Greatness Highlights of the Active Lands

Bangkok Arrival

• Activities:

  Arrive in Bangkok

• Meal:

  N/A

• Included:

  Airport pickup with guide, hotel in Bangkok

You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Bangkok

• Activities:

  Visit Wat Traimit, Wat Pho and Wat Benjabophit, explore the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast , ground transportation, guide, entrance fees, hotel in Bangkok

Discover three of Bangkok's finest temples: Wat Traimit houses a striking 3-metre tall Golden Buddha image - a gleaming, 5-ton figure of solid gold. Wat Pho houses the highly revered giant Reclining Buddha and traditional massage school, while Wat Benjabophit is famous for its elegant, white marble facade and Buddha images lining the cloister walls behind the main chapel. Alternatively, combine a tour to the three temples above with a visit to the Grand Palace. Inside its 61-acre complex, you'll encounter what is undoubtedly one of the wonders of the world, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Overnight in Bangkok

Bangkok

• Activities:

  Explore the ruined city of Ayutthaya, stop at Bang Pa In and discover other tourist attractions

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, dinner, ground transportation, guide, rice barge, entrance fees, hotel in Bangkok

Journey upriver and back in time on a trip to the ruined former capital of Ayuthaya. Along the way, visit the unforgettable summer palace of Bang Pa In, then step onto a traditional rice barge for a trip upriver. As you arrive you will enjoy the views of the Japanese and Portuguese settlements, Wat Phutthaisawan, Saint Joseph's Church, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Disembark at Wat Kasattrathirat Pier, and take a tour of the most important sites in the city, including a visit to the serene reclining Buddha of Wat Yai Chaimongkol and the towering brick stupas of Wat Chai Watanaram. Return to Bangkok by car, and take dinner. Overnight in Bangkok

Bangkok - Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  Arrive in Luang Prabang, tour around temples in the town

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, ground transportation, airfare to Luang Prabang, entrance fees, hotel in Luang Prabang

A morning flight will land you in Luang Prabang, an engaging riverside town of French villas and gilded pagodas. After enjoying lunch and a little relaxation, you'll be taken on a guided walking tour to some of the most important temples in town, culminating as you admire the sunset over the Mekong from the beguiling Wat Prabaht Tai. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  Experience alms ritual, visit Wat Xieng Thong, explore the former Royal Palace, head towards Wat Mai

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch , guide, ground transportation, entrance fees, hotel in Luang Prabang

An early waking up will give you the chance to experience one of the most unforgettable rituals in all of Asia, as a procession of orange-robed monks walk emerge from the mist on a procession to receive alms. Afterwards, continue your exploration of Luang Prabang's spiritual side with a tour of Wat Xieng Thong, the most important monastery in Laos. After lunch, visit the former Royal Palace (Closed on Tuesdays), now the National Museum. From there, continue on foot to visit Wat Mai, with its unique 5 tiered roof and golden bas-reliefs. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang - Vientiane

• Activities:

  Take a flight to Vientiane (Laos), discover holly sites in Laos

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, guides, airport transfers, airfare to Vientiane, ground transportation, entrance fees, hotel in Vientiane

Check in at the airport for your late morning flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Your private car and guide will meet you on arrival and luggage will be transferred separately while you enjoy lunch .The tour begins at the serene Wat Sisaket, then continues to Wat Phra Keo and finally at Wat Simuang. The tour continues with visiting to Patuxai and Pha That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Overnight in Vientiane.

Vientiane - Pakse - Wat Phou Cruise to Champasak

• Activities:

  Depart for Pakse, take a boat trip to Champassak, Vat Phou temple

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, dinner, airport transfers with guides, airfare to Pakse, ground transportation, boat trip, entrance fees, overnight on board

After breakfast, we'll depart for the Wattay airport for your flight to Pakse. The provincial capital of Champasak, Pakse's position at the confluence of two rivers has long made it a center for trade between Thailand and Vietnam. From Pakse, you'll board a long tail boat for an adventurous trip through rapids and sandbanks to the town of Champassak. From there, you'll visit Vat Phou, a hilltop Angkorian temple that is shrouded in curtains of emerald forest. Enjoy a relaxing dusk cruise down-river, then take dinner on board while docked next to a remote Laotian village. Overnight on board

Vat Phou Cruise

• Activities:

  Sail to Huei Thamo village, walk to explore the temple of Oum Moung, experience local life in Muang Kong

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, dinner, guide, boat trip, entrance fees, overnight on board

On your first morning on board, we'll set sail for the village of Huei Thamo, the jumping off point for a walk through the shade of the forest to the hidden temple of Oum Moung. Afterwards, return to continue your voyage to the inland archipelago paradise of the 4,000 islands. Soak up the centuries-old traditional life in the village of Muang Kong, then return to the boat to be serenaded by the song of the buffalo toads as you enjoy a starlit dinner on board. Overnight on board

Vat Phou Cruise - Champasak

• Activities:

  Take a trip to Ban Veuthong, explore the Khong Pha Pheng waterfalls, visit Khone village

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, guide, boat trip, ferry, hotel in Champasak

Enjoy breakfast on deck as you cruise to the village of Ban Veuthong, where you'll step onto a local ferry en route to the spectacular Khong Pha Pheng waterfalls. Set out from a fishing village on a long tail boat ride to Khone village- keep an alert gaze, and you may catch a glimpse of the rare Irrawaddy river dolphin! Enjoy lunch amid the faded charm of a French colonial village, before heading back to Pakse for the night. Overnight in Champasak.

Pakse - Bangkok

• Activities:

  Enjoy the scenery of Bolavan Plateau, depart

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, guide, ground transportation

On your final day, make the trip to admire the breathtaking natural scenery of the Bolavan Plateau, the center of coffee production in Laos. Optional: fly direct from Pakse to Bangkok (must be Tuesday or Friday only. Subject to change without prior notice from airline)