Trips in the Luang Prabang region
5
day
Khmu
Ethnic Group Adventure
4 day
Multi-sport
Adventure
3 day
Luang
Prabang Culture and Adventure
Level:
easy
Season: June through November
 We have structured a one week trip which
will feature rivers accessible by road from
Vientiane. The rivers have brisk currents, and
are well suited for our paddle raft, and for
two-person inflatable kayaks. The scenery is
limestone karst mountains and verdant forests,
similar to Thailand's Krabi province but taller,
more vast and majestic. Depending on local conditions
at the time, we will overnight in river villages
or in guesthouses. Lao is an undeveloped country
only recently drawing tourists, and flexibility
is required as to transport and accommodation
standards.
 We
include a day for mountain trekking
to visit caves, temples and ethnic villages.
Bring plenty of film or memory cards, and batteries.
Most trips visit Vang Sang, a collection of
Buddha figures carved into large rocks in a
place that appears to have been a temple long
ago. The government gives little significance
to the site, but the style of the images indicates
to some scholars that the site may be over a
thousand years older than the time Buddhism
is regarded as coming to Laos. We are very impressed
with this site.
 This
trip will begin in and return to Vientiane,
which as the capital is a natural hub for handicraft
shopping and dining in the many excellent restaurants.
Not to be missed is a stroll on the floodwall
next to the Mekong, perhaps a relaxing drink
and snack while the sun goes down, dropping
into the river as it bends westward in front
of us. Don't bother looking for lively nightlife;
that must wait till you return to Thailand.
Now, enjoy a quiet culture.
 This
trip is suitable for just about anyone.
It's very easy. We spend each night in either
bungalow or guesthouses. Our support truck
meets us after every stretch of river.
Comfort and convenience are top  priority.
Level:
easy
Season: June through November
 Xekong
province was formed in 1984 by combining
Salavan and Attapheu. Xekong is the smallest
province in Lao. There are 14 different ethnic
groups in the region including: Lao-tai, Tariang,
Alak, Katu, Nge`, Yae, Ta-oy, Loven, Souay,
Lavi, Triew, Chatong, Takkang, and the Lave.
As we paddle
down the Xekong River, we'll come across almost all of these groups.
They differ in language, clothing, traditions, houses… but, they're all
animists. They believe in the spirit of their grandparents, the mountains, the
river, and the jungle. These are all good spirits. If they take care of
the spirits, the spirits will take care of them. It's a good environmental policy
too.
 The
river is set in a valley. The terrain
is rugged and heavily wooded. There is a lot
of wildlife in this part of Laos. On our
exploratory trip, we saw a very wide variety
of birds including Red-breasted parakeets and
Oriental Pied hornbills. Wild deer can
still be found as well as wild water buffalo.
The
weaving village in Xekong (the Nge` & Chatong ethnic groups) can produce
about two hand lengths of textile per day from their sitting looms. We try to
include visiting weaving in every trip. Buying textiles directly from the makers
is ideal.
 The
other river we run is called the Xenamnoy.
It's a good bit smaller which means you're closer
to the jungle. It runs through an exceptionally
deep valley as it courses its way down. There
are plenty of orchids and other epiphytes clinging
to the trees and rocks in the valley.
As the trips
draws to a close, we visit one more spot - the
falls of the mighty Mekong. We'll visit
and stay at Si Pan Don (literally meaning 'Four
Thousand Islands'.) This is where you'll
wish you had more film! Besides the interesting
fishing village, the intensity of the falls
will astonish even the most well-traveled.
 Xekong
province has many other splendid waterfalls
too. There are extremely tall ones
as well as shorter wide ones. We try to make
time to visit a couple of the more interesting
ones.
Level:
easy
Season: June through November
 The the Nam Ou river flows into the Mekong River
near the enchanting former capital, Luang Prabang.
This is one of Asia's most charming and scenic
towns. It was added to UNESCO's World Heritage
List in 1995. We guarantee that once you get
to Luang Prabang, you’ll see why it is
a World Heritage Site.
Luang Prabang is a beautiful town with some of the most stunning
temples in Southeast Asia. The shopping is also terrific, especially if you like
hand-woven textiles and items from the various ethnic groups in the area. We first
travel by air to the formerly remote town of Udomxay.
 This
for centuries was a market town for
people living in the mountains nearby. But now
a new road will link Vientiane with the border
of China. While many traditionally dressed ethnic
("hill tribe") people can be seen
in the market, traditional homes are giving
way to large concrete buildings, to be centers
of business in the area. A ride on what the
maps generously call Highway 1 takes us toward
the North Vietnam border and the beginning of
our river journey.
We stay in remote villages along the way. To say that this is
a land that time forgot is an understatement. Every village has its own special
charm. You’ll get a look at genuine rural life, free from any western influence.
 Do
not be surprised to see village shrines
made of unexploded bomb casings, and at the
same time, you can expect open, curious people.
We
are the first or among the first Westerners
most of these people have encountered. We feel
a natural responsibility to behave respectfully
toward people whose knowledge of the world largely
ends with the river that flows past. These villages
do not have trash heaps, as there is no money
to buy packaged goods. We stay in private homes
and prepare our own food (unless a spread of
local cuisine is put before us from the hospitality
of the people).
If you'd like
to read more about our tours to Laos, check
out our previous trip reports:
The
Rivers of Vientiane at high water
The
wildlife has come back
Our
first Rivers of Vientiane trip
Our
second Rivers of Vientiane trip
Southern
Laos Expedition
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