• Guesthouse (7 nts), Hotel (6 nts)

• Boat, Songthaew, Bus, Tuk-Tuk, Private minibus

Day 1 Hanoi

Shaded boulevards, public parks and blocks of ochre buildings are telling remainders of a French-colonial past, but Hanoi also hums with the buzz of a modern city. Jump straight into the fray by exploring the tangle of city streets on foot.

Day 2 Vinh

Spend a night in the border town of Vinh, checking out the market for fresh Vietnamese dinner options.

Days 3-4 Vientiane

Slow down to the pace of Laos' capital, sleepy Vientiane, where the colourful market stays open all day and dusty riverside paths are packed with friendly children, dogs and chickens. A great way to round off a day of sightseeing is by dining at one of the stilt restaurants set up high above the Mekong.

Days 5-7 Vang Vieng

Be wowed by the gorgeous setting of Vang Vieng, which is surrounded by stunning limestone karst mountains. Relax in a chilled out cafe or dive into the river to escape the heat.

Days 8-10 Luang Prabang

The jewel in Laos' crown, Luang Prabang, is bursting at the seams with temples and French colonial architecture. Climb to the top of Phu Si at sunset for magical views over the town or hop onto a jumbo to visit the gorgeous Kuang Si Falls.

Day 11 Mekong River

Float gently down the Mekong on a riverboat, travelling with local passengers and docking at tiny Pak Beng for the night.

Day 12 Chiang Khong

Cruise further down the Mekong and cross the Thai border. Overnight in Chiang Khong, which is an important market town for the surrounding region.

Days 13-14 Chiang Mai

Home to over 300 temples and a massive night market, Thailand's northern gem, Chiang Ma, is packed full of things to see and do. Indulge in a traditional Thai massage, take a lesson at a cooking school or perhaps learn the secrets of kickboxing.