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Travel the Mekong by slow boat with the Shompoo Cruise

Cruise the Mekong "in style" on a traditional, but comfortable slow boat in 2 days from Houexay to Luang Prabang or vice versa. Enjoy the unspoiled landscapes and experience rural villages and the day to day life of the villagers while cruising on one the world's most famous rivers. The wooden boats of the Shompoo Cruise are well equipped with a Bar, a kitchen to provide your fresh and tasty Lao food, 2 restrooms, electronic plugs on every tables, games, music, a DVD player, books and magazines. You are pampered by the boat's crew during the journey (incl. an English speaking guide, a waiter and a cook).

Mekong by slow boat with the Shompoo Cruise

The boats provide seats for max. 40 passengers. Journeys go in both directions up and down stream on a fixed schedule. You will stay overnight in the small town of Pakbeng at the banks of the mighty Mekong. The Shompoo Cruise is an affordable option for cruising on the Mekong and for experiencing the "real" Lao life and nature. In the near future the Shompoo Cruise will also add Lunch and Sunset Cruises in Luang Prabang to their program to offer an even wider option of Mekong experiences.

Please contact us at info@la.diethelmtravel.com for more information about the Shompoo Cruise.

Unknown Nong Khio

Just 3 hours driving time away from Luang Prabang (ca. 6 hours by boat) you will find the still quite unknown small town of Nong Khio. Located in a scenic landscape at the confluence of the Nam Ou River and the Houay Houn it offer its visitors spectacular views on the Pha Nangnon massive, Karst mountains which hold many caves. Nong Kio is the ideal base for hiking and trekking tours, rated from easy to adventurous and offering the right tour for everyone.

On recommended "easy" tour is the the hike to the Phathok Cave, which is located outside Nong Khio. The Nong Khio villagers used this cave as a war shelter during the 2nd Indochina War to shelter from bombs dropped in the region. The hiking route leads through beautiful sceneries and great vistas on the surrounding mountains. Learn more about a unknown part of the Lao history and explore the historical caves. From the cave you will have also beautiful views on the surrounding rice paddies and the valley.

In Nong Khio area many ethnic minorities live in small villages around the valley. Take the unique chance to experience the life style of these friendly people by joining the "Fair Trek Cultural Lodge" program. The "Cultural Lodge" is located in Ban Nalung village, ca. 25 km south-west of Nong Khio near the Nam Ou river. The village chief/villagers have created in cooperation with an experienced outdoor specialist and the Lao Government a two-day activity visit to experience the life and culture of this village. Earnings from the “Fair Trek” visit are invested in the Village Fund to improve health care, education and local infrastructure. Experienced “Fair Trek” guides and interpreters will be with you throughout your stay. You will be introduced to your host family who will share their delicious Laos cuisine in the evening and you will sleep in the newly built Culture Lodge.

Your will reach the village by hiking for 2-3 hours through rice paddy fields and pristine forests to the Khamu & Hmong village consisting of about 330 inhabitants. Pigs, chicken, ducks and children are still roaming freely as villagers go along with their daily life of weaving, farming & planting.

Please contact us at info@la.diethelmtravel.com for more information about tours and activities in Nong Khio.

Luang Prabang Golf Club

Surrounded by beautiful mountains, rice fields, local villages and the Mekong River lies the Luang Prabang Golf Club, a new world-class golf course. Located directly at the Mekong River in a green valley only a 15 minute drive outside the UNESCO World Heritage town Luang Prabang, the hills and impressive landscape provide a magnificent backdrop for this golf course.

A highly strategic and challenging 18-Hole, par 72 championship golf course with 7,443 yard layout. The Luang Prabang golf club has adapted a concept of eco-friendly construction and operations.

The holes are well designed, with undulating fairways and well maintained greens. Varieties of trees, shrubs and natural vegetation add seasonal color to the landscape of the golf course. This course offers a great golfing experience regardless of your score.

The Club House offers a well stocked Pro-Shop, an excellent restaurant and well-designed changing facilities. A roofed semi-open waiting area with bar invites for a rest before getting on the Golf Kart. Well trained caddies will be at assistance for each Golfer and the friendly Lao staff will make sure that your Golfing experience at the Luang Prabang Golf Course will be one the best you ever made.

Please contact us at info@la.diethelmtravel.com for a tailor made Golf tour package in Luang Prabang.

Lao Coffee for Connoisseurs at the Bolaven Plateau in South Laos

Lao coffee is one of the finest in the world – and at the same time one of the most unknown coffees. Finding ideal conditions in the rich soil of the Lao Bolaven Plateau three sorts of coffee are grown here: high quality Arabica, rich Robosta and the strong Canephera. Our Coffee Experts will introduce you to the Lao Coffee in a unique and exclusive tour for Connoisseurs and Coffee-Lovers. Explore the Lao coffee plantations and stay overnight in lovely lodges in the plantations. Get an insight into the Lao Coffee production and find out about the different roasts in a coffee tasting. Visit a Lao tea plantation and learn about the Lao tea variations.

Click Here for more information or contact us at info@la.diethelmtravel.com

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Boat Racing Festival

Vientiane celebrated the colourful annual Boat Racing Festival on 13 October 2011 with more than 100,000 people from Vientiane and the surrounding provinces attending. At the end of Buddhist Lent, the Laotians thank the Nagas (King of Water) for supplying water to their rice plantations and paddy fields. At this year’s Festival held at Vat Chan temple on the bank of the Mekong river 28 boats entered - 22 traditional longboats and 6 boats in the sport category. For some impressions of this unique festival watch this video:

Video credits go to Mr. Hans Kaufmann, Patoo Industries, Vientiane.

Learn about the "Silk from Paradise"

Laos - The Luang Say Residence - Luang Prabang - Main View

The fine art of silk production and weaving is known in Laos since ages. But the skillful designs and high quality of the Lao silk are not yet much known outside the country. Discover with us the Lao silk in a half day excursion in Vientiane.

You will see the rearing of silk worms and their cocooning and learn about the different kinds of Mulberry trees to feed the silk worms. Experience how the the cocoons are turning into silk threads. Try the hand reeling and dying of the threads yourself or learn how to handle the weaving loom.

Laos - The Luang Say Residence - Luang Prabang - Main View

For this experience we cooperate with Mai Savanh Lao, an organization with their base in Vientiane, which aims to generate sustainable income for families in remote areas of Laos. The families are organized in a network reaching all over Laos from North to South, from farmers that cultivate the silk worms to the women weaving the silk. This network provides educational courses, quality control and support for their production and gives the producers and their families an opportunity to engage in dignifying work under fair conditions.

Please contact us at info@la.diethelmtravel.com for more information.

The Luang Say Residence - Luang Prabang

Located only 10 minutes from the airport and 5 minutes from the center of Luang Prabang, the Luang Say Residence offers first-class facilities including 20 Pioneer suites in five colonial pavilions and four Explorateur suites located in the main residence building. The hotel's lobby, spacious "La Belle Epoque" restaurant and "1861" terrace bars are surrounded by a lush, beautifully landscaped garden with panoramic views of nearby mountains plus an inviting 20-metre swimming pool. All this combines to deliver a memorable stay in Southeast Asia's most captivating destination.

Laos - The Luang Say Residence - Luang Prabang

The Luangsay Residence welcomes guests from 01 FEB 2011 on. To celebrate its opening, the Luang Say Residence offers one free night for a minimum of one night stay. This Special Introductory Offer is valid until 30 April 2011.

Laos - The Luang Say Residence - Luang Prabang - Bar

Please contact us at info@la.diethelmtravel.com for a tailor made tour package in Laos incl. the Luangsay Residence in Luang Prabang.

Explore the unknown & hidden Vientiane by bicycle

Explore the unknown and hidden Vientiane by bicycle, Laos

Get off the beaten track and discover the unknown face of Vientiane, one of the smallest and most relaxed capitals in the world. Get on a bike and explore the "real" and simple rural way of life of this charming city on the bank of the Mekong. Find these places not by visiting the classic highlights, but by cycling through schools yards, along temples, markets and small local restaurants. Bike along the residences of the former colonial rulers and explore alleyways lined with palm- and wild banana trees, rarely visited by foreigners. Meet the friendly Lao people and see their daily way of life. Enjoy a local lunch in a small Lao restaurant on the way.

The track is mostly flat and leads away from the busy roads mostly over of dirt roads, which are generally in good condition. The tour is designed for "normal" people, not for achievers. Everyone with a normal health can participate. Join a group of maximum 12 people or go on a private tour. Families with kids will have lots of fun on this tour, too. The tours are conducted in English language, but other languages can be offered on request.

For more information please contact us at info@la.diethelmtravel.com.

Shangri Lao Luang Prabang

Travel in the footsteps of a French Explorer. Dr. P. Neiss, who explored the area around Luang Prabang in 1882, was requested by the Minister of Public Education of France, to complete a scientific mission to survey the 'Moi Tribes' who lived in one of France's first colonies named 'Cochinchina.' Dr. Neis stayed for eight months in Luang Prabang and explored the area around the town including the Nam Khan River up to the village of Xieng Ngeun. This new expedition follows the same route through the Huay Sae Stream as Dr. P. Neis explored 130 years ago. Your day will start early with the preparation of the elephants for the expedition. Travel on the back of your elephant before you start your trek down the Huay Sae Valley, an unspoiled and protected area with scenic waterfalls and untouched forests, accompanied by porter horses for the last stretch of the trek. After an explorer lunch the journey continues by bamboo raft back to Elephant Village. At the end of the day you will return to Luang Prabang. The Shangri Lao Day Expedition is operated daily.

By October 2011 the Shangri Lao Classic Explorer Camp will open its doors and provide the option experience a unique stay in a colonial style luxury tented camp. More information about the Shangri Lao Classic Explorer Camp will follow soon.

Elephant Village in Luang Phabang, Laos

Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, Luang Prabang (TAEC)

Laos - Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre

The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre is a private, non-profit museum located in a historic building in Luang Prabang. It is the first exhibition space in Laos dedicated to the collection, interpretation and preservation of its ethnic cultures and arts. The TAEC exhibits on the ethnic cultures of Laos, a Museum Shop selling handicrafts from village artisans, and the Le Patio Cafe with authentic and traditional Ethnic cuisine (vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals from the Hmong, Thai Lue, Khamu and Akha).

Special guided exhibit tours and lectures / seminars led by the TAEC Director are offered upon demand for groups and individual travelers.

The TAEC is guided by a Board of Experts, consisting of anthropologists and textile scholars. It was founded by Tara Gujadhur and Thongkhoun Soutthivilay, who now serve as Co-Directors. Tara Gujadhur is an American with an anthropology background and 11 years experience in indigenous community development and sustainable tourism in southern Africa and Southeast Asia. Thongkhoun Soutthivilay is a Luang Prabang native trained in Japan, the Netherlands, and Thailand who worked at the Luang Prabang National Museum for over 10 years as the Collection Manager and a conservator.

Free The Bears Rescue Centre at the Kuang Si Waterfall outside Luang Prabang

The Tat Kuang Si Park, 30 Km south of Luang Prabang, is the home of the "Free The Bears Rescue Centre". The centre was set up in 2003. All the bears here have been confiscated from traffickers and poachers, sometimes arriving at the centre in poor condition. It is the keepers' extraordinary efforts that improves the bears living and health condition once they have arrived. It takes a while to settle down for the bears, but then they feel comfortable with the new and safe environment.

The Asiatic Black Bears numbers are becoming dangerously low in the wild due to the illegal trade for bile and restaurants, as well as the loss of its habitat from human activity.

Kuang Si Waterfall outside Luang Prabang

The centre is located directly at the entrance of the Kuang Si Waterfall area. Best time for a visit is around 1pm when the bears get their lunch. Watch how they have to search for their food in order to keep them "busy" instead of getting a plate full of fruits. The rescue center does not charge for a visit. Since it is a charity organization it relies on donations, which can be given voluntarily on the spot. There is also a little "shop" with shirts and caps, run by the rescue center. The Free The Bears Rescue Centre is supported by Free The Bears Fund Inc. Australia (www.bearlao.com or www.freethebears.org.au )