It’s time to step away from your everyday, and catch your flight to the Thai capital, Bangkok.
Most suited for
Couples, Solo
Ideal time to visit
Nov - Feb
Journey from Bangkok’s vibrant backstreets, through Isaan’s mystical landscapes, and into Laos’ riverside calm.
This rare overland route runs through the cultural heart of Thailand and on into the soul of Laos. Travelling via Isaan, you’ll uncover a side of Southeast Asia most visitors never see: temple-studded hills, jungle paths, local BBQs and warm-hearted communities proud to share their stories. With no internal flights until the very end, this is slow(ish), purposeful travel that rewards curiosity.
Along the way, you’ll track wild elephants by torchlight, cook fiery Isaan dishes with regional chefs, share quiet moments with monks far from the crowds, cruise the Mekong to rural pottery villages, trek to forest waterfalls, and ride sidecars through rice paddies where farmers truly live off the land.
If you are craving a deeper kind of adventure, you’ll love this trip.
Thailand & Laos: Temples, Rivers and Hidden Paths
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
Bangkok
Your guide and driver will welcome you to Thailand. Settle in before exploring Bangkok, a city of contrasts where serene temples sit beside soaring glass towers and monks shop alongside food vendors. Three nights gives you time and space to absorb to the best of the city.
By day, you’ll discover historic and hidden neighbourhoods by tuk-tuk, skytrain and solar boat, visiting Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Kudi Jeen. By night, go on fun street food adventures and sip skyline cocktails.
Day 5
Ayutthaya – Khao Yai National Park
Leave the city behind and start your journey towards Thailand’s northeast region, Isaan, bursting with untold stories and timeless landscapes.
Your first stop is the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ayutthaya, once the seat of Siam’s empire. Explore the tangle of banyan trees and centuries-old stupas by tuk-tuk before heading into the wilds of Khao Yai National Park.
As evening falls, set off on a torch-lit night safari with an expert guide, on the lookout for gibbons, deer and – if you’re lucky – wild elephants. Stay in a peaceful lodge tucked in the forest.
Day 6
Khao Yai National Park
After breakfast, hit the trails with your naturalist guide for a half-day trek through Khao Yai’s diverse ecosystems. You’ll pass beneath banyan and java plum trees, spot forest birds, and learn how wildlife thrives in this protected biosphere.
The trail winds through grasslands, forest and hidden foraging grounds, and is just challenging enough to earn a good lunch and a quiet afternoon at leisure.
Day 7
Korat
Cycle or hop in a motorbike sidecar through the Baan Thamapang community, a network of small villages that still farm, craft and cook in traditional ways. You’ll be welcomed with stories and snacks, visit a serene temple, cycle past rice fields, and stop to make a postcard from natural materials beside a bubbling stream. These aren’t staged ‘activities’ – they’re a window into a way of life lived slowly and with proper pride.
In the evening, head into Korat and, if you’re hungry, explore Save One Market, the city’s biggest night market, to sample sizzling street food and cold drinks under neon lights.
Day 8
Khon Kaen
Today, it’s on to Khon Kaen. You’ll stop en route at Phimai Historical Park – one of Thailand’s most significant Khmer temple complexes. It’s not exactly Angkor Wat, but it shares its lineage, and the stillness of its stone passageways give you time to reflect on an ancient culture.
In Khon Kaen itself, you’ll visit a remarkable Buddhist stupa, then roll up your sleeves in a private Isaan cooking class, learning to prepare fiery, flavour-packed dishes the local way – using herbs and produce grown right nearby.
Day 9
Loei province
Travel north to Loei province, a rarely visited part of Thailand that holds incredible natural drama. Walk through the surreal stone formations of the Pha Ngam Rock Garden, nicknamed the ‘Thai Zhangjiajie’, then ascend to Phu Pa Poh viewpoint for a cinematic sweep of mountains and valleys.
Spend the night in Chiang Khan, a sleepy riverside town on the banks of the Mekong, where life slows right down.
Day 10
Chiang Khan
Start your day at the Tai Dam Cultural Centre, where Lao-speaking ethnic minorities share their stories, textiles and deep-rooted customs.
Then, head to the Chiang Khan Skywalk, a glass platform suspended above the point where the Hueang and Mekong rivers meet, their waters merging in a striking swirl of colours. This natural border with Laos is as symbolic as it is beautiful.
Evening is yours to meander along Chiang Khan Walking Street, where handmade crafts and easy-going charm line the lantern-lit promenade.
Day 11
Udon Thani
Wake early to witness Tak Bat, the alms-giving ceremony where locals offer sticky rice to monks in a ritual of humility and respect.
Later, if conditions allow, take a boat out onto the Mekong to explore Kaeng Khut Khu’s natural rock formations, sculpted by millennia of water and weather. Arrive in Udon Thani by evening for a final taste of northern Thai hospitality.
Day 12
Udon Thani – Laos
End your Thai journey with a visit to Ban Chiang, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site home to ancient red pottery and early human artefacts. Alternatively, explore the Udon Thani Museum, housed in a beautifully restored colonial building filled with interactive exhibits and slice-of-life stories.
Then, cross the border into Laos – a peaceful neighbour with a rich spirit of its own.
Days 13 - 14
Vientiane
Arrive in Vientiane, a capital with a heartbeat that’s soft, steady, and unpretentious. With its shady boulevards, crumbling villas and wide-open views of the Mekong, it feels more like a sleepy town than a national seat of power.
Explore the city’s temples, including Wat Sisaket and the shimmering That Luang, with a guide who can help you navigate both history and spirituality. A visit to the COPE Centre, which sheds light on the country’s recent past, is sobering but powerful.
Evenings bring a change of pace. You’ll travel by tuk-tuk to a local market off the tourist trail, sampling authentic Lao BBQ and street eats before settling in at a laid-back cocktail bar, where the first round is on us.
Days 15 - 17
Luang Prabang
Today, you’ll board the Laos-China train and glide through the hills to Luang Prabang.
Explore the old quarter on foot with your guide, taking in the Royal Palace Museum, heritage homes and ornate temples like Wat Xiengthong. In the afternoon, head across the Mekong by boat to visit local craft villages – including a pottery demonstration in Ban Chan, where you can try your hand on the wheel.
The next day takes you into the hills for a guided trek through forest and farmland, ending at the cascading Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you can swim in turquoise pools. Stop off at the Laos Buffalo Dairy, a wonderful community-led project producing cheese and yoghurt while supporting local farmers.
Before you leave, head to a hillside monastery to learn more about monastic life, where you might chat with young monks practicing their English.
Day 18
Fly home
Today, it’s sadly time to wave goodbye. Your driver will drop you off at the airport for your flight home from Luang Prabang.
From glinting spires to dusty temples, mountain trails to misty rivers, this trip has shown you Thailand and Laos as few see them. You’ll return home with stories, insights, and a deep sense of connection that’ll last far longer than your suntan, we promise.
(It’s worth noting that we have not listed accommodation in the Isaan region below, as there are limited options. But rest assured, we’ll always book you into the best available).
Epic Trip in Thailand
From the moment we started conversations... we knew we would be in safe hands. ETG's first hand knowledge of all the destinations and experiences mean that they can bespoke the perfect trip for you. We experienced Thailand from a different perspective... with great guides. I work in hospitality and it’s all about the small details and surprise and delight moments which [they] get. Book with ETG you won’t regret it!
Simon
21 August 2024Excellent
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What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Experts
Holly is a Southeast Asia expert who fell for this region while taking the slow, scenic route. She loved travelling along the Mekong and into the deep countryside, where time stretches and routines unfurl day by day. Now she helps travellers experience the magic of Southeast Asia, shaping journeys that favour patience, connection and a more thoughtful pace.
“If you’re keen to see a side of Thailand few travellers ever do, this is made for you. Add on lovely Laos, and you’ve got yourself a winner.”
Holly
Thailand & Laos Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
We’ve handpicked boutique hotels and unique stays that balance comfort, character, and connection to place. Full details will follow separately.
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
Experiences in Thailand & Laos
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
Important FAQs about Thailand
At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been crafting immersive holidays in Thailand for around 20 years and some of our team live there. Our in-depth local knowledge, long-standing partnerships and network of specialist local guides, we can really help you under the skin of the country and discover her secret sides.
Over the years, we’ve developed enriching experiences that bring together cultural depth and give you the freedom to explore. Think hands-on food adventures in Bangkok’s backstreets, access to peaceful beaches, countryside stays where local life still ticks to its own rhythm, or journeys into the mountainous north to meet the hill tribes – all bespoke to you.
With our expert planning and on-the-ground support, you can get into holiday mode knowing everything’s covered – while still having the freedom to discover Thailand your way. We don’t do cookie-cutter trips. Every holiday is personal, every route considered, and every detail designed to show you a side of Thailand that most visitors miss.
So come with us, to the Thailand we know and love.
In general, November to April is the most popular time, with warm, dry weather across most of the country – ideal for both exploring and beach time. But Thailand’s seasons aren’t as simple as they look, and with a little know-how, there’s somewhere worth visiting year-round.
The Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta) is at its sunniest between November and April, while the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) comes into its own from February to August when the west coast monsoon winds bring in rain to the west coast. With its mountains and cooler breezes, Northern Thailand is best for trekking and outdoor adventures from November to February.
Travelling during the “green season” (roughly May to October) can be rewarding: fewer crowds, greener landscapes, and lower hotel rates. Rain tends to arrive in short, heavy bursts rather than all day, leaving plenty of sunshine in between. National parks are glorious at this time, with waterfalls in full flow. During late August and September, Thailand often experiences flooding, so this time is usually best avoided, though even then, you can still visit many of the beach destinations very happily.
The months of April and October are the turning points worth considering for great-value travel, with fairly reliable weather. In April, the Songkran New Year festival is a joy to be part of, if you don’t mind getting a soaking from a water pistol (or water blaster!). The rates fall dramatically compared with March. While Songkran marks the start of the rainy season, it has not fully kicked in. It can be a good time to travel throughout the country for those who can put up with some serious heat and humidity. In October, the rains tend to fall away as Thailand returns towards the settled November weather.
So while November to March might be the sweet spot for most of Thailand, there’s always a way to plan a Thailand holiday that fits your timing – and often, going slightly against the grain can mean quieter beaches, great value and a richer experience.
Every ETG holiday is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.
You’ll experience the country in a way that’s completely bespoke to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Thailand
Tempted to discover the very best of Thailand, far from the tourist traps?
Our experts spill their secrets in The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Thailand.
Download your complimentary copy for an insight into the country’s highlights, hot hotels and unusual experiences to inspire your next great adventure.
