The Golden Triangle & The Mekong River Adventure - 14 Days / 13 Nights

The lands around the forest-crowned mountains at the confluence of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos have long been known as the Golden Triangle. Once home to insurgent armies and opium smugglers these lands are now a safe but still exciting and incredibly atmospheric and interesting, not to mention beautiful, place to visit.

Traveling at the unhurried pace of the Mekong itself, your voyage will have you admiring traditional crafts, tasting authentic regional cuisine, and relaxing among unspoiled wild scenery. And all along the way, whether in urban centers or remote jungle outposts, you'll be treated to some of the finest luxury and boutique accommodation in Asia.

Your tour will begin in Bangkok, where you'll be introduced to the charms of Thai culture as you savor local dishes and stroll through majestic temples. Highlights of your visit will include a tour of a private art collection and a visit to the former Siamese capital of Ayutthata.

Flying north, you'll touch down in Chiang Rai, your base for exploring the Golden Triangle. After an exhilarating day of riding an elephant through bamboo forests, you'll slip into comfort in the lavish surrounds of the Anantara Resort.

Cross the border into Laos and climb on board for a once in a lifetime cruise into the wilds of Northern Laos. After stopping at hill-tribe villages and Buddhist shrines, you'll arrive in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is widely considered to be the most charming city in Southeast Asia.

Your next destination will be Xieng Khouang, in the Plain of Jars. Archeologists have long wondered about the ancient civilization that left behind these massive stone urns, and with the help of your knowledgable Exotissimo guide you'll soon be unraveling the mystery for yourself.

Finally, you'll arrive in Vientiane, an easy-going capital of graceful temples and wide tree-lined boulevards. There, your journey will come to an end as you're lulled into the relaxed pace of the city at the sumptuous Settha Palace Hotel.