In the Realm of the Mekong River

Fifteen days from northeastern Thailand into Laos and back, following one of the great rivers of the world. Khon Kaen starts and finishes it, which keeps the flights simple on a trip that covers two countries.

Vientiane comes first across the border, a capital with the atmosphere of a large town, then Vang Vieng, where limestone karst towers rise straight out of the paddy fields. Luang Prabang follows with a rest day, and it earns it: the old royal capital sits on a peninsula between two rivers, holds dozens of gilded temples, and is UNESCO listed for a townscape that blends Lao and French colonial building.

Nong Khiaw comes next, and the route then follows the Mekong itself. The river runs nearly five thousand kilometres from the Tibetan plateau to the South China Sea, and the Laos section is the least developed part of it, with roads along the banks that are slow, rough in places and consistently beautiful. The route then crosses back west into the mountains of northern Thailand for a rest day at Nan before the loop closes.

Edelweiss include a choice of BMW motorcycle, fourteen nights in comfortable star-rated hotels, a guide and a tour book. Flights are separate and the inclusions are not itemised in full on the operator’s page. Prices run from 7,120 to 7,500 euros per person for 2026. Laos has very little tourist infrastructure outside Luang Prabang and Vientiane, which is precisely why riding it with an operator who knows the roads makes sense, and why it still feels like travelling rather than visiting.