Luang Prabang Cultural, religious and historic sites Trips

I booked this trip last minute and wasn't disappointed. Highlights of Laos is an unhurried, relaxed trip. Pavements, like in Vietnam and Cambodia, are uneven and could be tricky for those unsteady on their feet; however, unlike those countries, the traffic is very light and easy to negotiate. Taxis to/ from airports are cheap. The Buddha park was great and COPE museum thought provoking. The rail journeys are smooth and comfortable with lots to look at. Limestone cliffs are dramatic and the hot air ballooning worth it. The walks and steps are relatively easy. Early March was hot. Take easy slip on/off shoes for the many varied and interesting temples along with shoulder coverings and below the knee shorts. Our guide, Quang, was lovely but what really made this trip for me was the fabulous bunch of fellow travellers.

We thoroughly enjoyed our week in Laos. Our group was great fun and the guides did a good job, although sometimes it was confusing having a local guide and a lead guide. The itinerary was good and varied. Hotels were OK given standards in Laos, although the one in Vang Vieng was less good. Packing advice from Explore was somewhat bewildering. Never did work out why suitcases were not recommended. We did take our bicycle helmets but nobody else did!

Visiting Laos was everything I had expected. Vivid nature, voluptuous landscapes and a vibrant, hardworking culture. The Highlights of Laos tour with Explore showcased each place perfectly with plenty of things to see and do plus plenty of free time to explore each place. I definitely recommend this tour & I look forward to travelling with Explore again.

Our family had a wonderful 2-weeks trip through Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. My husband and I loved exploring history and culture of destinations, my kids enjoyed learning to cook Vietnamese meals. Everything was well organized and we had a great time in Southeast Asia.

All round a good trip, a good introduction to a country I didn't know much about. Using the train to get to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang is a smoother and faster way to get to places than going by road, but you are not allowed to take anything which could be considered as a weapon (as in hand luggage on a plane), even in your luggage - it will screened and items confiscated. Fortunately the guide was able to get things taken from group members taken to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang by road. I would recommend this trip if you are interested in visiting south east Asia.

The itinerary was well-paced and we especially loved the Angkor temples and the overnight on Halong Bay cruise. Our guide was super helpful and handled everything smoothly. Highly recommend for first-timers in Southeast Asia!