Laos
Laos, 'The Land of a Million Elephants', is fast emerging from its years of isolation; steamy, exotic and so laid-back it's almost falling over.The People's Democratic Republic of Laos, also known as Lao PDR is situated in the heart of French Indochina, landlocked between Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), China, Vietnam and Cambodia, and it is a beautiful and fascinating holiday destination.
The Lao people are known for their gentle polite nature and for their charming hospitality. The capital Vientiane, is one of Asia's biggest villages, sitting on the banks of the Mekong river. To the north, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the old Royal city of Luang Prabang is home to dozens of temples and a way of life that has changed little over the years. In the south the Angkor era temple of Wat Phu is one of the jewels of the Mekong.
Most of the year is hot and humid. Laos enjoys a tropical climate with two distinct seasons. The rainy season is from the beginning of May to the end of September, and the dry season is from October through April. The yearly average temperature is about 28 degrees Celsius, rising to a maximum of 38 degrees Celsius during April and May.
In Vientiane a minimum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius is to be expected during January. In mountainous areas, however, temperature drops to as low as 14-15 degrees Celsius during the winter months, and during cold nights, can easily reach the freezing point.
Only an hour-drive from Vientiane, the small and peaceful village of Ban Na on the outside of Phou Khao Khouay offers guided trekking and a great opportunity to watch wild elephants from the safety of an observation tower. Finding numerous tracks and possibly getting a glimpse of these wonderful creatures will be an unforgettable experience!
Ban Na has more to offer than ‘just’ elephants. Longer treks to more distant places are rewarding, such as Nam Hi or Tad Lung waterfall, or the more distant Tad Fa, a 40-meter high cliff. This waterfall is unfortunately only seasonal. In the future more trekking opportunities will be explored.
On the way to Tad Lung, the Dan Khoan plateau reveals wonderful views over the Mekong into neighbouring Thailand. The Nam Hi River, with its beautiful forest and many birds, is a wonderful place for a trek and adventurous overnight stay in nature at its finest. During the dry season, 2-to-3-day trekking can also be organized from Ban Na to Tad Leuk.
Experience the unique and peaceful atmosphere of this luxury resort in Laos, and enjoy a w...
