13 days Bangkok to Hanoi
13 Day Thailand & Laos Tour
Embrace Southeast Asia’s wealth of unforgettable experiences on our 13 day Thailand and Laos group tour - an action-packed adventure designed to feed the wanderlust of 18-30 year-olds.
Thailand and Laos are the perfect contradiction. Thailand’s popular backpacking path differs to the quiet and sleepy Laos. Both countries are cheap to travel around and leave you wanting more. Our Adventure Leaders will take you on a tour of the region’s hidden gems and major highlights so you can get the most out of your trip. Spend the day at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, an ecotourism project set-up by The Karen Hilltribes Trust in Chiang Mai, explore the Tham Phu Kam cave and go water-rafting in Chiang Mai.

What's included
Accommodation
Including hostels, guesthouses, 1 night in a homestay (& 1 night on the cruise)
Adventure Leader
Bilingual Adventure Leaders in each country
Local transport
Transport within Southeast Asia, including 2 flights (Thailand to Laos, Laos to Vietnam)
Meals & Activities
Selected meals & 7 activities included
Read more
Itinerary & map
Day 1: Bangkok, Thailand
Arrive in this vibrant Asian metropolis to meet your group and adventure leader. Then, board the sleeper train to kick-start your trip.
Day 2–5: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Head to Chiang Mai, an ancient capital of Thailand and a refreshing contrast to Bangkok. Witness the city’s surviving heritage, experience the bustling food markets, visit the elephant sanctuary, and explore the surrounding area on quad-bikes.
Day 6-8: Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its exceptionally preserved temples, rich culture and cascaded waterfalls. Take a dip in the turquoise pools of Kuang Si Falls and speak with local children to help develop their English skills.
Day 9-10: Vang Vieng, Laos
Travel 105 miles north to find yourself in the backpackers’ heaven of Vang Vieng. The village remains a popular stop for travellers to recharge while offering plenty of adventurous activities. Swim in the Blue Lagoon and have a go at tubing.
Day 11-13: Hanoi, Vietnam
Get swept away by the romance of Hanoi, home to French architecture and lush forestry. Explore the Old Quarter and visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO site. Before bidding farewell to the group.
Thailand and Laos Group Tour
Day 1 – Bangkok, Thailand:
Welcome to Bangkok! To start off your Dragon Trip and Thailand and Laos group tour, you will meet your Adventure Leader and the rest of your group at the hostel around 5pm. You’ll have a briefing and get to know your travel companions. After this, you’ll head straight to the station to board your night train to Chiang Mai – your train will depart at 8.05pm from the station, so don’t be late!
Day 2 – Chiang Mai, Thailand:
You’ll wake up to Northern Thailand’s stunning scenery as your train passes through the mountains before arriving in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is 700 years old and has an Old City which possesses original parts of walls and moats from its history as a religious hub, meaning it’s home to hundreds of stunning Buddhist temples.
You will spend the morning at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, an ecotourism project set-up by The Karen Hilltribes Trust. This is where you will feed, walk, wash and learn about these elephants. This is one of the main highlights of Chiang Mai, so enjoy!
After, you will head to a homestay and enjoy some dinner cooked by the locals. You will spend the evening at a local house.
Day 3 – Chiang Mai, Thailand:
Wake up and head out on a jungle trek to a local hill tribe village. Here, you can gain an insight into this unique way of life and experience the authentic side of Northern Thailand.
In the evening, you have the option to learn how to cook authentic Thai dishes. Or, if you want to experience traditional Thai entertainment, you can watch a Muay Thai Boxing Show and cheer on the fighters!
Day 4 – Chiang Mai, Thailand:
Today, you’ll either hop on a songthaew to Wat Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple located in the mountains, or join in on an opportunity to chat with a Buddhist Monk. Then, you’ll head back to the hostel where you can take some time to enjoy a spot of lunch.
After lunch, you will be driven by songthaew to a stunning limestone waterfall, famous for its unusual face. After your hike here, you’ll visit Wat Ban Den before heading back to the hostel. In the evening, you can visit ‘Zoe in Yellow’ – one of Chiang Mai’s most iconic bars.
Day 5 – Chiang Mai, Thailand:
Today you have the option to either explore the city’s dozens of temples and cultural delights. For the thrill-seekers amongst you, there’s the option to get your adrenaline pumping by trekking, driving a quad bike, or going rafting down the Mae Taeng River.
For your last night in Chiang Mai, why not explore the vibrant famous night market, complete with souvenirs and street food?
Day 6 – Luang Prabang, Laos
The adventure tour moves on to Laos! Today, fly to Luang Prabang. Upon on arrival you will transfer to your hostel and sit down for an optional group dinner. Afterwards, why not pay a visit to Hmong Night Market, a venue for traditional music, crafts and food.
Alternatively, you can opt for a truly unique experience and head to a traditional house to have dinner prepared by a local. They’ll welcome you with a drink, and you’ll then attend a Baci ceremony – a tradition of the Lao people, this ritual is performed before special events to bring luck. After this, you’ll be treated to a meal of delicious Lao food.
Day 7 – Luang Prabang, Laos
This morning you can either opt to have a lie-in or witness the must-see Takbat Lao Ceremony, a Buddhist ceremony. This morning ritual is a collection of food for monks, where they receive food from the locals and tourists.
Afterwards, there are a number of options for how you spend your day.
- You can choose to spend the rest of the morning at the Big Brother Mouse volunteering program, interacting with local children who are learning English and developing your understanding of Laos’s culture.
- You can learn about ‘the farm to table process’ of making rice at the Rice Experience farm. Here, they farm rice the traditional way, as well as maintain an organic garden and running a cooking school.
- You can attend a cooking experience nearby – you’ll be picked up, taken to the local wet market to grab ingredients, and then taken to a class where you’ll have the chance to prepare and eat traditional Lao food.
- Finally, you can opt to join a bicycle tour which will help you explore the area. You’ll end up at a local pottery which makes jars, and you’ll even get the chance to learn how to make them yourself!
Spend the afternoon at the impressive Kuang Si Falls, made up of three tiers, located in the Luang Prabang area. The falls begin with shallow pools – so, jump in and prepare to have lots of fun! These waterfalls are a favourite attraction for tourists in Luang Prabang.
This evening is yours to spend how you’d like – why not visit the Old Town?
Day 8 – Luang Prabang, Laos
Take part in an optional visit to Ban Xanghai village, a place famous for its whisky and rice wine. Afterwards, hop on a boat and sail down the Mekong River to explore the historic Pak Ou Caves filled with over 400 Buddha statues – you’ll stop for lunch at a delicious local restaurant outside the caves.
On your way back to the hostel stop off at Mt Phousi and soak up the golden hues as the sun sets behind the mountains.
Day 9 – Vang Vieng, Laos
In the morning, it’s time to make your way to Vang Vieng, a small town in central Laos. Head straight to the Blue Lagoon where you can swim in the refreshing waters. This is the perfect way to escape from the heat and humid weather. Bring your waterproof camera if you have one!
Later, you will transfer to the hostel, where you can a free evening to relax, grab a drink in one of the many riverside bars or find a nearby party.
Day 10 – Vang Vieng, Laos
Today, you’ll have the option to try your hand at rock climbing or take a biking tour of the area, followed by a hike up to Pha Ngern Viewpoint for breath-taking views. It will take about half an hour to hike to the lower viewpoint where you will be greeted with a stunning view. You can also hike up an additional 500 meters, to reach the highest viewpoint with a much better view.
For a different viewpoint of Vang Vieng’s limestone mountains, drift down the Mekong River in a rubber tube, stopping along the way to admire the views. Tubing in Vang Vieng has long been a backpacking right of passage in Laos and while the bars are no longer as boozy, it’s still a must-do activity.
Enjoy some free time in the evening to further explore the wonders Vang Vieng at night.
Day 11 – Hanoi, Vietnam:
In the morning, you will take a bus to the airport and fly out to Hanoi, Vietnam. Hanoi is the big bustling capital of Vietnam’s north and it’s known for its narrow streets, French architecture, rich culture and incredible street food. After checking into the hostel at around 6.30pm, if you’re not too tired, join in the free bar crawl, which heads out around the city’s Old Quarter. If you’re hungry, you don’t have to go too far. Street food sellers line the pavements in the evening and the smell of pho and banh mi fills the air.
Day 12 – Hanoi, Vietnam:
Today you will visit the Hoa Lo Prison and learn about Vietnam’s history. This was a prison used by North Vietnam and the Viet Cong communists, for U.S. prisoners during the Vietnam War. After, you will head over to Hoan Kiem lake with its temple in the centre. You can walk around the lake, watching the locals play games on the wide streets built by the French in the historical centre of Hanoi.
If you’re hungry, you can grab lunch at Old Quarter Street followed by a free afternoon to explore Hanoi’s narrow streets and practise crossing the road like a local.
In your free time, you could pay a visit to the Hanoi Opera House, built by French colonial administration – you can take a look around the building for free or pay to see one of the shows on offer. If you fancy some evening entertainment, why not watch a unique Water Puppet Show?
Day 13 – Hanoi, Vietnam:
Today marks the end of your Thailand and Laos group tour. Wake up and check out of your hostel at 11am. Here, you will take the time to bid farewell to your group and either head home or continue your independent travels.
We wish you safe travels!
Photos
Accommodation
Accommodation is in dorm rooms on our Thailand and Laos group tour. Upgrade options (to single, twin, or double rooms) are available, please contact us for more information.
Check out our included activities on our Thailand and Laos group tour below:
- Elephant Sanctuary (Chiang Mai)
- Visit a waterfall (Chiang Mai) on Day 2
- Visit a local hill tribe village and trek in the jungle (Chiang Mai) on Day 3
- Wat Doi Suthep Temple by songthaew on Day 4
- Kuangsi Falls (Luang Prabang) on Day 7
- Blue Lagoon 2 (Vang Vieng) on Day 9
- Hoa Lo Prison in Day 12
Meals are included in the price of our 13-day Thailand to Laos group tour on the following days:
Chiang Mai:
Day 2 – Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 – Breakfast and lunch
Day 4-5-6: Breakfast
Luang Prabang:
Day 7-8-9: Breakfast
Vangvieng:
Day 10-11: Breakfast
Hanoi:
Day 12-13: Breakfast
Drones
The use of Drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is prohibited during activities organized by The Dragon Trip. If you are in possession of a drone when entering the country it is your responsibility to be informed of and follow all local laws. This may include registering your drone with authorities. If you violate this policy or operate a drone illegally you are subject to removal from the tour as per our terms & conditions.
Activities that aren’t included:
- Cooking class – 800 THB / 20.2 GBP (Chiang Mai)
- Muay Thai show – 600 – 1500 THB (Chiang Mai)
- Monk chat – 40 to 100 THB / 1.00 to 2.5 GBP (Chiang Mai)
- Sticky Waterfall and Wat Ban Den Temple – Approx 2500 THB per group of max 10 people for songthaew – 60 GBP (Chiang Mai)
- Clubbing at Zoe in Yellow – pay for what you drink (Chiang Mai)
- White water rafting, ATV quads – 2400 to 5600 THB / 60.8 to 141.9 GBP (Chiang Mai)
- Night food market – pay for what you order (Chiang Mai)
- Dinner & Baci ceremony at local home – 7 USD (Luang Prabang)
- Cooking experience – 20 USD (Luang Prabang)
- Bicycle tour & pottery experience – 22 USD (Luang Prabang)
- Optional group dinner – pay for what you order (Luang Prabang)
- Hmong night market – pay for what you order (Luang Prabang)
- Watch Takbat Lao ceremony (Luang Prabang)
- Volunteer at Big Brother Big Mouse (Luang Prabang)
- Rice experience – 30 USD (Luang Prabang)
- Laos ethnic village tour – 25 USD (Luang Prabang)
- Half day rock climbing – 30 USD (Vang Vieng)
- Bike to Pha Ngern view point – 5 USD (Vang Vieng)
- Tubing – 5 USD (Vang Vieng)
- Bar crawl – pay for your own drinks (Hanoi)
- Optional group lunch – pay for what you order (Hanoi)
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi)
- Water puppet show – 100,000 VND / 3.3 GBP (Hanoi)
- Optional Dinner and drinks at Old Quarter – pay for what you order (Hanoi)
Room Upgrades
If you’d like to upgrade to a private room on our Thailand and Laos group tour- the prices are listed below. The upgrade fee is for the room, not per person.
- Double room is £265 (Based on two people sharing)
- Single room is £265 (Based on one person)
The room upgrade is available in all destinations aside from in the homestay in Chiang Mai, and the overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay.
There are parts of this trip in which you may not have hot water or electricity during the day – please bear this in mind and keep an open perspective, especially in countries such as Laos, where the local levels of development or infrastructure may not be the same as your country of origin. Please also be aware that where upgrades on accommodation are available through the tours, not all of these upgrades to private rooms include en suites. In certain hotels, upgrades to double rooms may include an en suite, where twin rooms may include a shared bathroom usage. In others, due to the layouts of the accommodation, shared bathroom facilities may be the norm across all room upgrades.
Additional Services
Looking to arrive early in Bangkok or stay longer in Hanoi? We can arrange additional nights accommodation in both cities so that you can really make the most of your trip.
We can also pick you up and drop you off at the airport so that you don’t have to worry about a thing.
Ha Long Bay Extension
If you would like to extend your tour to spend an extra 2 nights exploring Ha Long Bay this is available for £108. See below for more information:
Extend your trip for £108 and explore the breathtaking beauty of Ha Long Bay, including spending the night out on a boat cruiser! Enquire for further details.
Day 13 – Ha Long Bay, Vietnam:
Depart from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay. Located in northeast Vietnam, Ha Long Bay is recognized for its emerald waters and towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. The area is known for its beautiful and dramatic landscape, defined by its towering peaks. Here, you’ll spend the afternoon on a boat cruise, stopping at various swimming spots along the way and if you are bold enough, you can go cliff jumping.
The cruise will stop overnight in the heart of the bay. Surrounded by stunning views of the limestone karsts raising dramatically from the blue waters, you can watch the sunset from the ship’s deck, enjoy a great buffet dinner and party atmosphere, and fall asleep to the gentle sound of waves lapping against the boat.
Day 14 – Ha Long Bay, Vietnam:
On your second day, wake up to a beautiful sunrise and enjoy a relaxing breakfast. To start the morning activities, you can hop into a kayak and explore the famous peaks of Ha Long Bay on the water, paddling through sea caves and spotting monkeys.
Grab some lunch to refuel before heading back to Hanoi. You will arrive at your hostel at around 5pm where you will stay that night. Your adventure has now come to an end!
A deposit is required to make a reservation on our South East Asia tours, with the balance due 70 days prior to departure (unless booking with one of our promotions, for which specific balance due dates may apply).
The deposit is 10% of the group tour price (unless stated otherwise). If you book on to our South East Asia tours less than 70 days prior to departure, the full balance will be due within 3 days of booking.
No bookings can be accepted within 40 days of a trip departure date.
Visit our FAQs page. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact us.