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Laos holidays, tailor made

country:Laos
location:Golden Triangle
departures:This trip can be tailor-made and departures can be arranged all year. The sample itinerary below can be modified to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination
price:From £2200 (15 days) including flights from the UK, private transfers, accommodation and services of an experienced driver/guide. This trip can also be booked without flights
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
This itinerary will introduce you to the wonderful laid back country of Laos and the beautiful Golden Triangle area of Thailand.

Starting in Bangkok, after flying from London, you will take an internal flight to Chiang Rai before being transferred to the beautiful Anantara Resort in the Golden Triangle. Here you can explore the area or visit their elephant camp where you can learn to be an elephant mahout.

After two nights at the Anantara Resort you will travel across the border into remote northern Laos. This area offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Basing yourself at the Boat Landing Guesthouse spend time exploring the Nam Ha National Park by foot, kayak or mountain bike.

The following day board a traditional longtail boat and cruise down the Nam Ou river through mountainous limestone valleys. This journey offers a far more intimate experience than the popular Mekong route. Villages are less accustomed to visitors and curious but shy children still greet you with laughter and waves from the riverbanks whilst their mothers wash the family's clothes nearby After a night at the Nong Khiaw Riverside Resort, continue your journey to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos.

After exploring Luang Prabang you will fly to Vientiane, the peaceful capital of Laos. From Vientiane you will fly to Pakse in the south of Laos. A short transfer to the Kingfisher Ecolodge which is surrounded by wetlands and lush jungle will follow. You will end the trip staying a night on the peaceful island of Don Khong before transferring to Ubon Ratchathani for your flight to Bangkok. In Bangkok you will catch your flight back to London.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Fly from London to Bangkok
Day 2:Fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Transfer to the Anantara Resort.
Day 3:Day to explore the Golden Triangle.
Day 4:Transfer to the Laos border and continue your journey by road to Luang Nam Tha and the Boat Landing Guesthouse.
Day 5:Day exploring the Nam Ha National Park.
Day 6:Continue south through rural countryside to the beautiful Muang La Resort. The Resort has channelled some of the natural hot springs from the Nam Kor river and offers a traditional Lao experience in an idyllic setting.
Day 7:From Muang La, catch a traditional longtail boat to the peaceful and incredibly scenic area of Nong Khiaw.
Day 8:Transfer to the Lotus Villa hotel in Luang Prabang.
Day 9:A guided tour of the cultural delights of Luang Prabang.
Day 10:Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. On arrival, transfer to the Settha Palace hotel. Later take a half day city tour.
Day 11:Fly to Pakse and transfer to The Kingfisher ecolodge in the Champasak Province.
Day 12:Enjoy a trek around the surrounding area and a visit to some local villages.
Day 13:Visit the pre-Angkorian temple, Wat Phou before transferring to Khong Island where you will base yourself while you explore the 4,000 islands.
Day 14:Continue your cruise and exploration of 4,000 islands.
Day 15:Transfer to Ubon Ratchathani across the Thai border for your flight back to Bangkok. At Bangkok connect with your flight to London.
tailor made holidays
This trip can be tailormade to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.
how this holiday makes a difference
The Anantara Resort in the Golden Triangle has an elephant camp which benefits the elephant population of Thailand as they are put to work in their natural environment. This is especially relevant as the many elephants in Thailand have become unemployed due to the demise of the logging industry and have found their way into cities where they beg for food with their mahouts.

The Boat Landing Guesthouse is arguably one of the most prestigious ecolodges in Southeast Asia. This eco-friendly guesthouse provides its own energy from solar panels and also supports and promotes many local wildlife projects in the nearby Nam Ha National Park.

In Luang Nam Tha we use an adventure company called Green Discovery who have established an ecotourism project in conjunction with the local community ensuring that they benefit directly from tourism in the area. Such empowerment projects encourage villagers to appreciate and preserve both their heritage and natural environment.

The Lotus Villa is a small intimate hotel located in the heart of Luang Prabang. It takes an active role in the local community and supports the nearby Deak Kum Pa orphanage by contributing both time and money.

The Kingfisher Ecolodge near Pakse is a venture staffed by local villagers and powered by solar energy. Local guides are employed for trekking excursions, providing the area with a regular source of income and employment.

The use of boats is also a more eco-friendly way to explore the countries and does not have such an adverse effect on the environment.

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