Winding North to South
Moving through Laos languid length, from the remote north through its elegant cities to the dappled inland islands of the south, is a classic way to see the country. Our Specialists have given the route a few expert tweaks to show you the breadth of Laos at its very best.
Spend time around Oudomxay and Nong Khiaw visiting local Khamu, Ikhos and Hmong communities and learning about life in this rural region. Slow the pace and pause for dips in isolated waterfalls and picnics at mountain viewpoints. Up the pace in two of Laos’ major cities, enjoying the buzzing modernity and elegant boulevards of Vientiane and the UNESCO-listed heritage of Luang Prabang. Bookend your trip with a different angle on Laos’ rural side in Si Phan Don, the network of inland waterways known as the 4000 Islands for a touch of riverside beach stillness.
Slow-flowing capital city
Arguably, no other destination epitomises the appeal of slow travel quite like Laos, and few cities lend themselves to this ideal as well as the capital, Vientiane. Not all visitors pause in this ‘village city’, often deciding on a few more nights in Luang Prabang instead, but for anyone set on seeing the highlights of the north, Vientiane is a must.
There are so many reasons to begin in Vientiane. Its blend of gently faded architecture and traditional temples sits alongside exhibitions highlighting the challenges faced by Laos from unexploded Vietnam War-era ordnance. It's the perfect place to get acquainted with the country’s delicious cuisine, and your guide will be happy to whiz you round the night market by tuk tuk to get you started. Even leaving the capital is a moment in itself, riding the elegant high-speed train towards the Oudomxay countryside.
Away from it all in Oudomxay
Gentle river bends, sheltered hillsides and hidden lodges nestled into quiet rural surroundings. Oudomxay is about as far from the urban rush as it’s possible to get; somewhere to come to let yourself fully unwind and rediscover a softer rhythms. Spend time in with local communities discovering the pace of daily life in this remote corner of northern Laos and decompress from life’s usual pressures.
Small and welcoming, remote, understated luxury, and utterly relaxing - we urge you to stay as many nights at Nam Kat Yorla Pa as time will allow. This is one case where we insist you take it slow! The lodge itself is a lovely place to linger, just taking it all in and unwinding by the riverside, but the experience of staying here opens the door to so much more.
Remote retreats
Having the chance to rest and relax is one of the major highlights of visiting northern Laos, but if you can tear yourself away from your blissful base, you can immerse yourself in truly extraordinary natural beauty in a country full of superlative-inducing scenery. Borne by boat down the wide Nam Ou River, you’ll have nothing to do but sit back and watch as each curve and bend brings the stunning landscape closer. Pass forested hills, limestone crags and tiny villages, with a brief pause to disembark and navigate the hydropower dam - a rather jarring interruption to an otherwise timeless landscape. If time allows, time at the Nam Ou River Homestay offers an immersive glimpse of rural Laos life.
Having arrived in the town of Nong Khiaw, resist the urge to schedule every moment. Instead, leave plenty of time for impromptu riverbank strolls, wanders through nearby villages, paths that emerge on limestone cliffs with panoramic views, and pauses to watch spectacular sunsets.
Laid-back jewel of Indochina
Having made your way to the jewel of Luang Prabang, you’ll want to spend time taking it all in. Observe the daily ritual of tak bat (the giving of alms to the city’s monks) from a respectful distance, stroll through the still relatively peaceful streets, with their gentle blend of traditional and Colonial architecture, and appreciate the spiritual atmosphere of the many Wats, or Buddhist temples. Allow yourself to absorb the essence of the city, or explore its historic depths with a tour from a specialist UNESCO guide.
Luang Prabang is a great place to pursue your own passions, and the possibilities are pretty much endless. Foodies can learn about traditional farming techniques, and the intricacies of rice cultivation, under the friendly eyes of local farmers at the Living Lands Organic Farm. Visit Laos’ first buffalo dairy, which makes delicious mozzarella and ice-cream, and enjoy afternoon tea at the luxurious Amantaka hotel. Conservationists can take in the Bear Rescue Centre, which does a great job of protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear, and visit the Mandalao Elephant Sanctuary, dedicated to caring for elephants who previously spent much of their lives working in the logging industry.
Low-key island life
Although Luang Prabang would be a great place to finish your Laotian exploration, a flight south to Pakse will put you within reach of Si Phan Don, otherwise known as the 4,000 Islands, for a truly laid-back last leg. Avoid too much extra moving around by basing yourself in sleepy Champasak or on Done Daeng, too far north to be officially one of the ‘4,000’ but still one of the most picturesque islands in the region and the location of the peaceful La Folie Lodge.
Once you’re settled, enjoy expansive river views and unexpectedly sandy beaches, explore the waterways by day boat, take one of the complimentary bicycles for a spin, or enjoy a leisurely excursion to UNESCO-listed Wat Phou, a historic site stunningly situated overlooking the water. Navigate the hills, waterfalls and rivers that make up the nearby Bolaven Plateau and visit a coffee farm to learn about the whole process from bean to cup, or just relax into the gentle Si Phan Don pace of life.
A note on cost…
The guide price of £3,390US$4,590 is a per person price (not including international flights) staying 2 nights in Vientiane, 2 nights in Oudomxay, 2 nights in Nong Khiaw, 4 nights in Luang Prabang, and 4 nights at La Folie Lodge whilst exploring the 4000 Islands.
