Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang

Our local guide with MinivanLuangPrabang's minivan tour service will collect you from the airport, or from your hotel.

Chiang Mai is a former capital of the kingdom of Lan Na, from the 13th century until the mid 18th century. It was also known as the Kingdom of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is now a busy city with a thriving tourist industry, and many sights and activities - a few details below.

There are very many temples in Chiang Mai and only the most dedicated temple devotee would visit every single one! A few of the more popular and important ones are shown below.

Your local guide in our minivan will collect you from your hotel in Chiang Mai for a journey of 3 hours, direct, to Chiang Rai.

Chiang Rai is also a former capital city of the Lan Na region, founded by King Mengrai in the 13th century before moving his capital to Chiang Mai.

This is the region of the Golden Triangle, a former opium growing area. There are museums in the area telling of the Golden Triangle days, but now the agriculture is of a conventional kind.

As in Chiang Mai, there are several temples and of special note is the Jade Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew, a replica (nearly) of the Emerald Buddha, now situated in Bangkok in a temple of the same name in the Grand Palace complex.

After a night in Chiang Rai travel to Chiang Khong and  cross the Friendship Bridge to Houay Xai in Laos. For those who need a visa for Laos one can be obtained on arrival; a passport size photo and US dollars (the amount varies depending on your nationality - around $40 should suffice) will be needed. Our local guide will be able to advise you.

Houay Xai

Houay Xai is a small town which serves largely as a border crossing for people wishing to travel further into Laos, either by  vehicle or by boat.

Luxury Mekong Cruise to Luang Prabang

Join your cruise boat in the morning for a two day cruise to Luang Prabang accompanied by our local guide, stopping overnight at Pakbeng. On the boat lunch is provided each day, and water, hot drinks and fruit are available all day. Just sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving!

During the cruise the boat will stop at one or two local villages and at the Pak Ou Caves. 

On your arrival in Luang Prabang our local guide will escort you to a team of porters who will carry your luggage up the steep and long flight of steps to your waiting minivan, before leaving for your hotel.

MinivanLuangPrabang specialises in arranging custom guided tours in Luang Prabang and throughout Laos for small groups and families by private hire minivan with driver, and our tour operator will do his best to accommodate all of your wishes. Self guided tours with our English speaking driver are also available.