Laos, Thailand

Thailand and Laos: A Peaceful Escape

When

November - April

Price

From £8,750pp excl. flights
(based on 2 ppl sharing)

How long

15 nights ideal length

Immerse yourself in the spiritual and isolated side of South East Asia on this 15 night luxury holiday, where you’ll experience the cultures and landscapes of Thailand and Laos. Head north and unlock the secrets of traditional Thai-style cooking, then work alongside experienced Mahout elephant trainers in the remote jungles of the Golden Triangle, before setting sail to cruise into the mysterious kingdom of Laos. In one of South East Asia’s most pristine landscapes, Laos, you’ll explore hidden temples and experience Buddhist ceremonies, finishing off your trip back in Thailand on the golden sands of Phuket.

Chill out in Chiang Mai

After landing in Bangkok, you’ll take a short transfer flight to Chiang Mai where you’ll meet your Black Tomato guide. Staying right in the centre of Chiang Mai at the Tamarind Village Resort, you’ll be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in your chic Lanna-style room, whilst still being within walking distance of all the main sights.

Over the next few days, you’ll explore some of the many temples dotted around the urban landscape.  Chiang Mai is steeped in history and the city is a perfect setting to give context to the country’s religious beliefs.  You will learn about Buddhism at Wat Chedi Luang, as well as how the city was built and a bit about Lanna culture.  Without a doubt, one of the best views of the city is from Wat Doi Suthep where you can watch the sunset and visit one of the country’s most beautiful and cherished temples.

For us, there is one thing that you must absolutely do when in Chiang Mai: uncover the secrets of Thai cuisine. We’ll arrange an authentic cooking class where you can whip up the most fragrant and freshest food you’ll have ever tasted.  We have spent years finding the very best cooks in Chiang Mai, and not just professional chefs but people that have been cooking for years for their family. You’ll join them on their daily visit to the various fish, meat, rice and vegetable markets before visiting their homes or small cookery schools to be taught the skills that they’ve been passed down through the generations.  Truly one of our favourite experiences in Thailand.

Make this itinerary yours

Each and every Black Tomato trip is tailored exactly to who you are and what you want to do So tell us about yourself and we’ll create something that’s entirely you.

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Four-footed two ton locals

Weaving through the rolling plantations and dramatic hillsides; you’ll be taken up to the misty hills of Chiang Rai on one of the best drives in Asia. Here, you’ll venture into the mountains for unparalleled views of the terraced tea and rice plantations, coffee fields and a meeting with Karaen tribe villages. Meeting such tribes and walking through some of the most beautiful scenery in north Thailand is an absolute must on this trip and we can tailor the trek to be as gentle or difficult as you like.

We’ll then whisk you off to the remote Anantara Golden Triangle for the ultimate encounter with a few of the locals (elephants, that is). Spend your time with Thailand’s gentle giants during a sunrise wake up call as you join in with their frolicking at river bath time and learn all about these incredible creatures alongside expert elephant trainers – the mahouts. Enjoy the rest of your time here on the Ruak and Mekong Rivers aboard traditional fishing boats, or visiting remote hill-tribes and enjoying the views over the Thai, Laos and Myanmar borders..

Laotian caves and Buddhist temple

Bidding farewell to Thailand, your next stop is the peaceful country of Laos. We’ll send you off down the river to the historical capital of Luang Prabang on a luxury overnight river cruise. You’ll be met by your Black Tomato guide and escorted to your hotel, La Residence. Camouflaged at the confluence of two rivers by palms and coconut trees, La Residence is luxuriously tranquil. For your first day, we recommend visiting the Pak Ou Caves, followed by an afternoon in the temples. You’ll be taken by your knowledgeable guide on a traditional longtail boat up the Mekong River, past the natural limestone formations and fishing villages, arriving at the sacred Tham Ting and Tham Teung caves. These caves house 4000 wooden Buddha statues, accumulated over several centuries; it’s an awe-inspiring sight.

The afternoon will take you through the town of Luang Prabang where you’ll view the iconic saffron-robed monks who move silently through the ancient temples. Enjoy the palace of the former Laotian Royal Family, Wat Mai, Luang Prabang’s oldest Pagoda and a few other historic sites. Finish the day with a short climb to the top of Mount Phousi in the centre of town and savour the view of the rivers and surrounding mystical mountains.

Age-old ceremonies and jungle survivor skills

Having already made friends with elephants in Thailand, you’ll meet them again here as you learn more about caring for elephants. You’ll have lunch by the river, where you can bathe with the gentle giants before topping the day off with a trip further up the river to the glistening Tad Sae Waterfall; one of the area’s best natural beauties.

Saving the best till last, on your final day in Laos you’ll wake up before dawn as your Black Tomato guide will be taking you to see the offering of alms by the saffron-robed Buddhist monks. It’s a sacred tradition dating back countless generations. A wonder to behold, observe the ritual from a distance or make your own offering with the help of your guide as the sun begins to rise and the city comes to life. In the afternoon you’ll be taken into the jungle and shown how to collect herbs, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots and learn the local way of fishing in order to survive the tropics. Trekking through the jungle, you’ll reach the Kuang Si waterfall where the goodies you collected will be used to make a delicious Laotian lunch.

Beach time in Phuket

For a grand finale, we’ll arrange for you to spend a few days in complete luxury by the beach. You’ll be transferred to Bangkok and on to Phuket where you’ll be met by a chauffeur-driven car and taken to your own villa at the Amanpuri resort. Overlooking the turquoise Andaman Sea, you can bury your toes in the sugar-white sand and bask in the sun. Spend your days at the hotel spa and taking yoga lessons or venture out into the sea on one of the Amanpuri’s luxury cruisers and dive down to the multi-coloured corals with one of the PADI certified diving instructors. You’ll depart for your flight home feeling completely refreshed with lasting memories of these two incredible countries.

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