The Tom Yum - Northern Thailand and Laos by Stray Limited

Tour Itinerary

Bangkok to Sukhothai

Be at the Stray Bangkok office 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 first sight of your mighty orange Stray bus. We take the very scenic journey through Bokeo province (dropping you off at the Gibbon Experience office 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 first 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).

Ventiane to Bangkok

From Vientiane you'll be taken by tuk tuk to Thanaleng train station for a local connecting train which takes you over the Friendship bridge to Nong Khai in Thailand. You complete immigration at the train station on both sides before boarding the overnight train to Bangkok where your Stray adventure will