Off the beaten track Laos

There are then, as we said, less off-the-beaten-track tours and more off-the-beaten-track tours of Southeast Asia.

Although positively bustling by Lao standards, laid back Pakse Town makes a great base for exploring the sites and landscapes of southern Laos

Highlights of Southern Laos The picturesque World Heritage town of Luang Prabang in northern Laos is justifiably renowned, as are the spectacular, karst formations of scenic Vang Vieng. The strategically placed, riverside capital Vientiane also, inevitably, sees a regular flow of visitors but many of the other wonderful sites Laos has to offer remain consistently off-the-beaten-track. Our brief rundown of some…

The Plain of Jars The World Heritage Plain of Jars, situated in remote northeastern Laos, is a seriously off-the-beaten-track destination although, fortuitously, visits are facilitated by Xieng Khouang Airport which serves the adjacent town of Phonsavan and provides daily connections to the capital Vientiane. At present, the far-flung provincial capital has just three road connections. Route 7 leads west to…

Konglor Cave Incredible really is the word for the amazing Konglor Cave system, situated amongst the dramatic karst scenery of Hin Boun District in central Lao’s Khammouane Province. Reminded of us of the spectacular scenery of northern Lao’s Vang Vieng but without the number of visitors, since mass tourism is fortunately yet to hit this remote part of the country. Whilst…

The Plain of Jars Laos You will usually see adjectives such as mysterious or enigmatic preceding the name Plain of Jars, Laos, with the reason being – since a stone jar in itself is not so mysterious –  that archaeologists can’t agree on their date or even their actual purpose, therefore – enigmatic! The stone jars – up to 2m…

Phu Asa Phu Asa or Asa Mountain is a sandstone outcrop lying close to the village of Kietngong in South Lao’s Champassak Province. The forested hill – part of Xe Pian National Biodiversity Zone – is topped by a flat, bare rock outcrop with a gentle access slope to the northeast and steep drop-offs on the other sides. The mountain’s…