Tour Itinerary
The Full Moon Pass Itinerary
Bangkok to Sukhothai
Be at the Stray Bangkok offi ce at 7am to meet your Stray guide and group. There is a brief introductory session to go over how everything works and what's happening during the next few days, then we travel to the train station for an 8.30am departure to begin our journey towards Sukhothai. Take this opportunity to grill your guide with any questions you may have about your trip or South East Asia in general. Our train will arrive just after 1pm at Phitsanulok. We then take a 'jumbo' (truck tuk tuk) out to the old capital of Thailand, Sukhothai. You have the afternoon free to get around and explore the old capital ruins of the Sukhothai historical park.
Sukhothai to Chiang Mai
We jump back on the jumbo from Sukhothai to Phitsanulok train station. You'll have the chance to get some snacks at the local market for the train ride. 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.
Non Travel Day: Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is an amazing city. We stay within the old quarter behind the city walls that are hundreds of years old. Chiang Mai has many things to do but in particular the zoo and old town area are sights to behold. There's also the elephant parks (where you can bathe or ride your own elephant), a tour of the city (by walking, cycling or tuk tuk) or even the Chiang Mai Night Safari (Asia's largest).
Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
Enjoy a free morning in Chiang Mai before we jump in a mini-van to drive to the border town of Chiang Khong. We make a couple of stops to take in the views along the way and arrive in time for you to grab some cash out, enjoy the local BBQ and get ready to enter Laos, the 'Jewel of the Mekong'.
Chiang Khong to Luang Namtha
Today involves two types of transport, the first is a short boat trip across the Mekong in the morning and after clearing customs you get the fi rst sight of your mighty orange Stray bus. We take the very scenic journey through Bokeo province (dropping you off at the Gibbon Experience offi ce if you have booked it) and into the Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA) in Luang Namtha province. The views are amazing so we stop quite often for photos. Luang Namtha is one of the best places for trekking in Laos (you should seriously consider breaking your journey here) and the night market is the fi rst great place to sample the local cuisine.
Luang Namtha to Nong Khiaw
We depart Luang Namtha in the morning and head through Oudomxai (a great destination to get off and explore the far northern reaches of Laos in Phongsali Province for some extremely remote trekking and home stays). Once in Nong Khiaw, a short walk down the road from where we stay is a huge limestone cliff and the amazing Phathok Cave where some communist loyalists lived during the 'secret' bombing of Laos in the 1960's.
Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang
Sit back and relax today as we settle into a slow boat at and take a picturesque ride down the Ou and Mekong Rivers. Arriving at Luang Prabang by river is a beautiful sight as the peachy amber sun dips below the horizon.
Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
An early departure after a dawn wake up to catch the monks' alms ceremony, morning markets and bakery; travelling through steep terrain we arrive in Vang Vieng in time for those inclined to spend the afternoon and evening tubing and partying. If you're not interested in tubing there are many other options such as cycling, motor biking, kayaking, rock climbing, resting and even watching re-runs of The Simpsons, Friends and The Family Guy on TV (you'll see what we mean)!
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 (all of which you can visit again in your own time later if you want). You could even try and track down some locals for a game of Petanque (a French legacy and national sport).
Vientiane to Ban Na / Tad Leuk
We give you the morning to explore the capital city and the stalls along the banks of the Mekong before departing for the Phou Khao Khouay NPA. Depending on the season, we'll be staying at Tad Leuk waterfall camp or Ban Na Elephant Observation Tower. There will be time to take in the stunning scenery, swim, and trek in the area.
Ban Na / Tad Leuk to 7km Cave (Kong Lor)
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). On arrival we give you the option of staying in a guest house or chilling out with the locals in a home stay and then take you 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).
Kong Lor to Thakhek
Our journey to Thakhek is around the back on the famous motorbike trail 'The Loop' stopping at more incredible caves on the way. Finish the day with a Beerlao watching the sunset over the mighty Mekong.
Thakhaek to Tad Lo (in the Bolaven Plateau)
We cover a lot of ground today but we end up (in the centre of the Bolaven Plateau) at a spectacular waterfall. This is a must-see all year round due to the dam a couple of kilometres upstream. There are a number of sleeping options here and you can also ride elephants and watch them bathe in the waterfall. This place still has the old school dirt road charm of Laos about it.
Tad Lo (Bolaven Plateau) to Pakse
Today we cruise the Plateau stopping in at the coffee and tea 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 day on the plateau and still end up in Pakse in time for cocktails and a great view from the roof of the Pakse Hotel!
Pakse to Don Det (4000 Islands)
This morning we leave Pakse and head to the 4000 Islands (via a scenic cruise down the Mekong) to experience the idyllic laidback island lifestyle. On our way we will take you to Laos' second World Heritage area, Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer temple (Angkor Wat without the crowds!) In the afternoon you have time to do a sunset bbq tour, a fi shing tour or check out the Li Phi or Khone Phapeng waterfalls.
Don Det to Pakse and Bangkok
We leave Don Det early and drive direct to Pakse. Here you leave the Stray bus behind and cross the Mekong towards Thailand on a (non-Stray) bus. You cross the border, continue on to Ubon Ratchathani and then change to an overnight sleeper train. Your Stray journey finishes when you arrive in Bangkok early the next morning.
