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Bangkok to Luang Prabang

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The one that shows you Southeast Asia on a budget.

Days

15 days, 2 countries

Accommodation

7 nights in Hotels, 5 nights in Hostels, 1 night in Overnight Bus, 1 night in Homestay

Meals

6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Dinner

Transport

Private Coach, Internal Flights, Overnight Train, Slow Boat

Group Size

Maximum 20 people

Team

Expert Trip Manager, Local Guides

Map & Itinerary

Day 1

Travellers walking and laughing on Khao San road, Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok

Welcome to Bangkok! Get ready for a wild mix of food, heat, and glorious chaos. Tonight, you’ll roll into Khao San Road with your Trip Manager and the crew for your first hit of neon lights, street eats, and that proper first-night buzz.

Day 2

Traveller walking on Khao San road, looking back at camera, Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok

Bangkok's all yours today — tuk-tuks, temples, street stalls - the whole lot. You can go big with an optional half-day Floating Markets mission and see the city’s waterways in full swing, or even jump on a street food tour and let Bangkok feed you properly.

Day 3

Travellers at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok

One last day to soak up Bangkok’s energy. Opt in for a hit of royal history at the Grand Palace and cruise the city’s klongs to see the city from the water.

Overnight Bus to Chiang Mai

In the evening, we’ll transfer to the station and board an overnight sleeper bus to Chiang Mai (a proper Thailand travel rite of passage). The ride will take around 11 hours, so you’ll rest on the way and wake up ready for fresh air and mountain views.

Day 4

Local man placing a hat on travellers head during cooking class, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Overnight Bus to Chiang Mai

Morning, sleepyheads. This morning, we'll wake up to Northern Thailand’s fresher air and roll into Chiang Mai where a Local Guide will be waiting for us.

Chiang Mai

Today's yours to tailor. Join an optional local market wander followed by a cooking class to dish out your fave Thai cuisine. Wanna turn up the energy? Book an optional Muay Thai session.

Day 5

Travellers watching elephants and rafting at Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai

A free day? In Chiang Mai? Oh my. Yup, this laid-back mountain city is all yours to explore today too. You can choose to visit Elephant Nature Park to see the biggest and cutest local residents up close. Later, you’ll also have the option to jump on a Vespa tour and see the city in night mode.

Day 6

Rice Fields with Doi Luang Mountain in the Background, Chiang Dao, Thailand

Chiang Mai

Catch ya later, Chiang Mai. Today, we'll hit the road to Chiang Dao, rolling past rice paddies and big green views. You’ll stop at Sri Lanna National Park, then climb up Bua Thong “Sticky” Waterfall (yep, you ain't slipping here).

Chiang Dao

Next, we’ll head into Chiang Dao Cave for a guided walk through huge limestone chambers, epic formations, and hidden Buddhist shrines. In the afternoon, we'll continue on to Chiang Dao and check into our hotel. The rest of the day is all yours to do what you please.

Day 7

Longtail Boat on Kok River Surrounded by Tropical Mountains, Fang, Thailand

Chiang Dao

Fuel up with breakfast, then head further north towards Fang. Today will be all about slowing down and soaking up Thai highland scenery. We'll stop at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park for its natural hot springs, where you can dip into mineral-rich pools, chill in the sauna, and watch steam rise with mountain views in the background.

Fang

After a very special spa session with Mother Nature, we’ll roll into Fang. Use up the rest of the day to explore the local town. Or do absolutely nothing and enjoy that quiet mountain air.

Day 8

The Blue Temple, Wat Rong Suea Ten, in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Fang

Time to swap the main roads for a 4WD ride into the hills, heading to the secluded village of Doi Pu Muen.

Doi Pu Muen

Wander through tea and coffee plantations, try your hand at picking leaves, and learn how tea is heated and dried using traditional methods passed down through generations in the Lahu community. Then you’ll sit down with your hosts to taste the goods, hear their stories, and share a delish local lunch.

Chiang Rai

After lunch, we’ll head back down the mountain and transfer to Chiang Rai.

Day 9

Travellers on a boat on the Mekong River in Pak Beng, Laos

Chiang Rai

Bye-bye, Thailand. We'll cross into Laos, then jump on a private slow boat for a two-day cruise down the legendary Mekong River. This ain't just transport — you’ll kick back on deck, watch river life roll by, swap stories with the crew, and even enjoy lunch onboard before docking for the night in riverside Pak Beng.

Pak Beng

Once you arrive, we’ll check into the hostel and have the evening to settle in.

Day 10

Buddhists in Luang Prabang, Laos

Pak Beng

Back on the boat and cruising onward, we'll leave Pak Beng behind on a roughly 7-hour journey to UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang. Along the way, we'll also visit the stunning Pak Ou caves and grab a simple lunch onboard.

Luang Prabang

Hey there, Luang Prabang. This is place where ancient temples and French-colonial streets will set the vibe straight away. If you’re keen, you’ll have the option to hike up Mount Phousi at sunset for panoramic views over the city and river.

Day 11

Travellers at Tat Se Waterfalls in Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang

Prepare to be absolutely stunned! Today, we'll head out to the postcard-worthy Kuang Si Falls today — a multi-tiered cascade with turquoise pools (that’ll be begging for a swim). Afterwards, we’ll visit a local social enterprise supporting women through traditional weaving, where you’ll learn about the craft and the impact behind it. Next: free time to wander Luang Prabang’s night market and maybe even lock in the perfect souvenir.

Day 12

Kayaking by the mountains in Vang Vieng, Laos

Luang Prabang

You’ll start the day with Alms Giving (a quiet, meaningful Luang Prabang moment before the pace switches up). Then jump on the high-speed train and rocket your way to Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng

Limestone cliffs on full display and the river running the show - that's how you know you're in Vang Vieng. You’ll have the rest of the day free to choose your own adventure, whether that’s chilled-out exploring or turning the dial up.

Day 13

View of the mountains in Vang Vieng, Laos

Vang Vieng

Today's a you-do-you kinda day. Need ideas for things to do in Vang Vieng? Your Trip Manager will point you in the right direction. Feeling adventurous? Join the crew for some kayaking on the Nam Song River. 

Day 14

Boat Cruising along the Nam Xeuang River, Ban Laesivilay, Laos

Vang Vieng

Next stop: Luang Prabang. We'll jump on the high-speed train and be back by the river in about an hour.

Luang Prabang

Rolling into Luang Prabang, you’ll transfer out to Ban Laesivilay and get the kind of welcome that makes you instantly relax. Once you’ve dropped your bags, we’ll head out into the plantations to see what’s growing in season and get a real feel for village life.

Ban Laesivilay

Okay, river time. We’ll hop on a local boat and cruise the Nam Xeuang, with stops along the banks to try gold panning and traditional fishing. Then it’s back to the homestay for the big shared family feast — you’ll get involved in the cooking, learn a few Lao faves, and sit down together for a night of food and stories.

Day 15

A Buddhist walking along the Nam Khan River in Luang Prabang, Laos

Ban Laesivilay

Start the morning with an included Lao-style breakfast made by your hosts, then head out on a village walk to see how daily life runs out here. Expect farming chats, hands-on moments, and a proper look at the rural rhythm beyond the tourist trail.

Luang Prabang

And just like that, our Southeast Asian adventure has come to an end. Hug it out, say your goodbyes, and hop on for a transfer to Luang Prabang airport. 

General FAQs

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What is Contiki?

Contiki is the complete travel experience for 18-35s, with over 200 trips to choose from across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia. We take care of your stays, local transport and truly unique travel experiences too, so you just need to show up and have the time of your life.

You’ll join a group of friendly people from all over the world, all aged between 18 and 35. Contiki has been taking young travellers across the world since 1962, and we’re rated 4.7/5 on Feefo based on over 25,000 independent reviews. Imagine how good you’d be at something if you’d been doing it for over 60 years?

Why only 18-35?

Not all 18 to 35-year-olds wanna travel in a group where everyone’s a similar age, but plenty do – and that’s where we come in. 

Age-restrictions allow us to tailor everything to YOU. From the areas we stay in, to the restaurants and shopping districts we visit, to active experiences, hotels and hostels and even the music we play on the coach. The all-round vibe of the trip is designed for people who are young and hungry for adventure. And it’s unique to Contiki.

Will I be pressured to party/drink on my trip?

Not at all! You’ll certainly have the option to explore a destination’s nightlife (and the Trip Manager may point you to their fave bars) but there’s absolutely no pressure to join in. In most groups, there’ll be a good mix of people who like to party and people who like to take it easy. Your Trip Manager will have this in mind, and they can suggest lots of night time activities that don’t involve drinking.

What destinations can I go to with Contiki? 

Choose from well over 200 trips around the world. You’ll find Contiki trips in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia. Popular destinations include the Greek Islands, Italy, Thailand, Japan and South Africa. Browse all destinations here.

How does it work?

Contiki takes the stress out of global travel! Each of our trips are designed, tried and tested by travel experts so that you’ll experience the main highlights and hidden gems of your chosen destination. 

Stays, local transport and awesome experiences are included with every trip. You’ll also travel with a friendly group of 18 to 35-year-olds, plus a highly trained Trip Manager and Trip Driver. This means that all you need to do is choose your adventure and then turn up at the designated starting point (usually the hotel/hostel for Day One). 

You can secure your booking with a low deposit, and then set up an (interest free) payment plan to take care of the rest. Choose monthly or bi-weekly payments. If you’d prefer, you can also pay the full amount upfront or pay in flexible instalments up to 60 days before you go.

Do I need a visa?

Your visa requirements can change according to your citizenship. Check out our handy  guide to visas for all the info.

Do you always travel by coach on a Contiki trip? 

Not always. You’ll travel by the iconic Contiki coach on lots of trips, especially multi-country adventures in Europe or New Zealand – but you have other options too. We have epic train trips running throughout Europe, then there’s sailing & island hopping in Croatia, Greece, Thailand and beyond. Outside of Europe, you might travel on a mix of trains, minibuses, boats and even planes. Wanna know how you’ll travel on a specific trip? You’ll find all the info you need on the trip page. 

How many other travellers will be on each trip? 

Group sizes will vary from trip to trip, destination to destination. 

Typically in Europe, North America and New Zealand, the group size will range between 24-53. 

In Asia, Australia, Africa and Latin America, group sizes are much smaller and range from 12-30 travellers (30 maximum).

Can I book online? 

You certainly can. All of our trips are available to book online, just select your preferred travel date(s) and you’re good to go. You can also book over the phone if you'd prefer.

If you need help with your booking or have any questions, you can contact our friendly support teams 24/7, online or over the phone.

What’s included? 

Each and every Contiki trip includes: 

  • Hotel/hostel accommodation
  • Local transport (by coach, train or internal flight) 
  • Various experiences like guided tours and meals 
  • An expert Trip Manager & Driver and
  • MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
  • Breakfast daily (plus a few lunches and dinners too) 
  • A group of friendly travellers from around the world, all aged 18-35
  • 24/7 support


The number of included meals and activities varies from trip to trip. For example, you’ll find that on many of our city trips, fewer meals are included so you have the freedom to explore different eateries for yourself. 

Wanna know exactly what’s included on a specific trip? Just check the trip page for a more detailed breakdown.

What’s not included?

Flights to/from your start/end destination are not included with the cost of your trip. You can add flights to your booking though – just give us a call on 0808 281 1120 to make it happen.

Our trips also include optional Free Time Add-Ons – experiences designed to help you get the most out of your Contiki trip. These could be anything from white water rafting to cooking classes, skydiving to a cabaret show. On Day One of your trip, you’ll get to select from a menu of Free Time Add-Ons, and then you can pay for them during the trip.

Breakfast is included on the vast majority of our trips, but not all food is. In most cases, the itinerary has been designed to give you the freedom to explore and choose where/what to eat for yourself (with tips from your Trip Manager/local guides). The number of included meals varies from trip to trip. Got your eye on a specific trip? Visit the trip page for a full breakdown of what’s included. 

Contiki trips don’t include visas or travel insurance. As the traveller, it is your responsibility to procure each of these for yourself – although we can advise on both! Contact our friendly team 24/7, online or over the phone.

What are Contiki's sustainability credentials?

Contiki is committed to sustainable travel, and to doing our very best both for the future of our planet and the travellers of tomorrow! We’re on track to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, we’re proud to report that our European coaches now run on HVO fuel, and our exclusive properties are powered by 100% renewable energy. 

The majority of our trips include at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, designed to benefit local people & communities, wildlife or the planet – aligned with at least one of the United Nations’ Goals for Sustainable Development.

In recent years, we’ve… 

  • Announced more trips in more developing regions to help combat over tourism
  • Partnered with organisations like Trees for Life (Scotland) and Rainforest Rescue (Australia)
  • Published our annual Impact Report, making sure we stay on track with our sustainability goals 
  • Committed to being as inclusive as possible, both on our trips and in our marketing

Learn more here.

Do I need to have travel insurance for this trip? 

Yes! It’s a requirement of travelling with Contiki that you take out a comprehensive insurance policy, covering: 

  • Cancellation
  • Personal injury
  • Death
  • Medical expenses
  • Repatriation expenses
  • Evacuation expenses
  • Personal liability
  • Loss of personal property
  • Any and all activities included on your trip

Can I stay in my destination a few days before/after the trip starts/ends? And can Contiki help me arrange this? 

Yes and yes. You can add pre- and post-trip accommodation to your booking in one of three ways:

  • When booking your trip online
  • In the My Contiki Travel Portal after you've made your booking
  • By calling us any time on 0808 281 1120

In certain cities, you may even be able to secure a preferential rate for your pre- or post-trip accommodation.

Wanna make the most of your time in a new destination? Many smaller Contiki trips make awesome add-ons to larger adventures. I.e. If your trip starts/ends in London, you can join our London Explorer to get the lowdown on London. To learn more about add-on trips, chat to us 24/7 online or over the phone.

Can I book more than one trip at a time?

Of course you can! You’ll just need to book each trip separately, then add each individual booking to your My Contiki Travel Portal account. 

If you’re booking two adjoining trips (i.e. one trip ends in London and you’re booking another that starts in London), just make sure you have enough time between the two.

Need help or have questions about multiple bookings? Chat to our friendly team 24/7, online or over the phone on 0808 281 1120

Want to learn more about us from Past Travellers? 

Visit our Travel Lounge on Facebook to chat to our awesome Contiki community – made up of Past Travellers, Trip Managers and future travellers too.

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