The Tom Yum - Northern Thailand and Laos by Stray Limited

Tour Itinerary

1. Travel Day: Bangkok to Chiang Mai (Via Ayutthaya).

Be at the Stray Bangkok office at 8:00am to meet your Stray guide and group. There is a brief introductory session to go over how everything works, before we go to the train station for 10:05am departure to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We arrive mid-morning, with plenty of time to explore the fascinating Ayutthaya Historical Park by bicycle and enjoy a boat journey through the "Venice of the East". We continue our journey north to Chiang Mai on the overnight train at 7:45pm, giving you a great opportunity to grill your guide with any questions you may have about your trip, or South East Asia in general. Arrive fresh-faced into Chiang Mai the following morning at 8:00am.

Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train (included)

2. 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.

Accommodation: Guesthouse located within the historic, old quarter $12-20

SA: Muay Thai Boxing or Hill Tribe/Pai Adventure

3. Travel Day: Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong

Enjoy a free morning in Chiang Mai to do another activity, sleep in or get a local massage. We then drive to the border town of Chiang Khong stopping along the way to visit the most magnificent and unique White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). You can hop off in Chiang Rai (for access to trekking), otherwise we continue on to Chiang Khong to enjoy our last night in Thailand whilst overlooking the Mekong River to Laos.

Accommodation: Guesthouse with views across the Mekong to Laos and a great host to add a special touch $20

4. Travel Day: 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 provide the first great place to sample the local BBQ cuisine and Beerlao!

Accommodation: Hotel in the centre of town $8-15

Highly recommended: Hop off in Luang Namtha for trekking and hill tribes

5. Travel Day: Luang Namtha to Nong Khiaw

We depart Luang Namtha in the morning and head through Oudomxai. Once in picturesque Nong Khiaw, you have the option to learn fishing with the locals, or time permitting to 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 enjoy a competitive game of Laos' national sport - petanque, with the locals.

Accommodation: Rustic bungalows with basic amenities but A-MAZE-ING views! $8-13

Highly recommended: Hop off in Oudomxai to explore the far northern reaches of Laos for remote trekking and home stays

6. Travel Day: 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 cruise into the centre of the stunningly beautiful Unesco World Heritage City of Luang Prabang in the early afternoon. On arrival, take the Stray Kuang Si Tour to the famous and impressively high Kuang Si Waterfall, complete with a bear sanctuary.

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

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.

SA: Lao Trekking Adventure, Volunteer Experience

7. Travel Day: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

This morning we depart early and travel through mountainous and steep terrain on the way to Vang Vieng. We make a number of stops today to take in the incredible views and still arrive 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 Family Guy, Friends and 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

8. Travel Day: Vang Vieng to Vientiane

Today we cruise 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, having a massage or hop-off and make the journey out to Xieng Khuan (Buddha Park).

Accommodation: Hotel with modern facilities including WIFI and breakfast $20

9. Travel Day: Vientiane to Bangkok

You'll be collected from your guesthouse in Vientiane mid-afternoon and be taken by tuk tuk to Thanaleng Train Station. Here you clear Lao customs, pay your departure fee then board a connecting train which takes you over the Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai in Thailand. You complete Thai Immigration at the train station and have time for a meal or drink across the road before boarding the overnight train to Bangkok where your Stray adventure will end… until next time.