Exploring Southern Laos

8 days from £4,730 for 2024 per person

• Vientiane
• Hin Boun
• Thakhek
• Tad Lo
• Pakse

Little villages, areas of outstanding natural beauty, historic temples and stupas and the occasional reminder of French colonial history are scattered through southern Laos. This itinerary starts in the capital of Vientiane where the colonial influence is evident in the best boutique hotels, and the temples of Wat Si Saket and Ho Phra Keo are well worth exploring. Enjoy a Laotian barbeque in a tranquil spot away from the crowd this evening.

The itinerary follows a leisurely meandering route southwards, with stays at three different rustic riverside properties, each with something unique to recommend it. At the Spring River Resort deep in the natural forest and lime karst scenery of a national park near Hin Boun, explore Kong Lor cave - one of the world's largest, in what is considered the caving capital of the world.

Explore little villages en route to Thakhek, capital of Khammouanne province with a French colonial feel and some great little restaurants along the Mekong riverfront with sunset views.

Continue on south to Tad Lo, a charming and unspoilt little cluster of guesthouses, little restaurants and bike rental shops around an impressive waterfall on the Bolaven plateau. bathe in pools below the waterfall, or simply enjoy the view and watch Tad Lo Lodge's two elephants being bathed each evening. Off-road biking trails here are great for the more intrepid.

Complete the week at a river resort in Champasak, otherwise known as 4,000 islands - a charming unspoilt array of little islands, villages, waterfalls and slowly crumbling French colonial buildings. Wat Po temple complex here is the most impressive in the region, well worth the climb up steep steps to the temple itself which is built into the rockface. After a relaxing sojourn here, fly on to you next South East Asian destination or fly home from Pakse via Bangkok.

This is purely a suggested itinerary so it can be booked as it is, or used as a starting point for creating your own luxury tailor-made holiday. If you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our other Laos itineraries.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson