Luxury Laos holidays

Even the mighty Mekong River seems to relax into a slower pace here, its relentless flow meandering between dramatic karst mountains on its way south into Cambodia. Landlocked between its more-travelled neighbours, Laos exudes a refreshingly toned-down charm, an easygoing atmosphere in contrast to the exhilarating bedlam of Bangkok or Hanoi. That’s not to say Laos is short of bizarre and unique surprises; the unexplained hollowed monoliths on the eerie Plain of Jars, and the ancient psychedelic Buddha statues at Xieng Khuan (‘Spirit City’) are curious relics of ancient Laotian civilisations. Off the beaten track, luxury lodges provide rare access to everything from colourfully dressed hill tribes to spectacular subterranean river systems.

Best explored at a leisurely pace, Laos’ cultural hub, Luang Prabang, has rightfully earned the reputation of an essential pulse-slower on the Southeast Asia circuit. Ochre villas of the French colonial era jostle with the soaring roofs of tranquil temples, under swaying palms that move to the sonorous beat of Buddhist drums. Further south, languid Vientiane, the nation’s capital, provides delightful cuisine, wide boulevards, flamboyant architecture, and serene riverside spots to enjoy a cool Beerlao, overlooking Thailand on the opposite bank. From characterfully restored accommodation, head out into the wilderness to bathe with elephants, plunge into gushing aquamarine waterfalls, trek shrine-studded hills or drift idly down the Mekong on a traditional longboat. Or, for complete relaxation, hit the hammock in Laos’ 4000 islands, where days are filled with fishing, tubing, cross-island strolls or gourmet picnics by picturesque waterfalls. Easily accessed via Thailand to the west, Vietnam to the east or Cambodia to the south, we’ll help you tailor adequate time into your Indochina adventure to encounter Laos’ captivating sights.