Laos: A Low-Carbon Journey

Arrive into Vientiane, where a guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to the hotel. This evening, get a true taste of Laos on a foodie walking tour of the capital. Start the local way at a beer shop for a sundowner, sipping a cold Beerlao as the sun sets over the Mekong. After dark, walk through Sihom, a lively street market popular with locals, stopping to sample Lao-style doughnuts, steaming bowls of noodles and pork meatball wraps. Continue to Ban Anou night market, the city's culinary hub, for a browse through its endless rows of stalls, from grilled pork skewers to the more adventurous fried insects, before finishing with a Lao specialty at a hidden sweets shop: ice cream with sticky rice. Overnight in Vientiane.

Spend the day getting to know Vientiane's quieter charm on a walking tour of the capital. Begin at Wat Sisaket, a serene temple with teak hallways lined with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, then continue to Wat Phra Keo, home to a collection of Lao and Khmer art, and the Presidential Palace, a colonial-era building once used as the French governor's residence. Visit Wat Simuang, the city's most venerated temple, where locals believe a wish will be granted by walking around its main pillar three times. Break for lunch at Mini Makphet, run by Peuan Mit, a Vientiane-based organisation supporting street children and young people in Laos. In the afternoon, visit two of the country's most recognisable landmarks: Patuxay, built in the style of Paris's Arc de Triomphe, and the sixteenth-century, gold-topped That Luang, one of the country's holiest sites. As evening falls, stroll the Mekong riverside alongside the locals, stopping for a cold drink or a snack from one of the many food stalls. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, transfer to Vientiane train station for the journey to Vang Vieng on Laos's new railway. On arrival, transfer to the hotel, where your bike will be waiting, with no backup vehicle today, in keeping with the trip's low-carbon spirit. Cross the Nam Song River and pedal into the countryside, leaving the town behind. Ride through rice paddies to Tham Pou Kham, a cave one hundred metres underground with a spring-fed swimming hole, then continue to Tham Chang Cave, set high in the cliffs with sweeping views over the surrounding farmland and its own natural swimming basin. After lunch at a local restaurant, cycle to an organic farm for a short walk through the fields to see the range of produce grown there, before returning to Vang Vieng for a relaxed afternoon in town. Dinner is at the hotel this evening. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

After breakfast, transfer to Vang Vieng train station for the onward journey to Luang Prabang. On arrival, transfer to the hotel, then set out on a cycling tour of the city, beginning with a fitting for your bike. Ride through the flat streets of the old town to the National Museum, once the Royal Palace, then continue exploring the narrow peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, stopping at a handful of the city's most important wats along the way. After lunch at a restaurant known for its local specialties, cycle out to Phosy Market, filled with locally grown produce and fresh snacks, then on to Ock Pop Tok, a nonprofit preserving traditional Lao weaving techniques, set on sprawling rural farmland. Ride back along the river to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, dedicated to the country's ethnic diversity (closed Mondays; for those feeling templed-out, the UXO Lao Visitor Center, with free entry, is a worthwhile alternative nearby, covering the ongoing work to clear unexploded ordnance left from the Vietnam War era). This evening, set out on foot for a Luang Prabang foodie tour, beginning at a riverside restaurant famous for its sunset views and a coconut refreshment once enjoyed by a visiting US president. Continue to the night market food stalls for grilled chicken and papaya salad, then finish at Tangor, a trendy restaurant known for its Indochinese-inspired decor and cuisine. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meet your guide at 8:30am for a transfer to the bike station and a trip briefing, before cycling out to the former Royal boat pier. From Ban Xieng Mene, ride along the Mekong on village paths and rocky trails to Vat Chom Phet, once the king's favourite retreat from the demands of court life, and Vat Long Khoun, known for its unique interior murals and traces of Tai Dam influence. Continue on dirt roads shared with chickens, buffalo and motorbikes, through rice paddies and quiet countryside, stopping at Ban Nakham for snacks along the way. Visit a Khmu village to meet the elders and learn about their daily life, then continue to a secret waterfall, Hoy Khoua, for a picnic lunch and a chance to cool off, with a backup minivan on hand throughout for anyone who wants a break from the saddle. From here, board a private boat at Ban Pak Loung, a Hmong village, to cruise upstream to Ban Chan, renowned for its traditional pottery. Watch potters shape clay by hand and visit the underground kilns used to fire hundreds of jars at once, a craft passed down through generations. Cruise back to Luang Prabang, taking in the Mekong's riverside life along the way, arriving back in the mid-afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, transfer to Luang Prabang train station for the journey to Oudomxay, a rarely visited province in Laos's rural north. On arrival, transfer to Nam Kat Yorlapa, with lunch at the resort. In the afternoon, cycle around five kilometres to Namkat Waterfall, then set off on foot across thirteen sky bridges suspended through the forest canopy, around a kilometre in all, before eleven zip lines carry you back to the starting point. Cycle back to the resort for a barbecue dinner. Overnight at Nam Kat Yorlapa.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore the resort before transferring to Oudomxay train station for the journey back to Luang Prabang. On arrival, transfer for lunch at a local restaurant, then enjoy some free time at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight.