Today you fly towards Southeast Asia.

Today you land in Chiang Rai, the “Crown of the North”, which awaits you amid rugged scenery with plenty of traditional culture and famous temples. Your guide meets you at the airport and takes you to the hotel. Settle in at your leisure or explore the surroundings as you like to stretch your legs after the long journey. The friendly warmth of the Thai people will quickly make you feel at home. Depending on your arrival time, you set off together later to explore Chiang Rai’s night market. If you like, you can first stop at the richly decorated golden Clock Tower, which turns into a real light spectacle in the evening. Together with your guide, you discover the night market with its many steaming food stalls and take in the still unfamiliar sights and smells. For dinner, simply choose whatever you fancy – your guide will be happy to recommend dishes you really should try, depending on your preferences! 2 nights in Chiang Rai. (Distance: approx. 10 km; driving time: approx. 20 min) Please note: depending on arrival time, the visit to the night market may take place on day 3.

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Legend Boutique River Resort & Spa welcomes you on the banks of the Mae Kok River in Chiang Rai. Surrounded by lush nature, the resort offers a special retreat that harmoniously combines elegance and authenticity. Enjoy the pool with its sun terrace or savour authentic Thai cuisine in the Sala Rim Nam restaurant; the hotel’s wine bar serves fine wines and Italian dishes. The tastefully furnished rooms combine traditional Thai design with modern comfort and have air conditioning, TV, minibar and free toiletries.

After breakfast, your day begins with a visit to the unique temple of Wat Rong Khun. Also known as the “White Temple”, this relatively recent temple was designed and built by the famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Its white colour and delicate ornamentation alone make it stand out among Buddhist temples. Two more temples should not be missed: Wat Phra Kaew, built in Lanna style, is considered one of the oldest, most beautiful and most important temples in the city. The “Blue Temple”, by contrast, has only been open to the public since 2016, making it the city’s newest temple. Decorated entirely in gold and various shades of blue, it is a real eye-catcher and shows how elaborately religious buildings are still designed in Thailand today. Over lunch together in a local restaurant, you dive into Thai cuisine – a welcome break. Try the classic pad thai, a traditional stir-fried rice noodle dish that comes in various versions. Afterwards, you can explore the old town further or rest at the hotel and end the day at a relaxed pace. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 40 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs)

Today you transfer to the Thai–Lao border. After the border formalities and entry into Laos, you are met in Houeixay and taken to the pier. There you board a simple but comfortable river boat. Once it has cast off, you enjoy the first part of your Mekong river trip downstream. The journey (approx. 6 hours) takes you past unspoilt landscapes and typical small settlements. You stop at a village where you can stretch your legs. As you continue, a tasty lunch is served on board. In the late afternoon, you reach today’s destination, Pakbeng, where you spend the night in a cosy lodge set in picturesque jungle scenery on the banks of the Mekong. Look forward to a Lao dinner overlooking the river as the sun slowly sets. 1 night in Pakbeng. (B/L/D) (Distance: approx. 125 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Luang Say Lodge is picturesquely located on the banks of the Mekong, embedded in impressive jungle scenery, and offers wonderful panoramic views of the river and the surrounding mountains. The traditional architecture of its 20 bungalows made of teak and rosewood blends perfectly with the surroundings. Each room has a mosquito net, ceiling fan and private bathroom. In the central restaurant you enjoy the river view while the traditional Lao dinner buffet or continental breakfast is served. The sunset is best enjoyed in the cosy bar with a cool cocktail or soft drink. Coffee, tea and drinking water are available free of charge throughout your stay.

Your day begins with an early visit to the market in Pakbeng, where people from the surrounding mountain villages sell their goods. Take the opportunity to stock up on fresh fruit for the journey ahead. If you prefer a slower start, you can skip the market and begin the day with a relaxed breakfast. Then it’s “cast off” again as you continue your boat trip downstream on the Mekong (approx. 5 hours). Today, too, you pass spectacular landscapes and picturesque villages. You stop in a small Lao village where you can watch the traditional rice spirit “Lao-Lao” being distilled. The next stop is the famous Pak Ou Caves in an impressive cliff on the west bank of the Mekong. They are an important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Laos: for centuries, believers have come here to pray and have left countless Buddha statues. In the late afternoon, you reach the charming old royal city of Luang Prabang, rightly declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. To get your bearings, you take a walk and enjoy a refreshing drink with a lovely view of the river. Your guide will be happy to give you restaurant tips for dinner. 3 nights in Luang Prabang. (B/L)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast The traditionally furnished, heritage-style Sada Hotel (3*+) is ideally located for exploring some of Luang Prabang’s many sights on your own. After an eventful day, the outdoor pool in the green garden is a small oasis to relax and cool off. Breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant. The nicely decorated, wood-panelled rooms have a private bathroom, air conditioning and a balcony.

Today it’s an early start so as not to miss the monks’ daily morning alms round. The alms giving is a unique tradition that reflects the Buddhist faith in Laos: every morning the monks, in their saffron robes, walk barefoot through the streets of the town with their alms bowls to receive their daily food from the faithful. If you wish, you too can give the monks alms in the form of food. Your guide will talk to you about it the evening before and will be happy to prepare the alms for you. After breakfast, you explore Luang Prabang, also known as the “museum without walls”, on a city tour by tuk-tuk. Immerse yourself in the religious and cultural centre of Laos and visit, among others, the town’s most important and beautiful temples, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun and Wat Aham. In one of these temples you can look forward to a blessing by a monk, who will shower you with good wishes. The tour ends at the National Museum in the former Royal Palace. From midday you have free time in enchanting Luang Prabang. Have lunch in a nice restaurant, stroll through the streets or find a lovely spot with a river view to watch local life. If you feel fit enough, we definitely recommend climbing the 328 steps up the temple hill of Phou Si: especially in the late afternoon and at sunset, it offers a breathtaking view of the town and the Mekong. And don’t miss the night market at the foot of Phou Si! Besides food and souvenirs, Hmong women sell handmade weaving, embroidery and needlework of the finest quality. (B)

Today is devoted to the countryside around Luang Prabang. You start your nature programme with an absolute must – the Kuang Si Waterfalls. The day begins with a hike of about 1.5 hours through the surrounding landscape. The route passes sugar cane plantations and rice fields and gives you authentic insights into rural life in Laos. You should have a good basic level of fitness for the hike, as some sections on the way to the waterfalls follow fairly steep paths and switchbacks. Your reward is wonderful views and the chance to experience the falls away from the biggest crowds. If you would rather not join the hike, you can drive straight to the visitor area of the falls, where there are places to eat and drink, and meet the group later for a joint visit to the waterfalls. There you have the chance to cool off with a swim in the natural rock pools. Afterwards, you find a quiet spot and enjoy a picnic with fresh Asian sandwiches and local snacks in this magnificent setting. Back in Luang Prabang, the afternoon is at your disposal. Depending on your interests, you can optionally delve deeper into a topic that accompanies you throughout the journey – rice! At Living Land Farm, a small traditional rice farm, many “aha” moments await you: rice production and everything that goes with it is explained vividly and authentically – from ploughing with an ox and planting and transplanting the seedlings to threshing the plants to obtain the grains. You are welcome to lend a hand (optional, bookable locally; the price depends on the number of participants, approx. USD 60 per person for 4 people). (B/P) (Distance: approx. 70 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

Today you say goodbye to Luang Prabang and take the high-speed train towards Vang Vieng. After just under an hour, you reach the small town, nestled in picturesque mountain scenery right on the banks of the Nam Song – quite a contrast to the leisurely pace on Laos’ roads. During an extended lunch break in Vang Vieng, you get an impression of the country’s backpacker paradise, enjoy a relaxed lunch and take a short break by the river. Then a transfer takes you, now at a leisurely pace again, through beautiful mountain scenery and past traditional villages to the capital Vientiane, the economic and political centre of Laos. Rest a little at the hotel before setting out again in the evening to experience Vientiane’s evening atmosphere. In the centre, Patuxai awaits you, often called the “Arc de Triomphe of Laos” because of its strong resemblance to its French counterpart. It is a wonderful place at sunset and after dark, when the monument and the adjacent fountain are illuminated. 1 night in Vientiane. (B) (Distance: approx. 130 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Located right on the banks of the Mekong, the modern Amari Vientiane is in the heart of the Lao capital, close to the popular night market. Thanks to its central location, cultural highlights such as temples, museums and the city centre are within easy reach. The hotel has several restaurants serving international and regional cuisine, complemented by a bar, a wellness area (partly at extra cost) and a fitness centre. Another highlight is the infinity outdoor pool. The tastefully designed rooms combine modern design with local touches and have a double bed or two single beds, air conditioning, TV, minibar, safe and free Wi-Fi. The bathroom has a hairdryer and toiletries.

This morning you go on a sightseeing tour of Vientiane. Among other things, you see the city’s oldest surviving temple, Wat Sisaket, whose cloister houses more than 2,000 Buddha images made of ceramic and silver. You can also look forward to the national shrine, the Pha That Luang stupa, and the royal temple of Wat Phra Keo. As in neighbouring Vietnam, some regions of Laos offer ideal conditions for growing coffee – so coffee plays a big role here too. In one of your guide’s favourite cafés, you are treated to a local coffee speciality and can taste the quality of Lao beans for yourself. If you like, drink your coffee the local way with sweetened condensed milk. You then head to the airport and fly to Pakse. A transfer takes you to the Bolaven Plateau, where you spend the night. 1 night on the Bolaven Plateau. (B) (Distance: approx. 41 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Sabaidee Valley Resort is picturesquely located on the Bolaven Plateau and offers wonderful views of the surrounding mountains and lush green forests. Thanks to its quiet location close to the famous waterfalls and coffee plantations, it is the perfect place to discover the beauty of the region and relax. The resort combines traditional Lao charm with modern comfort. The hotel restaurant uses fresh regional ingredients; relax with a coffee on the large terrace with panoramic views or cool off in the outdoor pool. The stylishly furnished rooms have a private bathroom with shower, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and a desk.

Today you explore the Bolaven Plateau, known for its coffee plantations and picturesque nature – rural Laos at its purest. The plateau is crossed by several rivers and is rich in impressive waterfalls, including the Tad Fane waterfall, where the water plunges around 120 metres into the depths. On a visit to a coffee plantation, you learn more about the importance of coffee growing in Laos and how Lao coffee farmers hold their own against strong competition from Vietnam. A small tasting is of course included. Then you find a lovely spot for a picnic. Afterwards, you explore the fascinating temple complex of Wat Phou (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), one of the best-preserved relics of the Khmer era. Wat Phou is often regarded as an architectural model for Angkor Wat in Cambodia and many other temples in the region. As it receives far fewer visitors than Angkor, however, you can soak up the magical atmosphere of this significant site at your leisure as you walk through the impressive grounds. You then drive to Champasak for the night. 1 night there. (B/P) (Distance: approx. 50 km; driving time: approx. 1.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Riviera Champasak hotel is idyllically located on the banks of the Mekong, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Champasak region, and is an ideal retreat for discovering the culture and sights of southern Laos. It combines modern amenities with a relaxed atmosphere. In the hotel restaurant you can try regional specialities and international dishes with a view of the river; the outdoor pool invites you to cool off. Explore the area on a walk along the river or relax in the peaceful hotel garden. The rooms have a private bathroom, air conditioning and flat-screen TV.

As at the start of your journey, after a transfer you are back on the Mekong by boat today. For around 2 hours, you travel through unspoilt nature and past small Lao villages to the Mekong island of Don Khone in southern Laos. Along the way, you see how the Mekong gradually fans out into an inland delta. Most of the countless small islands are inhabited; people here live from fishing, boat building and rice farming. At your accommodation on the island, you can first relax before local delicacies are served on the hotel terrace in the evening – and of course there is fresh fish. 2 nights on the Mekong island of Don Khone. (B/D) (Transfer: approx. 120 km, approx. 2.5 hrs; boat trip: approx. 2 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast Sengahloune Resort is only about two minutes’ walk from the old French railway bridge and has an outdoor pool for relaxing. The rooms are simply furnished and all have air conditioning and a balcony.

Today you set off to explore Don Khone Island and first visit some colonial relics of French rule in Laos: scattered colonial buildings and an old railway bridge. An old locomotive, kept as a memento at a small station, takes you back in time. You then experience impressive waterfalls that form a natural barrier in the Mekong and prevent the river from being navigable all the way from the sea to China. First, the Khone Phapheng waterfall impresses you – the largest in Southeast Asia by volume and one of the widest, with incredible rapids. Depending on the water level, huge masses of water from one of the Mekong’s branches plunge over cascades into the depths. It lies at the very southern tip of Laos in an area called Si Phan Don – literally “Four Thousand Islands”. Around midday, you return to the hotel for a break before visiting one of the main branches of the Mekong falls in the afternoon, the Li Phi Falls. They are known for their aquamarine water and are a popular photo spot; various paths let you admire them from several angles. Back at your accommodation, you can look forward to delicious local food for dinner again. Enjoy the sunset on the terrace and let yourself be spoiled. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 40 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

Today it’s time to say goodbye to Laos. You drive back to Pakse and on towards the Thai border. Here your guide says goodbye, and after crossing the border an English-speaking guide takes over. In Ubon Ratchathani you can rest at the hotel and spend the rest of the day as you like. If you wish, you can end the journey the way it began – at a Thai street food market: stroll along the stalls on your own and enjoy your favourite dish once more. 1 night in Ubon Ratchathani. (B) (Distance: approx. 280 km; driving time: approx. 6 hrs plus approx. 0.5–1 hr for border formalities)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast Centara Ubon Hotel is located in the heart of Ubon Ratchathani and is an ideal base for discovering the culture and sights of the region; interesting attractions are just minutes away. The hotel combines modern comfort with Thai elegance and offers an inviting, relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy Thai and international cuisine in the hotel restaurant and a refreshing drink in the lounge; the outdoor pool and garden invite you to linger. The rooms have air conditioning, flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.

At the appropriate time, you transfer to Ubon Ratchathani airport, from where you start your flight home. (B) (Distance: approx. 7 km; driving time: approx. 20 min) Day 15: You land back in your home country with unforgettable impressions of Southeast Asia.