Laos Holidays

After years of war and isolation, Laos is the most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people in Southeast Asia. The country is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane. It’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. Then, there is the historic royal city of Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks move silently among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you’ll experience anywhere in Asia.

Away from the cities, there is so much more to see, covering thePlain of Jars in Xieng Khuang Province, the forested mountains of Northern Laos, the gothic limestone karsts around the backpacker-haven Vang Vieng and in the deep south, past the market town Pakse, is Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), where the mighty Mekong spreads out and all the hammocks are taken.

The Lao wilderness is drawing travellers looking for nature, adventure or both. Kayaking, rafting, rock-climbing and biking are all available, but the community-based trekking is most popular with the chance to experience the ‘real Laos’ with a village homestay. The tourist trail in Laos is growing fast, but that just means ‘there is plenty of roads off where you can make your own trail’.