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Sabai Dii! Welcome to the Land of a Million Elephants!

Traditionally, Laos has been the least visited destination in Southeast Asia. For that reason, it remains one of the most underdeveloped, scenic and culturally rewarding areas in Asia. Known for its idyllic scenery, devout Buddhist population, slow and easy way of life, and generous hospitality, Laos is the ideal country to explore. Over your two weeks in the country you will be traveling the northern half of the country, visiting villages, swimming under waterfalls and hiking up emerald mountains while learning the history of the country with your guide who has been traveling the back roads of Laos for the past ten years.

Vientiane – The Capital and a Great Introduction to Laos

Arriving in Vientiane you will quickly feel time slow down as you begin to explore the temples and French colonial architecture lined streets that fan outward from the mighty Mekong river. Your taste buds will begin to sizzle from the first bite of Lao cuisine and your cheeks will begin to feel a little sore from all the smiling at monks and waving children you pass in the street. After getting a feel for the day to day culture of the city we will spend some time getting acquainted with the history of Laos by visiting several of the local museums that tell tales of shifting kingdoms, wars fought on elephants, backgrounds of hill tribe communities you will be visiting and the turbulent times of the Vietnam War era. We will also visit the main symbols of Laos, Pha That Luang (the golden stupa) and Patu Xay (Laos’s own Arc d’ Triumph). In the evenings we will stroll the banks of the river with the local youth and eat a sumptuous feast while watching the sunset over Thailand.

Heading North to the Giant Jars

From Vientiane we will head up to the town of Phonsovan located in Xieng Khouang province. The town is nestled up in the mountains on a giant plain making for mesmerizing scenery as well as cooler temperatures. This plain was coined the Plain du Jars by the French when they discovered 2,000 year old giant stone jars scattered throughout the hills. We will spend our first day exploring the various sites of these mysterious archaelogical relics while also becoming acquaited with the delicious noodle soups that are the main fare in the restaurants of the area. While in Phonsovan we will also have a good introduction to the Hmong culture starting out in the markets where we will see traditional foods as well as textiles and handicrafts and then moving on to experiencing their culture as we take trips out of town to immerse ourselves in their villages nestled into the mountains and along the rivers. Bring your headlamps as well, because there are some great caves with Buddhist shrines to explore! From Phonsovan we will also head out to the far eastern part of Laos on the Vietnam border to check out the landscape and culture of Sam Neua and Vieng Xai. In Vieng Xai we will have a chance to explore the caved headquarters of the Pathet  Lao during the “Secret War” of the sixties and seventies.

Luang Prabang - Onward to the Jewel of the Mekong

From Phonsovan we will head by road through the fantastic limestone mountains of Northern Laos to the beautiful town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as home to Rustic Pathways new base. While staying in Luang Prabang we will ride along the Mekong by long tail boat, exploring the caves, waterfalls and villages that dot the shores of the Mekong. It is also a place that we will be able to give back to the country that has by now become a part of your hearts by participating in various community service projects like teaching English and working with rural communities to ensure clean drinking water and safety education for children. We will also spend plenty of time in town sapping up the architecture and lifestyle that is one of the most relaxed in all of Asia. The cuisine of Luang Prabang is also an amazing mixture of western and eastern palates that is sure to blow you away from the first cup of coffee and fresh baguettes in the morning to the minty and spicy “laap” in the evening. Not to mention the pineapple shakes that will cool you off in the afternoon! By the time it is time to leave Luang Prabang and Laos it will truly have been a life changing experience.

Special Note: Scheduled Gap Year programs generally include all breakfasts, and about half of the lunches and dinners during your program. Students are responsible for getting themselves to the starting point for their gap year program. Internal transportation and all accommodation and included tours, activities, admissions, and fees are included as stipulated in the itinerary. For more details and further information about our gap year programs, please email our Gap Year Guru Marc Bartholemew at marc@rusticpathways.com.
 

 
INTEGRATE yourself into Laotian lifestyle and culture while visiting remote, seldom visited villages
TRAVEL to distinct, rural villages in different areas of Laos in traditional, rarely-visited towns
DISAPPEAR off the edge of the map as you explore the mysterious Plain of Jars
EXPLORE the spectacular regions of northern Laos on exciting mountain excursions
CRUISE the streets of charming Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site
 

Laos Gap Year
Program Cost: $ 1,445
Internal Airfare: $ 300
Departs
Returns
February 16, 2009
February 28, 2009









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