Staff Picks
Somphou - Laos Online Travel Consultant
My favorite destination in Laos is Phonsavanh, the capital city of Xieng Khouang. I discovered Phonsavanh in 2006 by travelling overland. It was the very nice trip and beautiful memory for me!
I drove along the road n0 10, stopping at Ban Kheun village to see salt extraction. I also stopped at Nam Ngum Lake and embarked on a boat for around one hour tour on the lake among the small islands and had lunch in a local restaurant by the lake.
On the way to Phonsavanh, I stopped overnight at Vang Vieng. Here I visited Tham Chang cave with its stunning view over the valley and I also took a small boat on Nam Song River amid beautiful scenery.
Between Vang Vieng and Phonsavanh I made a stop at Pathang (17km north of Vang Vieng). From the village temple I got an outstanding view over the mountains. I continued by a mountainous and windy road with breathtaking views and passed numerous Hmongs villages. The mountains disappeared giving way to small hills and peaceful countryside.
In Xieng Khuang, I started my visit with the local market right in the city center then visited Plain of Jars site number 1 close to the city. Drove to site number3 surrounded by rice fields and proceed to site number2 a few minutes from there with nice landscape. The site number2 has the biggest jar (2.7 m long). On the way I stopped at Khang Ngao village with its nice traditional houses.
After, I drove to Muang Khoune (30 km from the city center) and visited the ruins of the old city: Vat Phiyawat, Taht Foun and took a short walk (5minutes) to Ban Vieng Xi, a Tai Dam village where women still weave traditional head dresses.
Traveler's Review
Howard Handler
Overall holiday was super. Tour suggestions, timing were excellent.
I saw and learned a lot in a little time. Most importantly, the guide was superb.
He was knowledgeable, courteous, and very patient and accommodating. I highly recommend him.
Howard Handler
January 2009
Traveler's Review
Nicole Niedik & Patrick Zuechner
Dear Mr. Granier,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
On the occasion of our journey in northern Laos from 5th to 15th of November we like to thank you and the overall Exotissimo team for the wonderful time. We find it helpful to go into detail concerning some involved team members and provided services to express our complete satisfaction.
Your company was recommended to us by Mr. Vanhphenh Sengnham who we know well from our last year's journey. Beginning with the very helpful websites we could easy find our preferred way of travelling based on a set of various useful hints and proposals.
Our first idea was checked and completed by Mr. Jean-Yves Paille. We like to express our special thank to Mr. Paille. He respected all of our wishes, gave a lot of helpful details and answered all of our questions in a comprehensive, and courteous and uncomplaining way. We enjoyed both his great flexibility and his obligatory service.
We used the transport service offered by Exotissimo from Chiang Rai to Chiang Khong boarder station. We had a warm welcome in Thailand and a speedy but save ride and arrived just in time although our time schedule was ambitious. Mr. Sengnham collected us right at the ferry pier therefore also the immigration was unproblematic.
For the next days we had a comfortable and save ride every time. In Luang Namtha we spent a night in The Boatlanding which is a nice resort even. A special day for us was the biking trip in the surroundings of Luang Namhta on 7th of November. Our special thanks go here to the local guide from Green Discovery who made the day an unforgettable event introducing us local villages and surrounding highlights as well as cultural background and workaday life. The trip was well selected and scaled, the bikes in a good condition.
The very highlight of the whole journey was the 3 day trekking trip to the Akha villages round Muang Sing. We first have to thank the Exotissimo Muang Sing Office for the warm welcome and the safekeeping of our remaining luggage. Our special thanks go here to all involved people who offered a various range of services to us (planning/organising of the trip, preparation of accommodation and meals, massage etc.) especially to the local Akha guide. He shows an excellent example of his people's hospitality and proudness of its own way of life. He was always a good leader and bridge to his people and answered all of our questions in an unorthodox and professional English spoken way. We had a good board and lodging. Complementary to the local table the Akha guide and Mr. Sengnham show oneself as talented cooks. Especially the evening together with the villagers in Ban Lao Khao was an unforgettable experience. They let us feel their spirit and we had always the feeling to be a most welcome part of the community and their life.
We enjoyed this way of tourism very much and are proud to have the change to get part of it. We have the greatest respect for the founders and operators of the project as we could consider many hurdles on the way to this nearly perfect organisation resulting from language and cultural differences. We go to any lengths to give all of our friends a better understanding of the project and the life of the Akha as an example for the way of living of minorities in Laos in accordance with both own history and nature and environment. As a slight notice we would appreciate the purchasing of some new mosquito nets to replace older ones.
Our following night we spend in Phetsoksai in Pakbeng as backup for originally proposed Pakbeng Lodge. We found the hotel very nice, didn't miss anything and are therefore able to recommend this hotel.
Our remaining nights in Luang Prabang we spend in the Villa Maydou which is a very nice place and typified for the spirit of Luang Prabang from our point of view. In the Exotissimo Luang Prabang Office we had a great time exchanging experiences with the very friendly team members.
But our very special thanks go to Mr. Vanhphenh Sengnham. Without him the whole trip won't be such a great experience because he was always our bridge to the local people and their culture. He selected the appropriate local restaurants according to your wishes. He managed all the small problems resulting from booking mistakes or other things which could happen at such a trip with great professionalism and in his smooth manner.
We appreciate his friendly behaviour and his deep knowledge of country and culture. In addition he speaks German really like a native speaker and this will make a trip much easier for us. Most important we admire Mr. Sengnhams very individual and personal style. You don't need to ask but he will know your wish before. We are sure to travel with an old friend at any time.
Sincerely yours,
Nicole Niedik & Patrick Zuechner
Dortmund (Germany), 16th of December 2008
