Beyond the Mekong

Over View

This exciting journey uncovers northern Thailand before taking us deep into South East Asia’s lesser-visited countries of Laos and Cambodia. Take a slowboat along the Mekong River, explore charming French colonial cities and sample fresh local dishes on this Indochina adventure.

Bangkok – Wander the streets of Thailand’s frenetic capital, where east and west collide at every corner
Luang Prabang – Soak up the city’s French colonial charm and watch monks line the street at sunrise.
Siem Reap – Explore the once-hidden jungle temples of Angkor

Itinerary

Day 1 Tour starts in Bangkok; Optional Longtail Canal trip

Arrive in Thailand’s capital, the lively metropolis of Bangkok. The bustling street life of this energetic city is set to a backdrop of colourful, ornate shrines and modern glass-fronted high-rises, which jostle for position to dominate the city’s skyline. It is a place where old meets new at every corner. Sample the fresh and tasty street food, haggle in the non-stop markets and take a cruise out on Chao Phraya River to witness stunning sunsets.

For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Bangkok at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you’ll need to arrive into Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), which is 45 minutes from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up in the lobby at 8am on day 2.

Please note that if you wish to join the Optional Longtail Canal Trip today, you must arrive at the hotel by 1pm. If you are booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport. From the airport to the hotel is around one hours drive, so therefore the latest your flight can arrive is 10am.

Day 2 In Bangkok, visit the Grand Palace and Buddhist temples; take sleeper train to Chiang Mai

This morning’s sightseeing takes us by bus and boat to Bangkok’s iconic sights including the spectacular Grand Palace complex with its collection of palace buildings, golden stupas, temples, known as wats, and decorative statues. The most revered of the wats here is Wat Phra Kaeo, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, a small statue carved out of a single piece of jade. We leave the Grand Palace and walk to the largest wat in Bangkok, Wat Pho, famous for its impressive 46 metre gold-plated reclining Buddha. This evening we board the overnight train for Chiang Mai.

Day 3 In Chiang Mai, free day to explore or try a Thai cookery class

Thailand’s second city of Chiang Mai, in the north of the country, is surrounded by jungle covered hills at an elevation of 300m and offers a respite from the heat and noise of Bangkok. Today we enjoy an orientation walk of the old walled city, with its many ancient temples. There is free time this afternoon to explore further, perhaps taking an optional excursion to the golden Doi Suthep temple that sits on a hill overlooking the city, or perhaps try your hand at Thai cookery at a class. A visit to Chiang Mai’s famous night market is a must this evening; here you will find everything from t-shirts to jewellery to traditional hilltribe crafts.

Day 4 From Chiang Mai journey by road and boat along the Kok River to Chiang Rai

This morning we leave Chiang Mai and drive further north through hilltribe country to Tha Ton, a small rural town on the Kok River. Here we board longtail boats for the relaxing cruise downstream towards Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai has a large hilltribe population, attracted by the cool climate and the rolling forested hills. This evening there will be time to explore Chiang Rai’s night market, well known for its many food stalls, so a great place to enjoy some street food for dinner.

Day 5 From Chiang Rai travel via the Golden Triangle across the border into Laos

Today we travel to the interesting fortified city of Chiang Saen which can only be described as a lively one street town surrounded by scattered ruins of temples, crumbling stupas and grass covered walls and ramparts. Founded in 1328, the town was once a Burmese stronghold that was destroyed and re-built many times. From here we continue on to the infamous Golden Triangle, the point of confluence between Thailand, Burma and Laos. Here you will have the option to visit the fascinating opium museum. Towards the end of the day we cross the border at Chiang Khong into Laos and drive a short distance to the small village of Ban Houei Sai, where we can settle back and begin to enjoy the slow pace of life in Laos.

Day 6 Cruise along the Mekong River, overnight in Pakbeng village

This morning we board our boat and start to cruise along the Mekong River. Travel today is slow, but this allows us to absorb the sense of remoteness and timelessness of life on the river. We pass hills covered with dense vegetation, rugged cliffs, small fishing villages with nearby rice paddies and white sandy riverbanks. The Mekong has long been the major trade route for caravans from Yunnan in China to Chiang Mai in ancient Siam. Even today there are few roads through the undulating countryside, so the river remains the lifeblood of the region. In the late afternoon we arrive in Pakbeng village for our overnight stay. Here we can enjoy the warm orange glow of the sunset over the river.

Day 7 Continue boat journey via Pak Ou Caves to Luang Prabang

This morning we continue our journey along the Mekong River towards Luang Prabang. En route we will stop and visit Pak Ou Caves where we climb steps up a limestone cliff to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine, crammed with small Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. We arrive at Luang Prabang, the country’s former capital, in the afternoon. Situated among the rolling hills of the Upper Mekong River, this tranquil little town is celebrated for its exceptionally lovely setting and its sleepy vibe. We take an orientation walk which includes a visit to Wat Xien Thong, located in a delightful garden on the banks of the Mekong River.

Day 8 In Luang Prabang, free day with the option to visit the traditional village of Lao Loum

One of the most peaceful experiences in Laos is seeing hundreds of saffron-robed monks of Luang Prabang walking through the streets at sunrise collecting alms. You may choose to get up early to enjoy this experience. Today has been left free for you to enjoy Luang Prabang as you wish. You may decide to simply wander the streets and absorb the pleasant atmosphere of this former Royal capital, or perhaps visit the Royal Palace Museum. There is also the option to take a tuk-tuk trip to the traditional Lao Loum village, where you can witness women weaving, see paper-making and watch blacksmiths at work. Later this afternoon, we suggest you climb to the temple on top of the small Mount Phousi to enjoy sunset views over town.

Day 9 From Luang Prabang, visit Kuang Si Waterfalls; afternoon flight to Vientiane

After breakfast we travel by bus to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls, around 45 minutes from Luang Prabang, with a short stopover at Wat Mai temple. Passing forested hills and several ethnic minority villages we arrive at the limestone falls that cascade into several clear pools below. We return to Luang Prabang for our afternoon flight to the Laos capital of Vientiane.

Day 10 In Vientiane, morning city tour; free afternoon with the option to visit the Buddha Park

This morning we explore the low-rise French colonial capital and explore some of the main sights including the Victory Gate, a Triumphal Arch affording us good views of the city; That Luang stupa, said to contain a hair of the Buddha; and Wat Sisaket, packed with fine Buddha images. The afternoon is left free, you may choose to take a visit out of the city to the Buddha Park. In the evening, it is pleasant to promenade along the banks of the Mekong whilst the sun sets over the Thai city of Nong Khai across the border on the western bank.

Day 11 Fly to Phnom Penh in Cambodia, visit Royal Palace and National Museum of Arts

Leaving Laos we fly to Cambodia and another of Indochina’s charming French colonial capitals, Phnom Penh. Here we visit the National Museum of Arts, which contains a notable collection of Khmer Sculpture that has been rescued from the temples of Angkor, giving us a flavour of things to come. We also explore the ornate Royal Palace with its stunning Silver Pagoda.

Day 12 In Phnom Penh, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the ‘Killing Fields’

Today we continue our sightseeing in Phnom Penh and discover some of Cambodia’s dark history. We pay a visit to the emotive Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, once a high school that became the Khmer Rouge’s main torture and interrogation centre. We then take a short drive out of the city to the infamous ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek, a grim place featuring a huge glass tower memorial filled with human skulls, a truly sombre reminders of the scale of Pol Pot’s atrocities. Some people may find Tuol Sleng and the ‘Killing Fields’ distressing. In the afternoon there is time to explore Phnom Penh further perhaps visiting one of the many bustling markets in the city such as the Russian market; alternatively or we can arrange a private good luck blessing at a local monastery or a cooking class so you can try your hand at Khmer cuisine.

Day 13 Drive to Siem Reap; late afternoon visit Angkor Temples for sunset

We make an early start for today’s drive to Siem Reap, we will pass through small provincial towns and stop somewhere for lunch along on the way. Later in the day after we have checked in to our hotel in Siem Reap we begin our exploration of the ancient temples of Angkor. This incredible ruined city, built between the 9th and the 15th centuries is spread out over some 400 square kilometres, scattered with walled cities and magnificent stone temples, sculptures, causeways and reservoirs, amongst forested areas. Today we will visit some of the earliest of Angkor’s temples including Ta Keo, Kravan, East Mebon and Pre Rup. We stay for sunset over the historic temples.

Day 14 From Siem Reap, return to Angkor to explore temples of Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei and Angkor Wat

Today we pay a visit Ta Prohm, lying half consumed by the jungle and made famous by the movie ‘Lara Croft’; Banteay Srei, a small temple with exquisitely carved lintels, and finally the most iconic of all – Angor Wat itself. Built in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II Angkor Wat was first a Hindu and later a Buddhist temple and it is without doubt the epitome of Khmer architecture, a huge three-step pyramid adorned with nine towers, covering an area of 2.5 square kilometres. Its Hindu past is apparent in the beautifully preserved bas reliefs depicting episodes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata stories.

Day 15 From Siem Reap, option to see sunrise at Angkor Wat; explore Angkor Thom; afternoon flight to Bangkok

We have a few final hours this morning to visit the temples one last time. You may choose to make an early start and watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. This morning after breakfast we visit the temples of King Jayavarman VII, including the walled city of Angkor Thom, home to the Bayon, with its serenely beautiful faces and the Terrace of Elephants. Later today we bid farewell to Angkor and fly back to Bangkok.

Please note that from the 1st January 2020 the third tier of the Bayon Temple – the striking centrepiece of the ancient city of Angkor Thom – will be closed until 2022 for extensive restoration. As a result, it will only be possible to view the large stone faces from a distance and it will not be possible to get up close. However, the two lower tiers will remain open and accessible, so it will be possible to view the impressive bas-reliefs and intricate stone carvings around the temple.

Day 16 Tour ends in Bangkok

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Bangkok.

There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Bangkok at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), which is 45 minutes from our hotel.

If you have time you may wish to wander through Chinatown for a different flavour of the city