Northern Loops of Thailand and Vietnam

DAY 1  DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Thailand.

DAYS 2 & 3  CHIANG RAI (Thailand)

On arrival, you’ll be met by your guide and driver for the transfer to your hotel. The sleepy city of Chiang Rai lies on the banks of the Kok River, and here you can visit one of the most extraordinary temples in Thailand, adorned with gleaming white sculptures. In the evening, your guide will take you to eat, drink and haggle your way through the night market, which is less busy than but equally atmospheric as those in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

You’ll also explore the countryside surrounding the city. Take in dramatic hills, unusual cave temples and fields of pineapple, stopping for a slice of the freshly-picked fruit along your way. By night, you’ll stay at a boutique resort in the countryside which has an infinity pool and mountain views.

DAYS 4 - 6  PHAYAO ADVENTURE (Thailand)

Depart Chiang Rai, travelling south by road with your guide and spend the next three days discovering the beauty of the Phayao province. This area is untouched by mass tourism, and a stay here will reveal a side of Thailand you didn’t know existed.

The town of Phayao, centred around an expansive lake, is lovely and here you’ll be taken to a local restaurant to enjoy a tasty Northern Thai speciality, Khao Soi, before a Thai-style punt on the lake and visit to a little-known temple. The surrounding countryside is, in a word, blissful. Here you’ll meet local people and discover the rural ways of life before your guide takes you to a fascinating hidden mountain spot.

During your travels through the province, you’ll stay as a guest of the welcoming communities in their homestays, eating authentic, mouth-watering meals (topped with Thai basil you can even pick yourself from their garden). If you wish, you can help out your hosts in making a famous local dessert, Khao Khuob, consisting of sticky rice with coconut wrapped in bananas leaves.

During your time in this region, you’ll also have the chance to discover the waterfalls and birdlife residing in the bamboo forests of Doi Luang National Park.

DAYS 7 - 9  CHIANG MAI (Thailand)

You're firmly back on the tourist route in Chiang Mai, but the historic city is not to be missed, and you'll stay in a beautiful boutique hotel within the old city walls. Explore the area on our signature tour, observing Buddhist monks collecting their alms at dawn and tasting the local street food to get a real feel of the Thai traditions and culture. Another highlight is paying a visit to a sanctuary for rescued elephants, a truly memorable and educational experience.

DAYS 10 & 11 BA VI MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (Vietnam)

Board a midday flight from Chiang Mai to Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, where on arrival your local guide and driver will meet you and transfer you into Ba Vi Mountain National Park. The forested area is just a 55km drive, but feels like a world away from the bustling city, offering a tranquil gateway to the country’s mountainous, scenic north.

DAYS 12 & 13 PU LUONG NATURE RESERVE (Vietnam)

Drive past breathtaking mountain scenery, into the Pu Luong Nature Reserve, lying along two mountain ridges. During your two-night stay at the Pu Luong Retreat, picnic lunches and dinners are included, while you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a range of activities.

Explore the beautiful retreat that provides captivating panoramic views in a tranquil setting. Head out on a bamboo river raft, cruising along the Cham river, or descend into the beautiful valley for a walk around tumbling rice terraces. Interact with the villagers living in the hills above the retreat, getting a glimpse into daily life and textile crafts as you explore the working farmland and rice fields.

DAYS 14 & 15 NINH BINH & TRANG AN ECOSYSTEM (Vietnam)

Departing Pu Luong, you’ll travel east through the beautiful countryside to Trang An Ecosystem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Ninh Binh province. Here you’ll board a small sampan (rowing boat), travelling along the river flanked by dramatic limestone mountains and green fields. During your two night stay in the region, you’ll stay in a boutique retreat amidst paddy fields with a swimming pool to relax by.

Head out on a cycling tour through the quiet and peaceful trails, soak in the magnificent beauty amongst the mountains or take a short hike to the top of Hang Mua for a spectacular aerial view of the region. Stop at a local house in a peaceful village before a chance to visit Bai Dinh Temple, Vietnam’s largest Buddhist temple complex and an important pilgrimage site.

DAYS 16 & 17 HANOI (Vietnam)

Spend the last two days of your holiday in Hanoi, enjoying a range of exclusive and unique experiences accompanied by your private guide. Get out early to explore the colourful markets, quiet streets and stroll around the lake. Along the way you may catch the Hanoians practising badminton, t’ai chi and open-air aerobics. Immerse yourself in the old town with its railway line running through the streets as residents go about their daily lives almost oblivious to the slow-moving trains!

Sip on Vietnamese coffee or a cold local beer and discover the city’s distinctive and lively street food culture. Marvel at the French colonial architecture and weave through the labyrinthine of alleyways in the old quarter. There are many museums to visit as well depending on your interests, covering the ancient history, military history, fine arts or the serene Temple of Literature.

DAY 18 FLY HOME

Fly home from Hanoi or extend your trip to visit one of the beautiful beach areas.