Down south, we cross the flat plains of the cool and remote Bolovens Plateau, “one of Asia’s last frontiers,” and explore a host of almost forgotten Khmer temples built long before Angkor. Throughout the little-visited provinces of Attapeu and Sekong, we discover a world bursting with ethnic diversity and color, rich with unusual tribes and customs.

Up north, we visit Phonsavan and the mysterious Plain of Jars—imposing, beautiful, and an archaeologist-stumper of long-standing. Further north we find charming Luang Prabang, gritty Lao-China border towns, and conservation parks of virgin forest. And everywhere in this peaceful Buddhist land, we hear the chanting of its orange-clad monks.