LAOS HIGHLIGHTS
Laos offers the opportunity to observe a way of life that has been unchanged for many generations. It is perhaps one of the least commercialized, and to that extent most genuine of all countries in Southeast Asia. Over 80 % of the country is still dominated by primary forest, and highlands which are home to the many ethnic minorities of Laos.
The abundance of natural resources, and relatively small population is reflected in the Lao people relaxed attitude. Nothing happens fast in Laos. It is an invitation to eat well, relax, and enjoy stepping back into a Buddhist sanctuary.Vientiane
Situated on the banks of the mighty Mekong River Vientiane, the country´s capital is a quiet town of less than half a million people.
Tour Highlights
That Luang Stupa. The most impressive stupa in Vientiane has a central stone structure of over 30 m high. It was built in 1566.
Wat Sisaket. Built in 1818 by King Chao Anou, this is the oldest temple in Vientiane. It has a number of unique features including the cloister, the frescos inside the Sim and a reported 6,840 Buddha images.
Wat Phra Keo. This is the former temple of the Lao monarchy and has been converted to a museum, with some excellent exhibits relating to the daily life of Lao Buddhists down the years.
Anoisavari Monument. Situated along one of the city´s major boulevards the monument has a wonderful painted ceiling. The monument is dedicated to all those who died in the years before the revolution.
Revolutionary Museum. This distinctive pink building houses a collection of artifacts: paintings, drums, and photographs depicting the history of the peoples Revolution in 1973.
Luang Prabang
Set high in the mountain valleys of the Mekong, Luang Prabang is the old sovereign capital of Laos. Luang Prabang is in our opinions one of the gems of Indochina. The town is small and absolutely peaceful. Aside from living of the river, the town has various quarters which specialize in traditional crafts such as silver carving, silk weaving, sausage making.
Strolling or bicycling round the town the few visitors who go to Luang Prabang are greeted by smiles and "sabadee!" (lao for hello) by children, and Buddhist monksalike. In Luang Prabang no one seems to be involved in anything so dull as working, adding to an almost surreal pace of life.
Day Tour Includes: Wat Chom Si, Wat Xieng Thong, Palace Museum, Mekong river tour to Pak Ou Caves, numerous surrounding waterfalls for bathing.
The plain of Jars
Xieng Khuang Province is one of Laos most mountainous regions. In addition to it´s rugged beauty the province is particularly worth visiting because of the mysterious Plain of Jars, situated a few kilometers outside the provincial capital Ponsawan. The Plain of Jars consists of over huge stone jars dating back to 6th century, scattered randomly over an area of several hundred square metros. To date no one has come up with a definitive answer as to their origin and purpose.
The south: Pakse & Chamssak
Pakse is the capital of the Champassak Province which is famous for silks and cottons hand-woven from tie-dyed threads. Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sen Don rivers, the town was established by the french as an administrative post in 1905.
Within Pakse is a very lively market, the Falls of Selabam and its dam whilst the nearby village of Ban Saphay is home to the magnificent statue of Ganeca, son of Indra and Parvati.
Day Tour Options include: Visit the ancient capital kingdom of Champassak, know for the temple ruins of Wat Phou. Drive to over 1000 meters in altitude to the town of Paksong on the Bolovens Plateau.
The khone Falls and khone island where you will see rare freshwater dolphin. At Ben Veun Kham, the last Lao village on the Mekong take a boat upriver to the Thousand islands.
Note: At the end of this tour passengers have the option to complete their trip by flying from Pakse back to Vientiane or by land across the Thailand border and catching a flight to Bangkok
