Flight: TG612 Bangkok - Kunming 10:55 - 14:05

Private transfer: Upon arrival at Kunming airport, you will be welcomed to China by your guide, and transferred to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Green Lake Hotel Kunming (Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Kunming: This morning you will be driven just outside the city to the Western Hills. This collection of forest-covered hills located in the western suburbs of Kunming is home to a number of beautiful temples and scenic walking trails. Take the cable car up to Dragon Gate and enjoy amazing panoramic views across Dianchi Lake and the city of Kunming. Afterwards, you will visit the historic Flower & Bird Market, and take a stroll around scenic Green Lake Park, a favourite spot for locals to gather and practice their dance moves. After the tour, you have some time free at leisure in the afternoon to relax and continue exploring at your own pace. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Green Lake Hotel Kunming (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the railway station in time to board your onward train.

High-speed train: Board the high-speed C334 train from Kunming to Pu'er. The train departs at 08:57 and arrives at 11:51. Please note train times are subject to change.

Private transfer: On arrival at Pu'er Railway Station, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Afternoon tour of Pu'er: Pu'er was an important stop along the Tea Horse Road, an ancient trading route similar to the Silk Road which passed through Southern China. This afternoon, you will be taken to visit some of the sights of the Ancient Tea & Horse Road which remain around Pu'er.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Jinfeng Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of Pu'er: This morning you will be taken to visit the scenic Sun River National Forest Park, as well as a nearby coffee farm.

Road journey to Jinghong: This afternoon, you will be transferred south to Jinghong, the main city in the tropical Xishuangbanna region. This is a journey of around two hours, depending on local conditions.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the New Tai Garden Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Jinghong: After breakfast you will set out to explore Jinghong. Visit the Galanba Thai Village and the Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden. The Garden has been constructed as a botanical garden with the largest area and the richest plant diversity in China. On returning to Jinghong you will have a chance to relax at the hotel or take a walk around the city to get a feel for the Dai people and their customs.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the New Tai Garden Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour around the Jinghong area: First drive to Menghai, where you will see a lovely daily market full of native products. Continue on to Menghun, a Dai Village, where people still make paper in the traditional way using mulberry bark. Their products are now mostly used to pack tea products. Later visit the Mount Nannuo area, one of the most famous tea producing areas in Menghai, and take a short walk around the villages of the Hani people, and see their aged tea plantation hidden within their forest, including one tree which is over 800 years old. Return to Jinghong late afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the New Tai Garden Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be transferred to the railway station in time to board your onward train.

High-speed train: Board the international high-speed D85 train from Jinghong to Oudomxay in Laos. The train departs at 08:10 and arrives at 11:18. Please note train times are subject to change.

Private transfer: On arrival at Oudomxay's railway station you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel to check in, which is located around 30 minutes away.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Nam Kat Yorlapa (Deluxe River Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day hill tribe trek: This morning, you will be transferred 30 minutes north to Muang La, from where you will continue by road to Pak Khai, a pleasant drive with magnificent views of the Pak Nam River, rice terraces and many small villages. Upon arrival start trekking on small village tracks and across several streams. The trek will be an opportunity to meet local farmers working in rice fields and to learn how they cultivate their land and livestock. After around 1.5 hours you will leave the forest and arrive at the village of Ban Phavie in time for lunch, a beautiful Khmu village perched at the top of a hill. The trek continues after lunch to a waterfall where there is the opportunity to relax in the clear water cascades. After some more light trekking return to your hotel near Oudomxay in the early afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Nam Kat Yorlapa (Deluxe River Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: At the advised time today, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Oudomxay's railway station in time to board your onward train.

High-speed train: Board the high-speed train from Oudomxay to Luang Prabang. The train departs at 14:00 and arrives at 14:49. Please note train times are subject to change.

Private transfer: On arrival in Luang Prabang's railway station you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Tradition Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast 

Morning walking tour of Luang Prabang: Start your morning city tour with a visit of the quaint Royal Palace Museum that provides a fine overview of the culture and history of this ancient city.  Follow the quiet back lanes to the beautiful, historical Huan Chuan Heritage House, taking in its historical items and architectural charms while learning about the connection it has with the Royal Palace. After a refreshing Iced Tea in the gardens, continue your day’s walk up the peninsula to the country’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xiengthong. With its roof that sweeps low towards the ground, this temple's architecture best represents the classical Luang Prabang style. Wander the temple grounds before crossing the road to Wat Khili where this temple’s charming traditional library building houses an historic photo exhibition of Buddhist heritage. The final visit today is the excellent ‘Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre’, which gives a great insight into the rich and diverse ethnic and cultural blend of Laos.

The rest of the day will be free at leisure for you to relax and continue exploring at your own pace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Tradition Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure in Luang Prabang: You have a full day at leisure today to explore the atmospheric ancient capital independently. Side trips, such as trips up the river to Pak Ou or Kuangsi Falls, can be arranged locally or through your guide. Staying within the city there are a number of excellent cooking classes, plus great shopping opportunities in local craft centres.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Villa Maydou (Tradition Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: At the advised time today, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Luang Prabang’s railway station in time to board your onward train.

High-speed train: Board the high-speed train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. The train departs at 12:52 and arrives at 13:49. Please note train times are subject to change.

Private transfer: On arrival at Vang Vieng's railway station you will be met by a guide and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Afternoon cycling tour of Vang Vieng: This afternoon, you will collect your mountain bike and set out to explore the countryside around Vang Vieng. Start by crossing the river and pedalling through the heart of the stunning countryside. Follow quiet tracks, passing through impressive karst mountains and charming villages, until you reach the popular Blue Lagoon One (or discuss alternative, more secluded lagoons with your guide), and go for a dip in its refreshing cool waters.  There is also the option of climbing up to Tham Phoukham Cave, which boasts a vast cavern and impressive stalagmites. Afterwards, you will return to town by bike.

Please note: non-cyclists have the option of travelling by private minivan at no extra charge.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riverside Boutique Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Discover Khmu Culture in Vang Vieng: After breakfast, head out of town by car to see a Khmu village called Ban Viengsamai.  You will be welcomed into a local home to meet a friendly family and to learn about Khmu customs and traditions, including animism. Next, walk to explore the village, visiting the local knife smith who uses traditional techniques to create knifes. Be impressed by his skills and give it a try yourself. Then continue your explorations and trek through rice paddies to a cave on the other side of the Nam Song River, passing by farmers working in the fields. On the way, you will be taking a rest in one of the local rice huts while learning more about the importance of agriculture in Laos. Then walk back to the family’s home, where the lady of the house will show you how she prepares local rice wine, called "Lao Hai". Next, enjoy a lunch of Khmu specialties together with the family and try the local rice wine if you like. Afterwards, say goodbye to the family and depart Vang Vieng.

Road journey to Vientiane: This afternoon you will set out on the journey south to Vientiane, travelling along the first expressway in Laos, opened in 2020. The journey will take approximately 1.5 hours, and on arrival you will be taken straight to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Salana Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Morning tour of Vientiane: Your tour of Laos' capital city starts with a visit to the enchanting Si Muang Temple. Continue to the Siamese style Wat Si Saket and the That Luang Stupa, the bright golden monument which represents a lotus bud and is used as a symbol of the Lao nation, and Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s very own Arc de Triumph. The tour ends with a visit to the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much-overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day-to-day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era.

The rest of the day will be free at leisure for you to relax and continue exploring at your own pace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Salana Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast