Stray Asia expands into remote northeastern Laos
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Stray Asia will launch trips to the remote northeast region of Laos later this month. The bus tour operator will offer a five-day pass called ‘Long Thaang’, which is translated as ‘gets lost’.
Originating in Luang Prabang, the Stray Asia bus will make overnight stops in Nong Khiaw (Luang Prabang province), Vieng Thong, Vieng Xai, (both in Hua Phan province) and Phonsavan (Xieng Khouang province). Interesting stops along the way include the Pathok Cave, the Hintang Archaeological Park, Vieng Thong’s natural hot springs, Sam Neua Market, the caves of Vieng Xai, and famous Iron Age site, the Plain of Jars.
“This is the first time all of these remote locations have been connected by regular tourism transport”, explained Stray Asia’s Managing Director, Graham Freeman. “Many travellers come to Luang Prabang and want to see the riverside town of Nong Khiaw to the north and the Plain of Jars to the east, and yet have to back track through Luang Prabang due to lack of regular transport between the two. Also, with no flights to Sam Neua, Vieng Xai has had little growth in visitation, even though there has been investment in the accommodation, site and new audio tour of the caves. Our weekly departures will make this trip so much more feasible for travellers to see an incredible part of Laos, discover years of history, all at a great price.”
The highlight of the trip is Vieng Xai which, from 1964 to 1973, housed more than 20,000 people in a hidden city built in the limestone caves. Under daily aircraft bombing raids, they built underground schools, hospitals, offices, and farmed the fields by night.
For more information and bookings visit www.straytravel.asia.
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