1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

Treking through the jungle and then meeting a hill tribe in Laos - drinking local whisky with the "chief." Meeting other lowland tribes in Laos. These visits gave us an appreciation of how people live (very different to our own lives!) A day sailing down the Ou river into the Mekong river and another day sailing down the Sangker river in Cambodia. Visit to the Golden Triangle and a very enjoyable stay in Luang Prabang. Eating with fellow travellers, enabling us to sample different local dishes chosen by our guide (who was obviously much more knowledgeable about this and could also communicate in the relevant language). Visiting the killing fields in Cambodia - very thought provoking and sombre experience. Having a really excellent company guide in Thailand and Laos and getting on well with other travellers (most important).

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Take a couple of sweaters and a fleece. We visited in January and although days in Laos were warm nights were cold in the northern part (had electric blankets on the bed at the riverside chalet in Nong Khiaw). This was a complete contrast to Thailand and Cambodia which were both warm enough in the evening for no sweater. Waterproof your walking shoes before setting out on your holiday. Make sure you have lots of small denomination notes in the different currencies (including dollars) to use for tips. Make sure you build in a substantial allowance for tips. These do add up as, whilst not compulsory, they can include company guide, local guide, drivers of the various transports and accommodation staff.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?

Yes we stayed in small local guest houses, lodges/chalets and hotels. We ate locally produced food at smallish restaurants and visited local enterprises where we could buy their products. In Laos our group size was 8 so visits to different tribes were not as intrusive as they might have been with a large group.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Thoroughly enjoyable, we had a variety of very stimulating and interesting experiences. We felt we were in the company of likeminded fellow travellers, which obviously added to the enjoyment.