THE
BANKS OF THE MEKHONG THE
BANKS OF THE MEKHONG LB2.
Day 1:
Departure from your country
Day 2: Welcome to the CHIANGRAI airport and transfert to Ban Khun Yom Hotel. City tour and dinner, introducing your guide and check the program tour.
Day 3: Our journey begins with travelling out of CHIANGRAI. The picturesque houses fronted by vibrantly coloured flowers anf freenery are delightfull to see. We proceed to the small town of THOENG for lunch. During the afternoon, we find ourselves in a MEO village situated on the border of LAOS.There will be an opportunity to meet the people and later to enjoy tea with the village headman. Before we proceed to a sumptuous dinner in CHIANGKHONG we are treated to a memorable view as the sun slowly sets in the MEKHONG river and merge with the purple dramatic backdrop of the mountains.
Day 4:
We arise at the break of dawn, so that we can experience the market at its best
as the sunrise creates magical images in the melting early morning mists. We see
the bright orange robes of the Buddhist monks as they go from house to house in 
their
time honoured tradition of collecting offerings from the villagers. We visit the
site which is the home of the world's biggest catfish. These
fish can measure up to 3 meters and weigh over 300kg.
After breakfast we embark for the river crossing into LAOS and proceed through
the passport controls. On our arrival in LAOS our guide take us to the small but
enchanting town of BAN HUAY XAY where we enjoy a leisurely lunch then on the
dirt tracks in the direction of a small LAEN TAENG tribal village where
customs and the way of life have retained their authentic character. On the way
back there will be ample opportunities to visit tribal villages and watch people
go about their daily chores, there will also be a visit to a local still
and an introduction to the traditional process of making alcohol. Return to HUAY
XAY for the evening market and a look at "Fort Carnot" testimony of
the French presence in Laos for almost a century. Dinner and overnight in Keo
Udompone Hotel.
Day 5: After beakfast we begin a five hour riverboat trip that takes us through deep gorges and encroaching jungle to our next port of call at LUANG PRABANG. Our guide conduct us to Manolak hotel. Dinner in town.
Day 6: We become aquainted with many of Luang Prabang's more interesting sights such as the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the famous temple of WAT XIANG THONG. We sit down to a lunch of Laotian food. In the afternoon drive up to the spectacular KWANG SI waterfalls. All along the dirt track you will enjoy the sights of beautiful villages and the succession of emerald rice paddies. Back to town for dinner and second night at the hotel Manolak. (total: 100 km).
Day 7:
After breakfast we'll have a walk in the city that's now classified ' World
Heritage', visiting Dara market and WAT MATMO. Lunch by the NAM KHAN river. In
the afternoon, we 'll use a local taxi to take us to the small village of THATSE
and have a boat trip to a large and magnificent waterfall. Return to LUANG
PRABANG. Dinner in town, overnight in Manolak Hotel.
Day 8: Transfer by ' tuk-tuk' to the pier of Ban Done and boarding the speed boat. Lunch at PAKBENG and continue the river cruise to BAN HUAY XAY. Vehicles and documents check by the police and custom officers followed by the same procedure on the Thai side in CHIANGKHONG. The last leg of the circuit is the road link to CHIANGRAI. Dinner in town, overnight in Ban Khun Yom Hotel
Day 9:
In the morning we
head south along the road to CHIANGMAI . After climbing through two mountain
ranges we make a lunch by experiencing the rich cuisine of CHIANGMAI. Then it's
up the mountain that forms the backdrop to CHIANGMAI and to the DOI SUTHEP
temple at the top. After we have taken in the exilarating view from the top of
the mountain we return to a pleasant break at the Chiang Mai Gate Hotel. 
There
is a photo-session and the option to indulge in traditional Thai massage before
dinner on a floating restaurant.
Day 10: We spend a delightful day touring in SANKAMPHAENG which is the handicraft center on the outskirts of CHIANGMAI. This is an ideal opportunity to pick up Thai handicrafts and souvenirs before the evening transfer to BANGKOK from CHIANGMAI airport and the flight home.
Day 11: Arrival in your country.
