Pure Freedom - Flexible South East Asia Backpacker Bus Tour

WHY STRAY?

We stay closer to the action: Luang Prabang for the temples and to witness monks’ alms giving ceremony at sunrise; Vieng Xai to hang out in a communist bomb shelter; Don Det to chill on an island in the middle of the Mekong; Luang Namtha to visit different ethnic villages; and Kong Lor, the famous 7km cave. You will be staying in, or otherwise right next to, all of these remarkable destinations

We become immersed in the culture: Sampling everything from sticky rice to Beerlao will have you culturally clued up on Laos. Buying food from the local markets will give you the freshest produce and put money straight back into the community. Visiting more wats (temples) than you can say “what’s that?” at will give you a superb insight into the Buddhist religion and monk lifestyle.

We travel responsibly: It is important to us that we have a sustainable tourism product. We use new mini-coaches for lower emissions; we train all our guides to respect the culture and environment while taking you off the beaten track and to educate our travellers to have this same respect. We direct you to local markets and show you where to buy fair trade goods (we think the best coffee and weaving in the world) so that the local people are justly rewarded.

We stop to do things along the way: Visit the Plain of Jars in Phonsavan, sample organic coffee and see of the best waterfalls on the Bolaven Plateau.· We check out the Hintang Archeological Park in Ban Tao Hin for an Asian Stonehenge experience. We include time to do the iconic tubing in Vang Vieng without having to miss a day on your trip. Each day we include time for photos, wats, cows, chickens, locals, elephants, egg on a stick and more…

We use our own mini-coaches for much of the route and local transport where needed: Our own vehicles mean that we can go where we want and ensure a good level of safety and service. Smaller groups and vehicles mean it’s easier to meet people and we can get further off the beaten track. This opens up opportunities for activities like communist cave exploration; Mekong river fishing and home stay accommodation in villages. It’s easy for us to pull over almost anywhere to stop for photos or just to have a Beerlao with the locals. Plus hey, if the monks choose orange as their colour we figure we must be getting some good karma.

We offer outstanding unique stops and activities: No one goes where we go. Pioneering into the Lao landscape will be a daily occurrence! On Stray you will have done more than anyone would have thought possible; elephant riding, silk weaving, multi-day treks to villages that are so off the beaten track they aren’t even on the map!

The best people: We don’t attract an age group – we attract an attitude; one of exploration, open-mindedness and trailblazers. This goes for our crew as well as you, our crew (both western and Lao) are prepared for an awesome cultural experience. We train all our guides together so that the western guides have intimate knowledge about the Lao culture and our Lao guides know about western culture.

Save by getting off the beaten track: Travelling on Stray you will save money on everything. In Laos and Thailand numbers matter and as a group you will command a cheaper price than if you were travelling alone for both activities and accommodation. We have worked out the best routes and timetables so you can save time by knowing where you are going and not waste time working out how to get there.

Flexibility: You were out bowling in Luang Prabang and didn’t rise and shine to see the monks at sunrise, don’t sweat it, you can stay and soak up Luang Prabang for a few more days. Stray let’s you make the decision of when to get on or off the bus. Enjoy Laos at your own pace!

Help out: There are many ways you can help the people of Laos. Stray introduces you to organisations that are working in Laos to improve the livelihood of many rural and urban people. Whether it is speaking English with students, purchasing handicrafts or cleaning up a river bank, there will be a time on the trip where you can contribute.

WHY LAOS?

Laos remains unchanged out of the main centres, it’s organic, natural and relatively untouched by western ways.· Laos and its people are laidback and are as interested in stories from your home as much as you are interested in their culture, ethnicities and traditions.
As well as this it has amazing scenery, wildlife and adventure activities. We will show you Laos how it is and how it was and by travelling responsibly we will be able to demonstrate how eco-tourism
works first hand.

You’ve come all this way – don’t miss out on the best stuff. Stray.

Cheers, Neil Geddes