The Tang Tai Pass Itinerary

Head to the Stray office in Bangkok to collect your ticket and information on where to meet the group in Laos. Then early evening catch a comfortable reclining seat overnight air-conditioned VIP bus with toilet from Khao San Road to the Thai/Lao border in Nong Khai. In the morning you will cross over the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane, the capital of Laos and connect with a local bus that will bring you into the city.

We give you the morning to explore the capital city and the stalls along the banks of the Mekong, get some cash out and buy some comfort food before we head off the beaten track again and into the Phou Khao Khouay NPA. We head to Tad Leuk waterfall where we camp between the waterfall and jungle and have the opportunity to swim, trek and maybe spot the rare Phu Wah Rock Lizard found in only 3 places in the world (Tad Leuk is 1 of them and the other 2 is within 100 metres.).

Accommodation: Tents with mats $8 includes camping equipment and national park fee.

An early departure means we can take our time to check out the Sala Viewpoint, Phu Phu Man limestone forest and have a little shop in Paksan before heading down to the 7km Cave (or Tham Kong Lor to the locals). We head into the abyss of the 7km cave (this is a must do activity where we cruise through the cave in a traditional motorised canoe to see some amazing rock formations). The evening can be spent chilling with the locals or watching a DVD at the guesthouse.

Accommodation: Comfortable guesthouse with spectacular views of rice paddies and Karst Mountains, and just a short walk from the cave $10

This morning we have a scenic journey to Tha Bak, where locals use the hundreds of bombs that were dropped on the nearby Ho Chi Minh train, as boats in their daily life. You have the unique opportunity to take a trip in these custom-made 'bomb boats' down the Nam Theun river. We then head all the way south, passing the 'Great Wall of Thakhek' to enter the Xe Champhone Wetlands. So remote, that when the rain comes we might not be able to drive the Stray bus here, so we’ll jump onboard an off-road truck for a real off the beaten track experience! Spend the night with friendly locals in Monkey Forest - a sacred forest, home to thousands of Rhesus Macaque Monkeys! Recommended: Hop off in Thakek to explore local caves and the Khammouane Province.

Accommodation: Remote homestay $10.

We wake up early and check out the 'Monkey Home Market' before heading to a 200 year old Hotay Pidok Buddhist library (with scriptures written on palm leafs!) We then visit Turtle Lake with soft-shell turtles that are revered by the locals. Leaving the Xe Champhone wetlands behind, we make a stop at Old Wat Taleow (a stunningly beautiful temple that was bombed in 1969), and head south to get to the spectacular waterfall of Tad Lo in the heart of the Bolaven Plateau. The waterfalls here make this location a must-see. You have the opportunity to take a swim, explore the small village and also ride elephants and watch them bathe in the waterfall. This place still has the old school dirt road charm of Laos about it.

Accommodation: Bungalows from modern to rustic in the heart of the village $8 or Guesthouse with fan rooms for the river $9+

Today we cruise the Plateau stopping in at the coffee plantations that are everywhere around the area. We also get to visit some of the best waterfalls in all of Laos including the 120m high twin waterfalls of Tad Fane. We have time to enjoy the morning on the plateau before continuing south to Laos’ second World Heritage area, Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer temple (Angkor Wat without the crowds!) Tonight is spent in Pakse, the provincial capital and cross roads to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam bringing a mix of ethnic groups and international cuisine.

Accommodation: Guesthouse with fan or air-conditioned rooms in the centre of town surrounded by everything you need! $8-10

This morning we leave Pakse and head to the 4000 Islands to experience the idyllic laid back island lifestyle. We arrive around lunchtime giving you plenty of time to cycle across to neighbouring Don Khone Island to visit Li Phi waterfall or take a boat trip for a chance to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins that frequent the border waters of Laos and Cambodia.

Accommodation: Basic bungalows by the river $5 or comfortable rooms in a Guesthouse with fan or air conditioning and private bathrooms (now that Don Det has electricity!) $13+

We leave Don Det early and drive direct to Pakse. Leaving the Stray bus behind (that continues north to Vientiane), you cross the border and continue onto Ubon Ratchathani by a non-Stray bus and then change to an overnight sleeper train. Your Stray journey finishes when you arrive in Bangkok early the next morning.