Laos is becoming a trendy and unique destination for travelers, many of which are attracted to its less-visited status. If you are looking for a relaxing and hassles-free holiday in an exotic land filled with friendly people, wonderful landscape and eye-catching temples and monuments, then Laos is the destination for you.
Many enter Laos from Thailand via Pakbeng from Houey Xay, Thailand. But wait, there are still things to see and do here. Don’t forget that the Mekong River serves as the border between Laos and Thailand, so Pakbeng serves as a great place to witness and embrace Lao riverside life. The calming air and laid back nature of Laos affords a nice and relaxing riverside picnic.
From here, it is best to head south and stop at Pak Ou Caves where you will see thousands upon thousands of Buddha images. Who put them there? Why was it placed there? The cave was and still is considered holy. Pilgrims throughout the years have been placing their statues there out of respect for the site. Talk about dedication!
After seeing this one of a kind cave, it is only fitting that you next explore Laos’ cultural capital, Luang Prabang. The city’s (well, more like town) colors will overwhelm the senses, ranging from its tree-lined streets with scarlet flowers, colonial structures as well as its glittering temples. Add in the line of orange-clad monks during their alms walks in the morning and your experience in Luang Prabang will surely be vividly colorful.
Continuing south takes you to Vientiane, the country’s capital with a population of about 500,000 people. That’s it! And yes, you are correct; Vientiane does feel like a small urban town (when compared to the region’s bigger capitals). The city (or town, whatever you want to call it) is a mixture of colonial buildings and historic temples sprinkled in with modern structures. From the tranquil Buddha-filled Wat Sisaket, to the slightly bizarre Patouxai monument (with resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris), Vientiane is a city of hidden wonders and gems.
Keep on heading south to the Bolaven Plateau. If you are looking for scenic Lao wildlife, ethnic hilltribes still adhering to centuries old practices, a refreshing swim in waterfall pools and genuine Laos coffee, you are in the right place. At more than 1000 meters above sea level, the weather is also a tad cooler than anywhere else in Laos, so sit back, sip your preferred beverage and relax, just like the locals do!
Keep going even further south until you reach Siphandon, near the Cambodian border. There are over 4000 islands here (Siphandon in actuality means 4000 islands) most of which are small enough to walk across. Who needs cars over here anyways?
Exotissimo’s Laos in Depth tour is the perfect icebreaker to the country. You will experience the best of Laos as you visit temples, experience charming rustic towns, meet friendly, laid back folk, be one with nature and of course sample the delicious food! You will start from the north and work your way south in a memorable and colorful journey. There are also other interesting tours into this marvelous country. Visit our Laos tour page and see our Laos programs on offer. You can also build your ideal holiday program by visiting our tailor made page.
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