Tailor your own adventure to explore one of the world's last unspoiled treasures. Laos is something of a rustic country trapped in a time warp. It is a country of jungles, mountains and valleys frothing with mist, and a tiny population of 4 million that includes many colourful ethnic minority tribes. Laos is also a land of saffron-robed monks and ancient temples that are still revered in a devout Buddhist society.
Trek through mountains and lush rainforests, encounter hilltribe minority villages, ride and elephant, try rock climbing on towering karst limestone cliffs, kayak or go white water rafting down pristine rivers, and explore the stunning ancient city of Luang Prabang, now a World Heritage site.
Best time to go
Laos can be visited most of the year round. The best overall time for visiting Laos is between November and March, during these months it rains the least and it is not too hot. During the hot season April to May there may be some smoke build up due to the annual slash and burn techniques used in Northern Laos.
How this holiday makes a difference
All of the accommodation featured in this tour has been chosen for its responsible environmental policies. In particular the Ban Pako Eco Lodge produces its own energy by the use of a solar cell system. Linen is not washed everyday and the lodge has responsible waste management and recycling facilities.
Similarly, accommodation at the Lao Spirit Resort has environmentally responsible policies. All of the bungalows in the resort are traditional Laotian Style Houses. They were carefully disassembled and rebuilt by experienced Laotian craftsmen on the Lao Spirit property, ensuring these wonderful antique, wooden houses a solid future. To conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions there are no electrical appliances like air conditioning or television at the resort.
The activities and accommodation in this itinerary are designed to benefit local communities in a socially responsible manner. For example, Ban Pako runs its own development program for the surrounding villages. They are helping increase the living standards of the local villagers by funding projects in the communities such as growing vegetables, farming and improving the small schools in the area. As a guest at Ban Pako a percentage of your money goes directly to the village fund.
The Organic Farm is another example of community based tourism. This community development project provides employment, information and training to preserve traditional Lao farming practices. It also sponsors the school bus project, which delivers students from 3 remote villages to the secondary schools in Vang Vieng. This tour involves trekking into some remote villages in Lao. To minimize impact on these communities and to ensure sustainable tourism is implemented a percentage of the funds raised from the treks are used to support the communities visited on a trek. A village fund is also implemented and is aimed at providing financial assistance towards improving the reforestation of the local area. The money collected trough the village fund can be used only for infrastructure such as water supply, irrigation, communication systems and related fields that profit all members of a community.
Notes
This is a tailor made holiday concept which can be adapted and tailored to meet your dates, preferences and passions. Please contact one of our bespoke holiday planners to create the ideal itinerary for you.
Sample 2 Week Itinerary
The itinerary below is just a guide to some of the amazing things you can see in Laos. A tailor made trip based on your preferred dates and destinations can also be arranged to provide you with a unique and memorable holiday.
Day 1: Welcome to Laos, Vientiane
Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon soaking in the first impressions of Vientiane. Laos is very laid back and relaxed and there is no better way to take in the sites, tastes and smells than to sit and relax in one of Vientiane’s many coffee shops and enjoy some Lao coffee while you watch life pass by at what seems to be a slower rate than the rest of the world. Overnight in Vientiane
Day 2: Vientiane. City tour by car or tuk tuk
Rise early in the morning to witness the amazing ritual precession of monks through Vientiane collecting alms. Reward your early start by visiting the morning markets where you can taste some of South East Asia’s fruits and look for handicrafts. Later you will visit That Luang Pha (Great Stupa in Lao). That Luang is a Buddhists stupa in Vientiane and is very important to the Laoation people. This massive stupa is covered in gold leaf. The gilded structure reflects marvelously in the midday sunlight. The next stop on the tour will be the Patsoxay. The patsoxay is a large monument reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe. It has four archways (rather than the two in the Arc de Triumphe). It was built in the 1960’s with US purchased cement that was supposed to have been used for the construction of a new airport, it is sometimes known as the “vertical runway”. The next stop will be a visit to Wat Si Saket the oldest standing temple in Vientiane. The walls of the Wat are riddled with small niches that contain over 2000 silver and ceramic Buddha’s. Overnight in Vientiane
Day 3: Vientiane – Ban Pako Eco Resort.
Drive from Vientiane to Ban Somsamai. Here you will take a short boat ride across the river to Ban Pako Eco Lodge. Ban Pako is an ecotourism lodge located on the Nam Ngum river, about 50 km from Vientiane. There are numerous activities for you to do at this Eco Lodge from kayaking, jungle walks and even enjoying a herbal sauna. Once you arrive at Ban Pako you can immerse yourself in the surrounding jungle or simply relax nearby the river. Overnight in Bungalow at the Ban Pako Resort
Day 4: Ban Pako Eco Resort
Today you will take a boat ride downstream to Ban Thaxang. We will visit a temple and the village at Ban Thaxang. Here you will be able to see traditional Lao homes and experience the village way of life. For lunch enjoy some tasty Lao food at the village. Overnight in Bungalow at the Ban Pako Resort
Day 5: Lao Pako Resort
Phou Khao Khouay. After a short drive, we will arrive at the perfect destination for trekking into the Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area. Phou Khao Khouay is one of Laos’ most beautiful nature reserves. This extensive sandstone mountain range is only 40 km northeast of Vientiane. It has been a designated “National Protected Area” since 1993. Phou Khao Khouay is home to some remarkable wildlife (Asian Black Bear, Sun Bear, wild dog (Jackal and Dhole), Southern Serow, Clouded Leopard, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Phayre’s Langur, White-cheeked Gibbon, Rhesus and Pig-tailed Macaque, civets and otters inhabit the national reserve). With the exception of elephants, most of these animals are rarely seen. Two herds of Asian Elephant live inside the park. One small herd lives in the north-eastern part of the park and the other group can be seen roaming near Ban Na in the southern periphery of the park. At the Elephant Tower Observation Deck you will get an opportunity to see the southern group of elephants. Overnight in Homestay in Ban Na
Day 6: Phou Khao Khouay - Vang Vieng
Drive by minivan from Phou Khao Khouay to Vang Vieng. This drive is a very scenic drive and takes you to some of the most beautiful country side in Laos. After settling in we will visit the Vang Vieng Organic Farm. The farm is located in the village of Phoudindaeng, about 3 km north of Vang Vieng in northern Laos. The Organic Farm was founded in 1996 to introduce organic farming methods in an area where chemicals and deforestation were ruining the land. At the farm you will have an opportunity to see some of the traditional farming methods as well as taste some of the fresh produce. Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 7: Vang Vieng
Enjoy a day of activities. Vang Vieng is one of the best places in South East Asia to go rock climbing, and is fast becoming the place to go for adventure travelers. Other activities such as kayaking and caving can also be arranged. For those who are a little less adventurous why not just relax in a rubber tube and take a ride down the river. Overnight in Vang Vieng
Day 8: Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang
Drive by minivan to Luang Prabang. (About 6 – 7 hours drive). Along the way you will see many tribal villages hugging the hill tops, cloud-shrouded mountain peaks and lush green rice terraces. Arrive late afternoon and check in to your hotel (there is a broad choice of options). After settling in there are a range of options for you to fill in the afternoon and evening. We will discover one of the highlights of Luang Prabang by climbing up the Phousi mountain to see the beautiful view of Luang Prabang from the top. In the evening you can make a visit to the night markets. Sample some of Laos famous Laap, (a Lao salad of mince meat, lime juice, garlic, chilies and coriander) or go shopping for some truly unique handicrafts. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 9: Luang Prabang: City tour
A World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang is a charming town renowned for its high concentration of Buddhist temples and attendant army of saffron-robed monks. Many of the temples are very old and highly ornately decorated, and all of them offer an extraordinary aura of tranquility and calm. This day tour will take you to see some of the most beautiful temples and to meet some of the monks who live in them. Some of the temples of interest are Wat Xieng Thong. Situated on the northern tip of the peninsular formed by the Mekong and Nam Khan River this temple is a magnificent example of Lao architecture. Wat That Luang is another example of Lao styled temples. It dates back to 1818 and holds the ashes of one of Laos’s kings. King Sisavang Vong. Today we will also visit the former Royal Palace. Built in 1904 to house King Sisavang Vong’s family the palace houses some important artifacts and relics from Laos’s history. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 10: Nature and jungle experience
Biking to the Elephant Camp, (or a tuk tuk for the less adventurous). Today you will enjoy a scenic 15 km ride to the Elephant camp. When we arrive at the camp you will go elephant riding. The Elephant Park Project is located about 15 km from Luang Prabang. It was established in 2003 to protect the Asian elephants in Laos. The Elephant Park project is home to seven female Asian ex-logging elephants. Experienced mahouts (elephant keepers) and vets help the elephants adapt to their new environment. Sick and old elephants are given special attention. The elephants can enjoy a comfortable retirement by receiving professional medical care, nutritious food, caring staff, and a natural environment. In the afternoon you can visit Tad Sae Waterfall for a refreshing swim. You can often see Elephants bathing at this waterfall. Overnight at the Lao Spirit Resort a comfortable ecolodge located on the river bank facing across to the elephant camp.
Day 11: Trekking with Fair Trek (6–7 hours trek)
Fair Trek, a joint project between Luang Prabang Provincial Tourism Office, and 7 rural villages in Luang Prabang. It is designed to build community involvement and the philosophies of fair play and sustainable tourism into the tourism industry in Luang Prabang. On the first day you will trek about 2 hours through forest to reach a Khamu village. The Khamu practice an animistic religion. In their native homeland Khamu shamans are considered to be excellent magico-religious practitioners and often participate in Laotian ceremonies. The Khmu are settled agriculturists and practice slash-and-burn or swidden farming. Agriculture is the main source of food, supplemented by gathering, hunting, trapping and fishing. Some Khmu keep domestic animals, but these are used for sacrifices more often than for food. Rice is the staple and there are many varieties, all of them glutinous. Other crops include corn, bananas, sugar cane and a wide variety of vegetables. Lunch will be at a Hmong village a short trek from the Khamu village. The Hmong have played a very important part in Lao history. In Laos, a significant number of Hmong people fought against the communist-nationalist Pathet Lao during the Secret War. When the Pathet Lao took over the government in 1975, Hmong people were singled out for retribution, and tens of thousands fled to Thailand for political asylum. After lunch we will trek a little further before reaching another Khamu village where you will stay overnight. Overnight in homestay in village
Day 12: Trekking with Fair Trek (4–5 hours trek)
Today you will rise early with the villagers to see their daily routines. After breakfast we will start the second days trek. This trek will take you through forests, small villages and scenic hills and will bring you to two different Khamu and Hmong villages. On this day there is the possibility of kayaking back to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 13: Depart Luang Prabang
Free time before your flight. Transfer to airport
