Itinerary
- Day 1
Shanghai
You'll arrive in Shanghai and make your way to the hotel at your own pace. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to spend however you'd like. Some people prefer to rest after their flight, while others head out to wander the charming streets and get a feel for the city's unique atmosphere.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Putuo)
Optional Activities
- Stroll down the charming streets of Shanghai
- Explore the unique vibe of the city
- Day 2
Shanghai
Following breakfast, you'll head to the Shanghai Museum in the old city centre. From there, it's on to Yu Garden and the old town to see the classical Ming Dynasty gardens. After grabbing lunch, you'll walk through the French Concession before strolling along the Bund. The contrast between the modernist Pudong architecture on one side and the colonial buildings on the other really shows how Shanghai has evolved.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Holiday Inn Express Putuo)
Included Activities
- Visit Shanghai Museum
- Visit Yu Garden and old town
- Explore French Concession area
- Stroll on the Bund
Landmarks Shanghai Museum Yu Garden The Bund French Concession - Day 3
Shanghai to Kunming
After breakfast, you'll take a taxi to the airport for your flight to Kunming. Once you arrive, a transfer takes you to your hotel for check-in. The afternoon and evening are at your leisure, so you can explore Kunming at your own pace and get oriented to the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kunming Wenhui Hotel)
- Day 4
Kunming to Pu'er
You'll have breakfast, then head to Kunming railway station by private transfer to board a rapid train to Pu'er. From the station, you're transferred to Nakeli village, a historic stop along the Ancient Tea-Horse Road trade route. After lunch, the day includes walking through the flower-filled village, watching a Pu'er tea-making demonstration and doing a tasting at a local family or tea workshop, then hiking the ancient Tea & Horse trail toward Pu'er city before returning to the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (James Jones Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Nakeli village on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road
- Stroll in the village
- Pu'er tea-making demonstration and degustation in a local family or tea workshop
- Short hike along the ancient Tea & Horse trail from Nakeli village towards Pu'er city
Landmarks Nakeli village Ancient Tea-Horse Road - Day 5
Pu'er to Xishuangbanna
Following breakfast, you'll head to Nannuo Mountain, which has a long history of tea cultivation. You'll hike for about 2 hours through a tea plantation with tea trees that are 200-500 years old and participate in a tea-making experience. After lunch at a local restaurant, you're transferred to Xishuangbanna, stopping at a typical Dai minority village on the way. You'll arrive in Xishuangbanna in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Empark Grand Hotel)
Included Activities
- Hike on Nannuo Mountain tea plantation (approximately 2 hours)
- Tea-making experience at Nannuo Mountain
- Visit typical village of Dai minority
Landmarks Nannuo Mountain Dai minority village - Day 6
Xishuangbanna
After breakfast, a transfer takes you to the Tropical Botanical Garden, which has over 13,000 species of tropical plants and specialized gardens. The West District has the popular Exotic Flower Garden, while the Eastern District offers old-growth tropical rainforest with hiking trails. After lunch, you'll visit Manting Park to see vines, a peacock garden, and Dai and Thai-style buildings. The day wraps up at the General Buddhist Temple (built 615) and the Gaozhuang night market along the Mekong River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Empark Grand Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Tropical Botanical Garden
- Visit Manting Park
- Visit General Buddhist Temple
- Visit Gaozhuang night market
Landmarks Tropical Botanical Garden Manting Park General Buddhist Temple Gaozhuang night market - Day 7
Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang
You'll have breakfast and then head to the railway station to board a rapid train to Luang Prabang via Boten port, crossing from China into Laos. Pack your lunch before you leave. An English-speaking guide meets you at Luang Prabang station and transfers you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to discover the charming city on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Chitdara Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Explore Luang Prabang on your own
Landmarks Boten port 
- Day 8
Luang Prabang
Following breakfast, you'll spend the full day on a guided sightseeing tour by minivan. The tour covers why Luang Prabang is called the Jewel of the Mekong, including the morning market, ancient temples, war relics, local crafts, and the history of former Lao kingdoms. You'll also visit the National Museum and see why the city is among the best-preserved traditional cities in Southeast Asia.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Chitdara Hotel)
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of Luang Prabang by minivan
- Visit morning market
- Visit ancient temples
- See war relics
- Explore local crafts
- Visit National Museum
Landmarks Luang Prabang National Museum of Laos 
- Day 9
Luang Prabang
After breakfast, the day is yours to spend in Luang Prabang however you'd like. If you're interested in adventure activities, optional excursions are available for an additional cost, but these aren't part of your standard itinerary.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Villa Chitdara Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Full-Day Biking On/Off-road Across the Mekong Rice Fields - Get out of Luang Prabang across the Mekong River to a remote area. Ride on gravel and single tracks through rice paddies and villages, see buffalo and goats, enjoy local snacks, and cross the Mekong River on a local ferry for return to Luang Prabang
- Half-Day Easy Jungle Trek, Village, Boat and Waterfall (3 hours) - Transfer by vehicle and boat to hike through jungle landscapes with Karst mountain backdrop, visit and have lunch in a traditional Khmu village, and hike to the Tad Sae waterfall
Landmarks Mekong River Tad Sae waterfall - Day 10
Luang Prabang to Vientiane
You'll have breakfast, then head to the railway station to catch a morning train to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you're transferred to the city center and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore or rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Surestay Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Explore Vientiane city center on your own
- Day 11
Vientiane
After breakfast at the hotel, the day is open for you to spend exploring Vientiane on your own. You'll have the freedom to check out whatever interests you in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Surestay Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Explore Vientiane on your own
- Day 12
Vientiane Departure
Following your final breakfast, you'll be transferred to Vientiane Airport for your departure flight.
- End point
- Wattay International Airport (VTE), Souphanouvong Rd., Vientiane Laos (Drop off at Vientiane Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
