Back Door to Luang Prabang
This is
undoubtedly the most spectacular way to make the journey to Luang Prabang. Begin in Chiang Mai, where our
driver and guide drive you to Chiang Rai to spend one or two nights before you
cross into Laos to board a first class river cruise to Luang Prabang that makes
stops to visit unspoiled landlocked villages local colorful local markets. Overnight
stops along the way includes a night in a luxury eco-lodgesin Pak Beng and an
optional overnight in Kamu, followed by three
nights or longer in Luang Prabang. You may begin in Luang Prabang and end
in Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai if you wish.
Luang Prabang Side Dishes
Stay a bit
longer in Luang Prabang and enjoy some delicious extra days. We have quite a few
fascinating optional activities exclusively for guests using one of our Luang
Prabang Packages.
Road to Rainbows
Why fly
between Vientiane and Luang Prabang when you can enjoy the spectacular scenery
along Laos' most modern, most scenic highway? You can begin your trip in either place.
Vientiane
Take two days to enjoy sensual "Sandalwood City."
This nostalgic town is still the most charming and most French of all the former
Indochinese capitals. You will see lovely boulevards and stately villas, and
massive monument with a dubious history, a bizarre public garden, and several
interesting places of worship. There is even a bit of nightlife.
Ultimate Laos Adventure
We put our
Back Door to Luang Prabang, Road to Rainbows and Vientiane packages together to
make the ultimate journey through Laos at
a special price. You can continue to Pakse if you like, end your journey at
Vientiane airport, or at the Friendship Fridge connecting Laos to Thailand at
Nong Khai.
Pakse and the River of Four Hundred Islands is still on our drawing
board, but we are working as fast as we can. This is one of the least developed
areas of Laos. Here, you can visit one of the furthest and most impressive
outposts of the Khmer empire, and enjoy a luxury cruise on one of the most
picturesque stretches of the mighty Mekong.
Laos will probably not be your favorite destination if your primary interest is nightlife. Gay life in Laos is nothing like Thailand. People here are traditional and conservative. However, they are also extraordinarily friendly. While there are no exclusively gay venues in Luang Prabang, nightlife in Vientiane is somewhat more interesting. But after a a week in Thailand you need a rest from all of that, don't you?
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There is no bad time to visit Laos. The climate is virtually the same as Thailand, Laos' neighbor to the south. The most popular months to visit are October through March. April through June are quite warm. The "green season" begins in July and continues to October. Occasional afternoon rain keeps the country lush and cool.
A visa is required for citizens of most countries. Visas are issued on arrival at a cost of $25 and require two passport photos. We will give you plenty of help to prepare for your adventure, including detailed "Before You Go" information.
Laos, Thailand's sleepy neighbor to the north, is somewhat less "discovered" than any of its
neighbors. Vientiane, the country capital, is a charming and attractive place filled with lovely architecture left behind by the French. Luang Prabang, the country's former royal capital, is one of the most interesting, most laid-back places in Indochina. You can smell the baguettes baking and even find a decent bottle of wine. Laos is devoutly Buddhist country and many people rise at dawn to feed long processions of monks. Since LP is a UNESCO World Heritage site, nothing new can be built, and little can be changed. We often hear it called "Chiang Mai fifty
years ago." The ideal visit to Laos will include both Vientiane and Luang Prabang. You may want to stay longer.
