Elephant Kingdoms (Family)

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok where you are transferred to your comfortable and centrally located hotel. A pre-trip briefing is held in the evening, to meet the other members of your group and discuss the trip itinerary. Please check for a Welcome Notice on the hotel noticeboard located near the hotel lifts which will provide your tour leader's name and the exact time and location of your Welcome Meeting. Until this meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Bangkok has to offer, including trying some of Thailand’s famous cuisine. After the group meeting in the evening we may adjourn to a nearby restaurant and enjoy a meal together (this is optional and at your own expense). The rest of the evening is free - perhaps a visit to the bustling night markets of Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok – overnight train

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today is a full day to enjoy the sights of Bangkok. This city tour is all done on the different forms of public transport available to the citizens of Bangkok (Skytrain, canal boat, ferry and bus), to give you a true taste of life in this busy and vibrant city. We visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), a must for first-time travellers to Bangkok. We also visit Wat Po, home of the famous Reclining Buddha. (When visiting temples and palaces in Thailand, please dress conservatively in order to respect the local culture). In the afternoon we transfer to the train station to board our overnight air conditioned sleeper train bound for Chiang Mai (approximately 13 hours).

Day 3: Chiang Mai

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today is an early morning arrival into Chiang Mai (providing our train is on schedule, which is not always the case!). We have the day to enjoy the more relaxed ambience of the ‘Rose of the North’, as Chiang Mai is sometimes called. Its literal translation actually means ‘New City’. In the afternoon we visit the Hilltribe Musuem and Wat Doi Suthep, a beautiful Buddhist temple situated high on a hill. The evening provides the perfect opportunity to hit Chiang Mai’s famous Night Bazaar and practise your bargaining skills.

Day 4: Chiang Dao - Chiang Mai

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

We catch a private mini-bus and drive for an hour and a half into the northern hill region around Chiang Dao. An elephant ride through the forest delivers us the hill tribe villages where we then trek around the area and visit the Palong, Karen, Lisu and Akha people. Meeting these colourful people gives you an insight into their unique and fascinating lifestyles and customs.

Day 5: Chiang Khong

Meals included: 1 breakfast

A mid-morning departure sees us travelling to the northern city of Chiang Khong, via Chiang Rai (approximately 5-6 hours). In Chiang Khong we are able to sit on the banks of the mighty Mekong River and look across at Laos, as it beckons.

Day 6: Mekong River - Pak Beng

Meals included: 1 breakfast

In the morning we transfer to the Thai-Lao border. Once passed Thai immigration, we say goodbye to our Thai tour leader and board small boats to transfer across the Mekong River to Lao immigration, where we are met by our Lao tour leader. Following immigration formalities being completed, we transfer to the Huay Xai pier to board our private slowboat for our journey down the Mekong River. This two-day trip is a chance to relax and take in the breathtaking scenery, as we past by life on the riverbanks. This evening we overnight in the little township of Pak Beng, a small trader's town and now an overnight stop for tourists travelling to Luang Prabang. Please note that Pak Beng is a basic town, so be prepared for the possibility of cold showers and limited electricity supply. A 'Spirit of Adventure' is essential!

Day 7: Luang Prabang

Meals included: 1 breakfast

This morning we board a private slow boat for a two-hour journey upstream to Pak Ou (meaning ‘mouth of the Ou River’), where the famous Tam Ting Cave houses thousands of Buddha images of various shapes and sizes, all brought there by devoted villagers. Along the way we stop at the village of Ban Sang Hai, where they make the potent local rice-wine. We continue onto our destination, Luang Prabang, and enjoy the chance to walk around the local shops, which are well known for their hand-weaving and other interesting artefacts. Here is a chance for shoppers to try their hand at bargaining.

Day 8: Luang Prabang

Meals included: 1 breakfast

In the morning we have the option to rise early to view the procession of monks on their daily outing collecting alms, a practice that dates back centuries. The people of the town wait out the front of their houses with food for the monks to collect and take back to the temple. It is done early as the monks cannot eat anything after midday. By giving food to a monk you ‘het bon’ or make merit, which should augur well for your next life! Following breakfast we visit the major temples, including the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, which nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers, and Wat Wisunalat, which is the oldest temple in the city. The afternoon is free to enjoy the chance to walk around the local shops, which are well known for their hand-weaving and other interesting artefacts. Another chance for the shoppers amongst us to try their hand at bargaining!

Day 9: Luang Prabang

Meals included: 1 breakfast

We visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, an interesting structure that dates from the early years of the 20th century and combines traditional Lao architecture with French colonial influence. The collection of treasures and artefacts reflects the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign, who was deposed in 1975. The afternoon is free to make your own discoveries. A great optional activity is to sample a traditional Lao massage and herbal sauna. Another highlight of our stay is a journey 29 kilometres south of town to visit the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfalls.

Day 10: Vang Vieng

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Travelling south, our private bus winds its way over high mountain passes and down through breathtaking scenery for seven hours. This is a very long and arduous but ultimately rewarding day of travelling. You will certainly need to bring with you your spirit of adventure! During our stay we cross the river to explore the huge caves that line the west bank. These caves are riddled with unexplored tunnels and caverns and there is plenty of time to make our own discoveries or partake in a kayaking day trip (additional cost) along the Nam Song.

Day 11: Vang Vieng

Meals included: 1 breakfast

The village of Vang Vieng is located in a beautiful location on a bend in the Nam Song River. Today is a free day for you to do what you wish - there are plenty of options ranging from canoeing on the river to hiring a bicycle and riding through the beautiful surrounding scenery.

Day 12: Vientiane

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today we drive to the capital of Laos – Vientiane (approximately 4 hours). In the afternoon a city tour acquaints us with the major sights of the capital. We visit the imposing Patuxai monument (also known as the Anousavari, which translates as ‘victory’ in Lao - hence the name 'Victory Monument'), which is Vientiane's version of the Arc de Triomphe and dominates the city's main thoroughfare. It has also been nicknamed the ‘Vertical Runway’, which refers to the fact that it was built in the 1960s from funds the US Government had given to the Lao Government for the expressed purpose of extending the runway at the airport! Wat Si Saket is the oldest temple in the city, while the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image before it was taken by the Siamese in the late 18th Century. We visit both temples and the famous structure in Laos, the That Luang stupa.

Day 13-14: Bangkok

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

Today we transfer to Wattay International Airport for our flight from Vientiane to Bangkok. We say goodbye to our Lao tour leader before passing through immigration. We fly to Bangkok unescorted, but our Thai tour leader will be waiting for us in the arrivals hall at Bangkok International Airport and transfer us to our hotel. This evening is a great opportunity to go out as a group for a final dinner. The tour ends after breakfast on Saturday. A transfer to the airport is not included; however, your tour leader will be on hand to advise you as to the options available.

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Your Trip

What's Included

Local tour leader, arrival transfer, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Accommodation

• 10 nights Comfortable hotel
• 2 nights Local guesthouse
• 1 night Overnight train

Meals

• 13 breakfasts
• 1 lunch

Not Included

Visa costs, international airfares, departure taxes, insurance (obligatory on all trips), departure transfer, other meals, drinks, snacks, any optional additional tours or activities during free time, spending of a personal nature such as gratuities, laundry, drinks, souvenirs.

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Important Information

Flight: Vientiane to Bangkok
Your flight ticket will be given to you by your tour leader before you board this flight.

Local Tour Leaders
By employing and training local guides to lead our group holidays, there is a two-fold benefit. Firstly, we provide employment opportunities for the local community. Just as importantly is the benefit to you, the traveller. Your tour leader’s friendship, humour, passion and intimate knowledge of the region will be key factors in making your holiday a success.

Tipping
Tipping has become an accepted part of tourism in South East Asia. Your tour leader will be able to advise you in this area; however, as a guideline we would recommend tipping 10% of the total bill in restaurants and a small tip to hotel bellboys for carrying your bags.

At you pre-tour briefing your tour leader will discuss with you the idea of running a tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then the tour leader pays the tips and keeps a record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour is returned to group members. This is often the easiest way to avoid the hassles of needing small change and knowing what is an appropriate amount to tip.

It is customary to tip your tour leader, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with the service. A minimum tip of US$2 per day, from each member of the group, is the usual amount expected.

Etiquettes and Customs
Your tour leader will advise you further on Thai and Lao cultural etiquettes during your tour; however, here are some simple ones to get you started.
· Patting a people on their head is considered extremely rude and insulting
· Public displays of affection are not acceptable, including holding hands and kissing.
· Losing your temper or showing anger and shouting or yelling will lose respect immediately;
to remain cool, calm and collected at all times is an admired quality in a person in Thai
culture
· When visiting temples, ensure your shoulders and knees are covered. They are places of
worship, so it is important to dress modestly
· The monarchy in Thailand is held in very high esteem. Please show the highest level of
respect to the king of Thailand and never make jokes about him

Songkran
The Thai Buddhist New Year or Songkran is celebrated every year on April 13, although the associated water throwing festivities can start well before and go on through to a week well beyond this date. Songkran is a time of cleaning and renewal. Thais go to the temple to pray, give food to the monks and clean the Buddha statues with scented water. It is believed these practises will bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Water is used to pay respect to your elders, particularly your parents, during the Songkran period. It is poured in small amounts over the hands as a sign of respect. These days the nation erupts into one huge water fight and the small amounts have turned into bucket loads. The date used to be set by astrological calculations, but these days the date is set. Until 1888 Songkran represented the beginning of the year in Thailand. After 1888 the date of 1st April was considered the first day of the year. In 1940 the date of 1st January was recognised as the beginning of the new year, in line with international practice. It is a great time of year to be in Thailand and a lot of fun taken in the right spirit. However you will need to have an easy going attitude to your travels, as when you head outside there is a good chance that you will get wet. In addition to this it is a busy travel time, so you may find that the transport listed in the itinerary is not always the transport you get.

Dry Season Tours
Please note that March and April are traditionally the hot dry months in Thailand and Laos. During this time, the villagers burn their fields before the onset of the wet season, in order to prepare for the following season’s harvest. Whilst travelling at this time of the year, please be prepared for the fact that the fields and jungles are not lush and green, but dry and brown.

Age limits and responsibility for minors
Our family trips are not recommended for children under the age of six. There must be at least one parent/adult guardian for three minors. Parent/adult guardian must be fully responsible for their minors throughout the entire trip. If you have a question regarding age and suitability, please contact us for further advice.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

3 November 2011

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