Essential Laos Traveller Reviews

Flew to Chiang Rai, N Thailand, crossed the border into Laos and then spent three fabulous days cruising down the Mekong to Luang Prabang. Three nights in Luang Prabang followed by two in the Plain of Jars. From there to Vientiane and finally down to Pakse/4,000 islands in southern Laos for some R & R before returning to the UK via Bangkok.

We have used Experience Travel now on four occasions and consider their destination knowledge and understanding of travellers requirements and preferences to be excellent.

From the first pick up on arrival in Vientiane in Laos to our final departure our holiday went smoothly. There was no uncertainty, our pick ups were there waiting for us. The holiday was a mix of experiences. We wanted to see Laos in some detail (of course we didn't achieve this: it has much more to offer than the 10 days we were there), we needed to meet up with our daughter in Chiang Mai and finally we wanted some rest and recreation on a beach in Thailand. We left most of the details to Experience travel. In total we were away for three weeks. The holiday itself broke up into separate experiences: all delightful in their own way. In Vang Vieng we enjoyed cycle rides, kayaking as well as visiting one of the local cave beauty spots. We then journeyed through beautiful mountain scenery to Phonsavan which we used as a base to visit The Plain of Jars. This was well worth a visit, Phonsavan itself was not. This is a pity as the surrounding mountains and the jars are well worth the time spent to get there. Our next destination was the old capital of Luang Prabang. Our biggest regret here was that we didn't have as much time as we felt this place deserved. We only had two days here and although Experience travel had packed in a lot for us to see and do what we also needed was some time to just wander and soak up the atmosphere of the place. This has always been a problem with our holidays: we have never wished to cut anything out but so often would have liked more time at each place. The next phase was a flight to Chiang Mai where we were meeting up with our daughter and the plan was for my wife and daughter to find a dyeing course on which to enroll. The Rachamankha had been chosen by Experience for us. One small criticism I have of the otherwise excellent details sent out by Experience is that often the photos included fail to do justice to the quality of the places they chose for us. The Rachamankha was worth a look round in its own right as a piece of architecture. We were very pleased that this had been chosen for us. Part of our time in Chiang Mai was to involve a trek out from the Lisu Lodge. This was another location were the photos failed to convey the beauty of the location and the comfort of our stay. The trek up the mountain was demanding was worth the sweat and the candle lit meal prepared by our guide at the end of a long hot day will be as memorable as the stunning view out over the mountain from the toilet! The final phase of the holiday was a beach holiday in Khao Lak as reward for that hot sweaty climb and descent. The choice of accommodation was excellent and had we wanted there would have been plenty of tours that we could have undertaken.

Once again we left things to the last minute, handed over a vague idea of what we wanted to do and the places we wanted to visit and then left it to Experience Travel to sort out the details for us. Once again they delivered the goods. The places we stayed were exactly as we expected and in quite a few cases exceeded our expectations. Tours and pickups occurred exactly when they were supposed to and there was always the feeling that if something went wrong there was a team behind us ready to sort things out in the best way.

We have just returned form an excellent holiday to Laos and Cambodia which Experience Travel put together for us. We were based in six different locations on the tour which was put together for us. It was a wonderful trip and we were delighted with the overall service.

Experience Travel are brilliant. We had previously used them for a trip to Vietnam. The transfers worked liked clockwork and the guides we had were excellent. The choice of hotels was great.

After enjoying three excellent holidays to Sri Lanka, Burma and Cambodia with Experience Travel, we booked a fourth to Laos and were not disappointed. The trip was an 18 day adventure travelling from the rugged north-west to the flatter paddies of southern Laos where the Mekong River flows over a giant doorstep of waterfalls into Cambodia. In between were the splendours of the Mekong River, the city of Luang Prabang, the temples of Wat Phou and Vientiane, and the enigmatic Plain of Jars. Travelling by river and road in the north and the deep south was also an ideal way of experiencing smaller towns and rural life as well as appreciating the diverse ethnic make up of the country. We stayed in ten different and charming hotels which far exceeded our expectations. We usually left each one with regret that we were not staying longer at them. It was a great trip and a privileged insight into the life of this country.

We have come back to Experience Travel for several reasons. First, they've done their homework and really know about the countries they visit and the hotels on offer. Second, they are good listeners and readily adapt their tours for the things which especially interest us. Third, they seem well organised and have avoided the potential pitfalls posed by complicated trips such as this. Fourth, they work with reliable local companies that have provided us with great guides and drivers who are the key to the daily success of the trips.

Experience Travel Group was fantastic from start to end the trip was as described and at times better! Laos is a magical country and Thailand beaches were beautiful!

Experience Travel group was excellent always reliable and friendly. Matt and the team where attentive to us through out our trip!