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Mighty Mekong

One of the most inspirational river journeys in the world is taken by slowboat along the Mekong River from the Thai border to Luang Prabang, the gem of Indochina. Stop at remote hilltribe villages along the way to learn something of Laos' fascinating ethnic minorities. En route visit Pakbeng, a simple market town, home to H'mong and Thai people and perched above the river.

Linger Longer in Luang Prabang

Former royal capital of the Kingdom of a Thousand Elephants, Luang Prabang is the highlight of any visit to Laos and one of the most inspiring destinations in Indochina. Set amongst lush mountain scenery, Luang Prabang is best known as being home to one of Asia's most incredible sights; every morning thousands of saffron-robed monks rise at dawn and walk the streets of town barefoot to collect their daily alms from local residents. By contrast every night the local hilltribe population set up a market on the town's main street where you can find beautifully embroidered fabrics, Lao handicrafts and silver jewellery.

Sitting on the banks of the Mekong River, enjoy a sunset drink at one of Luang Prabang's many excellent cafes or restaurants in the restored French-colonial villas lining the waterway. The vacant Royal Palace and numerous monasteries and pagodas provide amazing examples of the intricate and symbolic detail involved in Lao architecture.

Out of town nearby waterfalls, stunning scenery, and the Cave of a Thousand Buddhas offer a rural Laos experience. Northern Laos is also home to the Plain of Jars where hundreds of mysterious stone vessels, whose ancient purpose remains unknown, are scattered across the countryside.

Visit Vientiane

South of Luang Prabang, Vientiane is the country's sleepy capital lying on the banks of the Mekong River and home to beautiful French-colonial architecture, superb restaurants and river-view cafes. The capital for over 100 years, Vientiane translates into ‘Sandalwood City' - a fragrant incense which stimulates the senses of travellers passing the many monasteries and wats in town. Visit Vientiane's oldest and most famous temple, Wat Sisaket, as well as Phra That Luang, a religious building covered with intricate murals painted centuries ago. The Patuxai Monument in the centre of town is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but is said to have been donated by the US intent on building an airport runway in the capital during the American ‘Secret War' in the 1970s.

Islands and Highlands

In Southern Laos, explore the 4,000 Islands. These numerous land masses spring from the waters of the Mekong, home to a rare breed of freshwater dolphin. Few of the islands are inhabited and where they are, the local residents live as they did hundreds of years ago. The south is also home to the Bolaven Plateau, a beautiful and rarely-visited, cool-climate region with stunning flora, coffee plantations and hilltribe minority villages.