Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Mystical Laos... waiting to be experienced …… 

Laos - Land of a Million Elephants | Sunset Treks | Cascading Waterfalls | History, cuisine, views. A well-kept secret in the heart of Southeast Asia, Laos is an unspoiled wonderland of breathtaking sights and humble authenticity, Laos brings together the best of Southeast Asia in one bite-sized destination. Come……explore Laos with us.

Asia sticks to you. The joss sticks lit for the household shrines in Thailand impart a sweet perfume to the thick air. The heavenly aroma of Indian spices follows you for days.

This is a spiritual place infused with the gods of past & present: the ancient spirits of the land & the family, the deities of Buddhism & Hinduism and the rules of Islam. Architectural wonders & sacred spaces abound from the Great Wall of China & the temples of Angkor to lesser known marvels in Myanmar, Nepal & Afghanistan.

From sublime coastlines to snow-capped mountains, rolling landscapes fed by the monsoon rains & frenetic cities fizzling with energy, the diversity of Asia’s landscapes is mind-boggling. As are their highlights from trekking Malaysia’s steamy jungles and wildlife spotting in southern India to riding horses through the Mongolian steppes, skiing  Japan’s Alps & dodging falling coconuts on of the continents many remote islands.

Then there is the food. Tuck into fiery Indian curries, get adventurous with a local dish from a road side stall and gulp down a hearty bowl of Japanese ramen. With its colours, smells, flavours and personalities, you’ll find Asia is deliciously rewarding.

Adventure looms large in this vast & steamy archipelago, where the best of Southeast Asia’s spicy melange simmers tantalisingly. Heady scents, vivid colours, dramatic vistas & diverse cultures spin and multiply to the point of exhaustion, their potent brew leaving your senses reeling.

And now on to Laos - a land of the lotus eaters amid the bloated development of its neighbours

 
Eclectic Asia   | Kaleidoscope of People | Fifty Shades of Green | History +

After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures & quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers.

Laos retains many of the traditions that have disappeared in a frenzy of development elsewhere in the region. It is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region.

Laos is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the region, reflecting its geographic location as a crossroads of Asia. The hardy Hmong people live off the land in remote mountain communities of the north, remote Kahu & Alak communities of the south have the last remaining traditional face tattoos, and the Katang villages of central Laos sleep with the spirits of the forest. Whether it is the cities of the lowlands or the remote villages of the highlands, Laos offers some wonderful opportunities for local interaction.

With its dark & brooding jungle, glowing emerald rice fields & the glistening tea leaves that blanket the mountains, the landscape in Laos changes shades of green like a chameleon. But it is not just the luscious landscapes that are green: when it comes to ecotourism, Laos is leading the way in Southeast Asia. Protected areas predominate in remote areas of the country & community-based trekking combines these spectacular natural attractions with the chance to experience the 'real Laos' with a village homestay.

It is hard to believe somnolent Vientiane is an Asian capital where this sort of languid riverfront life can still exist. There is a timeless quality to the refreshingly simple Village life where stilt houses & paddy fields look like they are straight out of a movie set.

Then, of course, there is the historic royal magical city of  Luang Prabang, where watching as hundreds of saffron-robed monks silently gliding through the streets every morning in a call to alms, among centuries-old monasteries is as romantic a scene as you will experience anywhere in Asia - one of the region’s most iconic images.

Away from the cities, there is so much more to see; the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang province, the forested mountains of northern Laos, the gothic limestone karsts around the backpacker-haven Vang Vieng & in the deep south, past the market town Pakse, is Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), where the mighty Mekong spreads out & all the hammocks are taken.

Travellers rave about Laos for a reason. The Lao wilderness is drawing travellers looking for nature, adventure or both. Adventure seekers can lose themselves in underground river caves, on jungle ziplines or while climbing karsts. Kayaking, rafting, rock-climbing & biking are all available. Nature enthusiasts can take a walk on the wild side & spot exotic animals such as gibbons or elephants. Culture lovers can explore ancient temples & immerse themselves in Lao spiritual life. Foodies can spice up their lives with a Lao cooking class or go gourmand in the French-accented cities. And if all this sounds a little too strenuous, then unwind with a spa session or yoga class. Laos has something for everyone.

There is undoubtedly a growing tourist trail in Laos. After all, half the fun of travelling here is in the travel itself - the people you meet, chickens you share seats with, wrong turns you take and lao-lao you drink with the smiling family at the end of the road less travelled.

You will discover that is Lao People’s Democratic Republic is untainted by mass tourism & it is Asia in slow motion. A warm welcome awaits you....... Yep, Laos is waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

Come.be inspired & discover  the World

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Laos. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences………