Laos
For active travelers keen to explore the best of Laos, the ancient mountainous city of Luang Prabang and its surroundings prove the perfect place for custom experiences. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, located along the mighty Mekong River, offers everything that makes Southeast Asia magical. And its higher altitude makes for cooler temps – ideal for private hikes, bikes, paddles and more.
On two-wheels, meander tranquil roads through villages and lush rice paddies while passing vibrant temples. Or kayak down the Mekong on misty mornings to the three-tiered Kuang Si Falls. On foot, explore the impressive 16th-century Wat Xieng Thong, a former royal temple long considered one of Laos’s most significant Buddhist sites. Throughout your stay, witness locals offering alms to monks in morning processions and receive a private traditional water blessing said to bring good luck and happiness.
Gray & Co. guides introduce you to a range of locals and insider-only experiences: There’s Ineke and Olaf, founders of the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park and outdoor school for local children, who’s mission is celebrating and preserving the region’s incredible biodiversity – highlighted by butterflies, 540+ species of bird, and even langur monkeys and tigers. And you’ll have the opportunity to go behind the scenes on a jungle walk at MandaLao Elephant Conservation, joining researchers focused on pachyderm welfare. Gray & Co. open doors to the studios of favorite local artisans, too — Luang Prabang is a mecca for traditional crafts and cuisine — whether they make silk textiles or tasty local dishes.
Luang Prabang abounds with more luxury hotels than you’d expect, so Gray & Co. also helps match you with the right place to stay. That might be the Aman Resort Amantaka, just steps from the old town, blending the classical with the 21st-century. Or it could be Belmond’s French colonial–style La Residence Phou Vau or the Rosewood Luang Prabang, which is nestled in a lush valley with its own waterfall just outside of town.
Combine Luang Prabang with nearby Siem Reap, in Cambodia, to cycle among the massive temple complexes of Angkor Wat. The top places to stay downtown here include Amansara and the Belmond. But the savviest travelers — including Angelina Jolie — head out to Phum Baitang’s eight acres, which include an infinity pool overlooking rice paddies.
