Laos suggested Tailor made holidays

DISCOVERING LAOS

Laos is still the least visited of the three countries of Indochina, and those who do visit are charmed by this sleepy country with its most welcoming of people.  This itinerary allows you to time to visit some of the highlights as well as travel overland in a country where road travel is limited. Vientiane, unlike any other capital city, has an unhurried atmosphere with its lack of traffic, distinctive temples and lovely location on the banks of the Mekong River facing Thailand. 

The drive north to Luang Prabang is via Vang Vieng, home to limestone grottoes and water-logged caverns, several of which are now accessible to visitors. Life in Luang Prabang has changed little and in the early morning a file of saffron-clad monks can still be seen collecting alms from locals. The town, surrounded by rugged mountains, is filled with ancient temples and the nearby Pak Ou caves, reached by boat, are crammed with thousands of Buddha statues.

Close to the Vietnamese border, Phonsavanh suffered from saturation bombing during the Vietnam War. You will be intrigued to see that bomb casings have been recycled to make fences or as the stands for stilt houses or rice barns. But the big attraction here is the ancient Plain of Jars, where hundreds of stone ‘jars’ are scattered across the plain, many measuring a metre or more in diameter. To this day little is known about their purpose or the people who crafted them. 
Leave the backwater of Phonsavanh and return to Vientiane. From here you can travel to southern Laos or fly to Hanoi, Phnom Penh or cross into northern Thailand.

Cost per person from £728.00 (based on two people travelling in a twin/double room)

LAOS IN DEPTH

Travelling by boat is a memorable way to start the journey through Laos. Board a traditional boat at the Thai/Lao border and cruise along the Mekong River to Pakbeng, a small riverine settlement. Here you can savour the peace and quiet and view the sun setting. Continue by boat to the former imperial capital of Luang Prabang, visiting Pak Ou caves en route, crammed with thousands of statues of Buddha. 

Nestled high up in the mountains,  is Laos’ must see destination. In the early morning a file of saffron-clad monks can still be seen collecting alms from locals. The delightful temples, the warmth of the people and the beauty of the surroundings will entrance you.

The pace picks up slightly as you fly on to Vientiane, whose unhurried atmosphere is like no other Asian capital. Take in That Luang, the national shrine and stroll along the banks of the Mekong River facing Thailand before flying continuing south to Pakse. The Mekong River dominates so much of life in Laos and in Pakse it is no different. Pakse, a market town with many lovely examples of French architecture, is a jumping off point for many sights of interest including Wat Phu Temple, dating back over 1400 years, and the cool highlands of the Bolovens Plateau. 

From Pakse you take an overnight excursion to Khong Island, the largest of the 4,000 islands scattered across the Mekong River on the border with Cambodia and home to spectacular waterfalls and the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphins. Return to Pakse from where you can cross the border into Thailand.

Cost per person from £988.00 (based on two people travelling in a twin/double room)

A Silk Steps inclusive holiday price includes:
• Private return transfers between airports and hotels (unless otherwise specified)
• The services of English speaking guides and representatives at each stage of the tour. Between most places you will travel unescorted
• Accommodation in a standard room (shared twin) with private facilities (unless otherwise specified) with breakfast
• Government taxes and compulsory service charges
• All tours and sightseeing as specified, inclusive of entrance fees
• Economy class air travel within all countries on the scheduled services of the national or domestic carrier as specified in each tour
• The services of our local representative
Extras:
• International flights - please contact us for up-to-date prices
• Travel insurance
• Meals - unless otherwise stated
• Optional sightseeing other than specified
• International airport departure tax payable overseas
• Visa fees
• Single supplement (on request)

The monsoon rains are from May to October with temperatures around 30°C, however it is cooler in the mountainous areas. From November to April the average temperature is 15°C with temperatures increasing with the advent of the monsoon.  

For up to date weather details try BBC weather   www.bbc.co.uk/weather/