 LUANG
PRABANG (390 km from Vientiane) |
 The
crown jewel of Laos and former Lanexang, Luang Prabang, at the confluence
of the Nam Kham and the Mekong River, is perhaps the best-preserved
traditional city in Southeast Asia. Magical and charming, it has
maintained its long-standing reputation as a stronghold of Lao culture
with its delightful mountain eccircled setting, the lovely Royal
Palace and more than 30 half-millennium old temples such as Vat
Xienthong, Vat Sene, Vat May and Vat Visoun. Nearby are the sacred
Pak Ou Caves housing thousands of statues representing Lord Buddha.
In 1995 UNESCO voted Luang Prabang as a World Heritage City.
| NORTHERN
LAOS (aproximately 750 km from Vientiane) |
 Bordered
by Myanmar, Vietnam and China, the northernmost part of Laos includes
the provindec of Phongsaly, Luang Namtha and Oudomaxay. Highlights
of a visit to this mountainous region are the colorful markets and
villages of more than 30 different ethic groups such as Hmong, Iho,
Khmu, Lanten, Mien, Samtao, Thai Daeng, Thai Lu...Since the late
16th century, the small town of Muang Sing has been a traditional
Thai cultural nexus as well as a trade center attracting a large
variety of hill tribes. With a stunning unspoiled nature, Luang
Namtha province is also home to the 2,224 square-kilometer Nam Ha
NBCA and to the UNESCO Lao Nam Ha Eco-tourism Project
| NORTHERN
MEKONG (aproximately 450 km from Vientiane) |
 In
the Northwestern part of Laos, near the notorious Golden Triangle,
Houei Xay is a bustling trading port between Yunnan and Thailand.
The region is famous for its precious stones (sapphires and rubies)
and gold mining. Various hill-tribes villages can be visited from
Houei Xay, including the colorful Lahu, Mien and Lanten. Houei Xay
is a major entry point for visitors planning to travel down-river
to Luang Prabang. Travelers usually stop overnight at Pak Beng,
a rustic town-village that sits on a steep hillside with spectacular
views over the Mekong River. An alternative option is to continue
the cruise to the small port of Tha Suang and from there, to travel
overland to Hong Sa, where Thai Lu villagers specialize in elephant
breeding while women weave some of the most sumptuous lao textiles.
Elephant safaris to beautiful authentic Thai Lu villages and to
the pristine White Elephant Forest can be organized.
| PLAIN
OF JARS (aproximately 300 km from Vientiane) |
 Among
the most enigmatic sites in Laos is the Plain of Jars a large area
extending around Phonesavanh city in Xieng Khouang province, where
several hundred huge jars of unkhown origin are scattered about
in over a dozen groupings. The jars, carved from solid stone, vary
in shape and in size, the biggest one weighing as much as six tons.
The area, which was heavily bombed during the Indochina and Vietnam
Wars, is home to a large Hmong community.
| VANG
VIENG (aproximately 160 km from Vientiane) |
 This
small provincial town nestles along a scenic bend of the Nam Song
River. The main attraction is the karst topography lining the west
bank of the river with sugar loaf hills amd dramatic cliffs covered
by lush vegetation and peppered by caves and caverns including the
famous Tham Xang cave. during the 19th century, Tham Xang cave,
with an underground spring and a stunning view over the valley,
was used as a bunker in defense against marauding Yunnanese.
| VIENTIANE |
 The
capital of Laos lies on the bank of the Mekong River. The city has
kept its timeless charm with tree-lined avenues, brightly painted
temples and quaint French architecture. Vientiane's major attractions
are the serene Buddhist monasteries that dominate the center of
town. Among the most interesting temples, Vat Sisaket, Ho Phra Keo,
Vat Ongteu and Vat Simuang should not be missed. Another famous
landmark is That Luang Stupa, the symbol of both the Buddhist religion
and the Lao sovereignty. Vientiane also boasts a lively Morning
Market where the best of Lao weaving can be found. Finally the surrounding
of Vientiane offer great opportunitues for eco-tourism such as boat
trips on the Nam Ngeum River and Lake or trekking in the Dane Soung
are to discover antique Mon-Khmer sanctuaries and visit traditional
villages.
| SAVANNAKHET
(470 km from Vientiane) |
 The
most populated province of Laos, Savannakhet on the banks of the
Mekong River has become a major relay point for trade between Thailand
and Vietnam. The city still has some good examples of French colonial
and Sino-Vietnamese shophoude architecture. Major attractions include
That Ing Hang Stupa, one of the holiest edifice of Laos, Vat Sayaphoum
with its renowned Pali school, That Phon Stupa and the Khmer ruins
of Heuan Hin. Savannakhet is also a base for jungles of the Phu
Xang Hae NBCA, which is home to various rare bird species, wild
elephants, giant muntjac and tigers.
| PAKSE
- CHAMPASAK (approximately 700 km from Vientiane) |
 Pakse,
the capital of the Champassak province, is located at the confluence
of the Mekong and Sedone Rivers. It is the perfect gateway to the
southern region and the Boloven Plateau as well as an excellent
starting point for excursions to the former royal capital of Champasak,
situated 38 kms from Pakse along the Mekong River. The pre Angkorian
Vat Phu Temple (6th-13th centuries), near Champassak, was listed
as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2002 and the Vat Phu Archeological
Museum opened doors in 2003 with more than 150 artifacts. Several
Khmer sites associated with Vat Phu Temple can be found in the surroundings
including Oum Moung Temple (9th century) on the opposite namk of
the Mekong River. Nearby is Ban Khiat Ngong village with its enigmatic
Phu Asa temple, which lies amidst the dense jungle of Xe Pien NBCA.
Elephant riding through the forest to observe the abundant wildlife
is recommended option.
| KHONG
ISLAND (815 km from Vientiane) |
 Located
at the southernmost point of Laos, next to the Cambodian border,
the Siphandone region (Four Thousand Island) is blessed by the most
scenic section of Mekong River and some impressive rapids including
the magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall. Khong Island, with its
lovely fishing villages, its serene monasteries and its lush vegatation
offers a unique opportunity to experience the peachful Lao way of
life. In the dry season, when the river receds, the Irrawaddy dolphins,
one of the world's rarest large mammal species, congregate at the
base of the rapids to hunt the fish that survive in the deep pools.
| BOLOVEN
PLATEAU (aprroximately 800 km from Vientiane) |
 The
Boloven Plateau straddles Saravan, Sekong, Champassak and Attapeu
provinces. Thia fertile volcanic plateau, especially the Paksong
area, is one of the country's most important agricultural areas
with coffe, tea and spice plantations as well as fruit orchards.
Neighboring Vietnam, the Boloven Plateau was heavily bombed during
the Vietnam War and the foltsam of Ho Chi Minh Trail can be seen
in several locations. More than 13 ethic groups of the Mon-Khmer
family inhabit this remote region: Lavai, Laven, Alak, Nge, Katu,
Katang ... still maintain their centuries-old lifestyles, with several
families living in huge longhouses, and practice a combination of
animism and shamanism including buffalo sacrifices. Excursions to
Tadlo or Tadfane Waterfalls offer visitors a glimpse into these
ancestral ways of living. The area also boasts 50% natural forest
cover. So far, only Phu Xieng Thong NBCA (about 40 km from Pakse)
received protected status but the southeastern part of the plateau,
rugged, wild and scenic, is home to pristine primary rainforests,
abundant with wild life including rare species of birds and deer,
tigers, elephants, leopards, monkeys and possibly even rhinos.
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