The Lao People’s Democratic Republic – probably one of the least known countries in the world let alone in Southeast Asia! And yet it’s one of the most idyllic destinations possessing, what is undoubtedly, some of the region’s most spectacular scenery.

Almost entirely mountainous and still covered with large tracts of tropical jungle, Lao is separated from Vietnam to the east by the, up until recently, almost impenetrable Annamite Mountains, and from Thailand and Burma (Myanmar) in the west by the mighty Mekong River. China’s remote Yunnan Province lies just to the north and the swathes of Northern Cambodia’s forests stretch away to the south.

With myriad hill-tribe peoples still leading largely traditional lifestyles in the mountains, the mysterious and remote Plain of Jars, the spectacular Khmer ruined temple of Wat Phu in the South, the sublime 4,000 Islands of the Cambodian border region and the beautifully preserved temples and French colonial architecture of former royal capital and now UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang, there’s stunning scenery and much, much more to be seen.

An unusual and fascinating country to visit!