Inside Laos

Highlights: Mekong River Cruise, Kamu Ecolodge, Pak Ou Caves, Luang Prabang architecture, Kuang Si Falls, Plain of Jars, Mountainous Central Laos, COPE Centre Vientiane

Grading: Max 16, Avg 12

Our insider experiences:

Meet Luang Prabang locals over a leisurely game of petanque, the national past time

Tap into local knowledge with a traditional Lao breakfast and French coffee at one of our favourite local eateries.

Learn the secrets of Lao cuisine with a cooking class in a beautiful rural setting, away from the typical tourist path.

Prepare your own bamboo sticky rice and grilled chicken for a picnic lunch, a hands-on way to experience delicious Lao cuisine.

Wander between two of the Plain of Jars sites, and ponder the mysteries of their past.

Days 1:

CHIANG RAI

On arrival in Chiang Rai, transfer to your hotel and meet your small group of fellow adventurers and tour leader for a welcome drink.

Days 2-3:

PAKBENG & KAMU LODGE

Rise early and cross the border into Laos to board a private wooden barge for your journey down the tranquil Mekong, past pristine landscapes and stunning scenery. Stay overnight in the old trading outpost of Pakbeng and explore its market, then continue to the comfortable Kamu Lodge, retiring for the night in your atmospheric tent lodgings. Absorb Lao culture, with an opportunity to meet the locals and try your hand at traditional activities such as rice planting and fishing.

Days 4-6:

LUANG PRABANG

Continue by boat along the Mekong, stopping at Pak Ou Caves to see the hundreds of Buddha statues inside, then on to beautiful Luang Prabang. The next morning, embark on a walking tour of the town''s fascinating sites, including the Royal Palace and Wat Mai. Sample a local breakfast of noodle soup, and enjoy a game of petanque before sunset mocktails at a riverside temple. Rise early to witness the breathtaking ancient ritual of local monks collecting alms at dawn, and learn how to make sticky rice and grilled chicken for a picnic at scenic Kuang Si Falls. Have ample free time for exploring beguiling Luang Prabang''s quaint laneways, architecture, and boutiques.

Days 7-10:

PLAIN OF JARS & VANG VIENG

A drive through the remote mountains of Northern Laos brings you to the Plain of Jars, a mysterious archaeological site steeped in legend. Tour the jar sites, then drive to idyllic Vang Vieng, home to stunning limestone karst scenery. Embark on a gentle kayaking trip and discover a nearby cave,

Days 11-13:

VIENTIANE

Continue to the rapidly developing capital, Vientiane. Visit Wat Sisaket and Haw Phra Kaew, and partake in a traditional Baci ceremony in a local home. Visit the interactive COPE visitor centre for a valuable insight into the lasting after-effects of the tragic ''Secret War''. V. Learn about the issue of disability prevalence, with a visit to an inspiring women''s support centre, before making stops at sparkling That Luang temple, and the grand Patuxai monument. Enjoy a farewell dinner on your final night, then have some free time in the morning before your departure transfer.

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