Choosing a Stray Asia Pass
How It Works » Choosing a Stray Asia Pass
HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE YOUR PASS?
Depending on your time and situation - you can choose to use your Stray pass as a bus tour whereby you basically stay with the bus the whole journey - doing all the cool things along the way... or if you have time you can really explore northern Thailand and Laos, get to know the locals and then just hop back on the bus whenever you want.
Originating in Bangkok:
Our most popular passes The Full Moon and The Big Wat passes include northern Thailand and transverse Laos from north to south. They require a minimum of 16 and 18 days minimum respectively and there is a free day in Chiang Mai. You can get the complete picture in 3 to 4 weeks by taking the Full Moon / Big Wat, stopping in Luang Prabang to take the Long Thaang pass into Hua Phan and Xieng Khuang provinces, and then hopping back on the Full Moon / Big Wat through southern Laos returning to Bangkok.
The main difference between The Full Moon and The Big Wat is that The Big Wat comes back to Bangkok via Cambodia, whereas The Full Moon comes back through Ubon Ratchathani. We recommend The Big Wat as for around $20 extra you get another 2 nights in Cambodia (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap).
The Tom Yum and Tang Tai passes both conveniently start and finish in Bangkok, but concentrate on the highlights of northern Thailand and Laos, or southern Laos respectively.
Joining in Laos:
For those wishing to start in Laos, the Dtui (all of Laos), Boun (northern Laos) and Phone (southern Laos) passes allow you to start anywhere along the route and take a full circle. Choose any of the Noy passes, smaller versions and you will be travelling one way south, from Huay Xai on the Dtui and Boun, from Vientiane on the Phone.
The Long Thaang pass, to and from Luang Prabang includes more off-the-beaten-track towns such as Vieng Xai with the Pathet Lao caves, and Phonsavan’s famous Plain of Jars. This is a great trip on its own or a excellent addition to any of the passes. It takes you further into the heart of Laos and you’ll have experiences that are impossible on your own.
If your stay in Laos is limited and you like the adrenalin, then the Noy Noy lets you blast your way from the old capital, Luang Prabang to the new capital Vientiane, but don’t get stuck tubing your whole trip!