Day 1
Meet at Bangkok central train station at 1730 Hrs. Board on the night sleeper train going to Nong Khai, a border town with Laos in the north east. Dinner and sleep on the train.

Day 2 < LD >
Arrive Nong Khai at about 0840 Hrs. Pick up at the train station and transfer to the Thai-Lao border bridge. Cross the bridge to Lao side and drive to Vientiane. Continue to Vang Vieng ( located 170 km north of Vientiane ). Lunch and visit the caves and Hmong village. Dinner and overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 3 < BLD >
After breakfast visit the market and temples. Drive to Nam Ngum Dam Lake ( 90 km to the south ). Visit the village of the fishermen at Ban Houi Mo. Lunch at Nam Ngum Dam. Boat ride on the lake for one hour. Dinner and overnight at Nam Ngum Dam Lake.

Day 4 < BLD >
Breakfast. Sightseeing around Nam Ngum lake and drive to Vientiane ( 90 km to the south ). On the way visit Vangxang, a small archaeological site dating back to 12th century. Lunch in Vientiane. Afternoon sightseeing I Vientiane includes: Vat PraKeo ( a 16th century Temple ), Vat SisaKet ( an oldest temple in Vientiane ), That Luang ( the most impressive and biggest stupa in Laos ), etc.
Dinner and overnight in Vientiane.

Day 5 < BL >
After breakfast visit weaving village Ban Nong Boua Thong, the market. After lunch visit the Buddha park near the Thai-Lao border bridge. Transfer to the border bridge. Cross to Thailand side and transfer to the Nong Khai train station.
Board on the night sleeper train going to Bangkok. Dinner and sleep on the train.

Day 6
Arrive Bangkok train station at about 0800 Hrs. End of the trip.

Hotel extra single charge is US$ 27. 1 FOC, in twin sharing room,  for 16 paying persons.

Hotels used ( all are standard middle class ) :
Vietiane : Duang Deuang Hotel Twin Room [or] similar hotel
Vang Vieng : Nam Xong Hotel Twin Room [or] similar hotel
Nam Ngum Lake : Electricity Company Guesthouse Twin Room

Included in the cost are :
- Bangkok~Nong Khai Round Trip Sleeper Train Ticket
- Transfer from and to Nong Khai train station by tuk tuk
- All transports in Laos: air-con car, boat
- Hotel accommodations in twin sharing rooms as mentioned
- Meals in Laos as per the itinerary
- Sightseeing and entrance fees in Laos
- Foreign language speaking local guide in Laos
Language available are English, French, German, Thai. For Japanese speaking guide please add US$ 30/Day/Group.

Not included in the cost are :
- Laos visa fees
- Transport in Bangkok
- Expenses of the personal nature such as beverage, laundry, phone.

Lao visa can be obtained on arrival Lao side of the Thai-Lao border bridge. You need to have a valid passport ( valid till 6 months after the Lao visit ), 1 color photo and a fee of US$ 30.

Note :
2nd Class Night Sleeper Train Ticket :
Sleeping berth in the air-conditioned or fan car.

1st Class Night Sleeper Train Ticket :
Two persons private air-conditioned compartment with sleeping berths. If there is only one person in the compartment there will be an additional cost of US$ 65.

The transport between Bangkok and Vientiane can be changed to air flights or special air-conditioned bus ride ( to Nong Khai ), or the whole trip can be combined with a tour to north eastern Thailand: Nong Khai, Udom Thani and / or the national parks. Or the trip can be extended to include Luang Prabang, etc. Please email us to get a new itinerary with cost to suit your needs.

Booking should be done about a month or more ahead. During the time of long holidays in Thailand ( middle of April "Thai new year", December X-mas holidays and other Buddhist holidays ) the booking should be done well ahead to get the right train or bus tickets.