Laos, a country of poetic landscapes and immersive cultural experiences, offers a more contemplative approach to luxury. Boutique retreats, VIP access, and polished service can all be found here, but a deep sense of place shapes the journey at every step of the way. Planning a bespoke journey through Laos, guided by local experts who deliver privileged access and unrivalled knowledge, will elevate your experience to new heights. Deeper insights, a carefully balanced pace, and characterful places to stay, hand-picked by experts; these are the ways to enjoy Laos in true style.
EXPLORE WITH INTENTION: PRIVATE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
To truly understand a country, independent exploration of the main sights is rarely enough. Luxury travel in Laos is just as much about access as it is about extravagance. We can connect you with real people in Laos, opening doors to places and ways of life that are often out of reach on the well-trodden tourist trail.
Private Tours of Temples & Palaces
The history and symbolism behind Laos’ many revered Buddhist temples may not always be evident on first glance. Visiting these sites with an expert private guide helps you develop a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance of architectural details, as well as their greater historical context. In the south of the country, for example, you will find the ruins of an ancient Khmer temple that dates back to as early as the 5th century AD. Pre-dating Angkor Wat by several hundred years, Wat Phou is widely considered to be an architectural precursor to the sacred Cambodian temple complex, and a tour with a private guide will help you decode some of its intricacies. We can arrange a tour at sunrise, allowing you to experience the site at its most serene, and follow it with a delicious picnic breakfast.
Even in more-frequented Luang Prabang, there are layers of history and cultural intrigue that may not present themselves on a superficial tour. We can organise a more profound tour of Luang Prabang with eminent historian and Laos resident Francis Engelmann. His peerless knowledge of the city – as well as of Laos’ history and diverse ethnic groups – will shine a light on areas of Luang Prabang and its rich cultural treasures that others simply pass by.
Exclusive workshops with Laos artisans
There is no better guide to the world of Laos’s classical arts than Tiao Nith, a member of Luang Prabang’s former royal family who was trained in these intricate crafts from a young age. Tiao has gained particular acclaim for his skill in gold leaf embroidery, but a visit to his home will introduce you to a fascinating world of art, ranging from ancient lacquer work to regional embroidery, and stencilling. You will also hear more about Tiao’s remarkable life along the way.
Alternatively, you could take a behind-the-scenes-tour of Luang Prabang’s Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre with the museum’s director, gaining a deeper insight into Laos’ wealth of ethnic cultures. Follow your tour with a visit to the paper and silk villages of Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek, and then round off your afternoon by watching the sunset from Mount Phou Si.
Taste the country: Laos culinary tours
Much like the rest of the country, Laos’ culinary scene is understated but well worth delving into. The capital city of Vientiane is one of the best places to gain an overview of the diverse flavours of Laotian cuisine. On a culinary ‘night safari’ of the city you will travel around by tuk-tuk with an expert local guide, visiting the night market to learn about regional specialities and dining customs. You will then settle in for a typical Laotian barbecue dinner – or ‘sindat’ – at one of the city’s best garden restaurants. You will be shown how the hot pot is used to grill your own meat, fish, or vegetables, while a delicious broth captures the aromatic cooking juices below. Round off the evening with cocktails and bite-sized desserts at one of the best bars in Vientiane.
To sample some of the flavours of the country even closer to their source, we can also arrange a number of food-themed experiences in rural Laos. Sticky rice – khao niao – is a staple of Lao cuisine, and is eaten with nearly every meal. We can take you to a local rice farm where you can learn how the rice is planted, harvested, and prepared as khao niao. You will then be able to cook your own delicious sticky rice. Another rewarding visit is to the Laos Buffalo dairy, a social enterprise which provides underprivileged farmers with a new source of income through the production of artisanal cheese. Tour the farm, help wash and to feed the buffalo calves if you wish, and the sample a tasting platter of different Buffalo-milk cheeses and delicious homemade ice-cream in the café.
SAIL IN ELEGANCE: MEKONG LUXURY RIVER CRUISES
Stretching over 2,700 miles across six countries, the Mekong is one of Asia’s mightiest rivers. In Laos, it slices through the county’s western flank and serves as a logistical lifeline for transport and fishing in remote communities. The temples and villages that line the riverbanks illustrate the cultural significance of the Mekong, and taking to its waters adds an important dimension to any visit to Laos.
A taste of the Mekong
If you only have a limited amount of time to spend, we can arrange for you to take a morning cruise along the Mekong in an exclusive private vessel. This will deliver you to the Pak Ou Caves in a much more comfortable way than joining the masses on the public ferry. After time exploring this sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site, you return to Luang Prabang by road, pausing at quieter villages and small temples along the way.
Laos Luxury River Journeys
A multi-day Mekong river cruise in Laos will hone in on some of the highlights of the country’s interior, but at a blissfully gentle pace. You could spend three nights exploring the rich scenery of the Golden Triangle between the Thai border and Luang Prabang on a classic river cruiser such as the Heritage Line Anouvong. Begin your days with yoga on deck, and end them with cocktails on deserted sandbanks and al fresco dining under the stars. Extend your journey to seven nights and continue south from Luang Prabang, all the way to Pak Lay. Along the way you will pass through the impressive Xayaburi Hydroelectric Dam, and linger inland to discover the otherworldly Khao Cave, and the longtail boat building communities around Pha Liep.
FIND YOUR BALANCE: LAOS WELLNESS EXPERIENCES
Wellness in Laos is deeply rooted in the country’s spiritual traditions and natural landscapes. Traditional Laos massage, ancient healing practices, and the meditative calm of riverside temples all play their part, as do havens of modern spa luxury. The result is a wellness experience to suit every possible persuasion in Laos.
Luxury spa experiences in Laos
If pampering and relaxation are your primary focus when it comes to wellness in Laos, you will not be disappointed. Spas can be found in many well-established hotels across the country, but there are two that really stand out. The Rosewood luxury resort in Luang Prabang is set in a serene forest setting where the spa’s hillside treatment tents look out over gentle streams and the mist-clad mountains beyond. A wealth of nurturing treatments incorporate traditional Laotian remedies and employ botanic ingredients from the surrounding valley. Sample the healing benefits of a traditional Lao herbal poultice, originally used by hard-working farmers to soothe their aching backs. This can be complimented by a traditional Lao message designed to energise the body and improve circulation.
The spa at Amantaka has a holistic approach to its wellness experience, combining Lao massage, Buddhist spirituality, and influences from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine in its extensive programme. One of its signature treatments is the Baci Cleansing Spa Journey, which incorporates traditional, oil-free Lao massage centring on deep pressure point stimulation. This is followed by an ancient Laotian bath, and a classic healing massage ritual.
Mindfulness, meditation & spirituality
Those seeking to deepen their understanding of Buddhist practices as part of a wellness journey through Laos will find plenty accessible ways to learn. We can arrange for you to spend the morning at a special centre overlooking the Mekong, focused around mindfulness and spirituality. Your friendly guide will teach you about alms giving, help you make your own flower offering, and introduce other Buddhist customs to you before you visit the temple together. You will then take a relaxing river cruise to a further serene temple which provides the perfect setting for a guided meditation.
Back at Amantaka, there are additional outlets for gaining a more profound knowledge of Buddhist spirituality. At the onsite Buddhist Learning Centre, scholars, spiritual guides, and meditation teachers are all on hand to offer daily instruction in the foundations of Buddhist philosophy and practice. Classroom learning is complemented by walking meditations, Vipassana, alms giving, chanting, candlelit meditation, and Baci ceremonies.
