Thailand & Laos sample student itinerary

Please note: the itinerary below is a sample itinerary and can be modified as required by your group to suit your travel style and budget. Please Contact us for a complete range of itineraries.

12 days SG$/AUD $1580 (excluding international airfares, visas and travel insurance) For convenience we have listed this trip price in Australian dollars but can naturally accept payment in any currency

Airfares: Tailor Made Vietnam can readily arrange a very competitive airfare for your group to anywhere from Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. We are also happy to provide you with contact details of our flight agents if your school is coming from the Middle East in Europe

This 12-day trip has been specifically designed for students wishing to explore the Buddhist kingdoms of Southeast Asia and discover two of the regions culturally similar, yet geographically unique countries. Thailand, a developed nation and the only nation in the region never to have been colonized by Europeans and Laos, a landlocked nation bordered by no less than five large and powerful neighbours, all who, along with French colonialists, have at different times over the centuries overrun and occupied its tiny neighbour. This comprehensive trip also includes excursions to remnants of the Thai-Burma Railway (Hellfire Pass) the Golden Triangle and a delightful Thai island. Other activities include a journey to the world heritage listed town of Luang Prabang, elephant jungle trekking, visits to remote hill tribes and a Thai boxing class and a river tour of vibrant Bangkok.

Day 1 Vientiane City Tour/ Luang Prabang On arrival in Vientiane this morning we will enjoy a half day city tour of Laos’s charming capital city before another short flight to Luang Prabang in the country’s north. Arriving here in the early evening we will check into our hotel and then head out to enjoy our first taste of Laotian cuisine and a well earned foot massage. (L, D)

Day 2 Luang Prabang This morning we will wake up in the fabled town of Luang Prabang, one of the most picturesque towns in of Asia, set amongst numerous colourful temples inhabited by orange robed novices and senior monks alike. Following breakfast we will head out to explore this town from where the country’s kings ruled Laos for several hundred years until the Communist Party of Laos took over control in 1972. In the afternoon we will visit a local school followed by a trip to a remote waterfall for a refreshing swim. This evening we will explore the town’s delightful night market before dinner at a riverside restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Pak Peng Today we will being our journey up the some of the farthest reaches of the Mekong River on route to Thailand.  This section of the trip provides a relaxing interlude affording us views of jungle scenery and river life. On the way we will stop at the cave of Pak Ou where thousands of ancient Buddha figures have been stored. Our local guide will explain to us the intricacies of the Buddhist religion and meaning of the various Buddha images depicted here. Following this we will continue up river to visit a village belonging to a low lands ethic minority group whose traditional manufacturing of textiles and weavings have changed little in 300 years. In the late afternoon we will arrive at the sleeping township of Pak Beng when we will spend the night. (B,L,D)

Night Market Day 4 Chiang Kong We will continue our journey towards the Thai border today stopping to visit a K’mu minority village on the way. In the late afternoon we will arrive at the border town of Huay Xai from where we will complete bolder formalities and cross over into Thailand. Tonight’s accommodation will be in a rustic guesthouse in Chiang Khong Township enjoying authentic Thai hospitality. (B, L, D)

Day 5 Chiang Rai Travelling today by private bus we will journey to Thailand’s high-altitude northeastern province of Chiang Rai which lies in the heart of the infamous ‘Golden Triangle’. After checking into our hotel we will have lunch and then set out for a walking tour around  town beginning with the main market area and then visiting Wat Phra Kaew where the famous Emerald Buddha (in Bangkok) was found in A.D. 1434. A mandatory stop while in this part of the world is a visit to the Opium Museum. This very impressive building houses a great of array of displays, media and interactive exhibits detailing the history of opium from the 15th century and is one of the finest museums in the world. In the evening we will explore the town’s lively night markets. (B, D)

Day 6 Chiang Mai We will journey further south to a remote area where we will enjoy a walk through some of Chiang Dao provinces very scenic hinterland. The walking will not be difficult although will take us up to 3 hours. Temperate weather is expected as at the completion of our hike we climb aboard elephants to further explore the lush jungle. After lunch, we will make our way this afternoon to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s temperate highland city. We will arrive in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon and check into our centrally located hotel before wondering out later for dinner. In the evening we will visit the famous and atmospheric night markets of Chang Mai where all manner of textiles, watches and handicrafts can be bought for a bargain. (B, L)

Day 7 Chiang Mai/Overnight Train An early start this morning will allow interested students to take part in an authentic Thai boxing class (Muay Thai). The art of Muay Thai has been Thailand’s most popular sport for hundreds of years. It is unique among other kinds of fighting disciplines in its approach to close quarters fighting. Fighters are able to more effectively use their elbows, knees, feet and fists than in other martial arts. This afternoon we will set off to learn the secrets of the traditional Thai cuisine as one of Chiang Mai’s expert chef teachers us all we need to know to impress our friends and family back home, with a hands-on spicy cooking lesson. In the afternoon we will have a short time to relax in our day rooms before we check out of our hotel and head to the train station where we will board our overnight train heading south. In the comfort of 4-berth sleepers we will pass through the heart of Thailand on route to the ancient former capital of Thailand Ayutthaya where we will arrive the next morning. (B, L)

Day 8 Ayutthaya/Kanchanaburi This morning we will arrive early in the former Thai capital city of Ayutthaya where 33 Thailand kings resided over the once all conquering Asian nation. From here we journey approximately 3 hours by bus to the township of Kanchanaburi and check into our delightful riverside accommodation. In the afternoon we will journey to Hellfire Pass where Australian and allied POWs were forced to dig a gorge through solid rock to aid in the construction of the infamous Thai-Burma Railway during the Second World War. Later in the day we will return to our hotel-resort for a swim before dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Kanchanaburi/ Kho Samet This morning we will board our air-conditioned bus and travel to the town of Kanchanaburi. This town is the site of the infamous Japanese prison base that held captured Australian & allied troops during World War 2. Between 1942 & 1944 POW’s (Prisoners of War) were ordered to build a 415 km railway to Myanmar (formerly Burma) through some of the most rugged jungle terrain in the world. We will firstly visit the largest World War 2 cemetery in Thailand where thousands of Allied soldiers are buried. Following this we visit the POW built Bridge on the River Kwai, popularised by the Hollywood Movie of the same name. We then take a 1 hour train ride on the last remaining section of the infamous railway heading further westward toward Burma. Following this we will begin our half day’s journey to the Gulf of Thailand from were we will board a ferry to travel to a beautiful Koh Samet Island, arriving in the late afternoon in time for a swim before dinner this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Kho Samet More popular with local Thais than foreigners, Kho Samet is also a designated national park surrounded by pristine beaches and rainforest. Today there will be ample time to relax and enjoy the many swimming and other water activities the island has to offer, enjoy a seafood dinner and perhaps a beach massage. (B, D) Day 11 Bangkok After another enjoyable morning on Kho Samet we will make our way back to the Thai mainland to begin our journey to Bangkok. On route we will stop to enjoy lunch in the popular Thai Resort town of Pattaya before arriving in Bangkok in the afternoon. On arrival we will check into our hotel before heading out to visit the surrounding markets and vibrant street life before our final nights dinner at a great local Thai restaurant. (B, L)

Day 12 Depart Bangkok This morning, we will set out to explore the sites, sounds and smells of this famous Asian city - the epitome of the modern, steaming Asian metropolis and a wonderful dynamic Asian hub. We will begin by boarding a river boat and explore the Chao Praya River to see everyday life in Bangkok. Following this we will visit the Grand Palace, with its many spectacular temples. These glorious buildings were once the seat of monarchical power, and were built as a city in itself. Learning of the exploits of the modern King, our local guide will explain just why Thailand maintains one of the world’s strongest and most respected monarchies. Today we shall also visit Wot Po - a Buddhist temple with a reclining Buddha, 46 metres in length. After lunch there will some time to enjoy some of Bangkok’s world famous shopping before returning to our hotel in the afternoon for a swim before checking out and transiting to the airport in the early evening for our home bound flight. (B)

Grading: Easy. Anyone with reasonable fitness should be able to take part. There are no real physical difficulties. You will be expected to carry your own luggage throughout the trip but only for short distances.

Accommodation:Accommodation is on a twin share basis. All hotels are clean and comfortable, with a 3 star equivalent rating.

Hotels used: Baiyoke Suites Hotel (Bangkok), Sapaprabang Villa (Luang Prabang) , Silika Hotel (Pak Peng) Sopopan Guest House (Chiang Khong), Little Duck Hotel (Chiang Rai), Ramming Lodge Hotel (Chiang Mai), Pung Waan Resort (Kanchanaburi), Keawsai Resort (Koh Samet)

Transport: Modern air-conditioned bus, boat, plane, train, tuk tuk

Group size: Minimum 24 students plus 2 staff

• Domestic flight Vientiane to Luang Prabang
• All accommodation and transport en route
• Domestic departure taxes and transfers
• Tailor Made Vietnam Group Leader throughout the tour
• Local English speaking guides where required
• All sightseeing, entrance fees for museums, attractions and sights as described in itinerary
• All breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
• Travel insurance

• International flights to Vientiane & departing Bangkok
• Travel insurance
• Laotian Visa on arrival (US$35pp cash)
• 3 lunches, 3 dinners

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