Big Trip Destinations: Laos

Travelfish.org describes Laos as “one of the Asia’s most enchanting destinations. Stunning natural beauty — think mist-shrouded mountain peaks flanked by jungle-clad valleys teeming with wildlife — combine with a fascinating Buddhist culture to make Laos a superb destination for backpackers and independent travellers” and they are pretty much spot on.

The country is amazing, run the gauntlet of the typical South-East Asian terrain, but with the added bonus of the Mekong River running for its entire length, giving the country a feel like no other in the region.

As for highlights, I certainly intend to visit the following and find some activities to do when at each one, although the promise of the long bus rides across mountains and valleys is driving me towards this country:

• Luang Prabang: A UNESCO World Heritage site and home to a huge population of Buddhist monks, who daily walk the towns myriad ways for alms from those willing to give;
• Vientiane: Current capital of the country with a great line in Colonial-era French buildings and the place to sort many adventures around the country;
• Phong-Sali and other points north: the best places to trek in the country, if not the region due to being relatively unspoilt and pretty hard to get to by the vast majority of the backpacker crowd;
• Mekong River: Hopefully the river is high when I am in country and I can spend a bit of time cruising slowly down this most enduring of rivers;

There obviously is alot to more to Laos and I really hope to do the country justice in the 4 weeks – very short I know – my visa (on arrival) will give me, although the option to extend it by visiting the Immigration people in Vientiane is one that appeals to me, as I am sure this country could eat up alot of my time.