Laos Highlights & Thai Beaches
12 day Holiday Idea – from £1399
With flights from £2229
Combine the impressive scenery of Laos with a relaxing stay at one of Thailand’s top Gulf beach resorts to create a holiday you will never forget.
Highlights:
- Discover atmospheric Luang Prabang
- Experience a stunning Mekong cruise to the fascinating Pak Ou Caves
- Swim at the beautiful Kuang Sii Waterfalls
- Explore the bustling markets and sample scrumptious street food
- Time to relax on the beautiful beaches of Hua Hin
Your Itinerary
Expand AllYou can customise this Laos and Thailand itinerary by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
On arrival into Luang Prabang, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, head out with your local guide to see some of the sights that have made this town the World Heritage jewel that it is!
Begin with a personal blessing by a monk who will perform a traditional ceremony by sprinkling water, jasmines and flowers over you which is believed to cleanse bad spirits and bring good luck. Then visit Vat Visoun with its impressive stupa, Vat Aham which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, and Wat Mai which is famous for its five-tiered roof built in the traditional style of Luang Prabang.
Phou Sii hill stands right in the centre of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Sunset can be enjoyed with a cold drink at one of the cafes located along the Mekong River.
This evening, head out for a delicious dinner at Tamnak Lao restaurant for a great introduction to Luang Prabang style Laotian cuisine. After dinner, take a tour around Luang Prabang’s fabulous night market with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of local handicrafts on offer.
Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang
Day 2 – Luang Prabang
After breakfast at the hotel head off with your guide to visit Wat Xieng Thong – often said to be Luang Prabang’s most beautiful temples. After visiting the temple begin the road journey out of Luang Prabang town to visit Kuang Sii Waterfalls passing through very scenic Laotian countryside, with rice paddies and many ethnic minority villages along the way. On arrival at Kuang Sii you can visit the ‘Bear Rescue Centre‘ where they conserve the black bears in the northern part of Laos. At Kuang Sii Waterfalls, if water levels permit, there is time to enjoy a refreshing dip in the falls. These beautiful falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools.
Enjoy a local style lunch at the waterfalls, before returning to Luang Prabang town. En route, it is possible to stop at the village of Ban Phanom, a weaving village populated by Lu minority people that originally came from Sipsongpanna in Southern China.
On your return to Luang Prabang, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang
Day 3 – Mekong River & Pak Ou Caves
Start the day early with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang – ‘Tak Bat’. At dawn hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food). Your guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still very much a part of everyday life and you will have the chance to make ‘merit’.
After breakfast back at your hotel, take a boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. En route it is possible to stop at small riverside Ban Thin Hong weaving and fishing village, where you have an opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about rural Lao life and handicrafts. You are welcomed in the village with the traditional Laotian Baci ceremony. ‘Baci’ plays an important role even today to welcome or farewell, bring good luck and ward of bad spirits for any major event in the life of local people.
Then continue along the river to the Pak Ou Caves, which contain many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century after King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. After exploring the caves and lunch at a local restaurant, its time to return to your boat and begin the journey back to Luang Prabang town where this afternoon is at leisure.
Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang
Day 4 – Vientiane
Visit the National Museum which displays an impressive collection of personal artefacts of the former royal family, before transferring to the airport for your short flight to Vientiane.
This afternoon you will visit the Patouxai Victory Monument which was inspired by the Arc De Triomphe in Paris as well as Wat Sisaket which is the oldest original temple in the city. There will be a visit to Wat Phra Keo and That Luang, the most revered shrine in Laos finishing off with a stroll through Talaat Sao food and vegetable market to experience daily Laotian life.
Salana Boutique, Vientiane
Day 5 to 11 – Hua Hin
Head back to the airport today for a short flight down to Thailand’s capital city Bangkok. On arrival in Bangkok, you will be met and whisked away to begin the next exciting part of your holiday on the long sandy shores of Hua Hin.
Upon arrival in Hua Hin your driver will drop you off at your chosen Hua Hin hotels for the next seven nights. Enjoy this popular beach destination at your own pace. In the evening you can enjoy the night markets and shopping area of Klai Kangwoon Palace.
Your chosen Hua Hin hotel
Day 12 – Farewell
Take a scenic trip back to Bangkok today to pick up your scheduled flight back to the UK and back to reality.
Your Itinerary
You can customise this Laos and Thailand itinerary by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Day 1
| Luang Prabang
On arrival into Luang Prabang, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, head out with your local guide to see some of the sights that have made this town the World Heritage jewel that it is!
Begin with a personal blessing by a monk who will perform a traditional ceremony by sprinkling water, jasmines and flowers over you which is believed to cleanse bad spirits and bring good luck. Then visit Vat Visoun with its impressive stupa, Vat Aham which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, and Wat Mai which is famous for its five-tiered roof built in the traditional style of Luang Prabang.
Phou Sii hill stands right in the centre of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Sunset can be enjoyed with a cold drink at one of the cafes located along the Mekong River.
This evening, head out for a delicious dinner at Tamnak Lao restaurant for a great introduction to Luang Prabang style Laotian cuisine. After dinner, take a tour around Luang Prabang’s fabulous night market with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of local handicrafts on offer.
Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang
Day 2
| Luang Prabang
After breakfast at the hotel head off with your guide to visit Wat Xieng Thong – often said to be Luang Prabang’s most beautiful temples. After visiting the temple begin the road journey out of Luang Prabang town to visit Kuang Sii Waterfalls passing through very scenic Laotian countryside, with rice paddies and many ethnic minority villages along the way. On arrival at Kuang Sii you can visit the ‘Bear Rescue Centre‘ where they conserve the black bears in the northern part of Laos. At Kuang Sii Waterfalls, if water levels permit, there is time to enjoy a refreshing dip in the falls. These beautiful falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools.
Enjoy a local style lunch at the waterfalls, before returning to Luang Prabang town. En route, it is possible to stop at the village of Ban Phanom, a weaving village populated by Lu minority people that originally came from Sipsongpanna in Southern China.
On your return to Luang Prabang, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang
Day 3
| Mekong River & Pak Ou Caves
Start the day early with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang – ‘Tak Bat’. At dawn hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food). Your guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still very much a part of everyday life and you will have the chance to make ‘merit’.
After breakfast back at your hotel, take a boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. En route it is possible to stop at small riverside Ban Thin Hong weaving and fishing village, where you have an opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about rural Lao life and handicrafts. You are welcomed in the village with the traditional Laotian Baci ceremony. ‘Baci’ plays an important role even today to welcome or farewell, bring good luck and ward of bad spirits for any major event in the life of local people.
Then continue along the river to the Pak Ou Caves, which contain many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century after King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. After exploring the caves and lunch at a local restaurant, its time to return to your boat and begin the journey back to Luang Prabang town where this afternoon is at leisure.
Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang
Day 4
| Vientiane
Visit the National Museum which displays an impressive collection of personal artefacts of the former royal family, before transferring to the airport for your short flight to Vientiane.
This afternoon you will visit the Patouxai Victory Monument which was inspired by the Arc De Triomphe in Paris as well as Wat Sisaket which is the oldest original temple in the city. There will be a visit to Wat Phra Keo and That Luang, the most revered shrine in Laos finishing off with a stroll through Talaat Sao food and vegetable market to experience daily Laotian life.
Salana Boutique, Vientiane
Day 5 to 11
| Hua Hin
Head back to the airport today for a short flight down to Thailand’s capital city Bangkok. On arrival in Bangkok, you will be met and whisked away to begin the next exciting part of your holiday on the long sandy shores of Hua Hin.
Upon arrival in Hua Hin your driver will drop you off at your chosen Hua Hin hotels for the next seven nights. Enjoy this popular beach destination at your own pace. In the evening you can enjoy the night markets and shopping area of Klai Kangwoon Palace.
Your chosen Hua Hin hotel
Day 12
| Farewell
Take a scenic trip back to Bangkok today to pick up your scheduled flight back to the UK and back to reality.
This Holiday Includes
Flights & More
Ask your FREEDOM Consultant to include Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for a complete ABTA and ATOL protected package.
They can also add extra nights and experiences in places you choose, to create the exact holiday you are looking for. Popular options include:
- Extra nights in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Hua Hin
- Activities and day tours in Hua Hin
Next Step
Please get in touch with our Asia Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
Laos Highlights & Thai Beaches
12 day Holiday Idea – from £1399
With flights from £2229
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Flights, hotels and tours are subject to availability and seasonal variations may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations for details.
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