Asia Family Holiday

15 days
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
Visit Thailand, Laos and Vietnam on this epic family adventure. Travel by overnight train to Chiang Mai and by boat from Thailand to Laos. Witness the sights and smells of Laos' hawker markets and climb the steps of Bangkok's ancient Buddhist temples. Pop into Hanoi and kayak around stunning Halong Bay before heading home, filled with tales of adventure. 

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Experience an overnight train ride from Bangkok and wake up in the morning to dazzling Chiang Mai
    • Discover a slower pace of life on a boat journey down the Mekong River, with a night spent in the remote village of Pakbeng
    • Kayak around stunning Halong Bay and explore its secret beaches and caves
    • Challenge the family to see who can make the best pad thai in a cooking class

What's this trip about?

    Visit Thailand, Laos and Vietnam on this epic family adventure. Travel by overnight train to Chiang Mai and by boat from Thailand to Laos. Witness the sights and smells of Laos' hawker markets and climb the steps of Bangkok's ancient Buddhist temples. Pop into Hanoi and kayak around stunning Halong Bay before heading home, filled with tales of adventure. 

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Family Friendly

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

Attractions

  • Chiang Mai
  • Hanoi
  • Luang Prabang
  • Mekong River
  • Vientiane

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Bangkok

Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand's bustling capital. This city is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. The adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 5pm today. You can check into your hotel from early this afternoon.

Day 2 Bangkok and overnight train

Begin the day with a an hour-long river cruise down the Chao Phraya River to explore the famous ‘khlongs’ (canals) . Life along these canals seems a world away from the chaotic streets of the capital. Pay a visit to Wat Pho, one of the ‘trinity’ of Bangkok temples, with a 46-metre long gold plated Buddha reclining inside. This evening, head north to Chiang Mai on an overnight train journey.

Day 3 Chiang Mai

The most vibrant city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai has many famous temples and an interesting old city to explore. Renowned for dazzling beauty and extremely welcoming locals, the ‘Rose of the North’ will leave you spellbound. Embark on a scenic, winding drive up ...

Day 4 Chiang Mai

Hit the road with two wheels on a cycling tour of Chiang Mai. During the past few years Chiang Mai has developed a thriving cycling culture, with the emergence of numerous local clubs, teams and several homegrown events. In the evening take part in a Thai cooking class and see which member of the family can make the best Pad Thai!

Day 5 Chiang Khong

Take a journey through rural countryside to the Thai border town of Chiang Khong (approximately 5.5 hours). Formerly known as 'Juon', peaceful riverside Chiang Khong remains an important market town for the surrounding hill tribes and for trade with Laos. Stretch your...

Day 6 Pakbeng

Cross the border into Laos and board a slow boat for the two-day journey down the mighty Mekong River to Luang Prabang. The journey is a relaxed experience, mirroring the slow pace of village life and allowing time to experience the breathtaking scenery up close. The ...

Day 7 Luang Prabang

Reboard the boat and cruise to the Pak Ou Caves. An important religious site overlooking the river at the junction of the Mekong and Ou Rivers, the revered Pak Ou Caves consist of two sacred limestone caverns filled with Buddha images of all styles and sizes, brought ...

Day 8 Luang Prabang

Once the heart and soul of the ancient Lao Kingdom and designated a World Heritage site in 1995, Luang Prabang is endowed with a legacy of historic red-roofed temples and French-Indochinese architecture. The city is also home to some of the country's most refined cuis...

Day 9 Vang Vieng

Today is mainly a travelling day as the you drive south from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng (approximately 7 hours). Take in the mountain scenery and snippets of small village life along the hilly highway to Vang Vieng. Situated on the Nam Song River, Vang Vieng is surro...

Day 10 Vang Vieng

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading out on a hike to Tham Jang Cave. Tham Jang was used as a bunker to defend against marauding jęen hór (Yunnanese Chinese) in the early 19th century. The caves are steeped in history and are an incredible natural phen...

Day 11 Vientiane

Continue by bus to the Laos' capital, Vientiane (approximately 4 hours). Possibly Asia's most laidback capital, Vientiane is a city where daily affairs are conducted at a relaxed pace. Hardly touched by the modernisation that has completely changed the face of other c...

Day 12 Hanoi

This morning is free, enjoy your last breakfast in Laos before being transferred to the airport by midday. Fly to Hanoi and enter the third country on this trip – Vietnam. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in to the hotel. Relax with your group leader, who will prepare you for the last few days of your holiday.

Day 13 Halong Bay

This morning jump on the bus and drive to Halong Bay (approximately 3 hours). Surrounded by clusters of karst limestone cliffs topped by rainforest, this is an incredible and unique place. Settle into your junk boat, which will be your home for the next night, and drift out into a secluded harbour with some 2,000 limestone islands jutting out of the waters of the Bac Bo Gulf.

Day 14 Hanoi

This morning, enjoy a tour around the wonderful Halong Bay. Visit isolated caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and climb out onto beaches of the South China Sea. You will stop at Titop beach for a refreshing swim. After lunch, return to Hanoi for your last night as a group, enjoying a farewell dinner and perhaps some last minute shopping.

Day 15 Hanoi

This trip ends after breakfast and you are free to leave the accommodation at any time. For those who have booked a flight inclusive package you will be transferred to the airport to catch your onward flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,799
Price per day$187
Last Updated: 8/5/2019

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights),Guesthouse (1 night),Overnight sleeper train (1 night),Overnight boat (1 night),

Transportation & Flights

Longtail boat,Overnight sleeper train,Private bus,plane,

Transportation & flights

Longtail boat,Overnight sleeper train,Private bus,plane
Guides
Family Trips
Travel Insurance
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/insurance.php Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.
Visa requirements
THAILAND: If entering by air most nationalities will be granted a 30 day stay on arrival. If entering by a land border, you will be granted a 15 day stay only (some exceptions are citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Japan who are eligible for 30 day visa at land borders). A visa extension can be obtained in Thailand at an immigration office for approx. 2000THB or alternatively you can apply for a Thailand visa in advance from your embassy or consulate that will allow a 30 day stay when entering at an overland border. If planning to enter Thailand via a land border multiple times during your travels, we recommend you pre-obtain a 60 day multiple entry visa from you embassy or consulate before you travel rather than attempting to obtain a visa at the border on multiple occasions which may result in being denied re-entry into the country. LAOS: We ask all our travellers to obtain their Laos visas at the border, and NOT in their home country prior to travel. When the whole group does this together it allows us to cross the border more efficiently and to minimise delays. Please ensure that you have at least 1 passport photo and up to US$45 cash for your application. Please provide your sales agent with accurate passport details prior to the departure of your trip as these details will be passed on to your leader to help speed up the process. Those without a photo, or who are arriving on a weekend, holiday or after hours, will have to pay an additional one or two dollars. All visa fees are payable in cash only. VIETNAM VISA: Most nationalities are required to obtain a tourist visa in advance to travel to Vietnam. An eVisa is available for some nationalities including passport holders from Australia (from 2018), France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America, valid for a single entry of a maximum of 30 days stay in Vietnam. For information on obtaining an eVisa visit the immigration website: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ Evisas take up to 3 days to be processed. You will need a clear electronic copy of your passport data page and passport photo, and to make a non-refundable payment as outlined on the immigration website. Keep the customs and immigration form you receive on arrival, as you need it to complete exit formalities on departure. Some nationalities are exempt from visas for a stay of a maximum of 15 days, including British, German, French, Spanish and Italian citizens travelling to Vietnam (for all purposes). This exemption period is currently effective until 30 June 2021, and is based upon meeting all conditions prescribed by Vietnamese laws. If you are planning on staying in Vietnam for longer than 15 days you will need to obtain a visa extension in advance (please contact your relevant Consulate or Embassy). Please also check requirements if you plan to re-enter Vietnam. If you are obtaining a tourist visa in your passport from an embassy or consulate, you should allow 3 weeks for processing. The cost is approximately US$60 to US$100. Please check with your embassy or consulate for further requirements. If your visa application asks for a point of contact, please write: Intrepid Vietnam 5th floor HiPT Building, 152 Thuy Khue Street, Thuy Khue, Tay Ho, Hanoi, Ph +84 4 3715 0996. Most nationalities do not require a letter of invitation for Vietnam but if you do need one, please contact your sales agent for more information.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Finish point

  • La Sante Hotel & Spa
  • 42 Chau Long Street
  • Ba Dinh
  • Hanoi
  • VIETNAM
  • Phone: +84 2435132222
Trip ID
intrepid-TLFA

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