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Posts Tagged ‘Laos’
On Location May 07 – Thailand and Laos
December 14th, 2009After a long flight via Bangkok it was a delight to land at the small, sunny airport of Luang Prabang. This wonderful UNESCO World Heritage site is somewhere I’ve longed to visit and it didn’t disappoint.
Small streets with beautiful colonial architecture, stunning temples and enough restaurants to be able to eat dinner in a different place every day of the week. A real highlight – and not just because I’m a committed shopper – was the night market. None of the rubbish you find in other markets of this nature but genuine local crafts brought down from the villages each night and set out along the main street. A real delight but it did mean that I soon had no space left in my bag!
Another treat and well worth the early start was watching the monks walk the streets to collect alms. Although I did feel that some were not aware of the high regard in which Buddhist monks are held in South East Asia and were too intrusive with their cameras.
From Luang Prabang I travelled up the Mekong to Chiang Rai. Two days watching the world go by – the Mekong affords a tranquil easy life to those on its banks – and stopping at local villages en route. It was freezing in the mornings and I needed endless layers and blankets until the sun was high enough to take the chill out of the morning. We overnighted in a lodge on the banks of the river where a fresh, local dinner was served with plenty of Laotian beer. And then a second day relaxing on the boat before reaching Chiang
Here, I was reminded how lucky I am to work in travel: waiting for me was an a/c 4×4 to whisk me to the Four Seasons Tented Camp. Yes, it’s expensive but it is truly amazing. Permanent tents are scattered through the forest with outside showers and large terraces.
At breakfast the following morning (not wearing the most glamorous of Mahout’s outfits) I was greeted by the younger elephants who were delighted to be receiving treats from the thrilled guests. Then it was off for my morning’s Mahout training course. Learning to ‘drive’ an elephant was not something I had yearned to do but it turned out to be a lot of fun. For me at least – I am not sure how appreciative the elephants were of me clambering all over them without much thought to style or elegance.
Moving onto Chiang Mai and the Four Seasons which is located just outside the town. Another jewel in the Four Seasons Crown this has long been a Steppes favourite and again did not disappoint. The following day I was lucky enough to stay at the reasonably new and very stylish Chedi Chiang Mai which, right in the middle of town, is ideally placed for the night market (not quite the night market of Luang Prabang but the perfect place to replace broken sunglasses)! Some of the sights outside Chiang Mai have been rather spoilt by mass tourism however with a bit of insider knowledge and effort you can see elephants based at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre and it’s also worth the drive to see the long-necked Karon tribe at one of the smaller villages located an hour or so outside the city.
One of the main advantages of finishing a trip to Laos and Northern Thailand in Chiang Mai is being able to fly direct to Phuket in the South and from there to any of the outlying islands. I went on to the Sarojin in Kao Lak and the Chedi Phuket – both a wonderful spoiling treat to end with!
Steppes Travel specialise in holidays to Peru, China holidays and South Africa safari.
Asia Adventure holidays: hot tips for 2010 in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
November 21st, 20091.MOUNTAIN TREKKING, SAPA, VIETNAM
Mount Fansipan is Vietnams highest peak located in the far north just outside of Sapa. Mt. Fansipan is a very steep mountain that gets a lot of moisture. Those looking to climb it should be in good shape and prepared to to have muddy wet feet. The scenery is incredible so travelers should remember to bring a camera. For most of Vietnam having a rain coat is a little excessive because it is so warm. On the mountain having a rain coat is not a bad idea especially at night. The trails around Sapa are a lot of fun. Travelers will get the chance to go through some minority villages if travelers have the time to explore. There are well-marked trails, both long and short, for all skill levels.
When it is the best time? October to May are the best months
Book it: Active Travel Vietnam (00 84 4 3573 8569; www.trekfansipan.com) offers a year-round, four-day guided mountain-trekking tour of Vietnam from $ 219 including hotel accommodation, some meals and travel gear rent. Flights are extra
2. MOTORCYCLING HO CHI MINH TRAIL, VIETNAM
The legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply line where it is used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, weapons and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle and truck for hundreds of kilometers through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that it is covered Vietnams mountainous border with Laos.
When it is the best time? October to April
Book it: Active Travel Vietnam (info@activetravelvietnam.com; www.activetravelvietnam.com) offers a 18-days with 11-days motorcycling guided trip from $1,951, including accommodation, all meals and transfers. Flights are extra.
3. KAYAKKING HALONG BAY, VIETNAM
Ha Long Bay (also Halong Bay) is in northern Vietnam, 170 km east of Hanoi. The bay is famous for its scenic rock formations
If travelers thought the hideout in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun was spectacular, travelers can imagine a place where there are 3,000 such limestone islands clustered together in the East Sea of Halong Bay. Paddle through caves into secret lagoons, drift down channels are surrounded by cliffs and forest and sail out into the open sea.
When it is the best time? October and early January
Book it: Kayak Halong Bay (info@activetravel.asia; www.kayakhalongbay.com) offers a 3-day trip from $ 299 including meals, accommodation and transfers
4. EXPLORE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM
A holiday in Vietnam would be incomplete without a trip to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Popularly known as one of the Rice Baskets of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is located in the South Eastern region of Vietnam, where the Mekong River meets the sea. A pride of the Vietnamese and the one of the most popular of the Vietnam tourist attractions, the Mekong Delta is exceptionally rich in scenic beauty. It is a place unique in itself.
When it is the best time? October to June
Book it: Active Travel Asia (0084-4-3573-8569; www.activetravel.asia) has a 4-day tour with over 3-day biking from $ 312 including full-board accommodation and transfers. Flights extra
5. CYCLING ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA
Travelers will discover the worlds remarkable awesome historical site through this adventure trip and grasp the reasons why the Tomb Raiders film maker team chose the Angkor Complex in Siem Reap for its screen backdrops. Also experience the biodiversity of Tonle Sap listed as the World Ecological Wonder.
When it is the best time? October to June
Book it: Active Travel Cambodia (info@activetravelcambodia.com; www.activetravelcambodia.com) has a 7-day tour with 5-day cycling from $ 685 including full-board accommodation and transfers. Flights extra
6. CYCLING LAOS
Cycling is a great way to get off the beaten track in this increasingly popular country. Start in Luang Prabang, in north central Laos, and head to Hanoi, in North Vietnam, travelers are going to travel along the banks of the Mekong River and past the intriguing Viengxay caves.
When it is the best time? October to March
Book it: Active Travel Laos (info@activetravellaos.com; www.activetravellaos.com) has a 17-day tour with kayaking, trekking, biking and elephant riding Luang Prabang to Hanoi cycling trip from $ 1,553 including most meals, bike hire and sightseeing. Flights extra.
