A variety of trips are now offered in the Mekong region in Laos. The unspoilt, natural beauty of the countryside draws visitors from around the world. In Laos, a trip along the river's attractive shores feels like passing back in time to an era when French colonial adventurers mapped the river's course. Small island's offer sanctuary to a rich collection of animal and bird species and the banks are speckled with small villages and ethnic communities that have changed little in the last 100 years. A cruise provides ample opportunity to relax and explore the special attractions along the mighty Mekong, the longer the cruise, the more you experience and learn about this incredible region. Stopping to visit villages and meet the local people adds to the pleasure and appeal of the journey.

A cultural highlight on any Mekong cruise in Laos is a visit to the ancient ruins at Wat Phou. This UNESCO protected temple site is located at the base of a tall, rugged peak with a narrow spire and forested cliff sides. The site at Oum Muong is also an interesting location with ruined stone temples and shrines providing a fascinating insight into the region's ancient civilisations and cultures. Natural wonders also abound on the Mekong River in Laos. Kuang Si Waterfall is an astonishing 650 ft cascade, particularly dramatic during the rainy season. The waterfall can be visited all year round and tracks lead to the top with local vendors providing food and refreshments for the trek. The falls attract local people at weekend who like to relax with a picnic by the cooling waters. Visitors can therefore meet and mix with local folk in sooting, picturesque surroundings.

For those who visit Luang Prabang by boat, a side trip to the famous Pak Ou Buddha caves is highly recommended. The caves contain some of the region's most important Buddha statues, ancient Lao Buddha statues that have been placed there over the centuries by local people and pilgrims. You will find hundreds of wooden Buddha figures on the cave's floors and walls and the images combine a number of different positions: some teaching, others in meditation poses with representations of peace, rain, and the achievement of Nirvana. The main cave at Tham Ting contains over 2000 Buddha sculptures, while nearby Tham Theung boasts around 1500 statues. Local legends add a sense of mystery, making this an intriguing trip into the past.

For a more natural adventure, treks and tours in Laos also offer some inspired travel experiences. The Boloven plateau sits 1200m above sea level, and therefore boasts a comfortably cool climate year round. The tribal villages on the plateau can only be reached via rough tracks, which has kept the area largely untainted by tourism and also full of natural beauty. This part of Laos is home to several interesting ethnic groups, including the Alak, Katu and Lavan. The people originate from ancient Khmer culture and many of them apply intricate facial tattoos. They also produce attractive hand-woven fabrics, which makes a visit to their villages a rewarding travel experience.