Recently opened to tourism, Laos is a destination par excellence for backpackers looking for escape, authenticity and discovery.

Laos, a destination with a thousand facets

Formerly known as the "Kingdom of a Million Elephants", Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It shares borders with China, Thailand, Burma, Vietnam and Cambodia. A stay in this region will allow globetrotters to discover extraordinary tourist sites and to travel through a nature that has remained wild.

The fascinating sights of the capital of Laos

During a trip to Laos, tourists will spend a few days to attack the monuments of Vientiane, the capital. They will surely visit Pha That Luang, the most sacred building in the country, located 3 km north of the city center. This magnificent golden stupa 35 m high is believed to contain a hair of Buddha. It also houses a Khmer sculpture of Jayavarman VII, the last king of Angkor. During the Boun Namatsakane Pha That Luang, a festival that takes place every year on the first moon of November, globetrotters will be able to attend ritual matches of tikki, a kind of hockey that is played with bamboo sticks. In addition, like Paris, Vientiane has a triumphal arch: the Patuxai. The latter was erected between 1957 and 1969 in memory of the people who fought against the France for the independence of the country. Patuxai is surrounded by beautiful green gardens and splendid musical fountains.

Memorable getaway at the Bolovens plateau

Tourists will enjoy a circuit in Laos to make a getaway to the Bolaven plateau. This is a region located in the south of the country. This region is very popular with visitors for its sumptuous landscapes, spectacular waterfalls and picturesque villages. It is also distinguished by its vast fields of rubber, coffee, teak, tea, banana and lychee. In addition, the Bolaven plateau is inhabited by ethnic minorities such as the Laven who gave their name to the territory. It is also home to other Mon-Khmer communities, including the Suay, Ta'oy, Alak and Katu. The latter are renowned for their annual water buffalo sacrifice to pay tribute to the spirit of their village. They are also known for their carved wooden coffins that they keep under their home. In addition, their wives arouse the interest of visitors with their traditional tattoos on their faces, a custom that gradually disappears under Lao influence. The meeting with these tribes will make the trip an unforgettable experience.

Konglor, a jewel of Laos

Konglor is a village located southeast of Vientiane. It arouses the interest of caving enthusiasts from all over the world by the Tham Kong Lo, a limestone cave that measures 7 km. Tourists will be able to visit this cave aboard a small motorized boat. Tham Kong Lo is filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Plus, it's home to a pool that glows an emerald green color. This is considered sacred by the locals, as they believe it reflects the skin of the Hindi god Indra.