Laos

20-Day Insider's Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos)

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1 Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok airport, meet our staff and transfer straight to your hotel. Evening free at your leisure. Dinner on your own.
Overnight: Raweekanlaya Wellness Cuisine Resort, Riva Arun, Ariyasomvilla Hotel, Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, or similar.

DAY 2 Bangkok Culinary Street Food & Culture Tour, Gourmet Rooftop Restaurant

Awarded Thailand’s Best Day Tour in 2013, explore the amazing tastes and sights of Bangkok, the “Village of Love”, a famous 100 year-old culinary neighborhood in Bangkok. Bangkok is famous for its diverse flavors, and here you can find Thai delicacies from every region and ethnicity. Sample generations-old artisanal recipes and visit fascinating local culinary attractions hidden away from the well-worn tourist routes. Includes 5 authentic tasting locations and 12+ delicious food and drink samples (enough for a big lunch). Walk it off visiting cultural sites around Bangkok including the famous Bangkok Flower Market, and the spectacular Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). This evening enjoy dinner at an iconic gourmet rooftop restaurant with a magnificent 360° scenic view of Bangkok and the Chao Preya River.

DAY 3 Bangkok / Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary - By Special Permission!

Wild Planet Adventures Exclusive

Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary is the elite, hidden gem amongst Thailand’s wildlife national parks. It requires special governmental permission to access and is not otherwise open to the general public. Thailand’s revered Queen was so enamored with Phu Khiao, she built a modest royal home and rare orchid garden overlooking its wildlife-rich grasslands. No other US-based nor international tour operator offers this exceptional wildlife experience, complete with our expert local, bilingual naturalist wildlife guides!

Known as one of the best parks to see wildlife in all of Thailand, Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary’s pristine habitat includes 1,560 sq. km. of forests, grasslands, lakes, plateaus and sandstone mountains surrounded by limestone outcrops. There are an incredible 111 species of mammals, 419 species of birds, 45 species of amphibians, 110 species of reptiles and 76 species of fish recorded in the sanctuary.

Phu Khiao is one of best places in Thailand to see bigger mammals, with regular sightings of highly coveted animals including wild elephant, dhole (Asian wild dog), golden jackal, Assamese macaque, Phayre's langur, white-handed gibbon, hog deer and leopard cat. Less common, but with real chances to spot, are its black leopards, clouded leopard, tigers, marbled cat, and Asian black bear. The park also features healthy populations of long-tailed macaques, rhesus macaque, Asian black bear, Indochienese serow, sambar deer, red muntjac, guar, giant porcupine, giant black squirrel and colorful giant variable squirrels. The very rare Assam macaque is often sighted and is one of the park’s many wildlife research projects. Over 400 bird species include sarus crane, Austen's brown hornbill, great hornbill, white-rumped falcon, mountain scops owl, Oriental bay owl, and the globally endangered white-winged duck. There have been sightings of rare green peacock, but not for a while.

Wildlife safari from park entrance to the headquarters. Lodging at the park’s house which is very simple accommodations with electricity only between 6:00-9:00pm. After dinner enjoy a night safari by 4WD to spot nocturnal animals.

DAY 4 Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary – Thung Kamang Grasslands, Mon Lake

Early morning wildlife and bird watching at the big grasslands. Endangered Hog deer, sambar deer and red muntjac are common sightings, and with luck, their predators. Golden jackals typically roam the grasslands during late afternoons, and wild elephant, wild boar and other smaller mammals frequent water holes and mud baths.

This afternoon hike 4-5km to Mon Lake, a flat easy hike with sounds of gibbons echoing throughout the forest. We’ll search for gaur, dhole (Asian wild dog), and wild elephant. This area is often frequented by the park’s many species of large cat including Tiger and Clouded Leopard. In the evening return for dinner followed by a night safari by foot or 4WD truck for nocturnal animals.

DAY 5 Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary – 4WD Safari, Bird Blind

Early morning safari by 4WD to see Assam macaque, White-handed Gibbon, Phayre’s Langur, Jungle fowl, Monitor Lizard and more. Afternoon visit a small wooden bird blind overlooking an amazing tiny pool of mineral water, to watch small colorful birds come and bathe, drink, play and defend their territory. This sometimes draws larger animals such as lizards, giant squirrels and white handed gibbons who are curious about all of the activity. After dinner, enjoy another nocturnal wildlife safari by foot or 4WD.

DAY 6 Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary – Bangkok

Enjoy a final wildlife viewing activity before breakfast, then 4WD safari to spotting wildlife as we exit the park. Return to Bangkok and overnight.

DAY 7 Bangkok / Siem Reap – Temples of Angkor: Banteay Srey, “Citadel of Woman”, Gourmet Dinner Under the Stars

Cambodia Segment

Morning flight to Cambodia.

Upon arrival, visit Banteay Srey, the Citadel of Woman, which was off limits for many years due to its remoteness and Khmer Rouge activity. Built in the late 10th century and dedicated to Shiva, Banteay Srey's pink limestone walls contain the best bas reliefs of any temple at Angkor.

Tonight enjoy a magical culinary experience at the beautiful Cambodian countryside estate of Villa Chandara. Enjoy sunset cocktails and a five course Khmer or Western set menu under the stars, with live traditional Khmer music in a gorgeous and intimate setting overlooking the rice paddies.

DAY 8 Seim Reap – Biking Angkor Wat at Sunrise / Danang, Vietnam

Experience an unforgettable dawn bicycle ride on the back trails of Angkor Wat, avoiding the crowds. The sun rises up behind Angkor Wat creates a stunning silhouette. Take an unforgettable walk through the temple, where the soft light and cool temperatures present Angkor at its best. A short pedal away a delicious breakfast awaits. Then ride around the Angkor Kingdom’s hidden backtrails to visit some of its best kept secrets as well as its most iconic temples like the Bayon, Ta Prom and The Elephant Terrace. This evening transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang.

Vietnam Segment

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Danang Airport your driver and guide will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel in Hoi An. Check-in and enjoy the evening at leisure

DAY 9: Son Tra “Monkey Mountain” Nature Reserve

This lush mountain peninsula surrounded by tropical sea is the last protected habitat of the colorful and critically endangered Red-shanked Douc Langur monkey. Son Tra is also home to 36 species of mammals including Sunda pangolin (scaly anteater) the world’s most poached mammal. A birdwatcher’s paradise, it boast 118 species including Green-eared Barbet, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Crimson Sunbird, Olive Back Sunbird, Crested Serpent Eagle and more.

Our wildlife-specialty guide knows the Son Tra reserve and its wildlife extremely well. While most travelers just visit Ban Na Hill, we will bypass the crowds and focus on the wildlife and beauty of the reserve.

DAY 10 Hue, The Forbidden Purple City (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – Emperor’s Royal Banquet

Transfer to Hue to visit the Forbidden Purple City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was reserved for royalty, just like China’s Forbidden City. Under the Nguyen dynasty Hue was Vietnam’s political, cultural and religious capital from 1802-1945. Explore Hue’s cultural sites including Thien Mu Pagoda and a boat trip on the Perfume River.

Emperor’s Royal Banquet

After learning how the royal family lived, tonight we’ll dine just like them! Since the Forbidden Purple City was reserved for royalty, it became famous for its very specific style of cuisine for the Royal Family. Tonight we’ll enjoy an “Emperor’s Royal Banquet” in this unique culinary style, with a descendant of the last royal family of Vietnam, in her own home. Learn about her family’s past and taste the authentic dishes that were once served only to royalty.

DAY 11 Hue / Hanoi – Street Food Tour with “The Vietnamese God”

Morning flight to Hanoi. This afternoon enjoy an extraordinary street food tour, personally guided by one of Vietnam’s leading street food experts, Van Cong Tu, the author of the blogs ‘Vietnamese God’ and ‘Sticky’. Enjoy little-known culinary gems, local favorites and famous foodie stops that will delight your tastebuds. Walk in the Old Quarter, Thanh Ha and Dong Xuan markets, Hang Than Street and “food alley” while sampling amazing delicacies, strange food items, specially prepared fruits, traditional Vietnamese coffees and mouth-watering French-influenced desserts, all while enjoying the “Vietnamese God’s” lively explanation of Vietnamese food culture. These busy, eclectic streets are alive with the sights and sounds of Hanoi and are the essence of Vietnamese culture.

DAY 12 Hanoi – Explore Hanoi like a local, Dinner at the Famous Anh Tuyet Restaurant

Morning Tai Chi with locals at Hoan Kiem Lake, a very authentic part of Vietnamese culture. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter and marvel at it’s French architecture, and discover ‘B-52 lake’. Then visit the gardens and well-preserved architecture of the ancient Temple of Literature, built in 1076 to educate Vietnam’s royalty, and active for 700 years. Walk Hanoi’s famous railway tracks, located just a few feet away from residential houses, and end at a local Vietnamese brewery.

Tonight we’ll enjoy a gourmet dinner at Anh Tuyet Restaurant in the Old Quarter. Culinary artist Pham Thi Anh Tuyet is an award-winning celebrity in Vietnamese culinary circles, and her restaurant is a favorite for gourmands and cooks from all over the world including Anthony Bourdan, Eckart Witzigmann and more.

DAY 13 Hanoi / Artisan Yacht Cruise: Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba Island

Transfer to the famous Ha Long Bay. Embark on our gorgeous, 10-Suite luxury yacht, artisan-designed with a flair of ancient Indochina. We’ll cruise through stunning Ha Long Bay to the exclusive and secluded Lan Ha Bay. Relax, swim or kayak at a beautiful island beach. Close your day with a Singing Bowl Meditation ceremony or relax under the stars on the terrace deck or on your private balcony to embrace the serenity of this world-famous limestone karst landscape.

DAY 14 Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Island Biosphere Reserve

Enjoy Tai Chi on the terrace deck as the first rays of the sun touch the water. Disembark to hike Cat Ba Island Biosphere Reserve, a lush, jungle wildlife paradise with 78 bird, 20 reptilian and 32 mammal species including primates and civet cats.

Later sail northeast through the stony labyrinth of Lan Ha Bay, eventually reaching a secluded spot in the bay. We’ll disembark once more to enjoy an exceptional, secluded island beach for kayaking, swimming and relaxing. After another delicious dinner, relax on your private balcony amidst the tranquil, jaw-dropping beauty of Lan Ha Bay.

DAY 15 Lan Ha Bay / Hanoi / Luang Prabang, Laos

Enjoy another open-air session of Tai Chi then take in the beauty of the bay a final time with a chance to kayak, swim or simply relax on the yacht surrounded by world-famous views. Transfer to Hanoi for eve flight to Luang Prabang, Laos.

Laos Segment

Obtain your visa-on-arrival, meet our guide and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 16 Luang Prabang – Viengthong

Today we begin traveling to one of the most unique, remote, and virtually unknown areas in all of Southeast Asia. Nam Et-Phou Louey is a virtually unknown, ecologically significant habitat for Indochinese wildlife. Here we will enjoy hikes and river safari cruises for diurnal and nocturnal animals, visit salt licks and search for tracks and wildlife.

Transfer from Luang Prabang to Muang Hiam/Viengthong stopping en-route for local village visits.

DAY 17 Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area - Nam Nern Night Safari

Wild Planet Adventures Exclusive - Special Wildlife Program in Remote Nam Et-Phou Louey

Explore the Nam Nern River by long-tail boat. Along the way look for signs of wildlife, monitor lizards and birds. Relax after lunch, then continue cruising the river to see if tracks or scat at riverbank salt licks may lead us to wildlife. Our guides will entertain you at dinner with authentic Khmu folktales about wildlife, dragons, and other mysterious creatures. At dark enjoy night spotlighting safari, drifting silently downriver with the engines off. Because Asian wildlife is quite rare and skittish by nature, it is necessary that this night safari is done in silence, so our wildlife staff communicate via hand signals to avoid scaring away the animals. We commonly see otters, barking deer, Sambar deer, various species of civet cats, slow loris, porcupine and owls. Seeing clouded leopards or any of the park’s 6 species of wild cats is always quite rare, however, in this area – and at this time of night - there can be real possibilities to spot them. Other possible sightings include dhole (Asian wild dog), gibbons, mustelids and mongoose. A small elephant population also exists on the nearby Nam Et River.

DAY 18 Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area

Enjoy more wildlife and birdwatching hikes and river cruises. Visit the Poung Hiy saltlicks where evidence of wildlife abounds. The excitement of authentic tracking means fresh tracks may or may not lead us to actual animals, but the experience itself is so completely immersive in nature in a way that extremely few travelers ever get to enjoy.

Return to camp for dinner. After dinner, enjoy another nocturnal river cruise to spot wildlife (same route as the night before).

DAY 19 Nam Et-Phou Louey / Xieng Khuang, the Plain of Jars

After breakfast, return to the village by boat, document your wildlife sightings and learn how your tour directly support the village.

Transfer to Xieng Khuang, the Plain of Jars, with a stop to visit Tham Piu (Piu Cave).

DAY 20 Xiang Khuang / Vientiane / Home

Transfer to the airport for your flight via Vientiane, Laos to Hanoi, Vietnam and continuing to onward flights home.