ESSENTIAL THAILAND AND LAOS

Day 1 Arrive Bangkok

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met at the air-bridge and fast-tracked through all airport formalities before being introduced to your driver for the private transfer to your stylish hotel.

Overnight: Riva Surya

Day 2 Palaces, Canals and Street Food in Bangkok

This morning will be spent with a private guide to efficiently show you the city's highlights. Start with a visit to the Grand Palace before boarding your private long tail boat to cruise through Bangkok's backwater canals (klongs) to see the more traditional way of life on the river. Relax back at the hotel for a few hours before your thrilling street food adventure by tuk-tuk. With a private guide you will zip around Chinatown, the Flower Market, Khao San Road and see the floodlit Wat Pho temple, stopping to sample street food as you go.

Overnight: Riva Surya

Day 3 Bangkok - Chiang Mai

Take a short flight north to Chiang Mai this morning, where you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel set in lush gardens just steps from the banks of the tranquil Ping River. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax in your new surroundings.

Overnight: Raya Heritage

Day 4 Mountain Temples and Local Markets in Chiang Mai

With your private guide in tow, climb the 300+ steps up to the mountain temple of Wat Doi Suthep which sits 1,050 metres above sea level and provides a panoramic view over Chiang Mai. Don't worry - you can take the funicular railway if you prefer not to climb the steps! Afterwards, jump into a trishaw to explore the historic areas of the town, stopping at Wat Phrasing with its beautiful Lai Kham Chapel and Wat Chedi Luang with its enormous pagoda. Stroll through the local market where most of the produce has come straight from the farm. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Option: Spend the afternoon with the elephants at Patara Elephant Farm. You will have to hike through the bush to find the elephants before learning how to approach, feed, bath and ride the animals.

Overnight: Raya Heritage

Day 5 Cooking Lanna-Style in Chiang Mai

Discover the art of Thai cuisine in a shared cooking class in an old Thai house this morning. Starting with a tour of the local fresh food market to pick your ingredients, you will be given a demonstration and then, much like the Generation Game, you will have the chance to cook the dishes yourself. Lunch will be served in the garden and will be a feast of whatever you prepared.

Overnight: Raya Heritage

Day 6 Exploring the Golden Triangle

This morning you will be driven along the scenic route up into the hills of the Golden Triangle. A five-hour journey with a stop at the extraordinary White Temple, Wat Rong Khun. On arrival at Lanjia Lodge, your home for tonight, you will be given insight into the lives of the Hmong and Lahu tribes before enjoying dinner and a cultural performance put on by the local villagers.

Overnight: Lanjia Lodge

Day 7 Crossing the border into Laos

Rise early this morning and be driven to the Thai border at Houei Say. Here you will board your shared long tail boat for a gentle cruise down the Mekong River to Pakbeng. Stop at a local village en-route to observe a more traditional way of life and the talented craftsmanship of the villagers. Arrive at your simple riverside lodge in time for dinner.

Overnight: Pakbeng Lodge

Day 8 Cruise to Luang Prabang

Another day on the river as you head towards Luang Prabang. Stop at Pak Ou to see the famous cave, filled with 2,500 Buddha statues and a place of pilgrimage for locals. Arrive in Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Satri House

Day 9 Exploring Luang Prabang

The UNESCO protected city of Luang Prabang is one of the most beautiful in Southeast Asia, with its perfect location at the meeting point of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers and at the foot of an age-old mountain range. Your morning's private guided discovery will take you into its most emblematic and culturally rich sites, including Vat Mai, the Royal Palace and Vat Xieng Thong. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore independently.

Option: Experience a traditional Baci Ceremony, which typically takes place amongst a handful of people, with one or two 'recipients', the 'officiate' and a few 'assistants'. During the ceremony, the officiating person will recall your souls (according to Lao belief, each human being has 32 souls) to attract beneficial influences towards you, and will then tie a cotton string around your wrist symbolizing the wishes he will have formulated in your favour. The ceremony finishes with a presentation of famous Lao dances and traditional music.

Overnight: Satri House

Day 10 Tak Bat in Luang Prabang

Rise at dawn this morning for the extraordinary procession of monks collecting alms. Your guide will take you to the fresh food market to buy your offerings (sticky rice and flowers) before you join the local residents lining the streets as the monks walk past. Return to your hotel for breakfast and the rest of the day at leisure.

Option: Enjoy a hike from Ban Nong Heo to Kuang Sy Waterfalls. You will be driven 50 minutes outside Luang Prabang to Bang Nong Heo, a charming Khmu village with traditional houses, water buffalo, farmers and blacksmiths. From here it is a gentle walk through the countryside, passing hill forests and plantations with fabulous vantage points of the mountainous landscape. Arrive at the bottom of Kuang Sy Waterfalls where you can swim in the clear pools before being driven back to Luang Prabang.

Overnight: Satri House

Day 11 Depart

You will be privately transferred to the airport today in time for your flight home.

Overnight: Home