Unforgettable Laos

Upon arrival in Chiang Rai you will be met by your guide and transferred north, away from the city towards Chiang Saen, deep within the Golden Triangle.

The area covers the area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. It’s a beautiful region, home to many minority tribe people and blessed with some stunning natural scenery, ancient temples and a multitude of activity options.

Your day is at leisure to explore the surrounding countryside or relax and enjoy the facilities of your resort.

Early morning departure for the border town of Chiang Khong, on the banks of the Mekong River and overlooking Huay Xai in Laos. Having taken care of Thai border formalities, cross the new Friendship Bridge, clearing Laos immigration on the far side.

Having entered into Laos you will be met by your cruise representative and transferred by tuk tuk to the boat pier where you will board the boat for your journey downstream along the Mekong River. It’s a stunning section of this mighty river that begins high in the Himalaya and passes through seven countries before exiting at the huge delta in Vietnam.

As you travel south a stop will be made to visit a Kamu minority village and lunch is served on board.

Arrive in Pakbeng in the early evening and transfer to your lodge. Pakbeng is an interesting town to walk through, and the region is home to many H’mong and tribal Thai minority people. Enjoy dinner in your lodge overlooking the Mekong River.

After breakfast transfer by road to Muang La. The route is particularly scenic and there will be several opportunities to stop at some H'mong villages en route.

Arrive at Pak La Village and the delightful Muang La Resort, famous for its natural hot springs. The remainder of your day is at leisure to enjoy the serenity of the Muang La Resort and its welcoming hot spring baths.

Muang La District offers great mountain scenery, remote villages with friendly locals and a gentle pace of life. The wide Nam Pak River runs by where you can see water buffalo bathing and local children playing along the river banks. It is a great spot to languish and enjoy the peace and quiet of your surroundings. For those who want more action you can explore mountain trails on foot or by mountain bike, passing through farmland, forest and rice paddies to small minority communities.

Depart Muang La Resort for a day of trekking and exploring the local area where you will discover minority hill tribe people and their fascinating way of life. Today’s journey is truly off the beaten track and ensures some stunning mountain views along the way. Setting off by 4x4 vehicle in the direction of Pak Khai, it's a pleasant drive with wonderful views across the Nam Pak River to rice paddies and small villages along the river banks.

Commence trekking along a mountain trail that follows a meandering stream where you may encounter local farmers cultivating the fertile land, fishing in the river and hunting for small game. Your trek will take you through lush vegetation and dense forest until you reach the beautiful village of Ban Phavie, a Khamu village atop a hill with superb views over the surrounding area.

After a picnic lunch continue on to a beautiful waterfall where you can relax and take a refreshing dip.

Return to Muang La in the late afternoon where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Morning drive to the riverside town of Muang Khua where you will board a small boat for a cruise down the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw. This particular stretch promises stunning scenery and a sprinkling of remote villages, including Ban Sob Jaem a Khmu and Hmong village that can only be accessed by boat.

Stop for lunch at the quaint village of Muang Ngoi, nestled at the foothill of a giant limestone outcrop and an ideal place for travellers to take a break whilst coasting up and down the Nam Ou. Arrive in Nong Khiaw in the late afternoon.

Nong Khiaw is a remote village situated on the banks of the Nam Ou River and flanked on either side by stunning mountainous back-drops.

The remainder of your day is at leisure so why not take a stroll along the river bank, take a short bicycle ride to the local limestone caves nearby or just settle back with a Beer Lao!

Morning departure by car for Luang Prabang, taking the scenic route that passes amongst rolling hills and rice paddies enjoying intermittent views of the Nam Ou River.

Stop en route to visit the Pak Ou caves, which house literally thousands of Buddha statues, hidden from the looting Chinese Haw in times gone by. The statues range from a few centimetres to the size of a human.

Arrive into Luang Prabang around lunchtime and having checked in to your hotel, the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Luang Prabang, the ‘Jewel of Indochina’, is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site and regularly voted as one of Asia's premier travel destinations. The ancient royal city is surrounded by mountains and is situated at a junction of the Mekong and Khan rivers. In the centre of the city is Mount Phousi, rewarding climbers of its 328 steps with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills.

A city where time has seemingly stood still, Luang Prabang is also an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional Lao architecture with structures built by the Colonial authorities in more recent times. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.

After breakfast you will be met by your guide for a day delving into the culture and heritage of Luang Prabang. To enhance your tour, you will be joined along the way by a number of local specialists.

Begin at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history. Continue on to Wat Xieng Thong, perhaps the most photographed temple in Luang Prabang and one of the most important Buddhist temples on the town’s peninsula. Here you will have the rare opportunity to receive a blessing from one of the head monks that involves the tying of string around your wrists, which symbolises luck and good health.

It’s a short walk to Wat Khili, known as the Temple of the Golden Mountain. The temple’s charming library building houses the Buddhist Archives, an historic photography exhibition of Buddhist heritage. This is an incredible collection of 35,000 historic photographs and documents gathered by monks in Luang Prabang over a period of 120 years and safeguarded throughout years of turmoil. As part of the British Library's Endangered Archives Programme, the collection has been identified and catalogued digitally by a small team known as the Buddhist Heritage Project. You will be met by the founder, Mr. Hans George Berger or Director Dr. Khamvone Boulyaphonh, who will give you exclusive access to the collection of original photographs and will personally guide you through the back rooms of the exhibition. It’s a unique and fascinating insight into the Buddhist civilisation and heritage of Laos. Afterwards, enjoy a cup of monastic tea.

In the early afternoon, visit the excellent Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre where you will meet one of the centre’s co-founders for a unique Director’s Tour. This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the ethnic mix and culture of Laos from one of the creators of the museum.

Continue on to Luang Prabang’s oldest temple, Wat Visoun, which dates back to 1503 and is now home to an array of religious artefacts.Finish the day by climbing Mount Phousi, to enjoy the stunning views across Luang Prabang and the Mekong River as the sun sets.

An option for early-risers is to rise before dawn to witness tak bat, or the giving of alms, to the lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from the residents of Luang Prabang. It’s an iconic sight and for many one of the highlights of their stay in Luang Prabang, and can be arranged on any early morning during your stay.

However, we are concerned that the volume of tourists all vying for space to witness, photograph and at times actually participate in this ceremony is detracting from what is a centuries old, important religious rite. We appreciate that observing tak bat is high on the list of most visitors to Laos, and would suggest speaking with your guide about how best to enjoy this experience in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner, which can involve watching from a less congested spot.

Transfer the short distance to the nearby Kuang Si Waterfalls where, in addition to sharing the waterfalls with a fraction of the crowd that typically descends later in the day; a luxurious gourmet breakfast hamper will be awaiting your arrival. Arranged by the kitchen at the famed La Residence Phou Vao, the menu is as extensive as it is impressive, and includes treats ranging from freshly baked croissants and fresh seasonal fruits, to salmon rillettes, walnut tartlet and an extensive charcuterie and cheese board.

Having enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, and perhaps a dip in one of the pools at the foot of the waterfalls, it’s possible to walk to the top taking in the setting from a very different perspective.

Returning to Luang Prabang, stop to visit the nearby Bear Rescue Centre that does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear.

The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Morning transfer to Luang Prabang Airport in time for your flight to Pakse. On arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred south to Champasak.

From Champasak make the short drive south to visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou; one of South-East Asia's most dramatically situated temple sites and has superb views of the Mekong River. Designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2001, the site dates back to the 5th century, predating the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Whilst much of the origins of Wat Phou are unclear, it is believed that the original temple was built by the Khmer Hindus who eventually made Angkor Wat their capital.

Return to Champasak, a delightful Colonial riverside town with a relaxed vibe, where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Your day is free at leisure

After an early breakfast journey east across the Bolaven Plateau, passing the many plantations typical of those found in the region. Any visit to the plateau provides a refreshing break from the heat and allows you to observe the cultivation of rich coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas, and other crops that can be visited en route.

The area is also famous for its many waterfalls with the most beautiful of these being Tad Fan which you will visit. During high waters, the waterfall is spectacular with twin waterfalls plummeting into the deep gorge surrounded by flourishing vegetation below.

On arrival at Paksong you will be met by a specialist local guide for a unique experience: exploring the region away from the well-trodden tourist route, in a 1960’s-era Army jeep!

Your first stop will be at a coffee plantation, and with your local guide hailing from a family of coffee growers you will get some great insight into the coffee process from bean to cup. There will be time for a coffee tasting session and lunch before continuing by jeep through the Bolaven Plateau. A stop will be made to visit a fascinating Souy ethnic minority village where western tourists are few and far between, and especially those arriving in an Army jeep!

After returning to the main road, rejoin your Selective Asia driver and travel by road to Sinouk Coffee Resort, arriving there by early evening.

After breakfast, depart the resort and, if time permits, explore a couple of interesting minority villages: Ban Pong, an Alak village that boasts a sacrificial altar; and Ban Kokphung, a Katu village where they keep coffins under their houses.

Continue on to the region’s famous Tad Lo waterfalls where there will be time for a short rest before driving back across the plateau to Pakse in time for your onward flight.