A tale of two rivers

Start your Thailand and Laos adventure in buzzing Bangkok. The Mandarin Oriental is a serene base for an indulgent stay, with an unrivalled location on the banks of the city's beating heart, the Chao Phraya River. The surrounding neighbourhood, Charoenkrung, has a bohemian edge and is also well known for its antiques.

Hop onto the express boat upriver to take in the bustling parade of vessels, before enjoying a riverside drink opposite the Wat Arun temple. At the hotel itself, your personal Travel Counsellor can book one of the rooms or suites that allows you to wake up and watch the city’s waterway from your bed. A treatment at the award-winning Oriental Spa or afternoon tea in the elegant Author’s Wing comes highly recommended.

Slow down in Thailand’s Golden Triangle

Far north of Bangkok, Chiang Rai offers a complete counterpoint to the thrill of Thailand’s capital. The emphasis at Four Seasons Tented Camp is very much on taking you off-grid and slowing down. It helps that the breezy safari-style tents are absolutely stunning, rustic yet elegant, and slap bang in the heart of jungle, mountain, and river. You’ll arrive in style, too, travelling by traditional longtail boat to the camp’s dedicated pier, giving you time to pause and admire the beauty of the famous Golden Triangle.

Take to the surrounding hiking trails for walks through rice fields to thundering waterfalls, or join a guided trip to Camp Peak each morning for the life-giving sunrise.

Set sail along the Mekong

Across the border in Laos is a chance to take a meandering trip down one of the world’s most iconic rivers. Flowing from the Tibetan plateau to its vast delta in Vietnam, the Mekong River breathes life into the region, its banks home to some of Laos's most beautiful villages. Board the grass-roofed Gypsy, a beautiful two-cabin boat in Chiang Kong, ahead of a three-day adventure.

Surrender to the flow and watch the world go by from your cabin while sipping champagne as you head to Pak Tha, where you’ll moor up and enjoy dinner on the beach at sunset.

Indulge yourself on board

As the world passes by, the Gypsy has plenty to help you unwind from the day-to-day and feel at one with the Mekong. One of our favourites is stretching out with an onboard yoga session, immersing yourself in the sounds of nature around you. You can also hop onto dry land to explore Ban Houy Phalam, a Kamu village renowned for weaving and scarves. Here, you can buy souvenirs or try your hand at this complex local skill.

Sail on to Pak Beng, where you can explore a local elephant encampment and meet people from the Indigenous Hmong, who have called this corner of Laos home for millennia.

Explore the cultural centre of Laos

Luang Prabang’s Buddhist heritage has made this one of the world’s most renowned UNESCO-protected destinations. Its golden temples and Royal Palace are ripe for exploration, and we can arrange for a leading expert on Laos architecture to join you on a guided tour.

Explore the surrounding countryside and swim at Kuang Si waterfall before heading back to the Rosewood Luang Prabang, a luxurious hotel with stunning tented villas. Here, you can meditate with Noi, the resident monk, and wake early for almsgiving in Phanom, where you can give local monks their daily food far away from the large crowds that throng Luang Prabang’s streets at daybreak.

Suggested itinerary

Thailand and Laos are the perfect destinations for a wellness holiday. This Mekong itinerary includes stays at some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, plus Four Seasons’ luxurious tented camp in the Golden Triangle. This is glamping at its very finest, offering elegant tents with en-suite bathrooms and astounding views over the Ruak River and jungles of Myanmar. You’ll get to the heart of both countries, sailing along the Mekong to visit villages, markets, and temples en route. Watch the world slide by, enjoy expert-led tours, and book treatments in the hotels’ luxurious spas.

Travel style

Sailing on Mekong Kingdom’s Gypsy is unlike any other river cruise. This 41-metre long, 4.1-metre wide boat only accommodates four passengers across two cabins, with five crew on hand. Each cabin has a private balcony, air conditioning, and en-suite shower room, and you will moor up and eat on the banks of the river as night falls. Transfers, tours, and internal flights are also included to make the most of your time in Thailand and Laos.