Laos

Plain of Jars

The small dusty town of Phonsavan is the capital of XiengKhuang province and gateway to the Plain of Jars, which is the principal attraction in the region. The gigantic stone jars are to Laos as Stonehenge is to England – a complete enigma. While there are many theories, nobody really knows why hundreds of huge stone jars are scattered across several sites.. They are between 2500 and 3000 years old, and carved from solid rock. Most of these containers weigh between 600kgs and one tonne a piece, but the largest weighs six tonnes. The jars are set amongst beautiful scenery of rolling hills.

Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang, once the capital and the royal seat of the Lan Xang Kingdom or “land of a thousand elephants”, is a delightful town with a very relaxed atmosphere, nestled in a mountain valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan Rivers. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the town is considered to be the living heart of Lao religion and culture.

Not withstanding the stunning backdrop of the towering Mt. Phousi, LuangPrabang’s allure also comes from the sublime blend of ornate golden temples, ancient monuments and the gloriously faded grandeur of the French colonial architecture.

Luang Say Cruise

One of the most relaxing & enjoyable ways to combine countries in South-East Asia is to embark on a river cruise. The 2 day/1night ‘Luang Say’ cruise journeys guests from LuangPrabang, Laos to Northern Thailand along the Mighty Mekong River.

During the cruise you’ll have opportunities to explore traditional villages, admire the spectacular varying landscapes, observe rural life along the Mekong and that of the ethnic minorities.

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NORTHERN THAILAND TO LAOS ALONG THE MEKONG RIVER

This 14 day journey takes you from frenetic Bangkok up into mist shrouded hills of the Lanna Kingdom, the Golden Triangle and Mekong River travelling by boat to reach one of SE Asia’s most enchanting towns, Luang Prabang.

• 2 nights at the Riva Surya, Bangkok
• 2 nights at Rachamanka, Chiang Mai
• 2 nights at The Legend, Chiang Rai
• 1 night at Chiang Khong Teak Garden, Chiang Khong
• 1 night at Luang Say Lodge, Pakbeng
• 4 nights at Maison Souvannaphoum, Luang Prabang
• 1 night at Ansara, Vientiane

 Highlights of this itinerary:

• Travelling by boat through jungle clad gorges of the Mekong in a region mostly untouched by the modern world
• Soaking up the unhurried pace of life in Luang Prabang amongst its glittering golden wats, Indo-chine villas, colourful markets and cafes
• Whizzing along Bangkok’s Thonburi klongs in a long-tail boat
• Spending at day watching and assisting with elephants outside of Chiang Rai

This is a suggested itinerary and all arrangements can be tailored to your specific requirements.

Please contact us on 01905 731373 for further details and pricing.