Laos: Sunrises & Street Food — Self-Launched

Arrive into Wattay International Airport and take a taxi or shared tuk-tuk into the city centre (~£5–8). Check into a guesthouse near Nam Phu Fountain, the backpacker hub. This evening, head down to the Mekong riverside night market — grab a street beer (10,000 kip, ~£0.40), browse souvenir stalls, and follow your nose to the best street food stalls for grilled skewers, papaya salad, and baguettes (a Lao-French legacy). No booking needed — just wander.

🚌Taxi or tuk-tuk from airport to city centre (~£5–8)

🛏Vientiane Backpackers Hostel or similar guesthouse near Nam Phu (~£10–15/night)

• →Explore the Mekong riverside night market independently
• →Sample Lao street food: papaya salad, grilled skewers, khao niao (sticky rice)
• →Pick up a local SIM card at the airport or a phone shop on Samsenthai Road (~£3–5)

Catch a morning VIP bus from the Northern Bus Terminal in Vientiane to Vang Vieng (~4 hours, ~£6–8). Buses run from around 07:00 and can be booked the day before at the terminal or through your guesthouse. Arrive and check in to a guesthouse with views of the limestone karsts. In the afternoon, join a guided nature walk to a local waterfall — bookable locally for ~£5–8 — and take a refreshing swim. This evening, head to the riverside bars to meet fellow travellers.

🚌VIP bus Vientiane → Vang Vieng (~£6–8)

🛏Inthira Vang Vieng or similar riverside guesthouse (~£12–18/night)

• →VIP bus from Vientiane Northern Bus Terminal to Vang Vieng (~4 hrs)
• →Guided nature walk to a local waterfall (book locally on arrival, ~£5–8)
• →Swim at the waterfall base pool
• →Evening drinks on the Song River bar strip

A full free day to explore Vang Vieng at your own pace. Rent a bicycle from your guesthouse (~£2–3/day) and cycle out to explore Tham Chang Cave or Tham Poukham cave and the famous Blue Lagoon (~£2 entry). For more adrenaline, book a kayaking + Tham None cave combo directly from local tour agencies on the main strip (~£12–18) — equivalent to the G Adventures 'Adrenaline Bundle'. Alternatively, trek through the surrounding countryside to hidden lagoons. Vang Vieng is full of local operators competing for your business, so prices are very negotiable.

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2–3/day) or tuk-tuk to caves (~£3–5)

🛏Inthira Vang Vieng or similar riverside guesthouse (~£12–18/night)

• →Rent a bicycle and cycle to Tham Poukham cave and Blue Lagoon (~£2–3 bike hire + £2 entry)
• →Optional: Kayaking through Tham None cave (book locally, ~£12–18)
• →Optional: Blue Lagoon 2 or 3 by motorbike taxi (~£5–8 return)
• →Explore countryside villages on foot or by bike

Take a shared minivan from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang (~4–5 hours via the new express road, ~£8–12). Depart around 09:00 — book through your guesthouse or local agencies. Arrive by early afternoon, check in, then take a self-guided orientation walk through the UNESCO-listed old town. End the afternoon with the classic climb up sacred Mount Phousi — 328 steps with golden naga (serpent) railings, past Buddha shrines and monks' quarters, to a spectacular sunset view over the Mekong (~£1.50 entry).

🚌Shared minivan Vang Vieng → Luang Prabang (~£8–12)

🛏Sayo Guest House or Xieng Mouane Guesthouse (~£12–18/night in the old town)

• →Shared minivan Vang Vieng → Luang Prabang (~4–5 hrs, ~£8–12)
• →Self-guided afternoon orientation walk of the UNESCO old town
• →Climb Mount Phousi for sunset views over the Mekong (~£1.50 entry)
• →Evening stroll along the Mekong riverside

Rise before dawn (around 05:30) to respectfully observe the tak bat alms-giving ceremony, where hundreds of monks collect offerings along the main street — watch from a distance and avoid the tourist circus near the main spots by positioning yourself on a quieter side street. After breakfast, book a tuk-tuk or songthaew to Kuang Si Waterfalls (~£4–5 return, shared with other tourists). The tiered turquoise falls are stunning — swim in the natural pools, walk the jungle trail to the top, and visit the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre on site (free). Return by late afternoon and browse the famous Luang Prabang Night Market.

🚌Shared songthaew/tuk-tuk to Kuang Si and back (~£4–5)

🛏Sayo Guest House or Xieng Mouane Guesthouse (~£12–18/night)

• →Pre-dawn monk alms-giving ceremony observation (respectful distance, no flash)
• →Shared tuk-tuk/songthaew to Kuang Si Waterfalls (~£4–5 return, ~£1.50 entry)
• →Swim in the tiered turquoise pools at Kuang Si
• →Visit the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre (free, on site)
• →Evening browse of Luang Prabang Night Market (Sisavangvong Road)

This is one of the great Southeast Asia travel experiences. Catch a tuk-tuk to the Luang Prabang pier (Huay Xai-bound boats depart from the upstream pier ~£2). Board the Mekong slow boat (~£15–20, bookable at the pier or through a guesthouse) for a full day drifting upstream through jungle-draped mountains and riverside villages. Bring snacks, a good book, and a sense of wonder. The boat stops for the night at the small village of Pak Beng — simple guesthouses cluster right at the pier.

🚌Mekong slow boat Luang Prabang → Pak Beng (~£15–20)

🛏Monsavanh Guesthouse or similar pier-side guesthouse in Pak Beng (~£8–12/night)

• →Tuk-tuk to the upstream slow boat pier (~£2)
• →Full-day Mekong slow boat to Pak Beng (~7–8 hrs, ~£15–20)
• →Watch riverside village life, jungle scenery, and river fishermen from the deck
• →Arrive Pak Beng for a simple dinner and early night

Board the slow boat again early morning for the second day on the Mekong, arriving in Huay Xai (~£12–15) in the late afternoon. From Huay Xai, cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 4 by tuk-tuk to Chiang Khong, Thailand (~£3–4 including shuttle bus across the bridge). Thai visa on arrival is available for most nationalities (~£0, stamp fee may apply). Take a songthaew or shared taxi the final leg to Chiang Rai bus station or stay overnight in Chiang Khong if arriving late.

🚌Slow boat Pak Beng → Huay Xai (~£12–15), border crossing shuttle (~£3–4)

🛏Baan Rimtaling Guesthouse, Chiang Khong (~£10–15/night) or continue to Chiang Rai

• →Day 2 on the Mekong slow boat: Pak Beng → Huay Xai (~6–7 hrs, ~£12–15)
• →Cross Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 4 by tuk-tuk/shuttle (~£3–4)
• →Thai border crossing at Chiang Khong (visa on arrival if required)
• →Optional overnight stay in Chiang Khong or continue to Chiang Rai

Take a morning bus or shared minivan from Chiang Khong/Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai (~3–4 hours, ~£6–10). Check into a hostel in the Old City or Nimman area. This evening, choose your own adventure: book a Northern Thai cooking class independently via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£25–35) — many include a market visit with your chef, just as the G Adventures option does. Alternatively, experience a traditional Khantoke dinner and cultural show, bookable directly with venues like the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre (~£20–30). Both are easily self-bookable on arrival.

🚌Bus/shared minivan Chiang Rai → Chiang Mai (~£6–10)

🛏Bed Phrase Hostel or Stamp Chiang Mai in the Old City (~£10–18/night)

• →Bus/minivan Chiang Rai → Chiang Mai (~3–4 hrs, ~£6–10)
• →Self-guided walk through Chiang Mai's Old City moat and temples
• →Optional: Northern Thai cooking class via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£25–35)
• →Optional: Traditional Khantoke dinner and cultural show (~£20–30)
• →Evening wander through the Nimman or Old City bar/cafe scene

Your final day in Chiang Mai — free to explore at your own pace. Grab a tuk-tuk up to Doi Suthep temple on the mountain above the city (~£3–4 each way, or join a shared songthaew) for panoramic views. Explore the Saturday or Sunday Walking Street markets, or head to Warorot Market for local snacks and souvenirs. Chiang Mai International Airport is well-connected for onward flights throughout Southeast Asia. Alternatively, overnight trains and buses connect to Bangkok if you're continuing south.

🚌Shared songthaew to Doi Suthep (~£3–4 return); taxi/Grab to airport (~£4–6)

🛏Check-out — depart or extend independently

• →Morning visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep by shared songthaew (~£3–4 return + £1.50 entry)
• →Explore the Old City temples: Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh (free or small entry fee)
• →Browse Warorot Market for local food and souvenirs
• →Optional: Sunday Walking Street Night Market on Wualai Road
• →Depart from Chiang Mai International Airport or continue independently