Tailor-made Holiday · Laos
Laos in Style
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At a glance
Discover the enchanting beauty and cultural richness of Laos, a gem that has rapidly become one of the most sought-after destinations in Southeast Asia. Your journey will take you to the heart of Laos's allure, Luang Prabang, a city esteemed not only for its spiritual significance but also for its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Embark on an immersive exploration of Luang Prabang's ancient temples, each telling its own story of the city's rich Buddhist heritage. Experience the profound spirituality of the area through an early morning visit to witness the sacred alms-giving ceremony. Watch in silence as rows of monks in vibrant orange robes walk through the streets at sunrise, collecting alms from the residents in a timeless, age-old ritual.
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Enhance your understanding of Lao culture with an authentic cookery class. Guided by local chefs, you'll delve into the flavors and techniques of Laotian cuisine, preparing a traditional meal that you'll later savor, connecting you directly to the country's culinary heart.
Your journey continues to Vientiane, Laos's serene capital. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of other Asian cities, Vientiane captivates with its quiet charm, French colonial architecture, and sacred Buddhist sites. Visit a landmine charity to learn about the country's efforts to heal from past conflicts and explore the holy sites that are central to Laotian spiritual life.
Day by day
This is a sample plan, not a fixed departure. Days can be added, removed or reordered, and almost every client changes something. Prices are an entry-level guide; your quote will be exact.
Day 1 and 2: Luang Prabang
Welcome to the spiritual capital of Laos. This evening you will have a brief introduction to Luang Prabang. Climb the stairs of Mount Phousi and watch the sunset over the city and surrounding hills. Walk down the other side and explore the hill tribe evening market.
Enjoy dinner at l’Elephant, one of the finest restaurants in Luang Prabang.
The next morning, if you can stomach the early wake-up call, visit at dawn to see the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people.
Today enjoy an extensive tour of Luang Prabang. It includes exploring the streets of the city, seeing the locals at work and play before visiting the Royal Palace of Laos.
You’ll also get to discover some of the city’s most important temples.
This afternoon, experience the wonderful flavours of Lao cuisine with a Lao cooking class. You’ll learn about the ingredients involved and techniques used to create the local cuisine. At the end of the course, sit down to enjoy a delicious dinner which you have helped prepare.
Day 3: Mekong River
This morning you’ll venture to Luang Prabang’s peninsula where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers merge. The beautiful Wat Xieng Thong is located here and a visit to the temple unveils golden gates, ornaments, and colourful murals.
You will then board a traditional wooden boat, Nava Mekong, for a relaxing cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles which rely on the river as you make your way upstream for around two hours.
Located upstream from Luang Prabang, Pak Ou Caves contains thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues crammed into two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff.
The boat continues cruising in the vicinity of the caves and will moor during lunchtime at the foot of beautiful limestone cliffs. A selection of typical Lao dishes will be served onboard before you cruise back downstream.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure for additional sightseeing or relaxing in this charming city.
Day 4 and 5: Vientiane
Fly to Vientiane.
This afternoon, visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims and then at sunset, enjoy a stroll along the Mekong River banks and enjoy a cold drink at one of the many riverside food stalls.
In the morning, visit That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun highlights its towering golden spire. Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.
Enjoy lunch at L’adresse de Tinay, a French-style bistro run and managed by French expatriates. The food is delicious “homestyle” French cuisine with just the right twist to turn each dish into a feast for the eyes.
For your final evening in Laos, you will have the unique opportunity to experience one of Laos’ oldest traditions: The Baci. It’s a mix of Animist and Buddhist beliefs and designed to call back escaped spirits to the body. This is something that is very important before major events such as weddings, births, travel, welcoming friends and farewells.
Our Experts
Exploring Laos is like stepping into a world where tradition meets untouched beauty, whether cruising the Mekong or wandering through the spiritual heart of Luang Prabang.
Laos is a destination where simplicity meets authenticity, offering incredible temples, breathtaking landscapes, and a pace of life that lets you truly unwind.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalised experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveller, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalised service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ holidays?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalised itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travellers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of travelling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first enquiry to homecoming. No call centre, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.