1. Home
  2. Asia
  3. Thailand
  4. Best of Northern Thailand, Laos & Cambodia
Days
20
Price from
4825EUR
Map of Best of Northern Thailand, Laos & Cambodia including Cambodia, Lao Pdr and Thailand

Discover the secrets of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia on this illuminating voyage.

Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are home to some of the most beautiful countryside, scenery, temples and architecture in the world. On the surface things may appear chaotic – particularly in Bangkok – but there’s a kind of quiet cohesion that makes everything click into place and keep moving along. Let yourself slip into this relaxed way of life and soak up the atmosphere as you boat along the Mekong River and see magnificent temples in Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang. Learn about the fraught history on the Thai-Burma Railway and then enjoy the whimsy of French colonial architecture meshed with Buddhist temples in Vientiane. Then, travel to Cambodia to discover the dark history of the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and explore the once ‘lost’ ruins of Angkor, the archaeological treasure of the Khmers. You’ll have plenty of time to explore, discover, taste and experience South East Asia on this illuminating voyage.

Start
Bangkok, Thailand
Finish
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Destinations
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand
Style
Peregrine
Code
PABIC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Support an important animal welfare initiative and get close to incredible creatures at the Elephant Nature Park

  • Visit the home of the infamous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’, learn about its dark history and the construction of the railway during the war

  • Enjoy lunch on board a slow trip down the Mekong River, observing the stunning scenery and remote village life, and visiting a cave crowded with shrines - all at a relaxed pace

  • With a visit to the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge, immerse yourself in the wonders of an ancient tribal culture without compromising on creature comforts

  • Unwind in the laid-back jungle town of Luang Prabang. Watch as orange-clad monks gather offerings of rice, fruit and sweets from locals before sunrise in a daily alms giving ceremony

  • See the important sights of Phnom Penh on a full-day guided tour around the Cambodian capital. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are sobering experiences you won't forget

  • Enjoy two days of fully guided temple tours in Siem Reap, with in-depth insights into the history of these extraordinary structures and plenty of time at Angkor Wat

  • Spend your nights in comfort under the roof of Peregrine standard hotels – centrally located and ideal for relaxing

  • Enjoy a visit to a working Buddhist Monastery and meet the resident monks to learn more about this religion and it's importance to the Cambodian people.

  • Included flights on this trip makes travelling easy and allows for maximum time in each destination

Is this trip right for you?

  • Thailand is a big country and there are some drives on this trip of up to 4 hours. Many of these journeys, however, offer beautiful scenery and interesting snapshots of rural and mountain life.

  • Laos is a beautifully laid back destination, but it's also less developed than most in South East Asia, so a little bit of patience goes a long way. Roads may be bumpy and journeys may take longer than expected.

  • This trip includes a cycling tour around Sukhothai Heritage Park, so a level of confidence on a bicycle will be required. That said, the roads are quiet with minimal traffic, and within the confines of the park it will be easy going.

  • You will visit a number of temples which requires a level of modesty. You will need to bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

  • The bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge is a painful but important part of Cambodian history to confront. If you would rather not visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, just let your leader know.

  • It’s important to prepare for hot and sticky temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening. Layers are the best way to tackle this disparity in weather.

  • You will visit a number of temples on this trip, and this requires a level of modesty. Be sure to bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

Feed_a_monk-Luang_Prabang.jpg
thailand-unearthed.jpg
Rent_a_bike-Old_Sukhothai.jpg
Bridge_over_River_Kwai.jpg

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2020.
 View the 2019 itinerary

Welcome to Thailand. One of our transfer representatives will collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel. After settling into your room, your journey begins with an important meeting at 6 pm. Please check for the Peregrine noticeboard in the reception area of the hotel. Please advise your flight details at the time of booking so we can arrange your airport transfer. With free time, acquaint yourself with this frenetic city of tuk tuks, street food and traditional khlong boats winding down the Chao Phraya River. Tonight you'll enjoy a welcome dinner at a great local restaurant.
Accommodation
  • Rembrandt Hotel or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
  • Dinner

Enjoy a day of sightseeing and activities in lively Bangkok. Visit Wat Po, a larger-than-life temple complex in the city. This is the home of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is among the six officially recognised highest calibre temples in Thailand, and it's certainly one of the most impressive. Also visit the majestic Grand Palace, which has been the official residence of the kings since the 1700s, and enjoy a boat tour of the city's khlongs (canals) to see another, more tranquil, side of Bangkok. The afternoon is free to do as you wish, perhaps visiting Jim Thompson house or enjoying a Thai massage. You’ll have a BTS day pass so you can use the Sky Train to help you get around.
Accommodation
  • Rembrandt Hotel or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bangkok - Grand Palace
  • Bangkok - BTS one day pass
  • Bangkok - Wat Pho
  • Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
Optional Activities
  • Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB150
  • Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB250
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note when visiting the Grand Palace clothes covering your shoulders and knees are a requirement for entry.

Travel by private transport to Kanchanaburi (approximately 3.5 hours). While the town may appear modern, it holds a dark past. Many Allied prisoners of war and conscripted Asian labourers were engaged here to help build a rail route to Myanmar (Burma), including the passage infamously known as Hellfire Pass. Visit the memorial museum of the pass to learn more about this chapter in history, and take a historical train journey along a portion of this 'death railway'.
Accommodation
  • Away Kanchanaburi Dheva Mantra Resort & Spa or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kanchanaburi - Historical train ride
  • Kanchanaburi - Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Make the short drive to the Erawan National Park and waterfall. Its radiant emerald green ponds, named after the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology, make for a lovely photo opportunity. On the way back to Kanchanaburi, stop in at the World War II cemetery and museum and spend some time there. This cemetery is the main resting place for the prisoners of war who laboured under Japanese rule in building the Thai-Burma Railway.
Accommodation
  • Away Kanchanaburi Dheva Mantra Resort & Spa or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kanchanaburi - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
  • Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Depart Kanchanaburi in the morning and drive to Hup Pa Tat (approximately 3 hours). Spend an hour or so exploring this beautiful green area surrounded by limestone mountains. Legend has it that centuries ago this valley was a gigantic cave, until the ceiling caved in; massive chunks of limestone lying on the valley floor support the theory. Next you continue to Uthai Thani (approximately 1 hour). Enjoy lunch, while cruising on a traditional rice barge, watching village life along the riverfront stream by, as your travel through beautiful countryside. Afterwards, visit nearby Wat Tha Sung (Crystal Hall) before travelling on to Nakorn Sawan (approximately 1 hour) where you will spend the night. Perhaps head out to the local market in the evening where you can taste many different street foods from the region.
Accommodation
  • Grand Hill Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Uthai Thani - Hup Pa Tat
  • Uthai Thani - Wat Tha Sung
  • Uthai Thani - Traditional rice barge lunch cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Travel by private transport from Nakorn Sawan to Sukhothai (approximately 3 hours). In the afternoon you have the option to visit the Organic Culture Project and spend a couple of hours joining in on traditional Thai farm activities. Check out the organic vegetable garden and attend a demonstration out in the rice fields.
Accommodation
  • Sukhothai Heritage Resort or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Sukhothai - Organic Farm lunch - THB900
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Sukhothai, established in the 13th century, was one of the first ancient capitals of Siam. Famed for its World Heritage listed historical park, which captures the Golden Age of Thai civilisation, the capital's name literally means 'Dawn of Happiness'. Today we visit the historical park, which spans the ruins of the town. You will rent a bicycle and take part in a cycle tour. As you ride around, you'll learn more about the history of this former metropolis and its fascinating structures. Enjoy a home-cooked picnic lunch in the beautiful grounds of Sukhothai Park. The rest of the afternoon is free, you might want to simply read a book by the pool back at your resort.
Accommodation
  • Sukhothai Heritage Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sukhothai - Historical Park bike tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Travel from Sukhothai to Hmong Hilltribe Lodge, which will take approximately six hours in a private minivan. The Hmong are an ethnic minority in Thailand who originated in the south of China. Today they comprise the second largest hilltribe group in Thailand. After a barbecue dinner in the lodge's open-air dining area, the day concludes with a Hmong cultural performance. You'll gain an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the tribe, with a wedding ceremony enactment, shamanic ritual and makong (cotton ball) throwing.
Accommodation
  • Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hmong Hilltribe Lodge - Traditional meal & cultural performance
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Travel from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge to the Elephant Nature Park, approximately 1.5 hours by minivan. Spend time at this important institution, learning about the various projects dedicated to rehabilitating and protecting elephants and other animals. There are many viewing platforms around the park that will get you up close with these wonderful creatures and you can even help out with feeding them. Speaking of food, a banquet-style lunch will also be included with the visit. Spend most of the day at the park then travel to Chiang Mai, freshen up at the hotel then head out for a street food tour in the evening. Hidden down the back alleys of the city’s old town district you will sample dishes like khao man gai and khao kha moo from many local shops unknown to the tourist eye. Chat with street food vendors who have been serving the same dishes for more than 20 years and understand the influences that Isan and Shan cultures have had on the Northern Thailand’s culinary scene. Your local guide will also suggest many other places you can eat during your time in Chiang Mai.
Accommodation
  • Bodhi Serene Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Chiang Mai - Elephant Nature Park day trip
  • Chiang Mai - Street food tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning you’ll have a very unique opportunity to chat with some monks from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, a university specifically for Buddhist monks. Learn the basics of Buddhism and find out more about their schooling, lifestyle and world view. Enjoy a free afternoon afterwards to explore Chiang Mai further, perhaps getting out into the lush countryside or checking out more Buddhist temples. In the evening, your group will be treated to dinner at a nice restaurant to celebrate your Northern Thailand adventure.
Accommodation
  • Bodhi Serene Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Chiang Mai - Buddist offering and Monk chat
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

You will be transferred to the airport, where you will say goodbye to your Thai tour leader and fly to Luang Prabang, Laos. Please note: you will be unescorted on this flight.

When you arrive in Luang Prabang you will be transferred to your hotel. A welcome meeting will be held in the evening. Please check for a welcome notice on the Peregrine notice board located in the reception area of the hotel. This will provide you with your leader's name and the exact time and location of your Welcome Meeting. Keep in mind that you will need to again bring your travel insurance details with you to the meeting.

After meeting the new travellers joining your group, take part in a Baci ceremony to welcome you to Laos, and balance your soul according to Lao tradition. The ceremony is based on an ancient belief that the body is made up of 32 different spirits – all inhabiting different organs. The ritual is intended to call back spirits that may have strayed from the body, bringing a sense of balance and health.
Accommodation
  • Sada Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luang Prabang - Baci welcome ceremony
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note: departures staying in Luang Prabang in January and February 2020 will stay at the Luang Prabang View Hotel.

Wake early to participate in the alms giving ceremony, one of the most sacred Buddhist traditions in Laos, where locals offer food to monks in order to seek spiritual blessing. Alms giving takes place daily as the sun rises, beginning on the main street of Luang Prabang before spreading out to side streets. Follow the locals as they kneel down, ready to give offerings of rice, fruit and sweet snacks to the monks. Later that morning, spend time learning about Laos’ diverse ethnic groups at the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre. Afterwards, enjoy an essential activity in Luang Prabang – a boat ride on the Mekong River. It's a great chance to see the riverside from a different angle, with all its stately French villas, trees, and slow-paced two-wheeled traffic. Further along the stream, outside of town, you visit the Pak Ou Caves, located at the confluence of the rivers Mekong and Ou. Enjoy lunch on the boat along the way.
Accommodation
  • Sada Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luang Prabang - Alms giving ceremony
  • Luang Prabang - Mekong River cruise & Pak Ou Caves
  • Luang Prabang - Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Please note departures staying in Luang Prabang in January and February 2020 will stay at the Luangprabang View Hotel

In the morning, visit Ock Pop Tok, an inspiring fair trade social enterprise that provides a sustainable source of income for female artisans in Luang Prabang. Their dedicated team shows women how to make a better living from their skills. The organisation then employs women to design, make and sell beautiful textiles and handicrafts at three shops across the city. Later take a short ride out of town to visit Kuang Si Waterfall. Its glorious blue-green cascades make for one of Laos' most photogenic attractions, and the pool at its base is great for swimming in. There is time to visit the nearby Bear Rescue Centre as well. In the evening, sit down to dinner at Khaiphaen, a Friends-International enterprise dedicated to improving the welfare of disadvantaged youth through skills-training.
Accommodation
  • Sada Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls
  • Luang Prabang - Ock Pop Tok visit
  • Luang Prabang - Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note departures staying in Luang Prabang in January and February 2020 will stay at the Luangprabang View Hotel

Fly to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, in the early morning. Though not as visually impressive as Luang Prabang, this city is renowned for its food and has some must see sights. Its main streets are awash with a variety of high-calibre restaurants that serve a remarkably diverse span of cuisines from across the globe. Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the city, stopping in at Wat Si Saket, Hor Prakeo, Patuxai (Victory Gate) and That Luang along the way. You’ll also visit the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE), a remarkable not-for-profit organisation that makes rehabilitative devices and medical equipment accessible to people with physical disabilities in Laos.
Accommodation
  • Sabaidee @ Lao Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Vientiane - Wat Si Saket
  • Vientiane - Haw Pra Kaew
  • Vientiane - That Luang
  • Vientiane - Pratu Xai
  • Vientiane - COPE visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

You will be transferred to the airport, where you will say goodbye to your trip leader and fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Please note: you will be unescorted on this flight. When you arrive in Phnom Penh you will be transferred to a comfortable and centrally located hotel. A Cambodia trip sector briefing will be held in the evening. Please check for a welcome notice on the Peregrine notice board located in the reception area of the hotel. This will provide you with your trip leader's name and the exact time and location of your Welcome Meeting.

If you have free time in the afternoon, perhaps stroll the streets of Phnom Penh and explore the city, taking in the interesting French colonial architecture. Dinner tonight will be at the restaurant run by Friends International. You might decide to go for a drink at the Foreign Correspondents' Club afterwards.

Note: The restaurant run by Friends Internationl is closed on public and school holidays. Alternative dinner arrangements will be made during these times.
Accommodation
  • Aquarius Hotel or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Today a full city tour introduces you to the sights of Phnom Penh, a city that lies near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are home to King Sihamoni and are closed to the public. You will, however, be able to visit the Silver Pagoda that lies in the palace complex, which is the most sacred temple in the country. Phnom Penh remains a living relic of the country’s past struggles and successes. Your included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. There is an optional visit to Wat Phnom, the temple that gave rise to the foundation of the city in the 15th century. Later you head out of town to a working monastery to learn more about the life of a monk and Theravada Buddhism. Buddhism in Cambodia is a way of life that most people incorporate into their daily life. You will get to meet the monks, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity, have a red band tied around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels and see the temple’s fascinating Pagoda art.

Note: The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek are major parts of the experience here, but if you don't wish to visit them, please inform your leader.
Accommodation
  • Aquarius Hotel or similiar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
  • Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
  • Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
  • Phnom Penh - Buddhist monastery visit
Optional Activities
  • Phnom Penh - Wat Phnom - USD2
  • Phnom Penh - National Museum - USD10
  • Phnom Penh - Cyclo tour - USD4
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Fly north to Siem Reap (approximately 40 minutes) where the great temples of Angkor await. After a relaxing morning at your hotel, travel into the countryside to a local farming community, walk through rice fields and learn about Cambodian stilt homes and life in a typical farming village. Hear about the myriad ways a non-government organisation called HUSK Cambodia works directly with this community to improve the lives of Cambodian families. End the day with a stop for a sunset drink at a scenic point overlooking the countryside.
Accommodation
  • Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat or similar (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Countryside village walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Spend a full day visiting the amazing temples of Angkor on a guided exploration. Angkor Wat is the largest and most complete structure, and the only one of Angkor's temples that has its entrance facing west – the others face east. Then there is Angkor Thom, the 'Great Royal City', a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. Of all the temples visited today, Bayon temple is the centrepiece, with over 200 smiling carved faces and more than 50 gothic towers. For lunch you'll visit the Sala Bai Hotel School where underprivileged local youths learn skills that enable them to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Here you can enjoy a meal prepared by students at the school. After lunch it’s off to the Ta Prohm temple, which has large trees embedded in the stone foundations of the structure – powerful symbols of nature.

Note: The Sala Bai Hotel School is closed on public and school holidays, so on these days an alternative restaurant will be used.
Accommodation
  • Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat or similar (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Siem Reap - Three day Angkor Pass
  • Siem Reap - Lunch at Sala Bai
Optional Activities
  • Siem Reap - Phare Circus Ticket - USD18
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Embrace a very early start today if you wish to experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex (this is optional). From here, continue onto Banteay Srei. You'll see it's not a huge temple, but thanks to its intricate stone carvings it is sometimes referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of Angkorian art’. At this point you can either head back to your hotel or carry on exploring more temples, such as Preah Khan. This temple contains a maze of vaulted corridors and is another complex that has been largely reclaimed by the jungle. Your ticket for the Angkor ruins also lets you spend more time exploring this site. Otherwise you might like to take a free afternoon to explore the town. If you have time, perhaps indulge in a traditional Khmer massage. Tonight you will enjoy a final dinner at a great restaurant in town serving local cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Navutu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat or similar (feature stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Banteay Srei Temple visit
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
Optional Activities
  • Siem Reap - Khmer massage - USD17
  • Siem Reap - Landmine museum - USD5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

19 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Private minibus, Plane, Train, Tuk-tuk, Bicycle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (13 nights), Lodge (1 night), Resort (5 nights)

Included Activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Bangkok - Grand Palace
  • Bangkok - BTS one day pass
  • Bangkok - Wat Pho
  • Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
  • Kanchanaburi - Historical train ride
  • Kanchanaburi - Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
  • Kanchanaburi - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
  • Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park
  • Uthai Thani - Hup Pa Tat
  • Uthai Thani - Wat Tha Sung
  • Uthai Thani - Traditional rice barge lunch cruise
  • Sukhothai - Historical Park bike tour
  • Hmong Hilltribe Lodge - Traditional meal & cultural performance
  • Chiang Mai - Elephant Nature Park day trip
  • Chiang Mai - Street food tour
  • Chiang Mai - Buddist offering and Monk chat
  • Luang Prabang - Baci welcome ceremony
  • Luang Prabang - Alms giving ceremony
  • Luang Prabang - Mekong River cruise & Pak Ou Caves
  • Luang Prabang - Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre
  • Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls
  • Luang Prabang - Ock Pop Tok visit
  • Luang Prabang - Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre
  • Vientiane - Wat Si Saket
  • Vientiane - Haw Pra Kaew
  • Vientiane - That Luang
  • Vientiane - Pratu Xai
  • Vientiane - COPE visit
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
  • Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
  • Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
  • Phnom Penh - Buddhist monastery visit
  • Siem Reap - Countryside village walking tour
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Siem Reap - Three day Angkor Pass
  • Siem Reap - Lunch at Sala Bai
  • Siem Reap - Banteay Srei Temple visit

Dates & availability

Trip search is unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Best of Northern Thailand, Laos & Cambodia trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may change, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available on this trip, subject to availability. Please contact your sales agent if you would like to book this. Please note the single supplement is available on every night of this trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Check Availability