Audley in Laos
Our unrivalled knowledge of Laos comes from many years of organising tailor-made and group travel to the country, as well as our own extensive personal travels in one of our favourite Southeast Asian countries. The guides we use are individually chosen, some being former monks and many of whom are now our close friends. In order to truly experience this peaceful nation, it is important to build in enough time to explore at a leisurely pace, wandering through the backstreets of serene Luang Prabang or taking time to relax by one of the picturesque waterfalls of the rural south. River travel fits naturally into the calm pace of life and we always try to incorporate a sedate boat journey into our Laos itineraries.
Accommodation
For a country still emerging as a tourism destination, there are a surprising range of accommodation options in Laos, much of it family-run and full of character. In Luang Prabang and Vientiane, French colonial villas have now been converted into small, stylish guesthouses with all the required comforts and a warm welcome, with a few grander options also offering swimming pools and even spas. In the mountains of the north, eco-lodges have opened for those who wish to stay in remote locations to explore the surrounding hill tribe villages. In the south, however, the accommodation is much more basic with only simple guesthouses available.