Beijing Laos Landscape Journey

Welcome to Beijing. Make your own way to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. This is a good opportunity to rest and recover from your flight or to begin exploring China’s vast capital city at your own pace. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast, we visit the Temple of Heaven, an outstanding example of imperial architecture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Here, you can observe locals practising their morning exercises in the surrounding park. Next, we explore Tiananmen Square, one of the world’s largest public plazas and a significant site in modern Chinese history. Following lunch, we tour the Forbidden City, the largest and best-preserved ancient imperial palace in China, where you can wander through its vast halls and gardens (please note that entrance to special exhibitions is not included). We conclude the day with a stroll through the atmospheric Hutongs around the Houhai area. Overnight in Beijing.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, known for its picturesque scenery and impressive engineering. You can explore this remarkable monument of Chinese ingenuity at your own pace (please note the cable car is not included). Following the visit, we transfer to a Beijing cloisonné workshop to observe the traditional enamelware craft in action. After lunch, we visit the Summer Palace, the former imperial retreat renowned for its beautiful gardens and the expansive Kunming Lake. Please note that entrance fees for the boat, theatre, and Longevity Hill are not included. We then return to the hotel for the evening.

After breakfast, take a taxi to the airport (at your own expense) for your flight to Kunming. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Kunming.

After breakfast, we transfer you privately to Kunming railway station for a morning rapid train to Pu’er. Upon arrival, we take you to Nakeli village, once a key stop on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. This historic trade route, dating back around a thousand years, linked Yunnan with Tibet and Central China, facilitating the spread of tea from its origins in Pu’er across Asia. After lunch, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the village, fragrant with flowers and tea, and may have the opportunity to join a Pu’er tea-making demonstration and tasting at a local family home or tea workshop. We conclude the day with a short hike along the ancient Tea-Horse trail from Nakeli village towards Pu’er city before returning to your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we head to Nannuo Mountain, renowned for its long history of tea cultivation. We will enjoy a two-hour hike through a tea plantation featuring trees aged between 200 and 500 years, followed by a tea-making experience. After lunch at a local restaurant, we transfer to Xishuangbanna, stopping en route to visit a typical Dai minority village. Arriving in Xishuangbanna late afternoon, you will discover this autonomous prefecture in southern Yunnan Province, known for its cultural diversity and tropical climate. Overnight in Xishuangbanna.

After breakfast, we transfer to the Tropical Botanical Garden, established in 1959 and home to over 13,000 species of tropical plants across 35 living collections. The garden is divided into eastern and western sections. The West District is the main attraction, featuring more than 20 specialised botanical gardens, including the popular Exotic Flower Garden. The Eastern District offers old-growth tropical rainforest with paved trails, ideal for those who enjoy hiking. After lunch, we return to Xishuangbanna and visit Manting Park, a natural village-style urban park where you can explore the vines area, peacock garden, and traditional Dai and Thai-style buildings. We then visit the General Buddhist Temple, built in 615, the oldest and most significant temple in the region. In the evening, you have the opportunity to explore Gaozhuang night market, the largest night market in the area, known for its vibrant light show along the Mekong River. Overnight in Xishuangbanna.

After breakfast, we transfer to the railway station for the rapid train journey to Luang Prabang via Boten port. We recommend packing a lunch before leaving China. You will follow customs procedures in both China and Laos—please ensure your Laos visa is arranged in advance. Upon arrival, your English-speaking guide will meet you at Luang Prabang station and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the charming city independently. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, set out on a full-day guided tour of Luang Prabang by minivan. We will visit the bustling morning market, explore ancient temples, and see war relics that reflect the city’s rich history. Discover local crafts and learn about the former Lao kingdoms at the National Museum. Luang Prabang is one of Southeast Asia’s best-preserved traditional cities and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Its peaceful atmosphere, tropical setting, and cultural heritage make it a truly captivating destination. Lunch is included. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day at your leisure in Luang Prabang. For those seeking adventure, there are optional activities available (at additional cost). You might choose a full-day cycling tour off-road across the Mekong rice fields, venturing beyond the town to quiet villages and scenic hills. This ride includes gravel and single-track paths, local snacks, encounters with water buffalo and goats, and a ferry crossing back to Luang Prabang. Alternatively, you can opt for a half-day easy jungle trek lasting around three hours. This includes transfers by vehicle and boat, a hike through lush jungle framed by karst mountains, a visit to a traditional Khmu village with lunch, and a walk to Tad Sae waterfall (which may be low or dry between February and August). Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we transfer you to the railway station for your morning train to Vientiane. Upon arrival, we will take you to your hotel in the city centre for check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and explore at your own pace. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast at the hotel, you have the day free to explore Vientiane at your own pace. This is a great opportunity to visit the city’s temples, markets, or riverside cafés, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of Laos’ capital. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your journey.