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Vietnam, China & Laos Adventure
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: CBSYC
Overview
Destination:
China,
Lao Pdr,
Thailand,
Vietnam,
Duration:20 days
Type:Group tour (max 12)
Travel Period
March 2026 - October 2027
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!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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.
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.
Highlights:
- 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.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner.
- Transport: Private Vehicle, High Speed Train.
- Accommodation: Hotel (17 nights), Guesthouse (1 night) Overnight Train (1 night).
- 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.
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel to meet your leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do in Vietnam's storied capital. You could book the Hanoi Street Food Experience with Urban Adventures to sample local street eats from markets and food carts, take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake or explore the Old Quarter lined with shops, imperial temples and French architecture. This evening, maybe get to know your leader and group over dinner.
Day 2: Sapa
After breakfast, take a private transfer to Sapa – a misty mountain town on the slopes of the Muong Hoa Valley near the Chinese border. Take some time to relax at your hotel before regrouping for a sunset walk around the town with your local leader. Along the way, visit Sapa Church – built by French colonisers in the early 20th century and seen as a symbol of the town – and learn how the square in front of it has become a cultural hub and gathering place for the ethnic groups in the area. Then, check out the stalls at the night market and dig into a feast of grilled meats, seafood and corn at a local barbecue.
Day 3: Sapa
Take a private vehicle to Tan Van Village this morning and lace up your walking shoes for a day hike through Sapa’s iconic rice terraces. With crisp air, paddies that cascade down the hillsides and the chance to meet traditional hilltribe villagers, you’ll soon see why this has become a quintessential image of Vietnam. Before heading back to Sapa town, meet a local H’mong family in their home and share a tasty home-cooked lunch. You’ll arrive back at your hotel in the mid-afternoon, where the rest of the day is free to enjoy a well-deserved rest. For dinner, maybe check out one of the town's many restaurants with your group.
Day 4: Kunming
Today it’s time to hit the road to Lao Cai where you'll cross the border into Hekou, China. It's a short drive to the immigration office where you'll say goodbye to your Vietnam leader. You'll clear immigration by yourselves without your leader, and it could take some time, so a bit of patience can go a long way. Say ni hao (hello) to your new China leader who'll meet you once you cross the border, then jump on a private bus to Honghe City where you’ll board your first high-speed train to Kunming – the capital of the Yunnan province. Check into your hotel late afternoon before heading out for an orientation walk. For dinner, you could try over-the-bridge rice noodles – a signature Yunnan dish.
Day 5: Zhongdian
This morning, take a bullet train from Kunming to Shangri-La – an alpine city in the heart of the Hengduan Mountains. The journey is long, but the views (especially on a clear day) of snow-capped peaks, valleys and lakes make it worth it. Then, take a private vehicle to your hotel and join your leader for a walking tour of Dukezong Ancient Town – one of the largest and best-preserved Tibetan settlements in China that dates back to the 7th century. Most of the town was destroyed by fire in 2014, but immense effort has gone into restoring the original architecture – including the 21-m-tall prayer wheel, which is the largest in China and takes at least 10 people to turn. Take your time to wander the cobbled lanes and watch artists create intricate thangka paintings. The square comes alive in the evening with traditional music and line dancing – everyone’s welcome, so feel free to join in!
Day 6: Zhongdian
Today you'll take a private vehicle to the outskirts of Shangri-La to visit Ganden Sumtseling Monastery – the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan province. Wander halls decorated with elaborate frescoes depicting ancient Buddhist tales, take in the views of the surrounding countryside and enjoy the serenity of the nearby Lamuyangcuo Lake. Then, return to the city where you’ll be welcomed into the home of a local Tibetan family. Learn how to make traditional yak butter tea and share a home-cooked lunch. You’ll also see the family’s scripture or shrine room – a sacred and essential space in Tibetan households used for prayer, meditation and rituals. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Day 7: Tiger Leaping Gorge
Take a private transfer this morning to Tiger Leaping Gorge – a dramatic canyon on the Jinsha River, where legend says a tiger escaped poachers by leaping across the water. Meet your local guide here to begin your hike through the gorge. This is one of the world’s deepest river canyons, with the Jade Dragon and Haba Mountains rising nearly 3800 m above the riverbanks. This trail takes you deep into the heart of it, along narrow switchbacks and cliffside paths with views of the surrounding peaks. Enjoy a well-earned rest this evening at a guesthouse overlooking Jade Garden Snow Mountain. Make sure your camera is charged as the sunsets here on a clear evening are gorgeous! Get a good night’s sleep, as another big day on the trail awaits tomorrow.
Day 8: Lijiang
Continue hiking through the gorge in the shadows of the mountains. The trail is mostly downhill today, taking you past waterfalls and giant boulders. After finishing the hike, take a private vehicle to Lijiang – a UNESCO World Heritage city home to the Naxi people and several other ethnic groups. Freshen up in your hotel, then join your leader for an orientation walk in Old Town to learn about the city’s role in the Tea Horse Road, an ancient trading route from the seventh to the 20th centuries. Explore the maze of cobbled alleys, canals and traditional Naxi wooden houses. This evening, perhaps head out for dinner with your group and try some traditional Lijiang dishes – how about steam pot chicken or chickpea jelly?
Day 9: Lijiang
Take a private vehicle this morning to Baisha Old Town on the outskirts of Lijiang. The streets of this sleepy Naxi town are lined with traditional architecture, murals, craft shops and cafes. After walking around, visit a local Naxi family in their home for a Dongba calligraphy class. Dating back to the 13th century, Dongba uses around 1000 pictographic glyphs to represent objects, actions or ideas, and is said to be one of the world's last living pictographic scripts. You have free time for the rest of the day. If you want to explore more, perhaps join an optional bike ride around Lashihai Lake.
Day 10: Kunming
Today you'll take a train back to Kunming, arriving in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish until your next welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. In your free time, maybe practice tai chi in Green Lake Park, learn about Yunnan’s ethnic groups at the Village of Ethnic Culture or rub shoulders with university students along Wenlin Street. After your meeting, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations!
Day 11: Jinghong
Today you'll take your first high-speed train from Kunming to Jinghong. Arrive around midday, then join your leader for an orientation walk and then some free time in the afternoon. You may choose to go and visit Manting Park – the former royal garden of the Dai Empire with over 1300 years of history. Take in the Dai architecture, see rare flowers and explore revered Buddhist temples. This evening, head to the Starlight Market which sits beneath the Golden Pagoda with your leader. Yunan province is famous for its diverse ethnic cultures – including the Dai – and this is reflected in the huge variety of local artisans, craftspeople and food stalls. It’s a great chance to sample Dai delicacies – how about Dai-style sour vermicelli or bamboo sticky rice? If you’re overwhelmed by the options (we don’t blame you), just ask your local leader for recommendations!
Day 12: Jinghong
Take a private vehicle to Nannuo Mountain to visit a local Hani village. The mountain is one of the ancestral homes of the Hani – an ethnic group who’ve lived in southern Yunnan for over 1300 years – and they’re deeply connected to it. The mountain is also famous for producing China’s top pu'er tea, and you’ll learn all about how it’s made straight from the source! Go on a short hike through the plantations where you’ll see an 800-year-old tea tree, pluck your own leaves and enjoy a tasting with your Hani hosts – a family who’ve been growing pu’er for generations. Then, share a hearty home-cooked lunch on banana leaves before returning to Jinghong. The rest of the afternoon is free to unwind.
Day 13: Luang Prabang
Take a bullet train across the border to Luang Prabang this morning. Your leader will be on hand to assist with any border formalities. After checking into your hotel in the early afternoon, stretch your legs on an orientation walk with your leader to find your bearings in this UNESCO-listed city. Once the capital of the ancient Lao Kingdom (Lan Xang), Luang Prabang is a city of opulent Buddhist temples and French Indochinese architecture set in the lush northern highlands. Then, enjoy a few hours of free time before regrouping to watch the sun set over the city and its surroundings on the sacred Wat Phu Si hill. There’s an optional dinner tonight at Talad Mued Night Market to try sindad – a traditional communal BBQ set on a charcoal stove with a rim full of boiling broth to blanch veggies.
Day 14: Luang Prabang
Find your river legs on a half-day cruise along the Mekong River – the world's twelfth-longest river and the third-longest in Asia. Enjoy the relaxed river vibes as you drift past overhanging reeds and see forested mountains in the distance. Stop at Pak Ou Caves – an important religious site only accessible by boat – to explore hundreds of Buddha statues inside the limestone caverns. Reboard the boat and eat lunch on the way back to Luang Prabang, returning to your hotel in the early afternoon. If you’re keen to see more, you could visit Kuang Si Waterfall to swim in its chalk-blue waters. Tonight, maybe hit up the night market to try more Laotian dishes – khao niew (sticky rice) and larb (minced meat salad) are classics.
Day 15: Vang Vieng
Rise early this morning to witness a traditional alms giving ceremony – a centuries-old Laos Buddhist ritual that happens daily at sunrise. View a procession of saffron-robed monks as they collect food offered by devotees. The offerings must be collected early, as the monks can’t eat anything after midday. By giving food to a monk, it’s believed you ‘het bon’ (make merit) which will be carried over into the next life. Your leader will guide you through the dos and don’ts and help you take part. Then, enjoy an easy morning or take the time to visit a local fair trade centre that’s on a mission to preserve traditional Laotian handicrafts and make your own bamboo basket. Leave in the afternoon to catch a bullet train to Vang Vieng. Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, then maybe grab dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 16: Vang Vieng
This morning, head to the Nam Song River for a kayaking trip. Paddle with a backdrop of limestone cliffs and forested mountains, maybe riding the occasional mini river rapid along the way. Rest ashore for a while and stretch your legs to Phar Norn, meaning ‘Sleeping Cave’, to snap a photo of the surrounding karsts before kayaking downstream back to Vang Vieng. You have free time for the rest of the afternoon. You might like to visit Tham Chang – a beautiful cavern fed by a natural spring – or explore the area on a bike.
Day 17: Vientiane
Enjoy a relaxed morning before taking a train to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. You’ll arrive in the afternoon. Spend the day in what could possibly be Asia's most laidback capital. Walk, hire a bike or jump on a jumbo (tuk-tuk) to explore the city’s faded mansions, tree-lined boulevards and old temples. There’s an atmosphere of timelessness in Vientiane, especially in the older part of town along the Mekong River. After sunset, why not grab a bite at the lively night market?
Day 18: Vientiane
This morning, visit Wat Si Saket – the city’s oldest temple still standing and home to almost 7000 Buddha images. Then, visit COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) – an organisation dedicated to supporting people affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO), which still affects many Laotians each year due to the US bombing campaign during the Vietnam War. This is an excellent cause and a chance to educate yourself about Laos' devastating war history. After, buy a snack or drink from their Karma Cafe. Relax for the next few hours, as tonight you’ll take an overnight train to Bangkok!
Day 19: Bangkok
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. You’ll arrive in Bangkok early in the morning. You'll be able to use the multishare rooms for a quick freshen-up, and your leader will show you where to get breakfast. Maybe try a classic Thai breakfast like khao tom (savoury rice soup) or pathongko (Thai-style doughnuts). The rest of the day is free to explore Thailand’s bustling capital – and there’s so much to see and do! Wander the Chinatown area, visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or grab a drink in the backpacker hub of Khao San Road. Depending on how well you slept on the train, you could even treat yourself to a Thai massage. Tonight, regroup with your leader and fellow travellers for an optional farewell dinner and toast to a brilliant adventure.
Day 20: Bangkok
With no activities planned, your adventure comes to an end today and you’re free to leave any time after checking out. If you’d like to extend your stay in Bangkok, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Dates
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Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
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19 nights
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