In the Hmong village of Long Lao Mai, you can stitch textiles, enjoy traditional music, or sit by the campfire listening to folktales. Volunteers and local people have built the Eco Bungalow to allow visitors from Laos and abroad to experience life in this fascinating Hmong village. Slow down your pace of travel and spend
Hmong women in Phonsavan | Photograph by Cyril Eberle This is a remarkable story about the third largest ethnic group in Laos — the Hmong people — celebrating their biggest festival of the year. This colorful event showcases the fascinating culture and history of this group of people expressing their unique identity. Phonsavan market and
This film coincides with the recent launch of the new MOTOLAO website. MOTOLAO provides exclusive on-road and off-road motorcycle or 4×4 tours in Laos. Their customised tours provide a chance to journey on a road of self-discovery and encounter life-changing moments along the way. Exploring Laos by motorcycle or 4×4 is the perfect way to
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On any given day at the Tiger Trail bike shop, Noah and his Lao team members will be outside fixing up the new fleet of bicycles. These bikes will then be quickly sent off with riders touring in and around Luang Prabang. If possible, make an effort to book a tour with Tiger Trail and take the
Come to Laos and you will discover impressive landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls, and exotic animals. You will roam the streets of temple-dotted towns, delighted by culinary adventures and remarkable handicrafts. Linger a little longer and you’ll find that the heart of Laos is in its people. Experience a culture that is steeped in tradition and encounter
See our updated 2023 post on the top 24 coffee spots in Luang Prabang Coffee has been a staple of Laos ever since it was introduced in the early twentieth century. As a result, coffee spots in Luang Prabang & throughout Laos have sprung up in every kind of iteration from street vendor to Western
As much as I love to find cheap food stalls and search for local spots to eat during my stay in Luang Prabang, I cannot help but enjoy the occasional splurge. Prepared by a new chef with an incredibly attentive staff, this five-course meal at “Kitchen by the Mekong” was a luxurious experience all to itself. Held at Victoria Xiengthong Palace, which is
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This past weekend I took a silk dyeing class at Ock Pop Tok’s Living Crafts Centre. The day was gorgeous, the sun was shining, and the skies were the brightest blue. As I walked into their cafe to wait until the class began, I was handed a complementary fruit tea. I was told that it was some snake
Just last week we decided to go out for a ‘work lunch’ at Ock Pop Tok and sit by the majestic Mekong. A placard that was propped up in the center of each table had advertised their special of the month: Brunch Set featuring Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise sauce. Although we decided on having a
Ock Pop Tok’s Silk Road Cafe is a tranquil place to come for either a brunch or lunch and gaze out at the slow and mighty Mekong. It is also a place where you can find traditional Lao food infused with Western favorites that will surely excite anyone’s taste buds. As we quickly grabbed a
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Tucked away down a quaint, little road near the UNESCO certified Manorom Temple, Hotel de la Paix is one of the upmost luxurious places to spend a few nights here in Luang Prabang. In a town where there is stunning architecture and continued traditions to be observed around every corner, it is rare to find
One of the harder transitions I am having here in Laos is eating a heavy meal for breakfast. I still dream about eating my giant bowl of chilled almond milk poured over a mound of crunchy granola that I was so used to in the United States. I asked someone what Lao people eat for
It was extremely hot and sunny during my first two weeks here in Luang Prabang, a rarity during the ‘rainy season’. For my first weekend, I decided to cool off from the mid-day sun and experience some cultural diversity by visiting the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre. While some may think that the TAEC is
I usually go far away from the city center to find both delicious and authentic Lao food at a fair price. Though after passing this place everyday on Sisavangvong Road during my commute, I knew I just had to take a seat and order a bowl of khao piak khao (boiled rice soup). For only
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Last Thursday and Friday, Tiger Trail had a two-day tour guide training session at a local college in Luang Prabang. This was one of the few times of the year that all of our guides are together in one room! This training workshop was lead by both Peter Richards and Markus Neuer. Peter was an inspirational speaker and
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This local spot is known as “Pasaneyom Coffee Shop”, and it is very popular among local Lao. It is conveniently located near the banks of the Mekong, and it is very busy in the early morning. This coffee shop seems like it has been around for years, and caters Tuk-Tuk drivers, retired men, and some Thai
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After I exited Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to catch my flight for Luang Prabang, nothing could prepare me for what I was about to experience. The company slogan for Bangkok Airways, “Asia’s Boutique Airlines”, could not have been more fitting . The plane that I rode to Luang Prabang was a small turbo-prop aircraft, which came complete with
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Random things that are awesome about living in Luang Prabang, Laos I’ll be moving out of Laos in a week or two (or three…) and I have grown to love this country more than I ever imagined. It surprised me how quickly Luang Prabang has come to feel like home. Here are some of
The new Nam Ou Riverside Resort outside of Luang Prabang is Gorgeous The Tiger Trail team recently went out and explored the Nam Ou Riverside Resort and Nam Ou Elephant Farm. They’re located next door to each other, between a lovely little village and the Nam Ou River in the Pak Ou District, not far from
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Rice is Life Learning how to grow sticky rice at the Living Land Farm near Luang Prabang Living Land Farm The other morning I went to the Living Land Farm just outside of Luang Prabang to experience the Rice is Life program. It was fantastic! Our small group met with Mr. Laut Lee – a phenomenal farmer and
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