14 Day Laos Xplorer

Taking some of the best highlights of South-east Asia’s most underrated country. The Xtreme Xplorer trips are fully guided modular group tours using local transport connections. There are a great way to experience the country from the locals perspective, great value to. Accommodation transport and activities are included.

This version is the 14 day version of Laos Xplorer. You can also combine other Xplorer trips to create a fully comprehensive one month tour of Laos and Cambodia.

Photos

Itinerary

Laos

See it all in a fully guided group

In this juncture of raw nature, where the wild waterway confluences of the Mekong and the misty jungle basins that surround it feather out southward toward the Thai gulf, nestled in the very heart of Southeast Asia, lies the elongated nation of Laos; from the UNESCO wonders of Luang Prubang in the north, to the river city of Pakse on the southern Cambodian border.

Famously wild, the few hubs of human activity that exist here have become coveted backpacking destinations, gateways to the untouched and unexplored Southeast Asian lands of yesteryear. Laos is the wilder Thailand, where the roads are lined, not with continuing rows of steam-emitting noodle vendors, but bending palms weighed down by the pull of ancient vines, and bamboo huts shrouded by the shadows of the jungle. But fear not backpacker, it’s not all tree-clad bluffs and mosquitoes; the rise of Laos as a gap year destination, means a well-developed traveller scene, where vest-wearing party-goers sip Beer Lao on the back of Mekong slow boats, or cheap (and I mean cheap!) whiskey from the bottle on a Nam Song River bank.

The week one option centres on northern Laos, guiding you overnight, through the Thai-Laos border crossing (with departures available from Bangkok).

Bangkok

The trip starts in Bangkok
After an overnight, ‘on-the-road’ stay, you’ll arrive in one of Laos’ beating cultural centres, the town of Luang Prabang. Having UNESCO world heritage site status, it’s rich with religious architecture and has a bustling central market – selling everything from backpack patches to pickled snake whiskey. For those who want to get a taste of the famous wilderness of northern Laos, the nearby Kuang Si waterfalls and local caving complexes are easily accessible for day trips.

Luang Prabang

This is one of the most underrated cities in Laos, set by an ancient river meandering through the mountains, Luang Prabang holds lots of hidden surprises. From stunning night markets, a great (and cheap) place to test out your haggling skills and pickups souvenirs and local handicrafts, to a hilltop monastery giving way to beautiful views and sublime waterfalls, this is a great place to hang out and enjoy the laid back nature of the place. We have a couple of days here which no matter how you look at it is never enough. It gives plenty of opportunity to take a boat trip up the river, explore the jungle and waterfalls.

Ask the guide for plent of optional activities along the way.

On day 5 it is time to head on,  you’ll take the dramatic road, winding through the thick forests, and cliff-faced limestone bluff rises south of Luang Prabang, to the backpacker party hub of Vang Vieng.

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng – a great place to grab some cold ones with fellow travellers. This small town’s location on the Nam Song River, surrounded by dramatic peak rises and a myriad of trekking routes, makes it a great staging point for a number of adventure activities – notably mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing.

The town is a huge hub for backpackers and is famous for its river activities (tubing as it was is now done but we are told there are great alternatives) and also for its TV bars. Prepare to watch umpteen episodes of Friends and family guy.

Week 2

Vientiane

After two days you’ll take the shorter (and more relaxing) journey three hours south, to the metropolitan heart of Laos – the capital Vientiane. Here you’ll find a curious mix of post-colonial and traditional architecture, dotted with nationalistic and religious art. It’s compact and easy to get around, which makes Vientiane somewhat similar to Bangkok in terms of nightlife; there’s plenty of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants all within easy reach of the town centre, so no need to travel far.

After two days in Vientiane, exploring the city’s treasures and enjoying the comforts of a cuisine much closer to home than you’d expect (where the lingering French colonial influences still make good red wine readily available, and there’s crusty baguettes too), we’ll drop you right back into the wild, taking you to the nearby waterfalls. You can cool off on the shady banks of Laos’ jungle waters, indelibly surrounded by nature, while geckos ‘tokay’ in the canopy above.

Pakse

From there it’s further south, to the city of Pakse. Sitting where the mighty Mekong joins the smaller Xe Don river, this is Loas’ third largest city and capital of Champasak region Yet it remains laid-back and relaxed. Founded by the French in 1905 it has some impressive colonial buildings, stunning old temples and an incredible (and huge) market. But what makes Pakse so firmly planted on the backpacker trail is that it provides easy access to all the nearby must see sights such as the plantations of the Bolaven plateau and a UNESCO world Heritage site the Temple of Wat Phu.

This impressive complex dates back from the 16th to 13th centuries and sits in the most beautiful settings, surrounded by lush forests populated by Asian black bears.

Pakse is also known primarily as the jump off point for exploring Si Phan Don, or the Four Thousand Islands, fascinating outcrops of fertile sandy ground and imposing rocks that dominate the width of the southern Mekong. It feels like another world from another time, visitors are ferried around in rafts bearing rattan and chairs almost like thrones on floating rafts.

Being a five hour public transport ride out of town, before we leave for the Islands you’ll get plenty of time to enjoy Paske itself; you can explore the Khmer ruins of high-perched Wat Phu or simply hang out with your fellow Xplorers as the fast flowing rivers join and pass you by.

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

Price

14 days  - £498

Dates

This trip starts on the first Sunday of the month in Bangkok.

Trip Combos

This trip can easily be combined with other explore options throughout Thailand and Cambodia even into Vietnam.

That means we can custom-built you an extended guided trip around Southeast Asia.

Check out the Cambodia Xplorer options which can easily bolt onto this trip as well.