Highlights

Experience the last bastion of Indochina where the deeply entrenched culture touches every part of life, making encounters with the people one of friendship and warm welcomes. Temples, pagodas and stupas dot the country, with glints of golden rooftops visible as the sun rises over the mountains and the early morning alms-giving ceremonies see the towns flooded with saffron-robed monks. The mighty Mekong River runs the entire length of the country, providing fishing, irrigation and fertile farmland along its banks. Its population of 6.5 million people is distributed through modern towns, rural villages and isolated, ethnic, mountain tribes.

Officially the country is called Lao People’s Democratic Republic and known in English as Laos – but the people here call it Lao. Lao is landlocked by its neighbours Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, China and Vietnam. Despite rapid progress over the past decade much of the population live in poverty.

Poverty, combined with rapid population growth and unequal distribution of economic development are dramatically increasing demands on remaining forest cover and wildlife. Simply, when no alternative is available, environmental conservation and wildlife protection are less important to those living in poverty. Buffalo Tours and VET, however believes that Responsible Tourism opportunities are providing alternatives for local people to become independent stewards of their resources and destinies.