Laos holidays, tailor made
| country: | Laos |
| location: | Golden Triangle, Luang Prabang |
| departures: | Available all year. This suggested itinerary can be modified entirely to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used and how long you spend in each destination. |
| price: | From £2500 (12 days) including flights from the UK, private transfers, accommodation and services of an experienced driver/guide. This trip can also be booked without flights |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
This itinerary will introduce you to the wonderful laid back country of Laos and the beautiful Golden Triangle area of Thailand.
Starting in Bangkok, after flying from London, you will take an internal flight to Chiang Rai before being transferred to the Lanjia Lodge which overlooks the Mekong. Here you can explore the area by foot or bicycle and learn more about the Hmong and Lahu ethnic minority groups.
After two nights at the Lanjia Lodge you will travel across the border into remote northern Laos. This area offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Basing yourself at the Boat Landing Guesthouse spend time exploring the Nam Ha National Park by foot, kayak or mountain bike. The following day board a traditional longtail boat and cruise down the Nam Ou river through mountainous limestone valleys. This journey offers a far more intimate experience than the popular Mekong route. Villages are less accustomed to visitors and curious but shy children still greet you with laughter and waves from the riverbanks whilst their mothers wash the family's clothes nearby. After a night at the Nong Khiaw Riverside Resort, continue your journey to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos.
Starting in Bangkok, after flying from London, you will take an internal flight to Chiang Rai before being transferred to the Lanjia Lodge which overlooks the Mekong. Here you can explore the area by foot or bicycle and learn more about the Hmong and Lahu ethnic minority groups.
After two nights at the Lanjia Lodge you will travel across the border into remote northern Laos. This area offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Basing yourself at the Boat Landing Guesthouse spend time exploring the Nam Ha National Park by foot, kayak or mountain bike. The following day board a traditional longtail boat and cruise down the Nam Ou river through mountainous limestone valleys. This journey offers a far more intimate experience than the popular Mekong route. Villages are less accustomed to visitors and curious but shy children still greet you with laughter and waves from the riverbanks whilst their mothers wash the family's clothes nearby. After a night at the Nong Khiaw Riverside Resort, continue your journey to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos.
best time to go
The best time of year is between October and April during the dry season. It is possible to undertake the trip during the wet season but you should naturally expect a certain amount of rain each day.day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Bangkok. Fly from London to Bangkok |
| Day 2: | Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Transfer to the eco-friendly, community run Lanjia Lodge, situated along the Thai, Laos border. |
| Day 3: | Golden Triangle. Day to explore the Golden Triangle. |
| Day 4: | Laos border. Transfer to the Laos border and continue your journey by road to Luang Nam Tha and the Boat Landing Guesthouse. |
| Day 5: | Nam Ha National Park. Day exploring the Nam Ha National Park. |
| Day 6: | Muang La Resort. Continue south through rural countryside to the beautiful Muang La Resort. The Resort has channelled some of the natural hot springs from the Nam Kor river and offers a traditional Lao experience in an idyllic setting. |
| Day 7: | Local villagers. Spend the day visiting some local villages and taking in the beautiful scenery of this remote location. |
| Day 8: | From Muang La, catch a traditional longtail boat to the peaceful and incredibly scenic area of Nong Khiaw. |
| Day 9: | Luang Prabang. Transfer by road to your hotel in Luang Prabang. |
| Day 10: | A guided tour of the cultural delights of Luang Prabang. |
| Day 11: | Venture outside of Luang Prabang today, visiting the curious Pac Ou caves and the Kuang Si Waterfalls, which are perfect for a refreshing swim. |
| Day 12: | Depart. Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the Bangkok and onto the UK. |
tailor made holidays
This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
The Boat Landing Guesthouse is arguably one of the most prestigious ecolodges in Southeast Asia. This eco-friendly guesthouse provides its own energy from solar panels and also supports and promotes many local wildlife projects in the nearby Nam Ha National Park. In Luang Nam Tha we use an adventure company called Green Discovery who have established an ecotourism project in conjunction with the local community ensuring that they benefit directly from tourism in the area. Such empowerment projects encourage villagers to appreciate and preserve both their heritage and natural environment. The use of boats is also a more eco-friendly way to explore the countries and does not have such an adverse effect on the environment. Community: Situated on a hill overlooking the Mekong, the Lanjia Lodge in northern Thailand is owned and run by Hmong and Lahu villagers. The four bungalows are built in traditional Hmong style and although facilities are simple, they do provide some western comforts. The lodge is a fantastic base for trekking, bike riding and bird watching and offers the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of how tourism can play a positive role in the preservation of ancient cultures. Contributions from your stay will be used on community projects that improve the local hilltribe people's living conditions. While in Luang Nam Tha or Luang Prabang you may wish to visit the Big Brother Mouse bookshops, where you can purchase children's books which can be distributed to a school teacher or village elder during your treks to some of the more remote regions. Alternatively you may wish to simply donate funds towards future book publications. |
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