the superb Le Champ Resort.

Tu Le; another picturesque region, inhabited by a kaleidoscope of Hmong, Dzao, Muong and Black Tai groups. We’ll spend the morning discovering the stunning scenery and traditional villages with an afternoon at leisure to perhaps visit the area by bicycle or just sit back and enjoy the resort’s very own natural hot spring baths and mountain vista infinity pool!

Time perhaps for a last dip before the last leg of our odyssey takes us southeast to Vietnam’s capital Hanoi where we’ll stay in a comfortable hotel in the bustling but fun Old Town district. An evening farewell dinner completes our day and tour.

Morning at leisure and departure at your convenience. Airport transfers are included if you purchase the ‘with flights’ package. If you purchased your own flights, airport transfers can be arranged. A 2 day/1 night extension to explore the incredible scenery of World Heritage Halong Bay is available.