Spirit of Laos
After an initial exploration of Thailand, we cross into Laos, where we move through the length and breadth of the country. Stepping back in time, we seek out ancient jungle temples, travel the Mekong by longboat, and seek out remote tribal villages.
AMONGST THE HILL TRIBES
Leaving Bangkok behind, we fly to the northern Thai hill town of Chiang Rai, before crossing to Ban Houei Sai in Laos. A stunning bus journey through thick jungle leads us to Luang Namtha; from here we set out by road and on foot into the stamping ground of the local hill tribes. We come across Iko, Kamu, Lamet, Van and Yuan communities - most of whom are isolated, self-sufficient and often governed by customs and rituals that appear timeless.
LUANG PRABANG & PLAIN OF JARS
Continuing by motorised craft, we visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves, before disembarking at the atmospheric mountain town of Luang Prabang, on the banks of the Mekong. Here we admire the treasures and architectural intricacies of the Royal Palace and temples. Even just wandering around its dreamy streets, you'll enjoy the Shangri-La ambience of Luang Prabang - its tranquility and mysticism all the more tangible in the outlying villages, where animism is still widely practised. We also ponder over the archaeological puzzle of the colossal 2000-year-old stone jars, scattered over a remote grassy plateau.
ADVENTURES IN SOUTHERN LAOS
After exploring the sleepy capital, Vientiane, we fly south to Pakse, where we rejoin the Mekong. By longboat we reach Muang Khong, the picturesque hub of an inland delta that fans out, creating thousands of habitable islands. Many are occupied with thatched-roof settlements, suspended on stilts, and as we glide through the fishing villages, we discover rural life along this vital waterway. We also visit the Wat Phu Khmer temple complex (5th-6th century), ride elephants and swim in a rock pool below the Tad Lo Falls. Finally, we return to Pakse and retrace our steps to the capital of Thailand.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-4252-P) |
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International connections from London |
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Accomodation |
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16 breakfasts |
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1 lunch |
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2 dinners |
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Suitability / Level |
Moderate |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Among the many highlights featured on this tour, we particularly mention:
LUANG NAMTHA
Travel to this remote and very traditional tribal region of north-west Laos with walks out to minority villages.
MEKONG RIVER Travel by riverboat from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang. Also from Champassak to Si Phan Don inland delta.
LUANG PRABANG
Visit the main temples and wats of this old capital including Wat Visoun and Wat Xieng Thong plus climb Mount Phousi for great views.
PLAIN OF JARS
Sightseeing at this remote and mysterious site.
DON KHONG
Visit Lao Loum village and the old French railway. Walks on islands and possibly view Irawaddy River Dolphins.
CHAMPASSAK
Elephant riding on the way to the Bolovens plateau.
DAY 1. SUNDAY. JOIN TOUR BANGKOK
Arrive Bangkok and check-in to hotel.
DAY 2. FLY TO CHIANG RAI; DRIVE AND FERRY TO BAN HOUE SAI
This morning we fly to Chiang Rai in Thailand’s northernmost province, before continuing by road to Chiang Khong on the Mekong river. From here we take the ferry across to the northern bank where we must pass through Lao immigration as we arrive in the small sleepy town of Ban Houei Sai.
DAY 3. DRIVE TO LUANG NAMTHA
This morning we begin our journey through Laos as we head by bus to Luang Namtha. Travel today will be slow but our fabulous journey takes into the heart of the jungle, passing scenic rivers and numerous ethnic minority villages along the way.
In the late afternoon we will reach Luang Namtha, the main market town for those that live in the surrounding hills. The main people that we are likely to come across are the Iko, Kamu, Lamet, Van and Yuan.
DAY 4. IN LUANG NAMTHA
Today we plan a full day walk out into the UNESCO controlled Namha National Biodiversity and Conservation Area, visiting several minority villages en route. The walking is easy and will be undertaken at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops.
You will be escorted by a local guide who will shed light on the cultural aspects of the minority peoples that inhabit the region. This is a beautiful area where the local people are friendly but quite shy.
DAY 5. DRIVE TO NONG KHIAW
We have a long drive out of Luang Namtha today. The condition of the roads in this part of the country is very much dependent on the weather and you should be prepared for some landslides and delays. The scenery however is spectacular – mostly forested with slash and burn cultivation very much in evidence and with many hill tribe villages along the way.
DAY 6. BOAT TO LUANG PRABANG
This morning we board boats for our journey on the Nam Ou River – south to Luang Prabang. The river journey is stunning, passing many villages and forests, with the back drop of large rolling mountains. Soon before reaching Luang Prabang we will stop to visit the Pak Ou Caves, where we climb steps up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine.
Although now abandoned by the monks, there is an altar for incense burning, flower offerings and numerous rock shelves crammed with thousands of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. We continue our journey to Luang Prabang, the country’s former capital.
DAY 7. IN LUANG PRABANG
All the main sights of interest are close together, so this morning we walk around the various wats including Wat Xieng Thong (the Golden Temple built in 1559) which is strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and
mosaic dragon motifs.
We also include Wat Visoun site of the impressive Thad Makmo Stupa. The afternoon is free and you may like to climb to the small temple on top of Mount Phousi and enjoy the sunset and fine views over the town.
DAY 8. IN LUANG PRABANG
This morning we include a trip to the nearby beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls. This afternoon is left free to explore the local area. Perhaps by bike to the nearby villages at Ban Khanom, approximately 6 kilometres from Luang Prabang. Alternatively the craft shops, lively market and eclectic bars and restaurants of the town are more than enough to occupy those wishing to spend more time in the town.
DAY 9. DRIVE TO PHONSAVAN
Today is set aside for the drive east to Phonsavan. We aim to break up the drive with stops along the way at local towns, getting a better insight to this beautiful country.
DAY 10. IN PHONSAVAN; VISIT PLAIN OF JARS
Today we visit the Plain of Jars, site 2. Nobody knows how long the jars have actually been here or what they were used for; some speculate they are funeral urns dating back some 2000 years. Another theory says that they were probably made to contain and transport ‘Lao Lao’ (glutinous wet rice which is boiled with yeast and left to ferment in large jars).
It is believed that they were prepared for a huge celebration, which, for some reason was disrupted whilst the jars were being transported, as other jars in smaller quantities can be found on two other sites close by. Despite being one of the most strategic battlegrounds of the Indochina War, most jars were unharmed and remain a complete mystery even today.
We then head out to the old capital, Muang Khong, passing mainly Hmong and Black Thai villages on the way. Lots of military paraphernalia cluster the villages such as old mine shells and ammunition cases which have been turned into flower pots or cattle troughs. Xieng Khouang town was rebuilt in 1975, but we can still see the remains of temples, stupa and French colonial buildings. Returning to Phonsavan in the late afternoon, the rest of the day is free.
DAY 11. VISIT PLAIN OF JARS; FLY VIENTIANE
We spend the morning visiting the Plain of Jars, site 1. Here in a plain of undulating green fields pitted with craters, lie scattered approximately 300 giant stone jars, the largest of them weighing 6 tons and measuring 4 metres high.
In the afternoon we fly to Vientiane. In the evening, it is pleasant to promenade along the banks of the Mekong admiring the Thai city of Nong Khai across the border on the western bank.
DAY 12. SIGHTSEEING IN VIENTIANE
This morning we explore some of the main sights including the Victory Gate, the That Luang stupa (said to contain a bone of the Buddha) and Wat Sisaket which is packed with fine Buddha images. We leave the afternoon free to explore further Laos’ capital city.
DAY 13. FLY AND BOAT TO MUANG KHONG
Today we fly south to Pakse and drive onto Champassak to visit delightful Wat Phu, an impressive temple dating back to the 6th century and considered to be one of the archaeological wonders of Laos. Originally built at the base of a sacred mountain – a symbol of Shiva to the Hindu – Wat Phu became a Buddhist shrine in later centuries.
Every February pilgrims from all over Thailand and Laos travel here in their thousands to celebrate the full moon festival and participate in various competitions including bull fighting. At this time Wat Phu becomes decorated by offerings left to appease the earth spirit of Champassak. Next we continue on a leisurely boat journey to Muang Khong.
DAY 14. IN MUANG KHONG
Don Khong is the largest island in the Khong district which is known as the ‘Four Thousand Islands’ of Southern Laos. It is here, almost on the Cambodian border that the Mekong splits to create a maze of channels and also where the great river reaches its widest point. Exploring by boat and on foot through the watery landscape, we visit some traditional villages of the Lao Loum to witness the daily life of these people.
We will also visit parts of the Old French Railway, built at the turn of the century to avoid the treacherous rapids caused by the many channels. Our explorations will include visiting Don Khon Island where we take small boats for possible sightings of Irawaddy river dolphins. Later in the afternoon we head back to the mainland to visit a part of the Khong Phapheng Waterfalls (supposedly the widest in Southeast Asia).
DAY 15. DRIVE TO TAD LO
This morning before heading north again to Tad Lo waterfalls, we travel through the western edge of the Bolovens plateau.The soil is very fertile and so cultivation of coffee beans and tea is the most important trade, together with small scale agriculture of fruit, vegetables, cardamom, rattan, arabica and robusta.
The area around Tad Lo is also the centre for several Mon-Khmer ethnic groups who live around the plateau, and you may like to walk through the forests here. En route to Tad Lo we hope to visit Khiang Nkong Village, where there may also be the opportunity to do some elephant riding.
DAY 16. IN TAD LO; DRIVE AND FLY BACK TO BANGKOK
This morning is free in charming Tad Lo before heading back into Thailand for our evening flight from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok.
DAY 17. TUESDAY. TOUR ENDS IN BANGKOK |
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Accommodation
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13 nights hotel
3 nights guesthouse |
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Holidays
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