Laos Unlocked with Mark Steadman

The tour begins this afternoon in the beautiful World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. After checking in to our hotel, we’ll take our first wander around the traditional wooden buildings and temples along the sleepy peninsular between the rivers. We will settle down at a local restaurant beside the Mekong River for dinner, soaking up the charm of this wonderful town.

After an early breakfast we will visit Luang Prabang’s most historic and enchanting temple, Wat Xieng Thong. We plan to visit the temple in the beautiful early morning light, when it is at its quietist. We then continue on to the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall, and visit the nearby Bear Rescue Centre. The sanctuary is responsible for protecting and rehabilitating rare Asiatic Black Bears, which have been confiscated from traffickers and poachers. Later this afternoon we’ll visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the pre-revolutionary Royal past.

This morning there is a pre-breakfast option to witness the early morning sacred ritual of ‘Tak Bat’, or giving alms to the monks. This unique ceremony is still followed by the locals in Luang Prabang (which we will observe from a respectful distance). After breakfast, we transfer 30 minutes out of town and meet friendly farmer Lautlee, who will personally guide you around his family farm. Learn about the typical crops in Laos and how they are traditionally produced. Help the farmer at the organic vegetable gardens and learn hands-on how to process Sticky Rice into typical Lao noodles called “kapoen”. Tasting the fruits of your labour is the best way to finish off this experience. We will also visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology centre to learn a little about the country’s ethnic diversity. We’ll then have the rest of the afternoon free to explore this much loved destination with the opportunity to ascend Mount Phousi for spectacular views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. There’s the option this evening to observe some Buddhist chanting at a local Wat before our final dinner in Luang Prabang.

Our journey into the heart of Laos begins today as we twist our way through the mountains to Xieng Khuang Province and the famous Plain of Jars, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our journey into the heart of Laos begins today as the road follows a spectacular twisty mountain route. We plan to stop at several ethnic villages which offer great views of the surrounding mountains and the opportunity to meet the Hmong or Khmu people and learn more about rural life. Arriving in Phou Khoun we stop for lunch before reaching our highest altitude of the day at 1500m above sea level. Before arriving at our hotel we plan to visit the largest of the Plain of Jars sites, known locally as Thong Haihin. Here over 330 mysterious conglomerate and sandstone jars lie scattered in clusters on a plain overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Taking a full day in and around Phonsavan, we’ll visit the offices of the Mines Action Group (MAG) and UXO Lao to learn about the devastating damage caused by cluster bombs and other ordnance in this region. This sobering visit highlights these organisations’ difficult work, clearing unexploded ordnance and supporting families affected by UXO accidents. We then drive out to more of the picturesque Plain of Jars sites, visiting site 3 with over 150 jars located on a scenic hill top. There is the option of an hour or so panoramic walk along the ridge towards site 2, where two further collections of jars are nestled in the woods. (Non-walkers can also access this jar site from the road). Later In the afternoon, there will also be the chance to visit Mark Steadman’s Lone Buffalo project, an English Centre and Youth Development Programme that helps young people in the community (see the FACTS section).

Departing Phonsavan early this morning, we begin our drive through lesser travelled central Laos. Stopping at the former provincial capital town of Muang Khoun, flattened during the Secret War, we visit Wat Phiawat, a ruined temple containing a huge sitting Buddha. We then head up into the mountains offering impressive views over the surrounding countryside. As the landscape changes we encounter remote villages nestled between striking limestone karsts, before reaching Ban Tha Bak where villagers use old war plane fuel tanks from the Vietnam War as boats. We eventually reach Hin Boun area by early evening, where we relax at our simple riverside lodge.

A short drive this morning takes us to Kong Lor village where we board small local narrow boats to explore the spectacular Kong Lor Cave - undoubtedly a highlight of the trip. The cave was first explored in the 1990’s and it was only recently that the paved road started to bring visitors to explore the area. We navigate our way through the cave, which is over 7km long and includes a spectacular cavern over 100m high, as well as a breath-taking stalagmite gallery which we explore on foot. On the other side of the cave we take a short walk past some tobacco drying huts to the remote village of Ban Pon Ngam. Returning through the cave by boat, we have lunch in the village before driving on to Thakek, where we stay just set back from the Mekong with its views over to Thailand.

Departing Thakek early we follow the old French railway track that was destined for Vietnam but was never finished. Arriving in Ban Nakhang Xang we meet our village guide who will escort us today on our trek into the forest on foot. Our walk takes us through forest, striking valleys and hidden caves, before following the shoreline of Nong Thao Lake where we may see local fishermen at work. At Tham Nong Paseum there's the opportunity for swimmers to explore the recently discovered 400m cave resplendent with stalactites and stalagmites. After a traditional Lao lunch of Mekong fish, sticky rice and spicy papaya, we’ll continue to Tham Pa Fa or Buddha cave, which was rediscovered in April 2004. The cave contains 229 bronze Buddhas that are said to be over 300 years old. We will return to Thakek mid-afternoon for some freetime beside the Mekong River. NB. Those not wishing to undertake this moderate trek, which requires a good level of fitness, can instead enjoy a leisurely day in Thakek with its French colonial charms.

Travelling south by road, we reach Savannakhet mid-morning where we visit the sacred That Inhang stupa and the Soundra Salt Factory. We’ll then spend a little time wandering around the charmingly sleepy town before continuing by road to Tad Lo after lunch. We will arrive at our lodge early evening, enjoying dinner on the banks of the Sexet river, relaxing amid the stunning natural surroundings and nearby waterfall.

We start our day with a stop at the top of Tad Soung (‘Tall’) waterfall for a panorama of the Bolaven Plateau that we plan to explore today. We will visit a tea plantation for tasting and then take an (optional) easy hour walk through tea and coffee plantations to Tad Fan waterfall. Tad Fan is an impressive twin waterfall that thunders over 100 metres down into the valley. We will have lunch with a view of the falls before continuing to a local coffee roaster to learn a little about the Lao coffee story. Jing Jhai Coffee claim to be the world’s first 100% philanthropic coffee company, investing all their profits in education and water projects in the villages who produce their beans. We return to our lodge later this afternoon where you can swim in the waterfall, wander up to a local ethnic Ngae village - or relax.

Today we journey south into the area known as ‘Siphandon’, which literally translates as ‘4000 Islands, one of the most beautiful parts of the country. We board a private boat at Ban Haitsakhone to explore some of the quieter islands, usually out of reach of other tourists. After enjoying lunch cooked by a local family beside the Mekong, we will explore a remote island at a gentle pace by bicycle (optional). We’ll then cruise close to the Cambodian border to Don Khone Island, in time to watch the sunset over the Mekong river from the old French bridge. Tonight, we stay in comfortable chalets beside the famous river.

Today we use local transport to explore more of the 4000 islands. We follow the route of an old abandoned French railway for 4 kilometres through beautiful rice fields to the southern tip of Khone island, where Cambodia sits on the far bank of the river. We take a boat out to a deep Mekong pool known locally as Boong Pa Gooang, in the hope of sighting rare freshwater dolphins. Later this morning we will visit the beautiful Liphi Waterfall, where local fisherman perch impossibly between jagged rocks to lay out their fishing nets. After returning to the mainland by boat, we re-join our vehicle and continue south the spectacular Khone Phapheng Falls, one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls in Southeast Asia. After lunch at the falls we head north to Champassak, stopping en route at the wood carving village of Ban Nong Bouang. We will arrive at our riverside resort early evening.

Today we have the opportunity to enjoy sunrise over the Mekong from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wat Phou, the temple mountain – before the site officially opens. This dramatically sited Khmer temple is one of the highlights of any trip to Laos. After sunrise we will explore this religious complex, parts of which date back to the 5th Century, before returning to our lodge for breakfast. The rest of day is left free to maybe explore the delightful riverside town of Champasak, with its handful of colonial mansions, typical Chinese shop fronts and pretty wooden houses. Alternatively you can cross to the nearby picturesque island of Don Daeng to explore by bicycle or on foot, or simply relax on the banks of the Mekong.

The tour ends with breakfast at the hotel. Those on the suggested group flights will receive a complimentary transfer to the airport.