THE TRAVELLING Lovers
North and South Laos
The "Land of a Million Elephants" attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world. This tranquil and sparsely populated country is among the most overlooked in Asia. If you appreciate wild nature, small, isolated riverside towns, and motorbike rides through picturesque villages, Laos is a true gem. Rivers such as the Mekong River flow throughout Laos, feeding its population and supplying its rice, tea, coffee, and cashew nut crops. My stay in Laos was one of my favorite parts of my Southeast Asia trip, thanks to highlights like riding a motorbike around the Bolaven Plateau and taking our first hot air balloon ride.
To learn more, you can also read my article about my 2-week stay in Laos!
If you're interested in planning your trip to northern Thailand, whether to one of these places or a road trip to several of these destinations, please don't hesitate to contact me.
4000 islands
In this archipelago of several small islands, I highly recommend stopping and staying in Don Det or Don Khone. The roads are very flat, so you can rent a bike to explore the natural beauty of the 4000 islands and enjoy the landscapes and relaxing places along the Mekong. By touring these two islands on two wheels, you will discover the few waterfalls present on this island, such as Li Phi. You can also choose to discover the Asian Niagara Falls, the Khone Falls.
The Bolovens Plateau and its loop
To complete the Bolaven Plateau loop, you'll need to rent a car in the nearest town, Pakse. The loop can be done in either direction once you've decided whether you want to do the short (about 170 km) or long (about 320 km) route. Unlike the Thakhek loop further north (which I haven't completed myself), which focuses primarily on its caves, this one will allow you to see many waterfalls through magnificent landscapes and pass through many charming villages. A few stops are also essential to truly immerse yourself in the area and local culture: a visit to a coffee plantation, a guided tour of a local's animist village, etc.
Vang Vieng
Once a city where people went to party, Vang Vieng is now a quiet place, where you will certainly not be bored as it has so many activities to offer: Take your first hot air balloon flight over imposing karsts (it is also recognized as being the cheapest place in the world to practice this activity), visit caves on buoys gently descending the river, explore and swim in its many lagoons or even take a short hike to its viewpoints which offer a splendid view of the mountains.
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang's lush greenery, isolated from the mountains and the meandering Mekong River, will captivate you: splendid panoramas such as Kuang Si Waterfall, Tad Sea Waterfall, Pak Ou Cave, and Phou Si Peak are waiting to be discovered. When you visit Luang Prabang, you'll be particularly drawn to its old town with its charming little houses combined with French architecture. What's not to be missed in Luang Prabang? Hundreds of orange-clad monks from various monasteries travel the streets every morning to collect alms.
