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Intrepid Travel · Escorted small group tour

China & Laos: Kunming to Bangkok by Rail

Eleven-day rail journey from Kunming to Bangkok through China and Laos.

Illustration of China & Laos: Kunming to Bangkok by Rail

This 11-day escorted tour operated by Intrepid Travel carries small groups by rail from Kunming, China, to Bangkok, Thailand, crossing through Laos on four separate high-speed rail journeys and one overnight sleeper. A local leader guides the group throughout, arranging orientation walks in Kunming, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane, and leading activities such as a tea-farm visit in a Hani village, a Mekong River cruise to sacred Pak Ou Caves, and kayaking through limestone karst on the Nam Song River. Day 3 highlights the experience: a climb through pu'er tea plantations on Nannuo Mountain to an 800-year-old tea tree, followed by leaf plucking, tasting, and a home-cooked lunch with the host family. The tour suits first-time rail travellers exploring Southeast Asia, food-and-wine enthusiasts eager to sample Yunnan cuisine and night markets, and history buffs interested in temples and wartime heritage. Nights are spent in modest hotels; the final night before arrival in Bangkok is spent aboard the overnight train in a multi-share bunk compartment.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of AUD 3,088 covers accommodation, most meals, and rail travel; international flights, visas, travel insurance, and optional activities are extra.
  • Most hotel locations in Jinghong, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane, and Bangkok are listed as unspecified; confirm exact properties with Intrepid Travel before booking.
  • Only five breakfasts and two lunches are included; dinner and many other meals are not covered, though the itinerary identifies night markets and restaurants as options.
  • Single supplement (AUD 750, excluding the overnight train) applies; the overnight train uses multi-share bunk compartments.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Kunming

    Kunming

    Welcome to China. Welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Explore Yunnan's capital: wander Green Lake Park, check out The Loft galleries and cafes, or visit Yuantong Temple. Optional dinner to sample Yunnan cuisine including crossing-the-bridge noodles.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Jinghong

    Jinghong

    Take the first high-speed train from Kunming to Jinghong (approx. 5 hours), arriving around midday. Orientation walk with leader then free time. Optional visit to Manting Park (former royal garden of the Dai Empire, 1300+ years of history). Evening visit to the Starlight Night Market beneath the Golden Pagoda to sample Dai delicacies.

  3. Day 3overnight: Jinghong

    Jinghong

    Private vehicle to Nannuo Mountain to visit a local Hani village. Short hike (~1.5 hours) through pu'er tea plantations, see an 800-year-old tea tree, pluck leaves and enjoy a tasting. Share a home-cooked lunch on banana leaves with the host family. Return to Jinghong; free afternoon.

    Meals: Lunch

  4. Day 4railovernight: Luang Prabang

    Luang Prabang (Border Crossing)

    Bullet train across the border to Luang Prabang (approx. 5 hours). Orientation walk in this UNESCO-listed city. Free time then sunset walk on sacred Wat Phu Si hill. Optional dinner at Talad Mued Night Market to try sindad (traditional communal BBQ).

  5. Day 5overnight: Luang Prabang

    Luang Prabang

    Half-day Mekong River cruise (approx. 3 hours travel) to Pak Ou Caves – sacred limestone caverns with hundreds of Buddha statues. Lunch on the boat returning to Luang Prabang. Optional visit to Kuang Si Waterfall. Evening free to explore the night market.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  6. Day 6railovernight: Vang Vieng

    Vang Vieng

    Early rise to witness the traditional alms giving ceremony. Optional visit to a local fair trade centre to make a bamboo basket. Afternoon bullet train to Vang Vieng (approx. 2 hours). Arrive late afternoon; dinner at a local restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7overnight: Vang Vieng

    Vang Vieng

    Morning kayaking on the Nam Song River (~2 hours) with limestone cliff backdrop and mini rapids. Rest stop at Phar Norn (Sleeping Cave) for karst views. Free afternoon – optional visit to Tham Chang cavern or explore by bike.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: Vientiane

    Vientiane

    Relaxed morning then train to Vientiane (approx. 2 hours), arriving afternoon. Leader orientation walk. Explore faded mansions, tree-lined boulevards and old temples by foot, bike or tuk-tuk. Optional evening night market.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9railovernight: Overnight Train

    Vientiane / Overnight Train

    Morning visit to Wat Si Saket (city's oldest standing temple, ~7000 Buddha images) and COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise) to learn about UXO history. Relax before transfer to Nong Khai for the overnight train to Bangkok (~14 hours travel). Multi-share air-conditioned compartments with bunk beds, sheets and pillow provided.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Bangkok

    Bangkok

    Arrive in Bangkok early morning. Use multi-share rooms to freshen up. Free day to explore: Chinatown, Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Khao San Road, Thai massage. Optional farewell dinner with group.

  11. Day 11

    Bangkok

    No activities planned. Trip ends; free to depart any time after checkout. Option to extend stay in Bangkok.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2High-speed train from Kunming to Jinghong takes approximately 5 hours, arriving midday in Yunnan's tropical south.
  • Day 3Visit a Hani village on Nannuo Mountain to pluck leaves from an 800-year-old pu'er tea tree, learn preparation methods, and share a home-cooked lunch with the host family.
  • Day 4The China-Laos Railway bullet train crosses the border from Jinghong to Luang Prabang in approximately 5 hours, one of the first international high-speed rail routes outside Europe.
  • Day 5Half-day Mekong River cruise to Pak Ou Caves reveals sacred limestone caverns filled with hundreds of timeworn Buddha statues.
  • Day 9Overnight train from Nong Khai to Bangkok, approximately 14 hours in multi-share air-conditioned sleeper compartments with bunk beds.

Included

  • Hotel accommodation (9 nights)
  • Overnight train accommodation (1 night)
  • 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches
  • Private vehicle transfers
  • High speed train travel (Kunming–Jinghong, Jinghong–Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang–Vang Vieng, Vang Vieng–Vientiane)
  • Overnight train (Nong Khai–Bangkok)
  • Boat (Mekong River cruise)
  • Jinghong – Starlight Night Market visit
  • Nannuo Mountain – Hani family lunch
  • Nannuo Mountain – Pu'er tea making
  • Nannuo Mountain – Pu'er tea farm hike and visit
  • Luang Prabang – Wat Phu Si sunset walk
  • Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves
  • Luang Prabang – Mekong River Cruise (Half Day)
  • Luang Prabang – Alms giving ceremony
  • Vang Vieng – Nam Song River kayaking
  • Vientiane – Leader orientation walk
  • Vientiane – Wat Si Saket visit
  • Vientiane – COPE visit
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not listed in inclusions
  • Personal expenses
  • Single supplement (available from AUD $750, excluding overnight train)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of AUD 3,088 includes all high-speed rail (Kunming to Jinghong, Jinghong to Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, Vang Vieng to Vientiane) and the overnight train from Nong Khai to Bangkok. International flights are not included.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
Escorted. Intrepid Travel provides a local leader throughout the 11 days. The tour includes orientation walks in each city, guided activities such as the Mekong cruise and kayaking, and group meals at selected restaurants.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
Moderate. There is a short hike of approximately 1.5 hours through tea plantations on Nannuo Mountain, kayaking for approximately 2 hours on the Nam Song River, and daily orientation walks with stairs in temples and parks. Walking is manageable for most fitness levels.
What accommodation will I have on the overnight train?
Multi-share air-conditioned sleeper compartments with bunk beds. Sheets and pillows are provided. The overnight journey from Nong Khai to Bangkok takes approximately 14 hours.
What is included in the price and what is extra?
Included: 9 nights hotel accommodation, 1 night on the overnight train, 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, all rail travel, private vehicle transfers, and guided activities (Mekong cruise, kayaking, temple visits, tea farm visit, alms ceremony). Not included: international flights, visas, travel insurance, meals not listed, optional activities, and personal expenses.
When does this tour run?
Intrepid Travel offers 28 departures between July 2026 and October 2028, with dates in July, August, September, October, March, April, May, and June across these three years.

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