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From lively Bangkok to the peaceful capital of Laos, Vientiane, and through the golden temples of Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai, this is the ideal two week adventure for those who have always wanted to grasp what the Lao and Thai cultures are all about.

Day 1 to 2 - Bangkok
Day 1 is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities, so you will have free time to relax and see some of the sights. Bangkok is the gateway to South East Asia for most travellers. International backpackers come and go and the streets are always buzzing and full of life.

No visit to Bangkok is complete without a visit to Khao San Road, the famous strip filled with markets, stalls and neon lights. From people watching to shopping, and nightlife to food and drink, this is the place to be on a night out in Bangkok. If you're feeling adventurous you might wish to try a fried insect or two! As an alternative, the Patpong area is Bangkok's most notorious nightlife area. Exotic bars, clubs, neon lights, and night markets abound and you may be able to see some interesting stage shows if you so desire!

Bangkok also boasts hundreds of Wats (temples), with Wat Arun being the main one visited by most travellers. The Grand Palace is also a popular attraction, and for something different you can cruise along the Chao Phraya River and through the canals (Palace excursion included). Bangkok once had an elaborate network of canals and was given the nickname, ‘Venice of the East', and although some of them have been filled in and converted to streets, many still exist today.
In the evening of Day 2 we will board our overnight train to Vientiane.

Day 3 to 4 - Vientiane
The capital of Laos is extremely quiet – so quiet that, before 1970, there was only one set of traffic lights in the entire city (a far cry from Bangkok!) We have time to admire this tranquil city with its many murals and markets. Many buildings you will see when you wander the streets are of religious significance. You may wish to hire a bicycle and explore the local streets and markets. The markets are excellent here.

Day 5 to 6 - Vang Vieng
As we make our way north from Vientiane we travel through stunning scenery to Vang Vieng. This peaceful town is situated in a plateau with stunning surroundings of limestone caves and waterfalls, and the area is inhabited by the Hmong and Yao tribes. The limestone caves are renowned in ancient mythology and have featured in the prose of many artists throughout time. Vang Vieng is an excellent place to try the local cuisine and there are markets to indulge in. After a big meal you might feel energised enough to hire a bike and cycle to see the limestone karst formations – one of Vang Vieng's most popular attractions.

Day 7 to 8 - Luang Prabang
Many say this is the most memorable town in all of Laos. Renowned for a fascinating history and some of the friendliest people in South East Asia, Luang Prabang refers to the holy Pra Bang, Laos' most sacred image of the Buddha given to Fa Ngoum. We have two days to enjoy this sleepy town, which is located 300m above sea level on the upper Mekong. As you explore you will see that Luang Prabang is dominated by Phousi – the marvellous mountain that sits in the middle of the town. You'll notice a combination of Lao, French and Lao-French colonial influence as you admire the city's buildings and architectural highlights – all of which you can see discovering the town on foot.

There are many temples to visit in Luang Prabang – over 30 in fact, which is a large number for this small town! Along the way you may encounter some young monks eager to practice their English skills as well.

Day 9 to 14 - Chiang Mai - Bangkok
Heading into the north of Thailand, we travel to Chiang Mai, which is located in the cool mountain climate. We have a couple of days here and there is no shortage of things to do and see. Known as 'The Rose of the North', Chiang Mai is renowned for its beautiful scenery and extremely friendly people. Mountains, forests, national parks and waterfalls are in abundance. There are stacks of options for you here – choose from visiting nearby national parks and riding domesticated elephants, to floating down Jungle Rivers on bamboo rafts. You can learn some authentic cooking tips and Thai recipes by taking a cooking class, or if its relaxation you're after then there's nothing better than a true Thai massage. We then travel by overnight train back to Bangkok.

Arriving back to Bangkok in the early morning of day 13, we spend another couple of free days in this busy city. It's a chance to indulge in even more shopping and nightlife, or perhaps take it easy and visit some of the popular Wats in the area. Our tour concludes on day 14.