Group members from across Canada gather in Toronto or Vancouver on Wednesday evening and fly to Bangkok losing a day en-route.

Group members are en-route to Bangkok.

Upon arrival at the Bangkok airport, we will be met by a local representative and transferred to our hotel. The balance of day is free until we gather for our welcome dinner. Chatrium Hotel Riverside (3 nights)

This morning we visit Bangkok’s busy Chinatown area. This popular area is a food haven with many local vendors selling various cuisine and ingredients. After strolling through the neighbourhood we are in for a traditional Yum Cha (light lunch) made of tea and dim sum dishes. Next we explore the klongs (canals) by boat. Cruise along the Chao Phraya River and take in the variety of landscapes and atmospheres the city’s different neighbourhoods offer. We shall stop at the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) whose towering spire has become an iconic symbol of Bangkok. This evening we learn about and then try our hand at Thai cooking. Be sure to pay attention as the food that we prepare will be our dinner.

Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years. Within the city can be found many ancient ruins left by the 33 kings of five dynasties that ruled until the kingdom was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. Visit the Summer Palace of King Rama V with its mixture of Thai, Chinese, and gothic architecture. We return to Bangkok by boat on the Chao Phraya River.

Today we fly to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. This area is famous for its colourful hill tribe communities. Our tour today will introduce us to the amazing cultures of the Akha and the Yao people. The Akha originate from Tibet and are known for the colourful costumes and the unique handicrafts they produce. The Yao hail from southern China and at one time held considerable prestige in the Chinese empire. The Riverie by Katathani (2 nights)

Today we travel north into the mountains and an area famous for tea plantations. Visit local Chinese Yunnan villages and enjoy spectacular views. Terraced tea plantations dot the countryside and will offer us a chance to sample some local tea in the traditional way. This evening we are back in Chiang Rai and shall visit the night bazaar for a chance to shop at the local stalls for hill tribe crafts, clothes, local art, and more.

Today we travel overland into the fabled Golden Triangle, once the center of the opium industry, it is today a thriving farming region. Our highlight visit will be to the Opium Museum which provides fascinating insights into this region and the drug that once dominated the economy. Visit the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak that watches over the banks of the Mekong. This afternoon we embark our riverboat. After settling in, we can enjoy the spacious decks and lounge and enjoy dinner on board. rv Mekong Pearl (10 nights)

This morning our grand voyage on the mighty Mekong River really gets underway, with our departure from the Golden Triangle region, where Myanmar (Burma), Laos and Thailand meet. Today’s destination is the nearby Laotian town of Huay Xay on the Laotian-Thai border, where we will officially enter the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos. Our voyage then takes us into northern Laos amid stunning scenery and on to a small Laotian village. Here we enjoy a long-tail boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a village of the ethnic minority Khmu. Then we continue downstream aboard our cruise ship and anchor at a sand or river bank.

The river traffic increases as we pass through a densely populated region accessible only by water. Here we will discover some of this still-untamed river’s most beautiful landscapes: hills covered with tropical vegetation, dramatic rock formations, and a fascinating mixture of fast currents and more placid stretches of river. The power of the mighty Mekong lends our cruise the feeling of a real expedition. Relax on deck, in your cabin, or in the lounge and absorb the remoteness of these spectacular surroundings.

Relax on board as we cruise the river, passing rapids and jungle clad hills. Visit a small riverside village and see their local distillery. From there we can choose to take a short trek through the jungle or travel by boat to the outpost of Pak Ou, and the caves that hold thousands of sacred Buddha statues. Nearby we may be able to see elephants in action.

Today you reach Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a city walk to the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple with its gold-trimmed tile roofs, which leave you in awe. In the evening, walk up Phousi Hill (approx. 350 steps), which offers a spectacular view over the Mekong as well as the Khan river and the surrounding mountains. Enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colourful night market of the local Hmong minority.

Those willing can rise early and observe the morning alms round with a thousand monks collecting their daily meal in the streets. After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the city including the National Museum of Luang Prabang which is situated in the former Royal Palace, as well as a local handicraft village. This afternoon has been left free for you to explore the city further. This evening, we gather for dinner with Baci ceremony.

In the early morning we are once again able to observe the traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang Prabang. After breakfast on board we cruise downriver before reaching the famous Kuang Si Falls by tuk-tuks. Enjoy the natural pools and pause in another small village. We then head south and pass through the huge Xayaburi Hydro Dam. It provides much needed power to Laos and nearby Thailand as well as a way to control water levels along the river. This evening we enjoy a BBQ dinner in a beautiful riverside location.

After an easy hike through pristine nature we explore a hidden cave that few travellers have seen. This afternoon, relax on the sun deck as you take in the beautiful views passing by or attend a fascinating presentation on the culture and history of Laos.

Enjoy the vistas and natural beauty along the river as the scenery becomes more and more spectacular. Take in the sights of hills covered with tropical vegetation, awe-inspiring rock formations and a diverse array of rapid currents and slow rivulets. Later in the day, we will visit the delightful town of Salakham before cruising south to the capital of Laos.

Our final day of cruising sees us once again cruising through dramatic and fast moving channels before entering the cultivated plains surrounding Vientiane. Our final stop is the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Here we shall visit the Pha That Luang Temple, the Lao national symbol, as well as the Arc de Triomphe. Tonight is our farewell dinner on board.

All too soon our fascinating cruise along the upper Mekong comes to an end. After breakfast we disembark and begin our journey home. Novotel Bangkok Airport (1 night)