Laos ~ Walking and Culture in a Gentle Land

Laos ~Walking and Culture in a Gentle Land

Laos stands out from its neighbours in former French Indochina by its slow and cautious approach to tourism, retaining an unhurried traditional lifestyle which is underpinned by the Buddhist philosophy and reflected in the welcoming, gentle manners of its people.

In the remote north of Laos we walk in forested hills to encounter the Akha tribal culture in villages where exquisite textiles are handwoven; we explore the enigmatic Plain of Jars and take a private boat trip along the Mekong river; walk with specialist guides in search of epiphytic orchids; and observe the daily rituals of the numerous monasteries and gilded temples.

We stay in very comfortable eco-lodges and colonial era hotels and taste both French-influenced food and wines in Vientiane and traditional, delicious, Laotian cuisine in the former Royal capital of Luang Prabang.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

We meet in the early afternoon at Chiang Rai airport in northern Thailand and have a short road transfer to our peaceful boutique hotel, set high in the forest. There is time for a dip in the pool or a massage in the spa before dinner overlooking the mountain valley.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

We leave Thailand and take a small ferry across the Mekong to enter Laos territory at Houei Xai - once the border formalities are completed we drive through the mountains, with a pause for a local lunch, to Luang Nam Tha province, close to the Chinese border. We settle into our well-appointed eco-lodge, built in traditional style on the banks of the Namtha river, and take a walk through the surrounding rice fields and watch the local people fishing.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

Accompanied by a local specialist guide we set off to walk through paddy fields and gradually up into the hills through a forest reserve to visit an isolated village belonging to the Sida tribe, a Tibeto-Burman group, and learn about their way of life. After a village lunch we continue up onto a ridge with expansive views of the mountains (usually mist-shrouded), then descend through forest looking for birds and reach a village where we can wade under a refreshing waterfall. Proceeds from today’s and tomorrow's walks are contributed directly to the villagers as part of a well-established responsible tourism project.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

We have an early start for a 40 minute transfer by songthew, local pickups, to the village of Ban Nam Yang to start our gradual walk up into the higher levels of the Nam Ha National Protected Area. We picnic at the top and cross streams in the forest as we descend to visit an Akha tribal village where an Akha hunter will demonstrate his bird calling skills and explain their traditional way of life. We return via a Black Tai village where we can sample locally made Lao Whisky, a good aperitif for the excellent northern Laos food served in the verandah restaurant of our eco-lodge.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

After a leisurely morning in the lodge gardens (alive with butterflies and birds) we have an hour's transfer through dense mountain forest to the picturesque village of Muang Sing, formerly a French garrison town. We visit the Ethnic Museum, a beautiful building containing tribal costumes, traditional tools and looms, musical instruments and jewellery, then settle into the wooden bungalows of our hotel where the amazing views from the balconies extend all the way to China.

DAY 6

B, L, D included

Early risers will be rewarded by a visit to the local market where members of the Hmong, Akha, Yunnanese, Tai Dam and Tai Lu tribes come to trade - it's a good opportunity to buy local silk and cotton textiles and have a bowl of noodle soup from the busy food stalls. After breakfast we travel on a quiet mountain road over the pass of Phou That and on to Muang La. We have an afternoon walk to see a salt mine and local farming, and can have a massage or a soak in the hot spring fed Jacuzzi pool under the stars in our boutique lodge.

DAY 7

B, L, D included

Continuing by road through the mountains to Muang Khua, we board a private slow boat to travel down the Nam Ou river and picnic on board. We go ashore at the delightful, coconut tree-shaded village of Muang Ngoi, at the foot of Mount Phaboom, and walk to see some crystal clear pools in caves before rejoining our boat to drift on down the river to our simple, spacious lodge at Nong Khiaw.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

After breakfast we board our private boat again to continue down the Nam Ou river, observing the fishermen throwing their nets and how the Lao people use the river to transport goods. We disembark at Pak Ou to visit the famous caves with their thousands of gold covered wood and stone statues of Buddha, then continue down river past the confluence with the Mekong. Our river journey ends in Luang Prabang, the former Royal capital of Laos and now a captivating World Heritage site where we stay for three nights in a beautifully restored, French-run villa dating from 1925.

DAY 9

B, L, D included

On foot, we explore Luang Prabang's heritage of golden temples and stupas, seeing the dazzling façade of Wat Senssoukarahm, the Wat Xieng Thong temple built by order of King Setthathirat in 1560 and the Watermelon stupa. We visit the National Museum in the former Royal Palace and the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre and cross the Mekong for sunset views from the Wat Chompet.

DAY 10

B, L, D included

We are up before dawn (optionally) to witness the long lines of orange-robed monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from the residents of Luang Prabang. We visit the market to select spices (lemongrass, chillies, ginger & tamarind) and vegetables, learn the secrets of Laos cooking from a chef in the Tum Tum Chung restaurant, prepare dishes such as spiced meat in a banana leaf and Laos sticky rice, then eat it all for lunch! In the afternoon we walk above the Kuang Si waterfall.

DAY 11

B, L, D included

Leaving Luang Prabang the mountainous scenery gradually softens into low hills and grasslands as we approach the mysterious Plain of Jars, an enormous archaeological complex covered with 2,000 year old stone jars up to 4 metres high. We have a guided tour and learn about the research and the various hypotheses as to their origin and function, then check into our comfortable Auberge.

DAY 12

B, L, D included

This morning we have a very scenic drive to the town of Muang Khoun, which was almost totally destroyed by American bombing in 1969-70, and see a unique seated giant Buddha. After lunch we take an internal flight to the capital, Vientiane and transfer along tree-lined boulevards to our hotel, the superb Settha Palace with its French colonial décor and beautiful tropical gardens and pool.

DAY 13

B, L, D included

Vientiane (‘the city of sandalwood’) is probably the quietest capital in the world and is ideal for exploring on an eco-friendly bicycle. We pedal gently from one Wat to another, seeing the beautiful Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature statues of Buddha, the Wat Phra Keo which displays Lao and Khmer art, the morning market and the Presidential Palace (formerly the French Governor's Palace) - and sample delicious Laos street food from the stalls lining the riverbanks.

DAY 14

B, L, D included

We set off early in the morning for the Phou Khao Kway (Buffalo Horn Mountain) National Park where a local specialist guide takes us on an orchid trek, an eco-tourism project which supports village development and forest conservation. We walk through both dry evergreen and bamboo forest, see several fine waterfalls and hope to encounter wild elephants and many butterflies as well as orchids and other tropical flowers. Returning to our hotel we relax in the pool before our farewell dinner in one of Vientiane's best French restaurants.

DAY 15

B included

We have time for last minute shopping or photographic forays before we depart for the airport.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 15 on a double shared basis

All meals with local beer at lunch and dinner as listed (beer is far more appropriate with Laotian food and the tropical climate, and wine is often spoiled by inadequate storage), except in Luang Prabang and Vientiane where French or Australian wines are served with dinner

Internal flight between Xieng Khouang and Vientiane

All land transportation in a private airconditioned vehicle as described except during free periods

Jeep/pickup transfers and river crossings on local ferries as described

2 day private boat trip on the Nam Ou and Mekong rivers

Cooking class in Luang Prabang

All entrance and sightseeing fees except during free periods

Camera and video camera fees where applicable

Tips for porters, boatmen, restaurant & hotel staff

Services of expert local naturalist guides, tribal trekking guides and a driver (plus our Kudu Travel tour leader)

Visa and Health Requirements

All visitors require a valid passport and a visa for entry to Laos. 30 day Tourist visas are issued at the border in Houei Xai on arrival from Thailand - costs are between US$30 and US$42 depending on nationality.

Note that citizens of the EU, USA, Canada, Australia & New Zealand require a valid passport but not a visa to enter Thailand for up to 30 days.

Immunisation/boosters against Hepatitis A, Japanese encephalitis, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid and Polio are recommended - please consult your doctor in good time about this (at least 6 weeks before departure) and also the latest situation on essential malaria prophylaxis and anything else they recommend. A dental check up is also a good idea. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.