About this trip
Thirteen days across Thailand and Laos, starting in Bangkok, moving north to Chiang Mai, then crossing the border to see a quieter, more authentic side of Laos along the Mekong.
The pace mixes included activities with genuine free time, so you get structure from a local leader without losing the freedom to wander off and explore on your own terms.
Expect basic but clean accommodation, some long travel days on local transport, and a slower rhythm once you're in Laos — this is a trip that rewards patience rather than rushing between ticked-off sights.
What you'll do
- Explore Chiang Mai and the surrounding northern Thai countryside
- Cross the border into Laos and cruise the Mekong River
- Spend time in laid-back Luang Prabang
- Swim under waterfalls and explore caves around Vang Vieng
- Try street food tastings and join a sunset hike
- Wind down in sleepy Vientiane to finish the trip
- Long travel days on local transport are part of the route between Thailand and Laos
- Accommodation is basic but clean, in keeping with the simplicity of life in Laos
- Suits travellers who want a local leader and group but also value independence and free time
Worth it if you value a guide-led experience with strong local insights and a curated itinerary. Think twice if you're after spontaneous, unstructured travel.
- Tour guides consistently went above and beyond, with specific praise for their local knowledge and ability to tailor the experience to group preferences.
- Accommodation and transport quality exceeded expectations; the itinerary handled all logistics so you skip the research and planning legwork.
- Group chemistry was notably strong across multiple reviews, making it appealing for solo travellers wanting community without sacrificing choice at each stop.
- Every review praised the same elements (guides, group, itinerary); no mention of costs, daily pace, or potential downsides suggests reviews may not capture the full picture.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and availability come from our own daily tracking.
Departing in Sep is cheapest — from £800, about 41% below the priciest month (Oct).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Bangkok · 14 Sept – 15 Sept
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