Laos expedition overview

Laos' untamed natural beauty is home to thousands of small, tranquil hill tribe villages and serene Buddhist temples. Laos has a relatively undeveloped infrastructure, with many areas still accessible only by boat. With the Mekong forming the main artery of the country, the expedition is likely to include numerous river journeys as well as trekking in some of the pristine, unspoilt jungle that the hills of the north has to offer.

Expedition highlights

• Chill out in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, one of the most laid back and charming cities in southeast Asia.
• Make a genuine difference working on infrastructure improvement projects in remote villages.
• Haggle for souvenirs in the numerous local markets.
• Cruise up the mighty Mekong River
• Pick up some local cooking tips from minority villagers while in trekking homestays in Laos.
• Chill out and take in sunset by the water in Si Phan Don, literally 'Four Thousand Islands'.

Things to know

• You will hear people in Laos refer to P.D.R. time...not People's Democratic Republic, but Please Don't Rush! Try to be patient and always leave plenty of time to catch transport!
• Laotians believe that the head is the most sacred part of the body so avoid touching people anywhere above the shoulders.
• There are over 100 ethnic peoples in Laos, the largest group being the Lao Loum or "Lowland Lao".
• The Plain of Jars is an area where hundreds of stone jars lie scattered with unknown origin or purpose. They vary in size but some weigh up to 600kg!