Travel Alert  Border Closure between Thailand and Cambodia

Vietnam, China & Laos Adventure

Ride the rails from Hanoi to Bangkok through the historic towns and beautiful countryside

Climb aboard a 20-day rail adventure from Hanoi to Bangkok, passing some of Vietnam, China and Laos’ most beautiful landscapes, villages and landmarks. Hike Sapa’s misty rice terraces, feel the power of Tiger Leaping Gorge and kayak the Nam Song River in Laos. Learn about Pu’er tea from its source, visit a Tibetan home and explore UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang. Wander bustling markets, see peaceful temples and ride bullet trains through the region. From Hanoi’s alleyways to Bangkok’s eclectic energy, this journey is full of diverse regional cultures, delicious food and ever-changing scenery!

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Start: Hanoi, Vietnam

End: Bangkok, Thailand


Duration
20 days
Group size
1 to 12
Minimum age
15 years old
Style

Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders

Original
Theme

Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.

Physical rating

Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings


From
AUD $6,295

Why you'll love this trip

  • Hear the roaring Jinsha River as you hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of the world’s deepest river canyons and meet H’mong people on the rice terraces of Sapa.
  • Be welcomed to the homes of Tibetan and Naxi people, visit a Pu'er tea farm in a Hani village and sit down to a fragrant hot cuppa direct from the source.
  • Cruise the quiet waters of the Mekong to Pak Ou Cave to explore sacred limestone caverns filled with hundreds of timeworn Buddhist statues.
  • Paddle through karst-studded scenery on a kayaking adventure on Vang Vieng’s Nam Song River. Wave at local fishermen and race down some small (but fun!) rapids along the way.
  • Ride on sleek bullet trains between destinations and take an overnight train journey to Bangkok - all perfect opportunities to connect with locals and travel like they do!

Itinerary

Map of Vietnam, China & Laos Adventure including China, Lao Pdr, Thailand and Vietnam

Inclusions and activities

Destinations
China, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos
Meals

9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle, High Speed Train

Accommodation

Hotel (17 nights), Guesthouse (1 night) Overnight Train (1 night)

Included activities
  • Sapa - Sapa Church
  • Sapa - Sunset Walking Tour
  • Sapa - Street Food BBQ Dinner
  • Sapa - Rice terrace hike
  • Shangri-La - Dukezong Old Town walking tour
  • Shangri-La - Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
  • Shangri-La - Tibetan family with lunch
  • Tiger Leaping Gorge - Guided trek (X2)
  • Lijiang - Old town walking tour
  • Lijiang - Naxi family visit and Dongba calligraphy writing
  • LIjiang - Baisha old town visit
  • Jinghong - Starlight Night Market
  • Nannuo Mountain - Hani family lunch
  • Nannuo Mountain - Pu'er tea making
  • Nannuo Mountain - Pu'er tea farm hike and visit
  • Luang Prabang - Wat Phu Si sunset walk
  • Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
  • Luang Prabang – Mekong River Cruise (Half Day)
  • Luang Prabang - Alms giving ceremony
  • Vang Vieng - Nam Song River kayaking
  • Vientiane - Leader orientation walk
  • Vientiane - Wat Si Saket
  • Vientiane - COPE visit

Optional activities
  • Jinghong - Manting Park - CNY40
  • Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls - USD2
  • Luang Prabang - Craft workshop (bamboo, embroidery etc) - USD25
  • Luang Prabang - Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre - USD3

We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, learn more about our climate commitment.

When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip includes hiking on Day 3 in Sapa and Day 7&8 in Tiger Leaping Gorge. While the trails aren't strenuous, you'll make the most of these experiences with a reasonable fitness level. If you don’t want to participate, your leader can suggest alternative activities instead.
  • Shangri-La is at an altitude of 3200m (10,500 ft). At this altitude, there’s a risk of altitude sickness, so it's important that you read the Physical Rating and Medical & Health sections of the Essential Trip Information carefully before travelling. You’ll also need to check that your travel insurance covers you for the highest altitude your trip reaches. Please see Day XXX of the Itinerary for more details.
  • This trip includes hiking on Day 3 in Sapa and Day 7&8 in Tiger Leaping Gorge. While the trails aren't strenuous, you'll make the most of these experiences with a reasonable fitness level. If you don’t want to participate, your leader can suggest alternative activities instead.
  • Shangri-La is at an altitude of 3200m (10,500 ft). At this altitude, there’s a risk of altitude sickness, so it's important that you read the Physical Rating and Medical & Health sections of the Essential Trip Information carefully before travelling. You’ll also need to check that your travel insurance covers you for the highest altitude your trip reaches. Please see Day XXX of the Itinerary for more details.

Dates and prices

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding the overnight train, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent if you are interested.
2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase our train tickets.
3. You will have tour leaders from Vietnam, China and Thailand accompany you in different part of the trip and you'll be unaccompanied for the border crossing from Vietnam to China.
4. Travelling in China will heavily rely upon using local payment apps – Wechat and Alipay for making payments. It’s essential to install them on your phone and have a data package ready prior to your travel. Please read ‘money matters’ in the Essential Trip Information for more details. You shouldn’t rely on credit card for travel in China.
5. While travelling in China, you won’t have access to social media and some websites. You may consider installing a VPN to access those sites and apps. Please check the Essential Trip Information for more details.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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Vietnam, China & Laos Adventure
From
AUD $6,295