Tour Itinerary
The Big Wat Pass Itinerary
Bangkok to Sukhothai
Be at the Stray Bangkok office at 6:45am to meet your Stray guide and group. There is a brief introductory session to go over how everything works, then we travel to the train station for an 8.30am departure to Sukhothai. Take this opportunity to grill your guide with any questions you may have about your trip or South East Asia in general. You have the afternoon free to cycle around and explore the beautiful old ruins of the Sukhothai historical park.
Accommodation: Guesthouse located in the heart of the Old City $10-20
Sukhothai to Chiang Mai
We jump back on the jumbo from Sukhothai to Phitsanulok train station. The train travels north into the more mountainous region of Thailand (watch the glorious sunset out the train window) and arrives into Chiang Mai at 8.30pm just in time for dinner, drinks and a Muay Thai boxing fight if you're keen!
Accommodation: Guesthouse located within the Historic, old quarter $12-20
Non Travel Day: Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is an amazing city with endless activity options. Some of our favorites include a tree top adventure with Flight of the Gibbon, trekking, rafting, elephant riding, cooking classes and for those looking for adrenalin; down hill mountain biking and Muay Thai boxing training! There's also the famous night market, the Night Safari (Asia's largest) and easy access to Pai village.
Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
Enjoy a free morning in Chiang Mai to do another activity, sleep in or get a local massage in the morning. We then drive to the border town of Chiang Khong stopping along the way to visit the most magnificent and unique White Temple, you can hop off in Chiang Rai otherwise we continue on to Chiang Khong where we enjoy our last night in Thailand whilst looking over the Mekong River to Laos.
Accommodation: Guesthouse with views across the Mekong to Laos and a great host to add a special touch $20
Chiang Khong to Luang Namtha
In the morning we take a short boat trip across the Mekong to Laos and after clearing customs you get the first sight of your mighty orange Stray bus. We take the very scenic journey through Bokeo province and into the Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA) in Luang Namtha province. The night markets in Luang Namtha is the first great place to sample the local BBQ cuisine and Beerlao! Recommended: Hop off in Luang Namtha for trekking and hill tribes.
Accommodation: Hotel in the centre of town $8-15
Luang Namtha to Nong Khiaw
We depart Luang Namtha in the morning and head through Oudomxai. Once in picturesque Nong Khiaw, you have the optionto learn fishing with the locals or time permitting, visit the amazing Phathok Cave, where some communist loyalists lived during the 'secret' bombing of Laos in the 1960's. Watch the sunset over the beautiful Karst Mountains and Nam Ou River, before dinner and a competitive game of Laos' national sport - petanque, with the locals. Recommended: Hop off in Oudomxai to explore the far northern reaches of Laos for remote trekking and home stays.
Accommodation: Rustic bungalows with basic amenities but A-MAZE-ING views! $8-13
Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang
Sit back and relax today as we settle into a slow boat and take a picturesque ride down the Ou and Mekong Rivers. We stop at the famous Pak Ou Cave with its hundreds of Buddha statues before cruising into the centre of the Unesco World Heritage List city of Luang Prabang. On arrival, take the Stray Kuang Si Tour to the famous and impressively high Kuang Si Waterfall, complete with a bear sanctuary.
Highly Recommended: Hop off in Luang Prabang to make the most of this beautiful city. Learn to weave silk or take a course to be an elephant mahout! Go trekking, kayaking and rock climbing or just relax, have a fruit shake and take in the night market.
Accommodation: Large dorm beds in a modern central guesthouse $5 or Guesthouse with fan or air conditioned private rooms close to the night market $20-40
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
An early departure travelling through mountainous and steep terrain, we make a number of stops today to take in the incredible views, and still arrive in Vang Vieng in time for those inclined to spend the afternoon and evening tubing and partying. Other activity options: cycling, kayaking, rock climbing, hot air ballooning, resting and even watching re-runs of The Simpsons.
Accommodation: Guesthouse amongst all the hype, with large rooms. $8-15 or a Hotel on the main street with quiet rooms $23-30
Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Today we cruise straight through to Vientiane - Laos' capital for the last 450 years. Once here we take you on a tour of the city's main attractions, Patuxai, Pha That Luang, That Dam and the Presidential Palace. Spend the afternoon shopping, visiting the COPE centre, having a massage or making the journey out to Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park).
Accommodation: Hotel with modern facilities including WIFI and breakfast $20
Vientiane to Tad Leuk
We give you the morning to explore the capital city and the stalls along the banks of the Mekong, get some cash out and buy some comfort food before we head off the beaten track again and into the Phou Khao Khouay NPA. We head to Tad Leuk waterfall where we camp between the waterfall and jungle and have the opportunity to swim, trek and maybe spot the rare Phu Wah Rock Lizard found in only 3 places in the world (Tad Leuk is 1 of them and the other 2 is within 100 metres.).
Accommodation: Tents with mats $8 includes camping equipment and national park fee.
Tad Leuk to Kong Lor (7km Cave)
An early departure means we can take our time to check out the Sala Viewpoint, Phu Phu Man limestone forest and have a little shop in Paksan before heading down to the 7km Cave (or Tham Kong Lor to the locals). We head into the abyss of the 7km cave (this is a must do activity where we cruise through the cave in a traditional motorised canoe to see some amazing rock formations). The evening can be spent chilling with the locals or watching a DVD at the guesthouse.
Accommodation: Comfortable guesthouse with spectacular views of rice paddies and Karst Mountains, and just a short walk from the cave $10
Kong Lor to Xe Champhone
This morning we have a scenic journey to Tha Bak, where locals use the hundreds of bombs that were dropped on the nearby Ho Chi Minh train, as boats in their daily life. You have the unique opportunity to take a trip in these custom-made 'bomb boats' down the Nam Theun river. We then head all the way south, passing the 'Great Wall of Thakhek' to enter the Xe Champhone Wetlands. So remote, that when the rain comes we might not be able to drive the Stray bus here, so we'll jump onboard an off-road truck for a real off the beaten track experience! Spend the night with friendly locals in Monkey Forest - a sacred forest, home to thousands of Rhesus Macaque Monkeys! Recommended: Hop off in Thakek to explore local caves and the Khammouane Province.
Accommodation: Remote homestay $10.
Xe Champhone to Tad Lo (Bolaven Plateau)
We wake up early and check out the 'Monkey Home Market' before heading to a 200 year old Hotay Pidok Buddhist library (with scriptures written on palm leafs!) We then visit Turtle Lake with soft-shell turtles that are revered by the locals. Leaving the Xe Champhone wetlands behind, we make a stop at Old Wat Taleow (a stunningly beautiful temple that was bombed in 1969), and head south to get to the spectacular waterfall of Tad Lo in the heart of the Bolaven Plateau. The waterfalls here make this location a must-see. You have the opportunity to take a swim, explore the small village and also ride elephants and watch them bathe in the waterfall. This place still has the old school dirt road charm of Laos about it.
Accommodation: Bungalows from modern to rustic in the heart of the village $8 or Guesthouse with fan rooms for the river $9+
Tad Lo (Bolaven Plateau) to Pakse
Today we cruise the Plateau stopping in at the coffee plantations that are everywhere around the area. We also get to visit some of the best waterfalls in all of Laos including the 120m high twin waterfalls of Tad Fane. We have time to enjoy the morning on the plateau before continuing south to Laos' second World Heritage area, Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer temple (Angkor Wat without the crowds!) Tonight is spent in Pakse, the provincial capital and cross roads to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam bringing a mix of ethnic groups and international cuisine.
Accommodation: Guesthouse with fan or air-conditioned rooms in the centre of town surrounded by everything you need! $8-10
Pakse to Don Det (4000 Islands)
This morning we leave Pakse and head to the 4000 Islands to experience the idyllic laid back island lifestyle. We arrive around lunchtime giving you plenty of time to cycle across to neighbouring Don Khone Island to visit Li Phi waterfall or take a boat trip for a chance to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins that frequent the border waters of Laos and Cambodia.
Accommodation: Basic bungalows by the river $5 or comfortable rooms in a Guesthouse with fan or air conditioning and private bathrooms (now that Don Det has electricity!) $13+
Don Det to Phnom Penh
Having said goodbye to your Stray guide, you depart Don Det on a public bus in the morning and make the 2 hour journey to the Lao/Cambodian border. Complete immigration before continuing your journey into the heart of Cambodia, passing dusty rural villages arriving late in the capital city of Phnom Penh, with its scenic boulevard on the Mekong.
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Continue your journey through Cambodia today on board a public bus to Siem Reap the gateway to the world - renowned Angkor Wat. Have the afternoon to explore this culturally abundant city and it's temples.
Siem Reap to Bangkok
Today cross the Cambodia / Thai border and arrive back in Bangkok.
