Your first day is all about easing yourself into Laos’ notoriously laid-back atmosphere in peaceful Vientiane – a city brimming with centuries-old religious structures, colonial buildings and red-roofed market stalls. It can be hard to know where to begin, so we’ve lined up a knowledgeable local guide to help you delve into the capital’s ancient and modern history, covering royal temples, the historic Patuxai Victory Gate and the quirky, statue-filled Buddha Park. A visit to the COPE exhibition centre will provide a moving insight into how this charitable organisation supports victims of unexploded ordnance – a still-present reminder of the bomb attacks Laos endured during the Vietnam War.

Lose yourself in some of Asia’s most beautiful mountain scenery as your train weaves its way deeper into rural Laos, towards Vang Vieng: a town characterised by its towering limestone karsts, lush green rice fields and bluest of blue lagoons. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the full spectrum of the area’s natural wonders; bike or kayak to the idyllic surrounding villages, encounter stalagmites and stalactites in the caves beneath the mountains, and float your way back to base on a private boat cruise along the lazy Nam Song River.

It’s all aboard the train once more as you make your way to Muang La via a maze of mountain tunnels and a scenic bridge crossing over the glittering Mekong. You’ll find yourself spending your days and nights surrounded by nature, at the doorstep to a protected national forest. To break the solitude, you’ll hop on a 4X4 excursion to meet the local Ikho, Hmong and Khamu communities that dwell 1,000m up the mountains, and learn about the deeply ingrained customs and spiritual beliefs that have – quite remarkably – remained unchanged for generations amidst the tranquility of the forested slopes.

Where better to round off a culturally immersive tour of Laos than in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang, the home of ancient temples, French-Indochinese architecture and longtail boats? Once you’ve discovered the city’s treasure trove of historic sites and magnificent wats (not to mention the mesmerising Kuang Si Waterfall), there’s plenty of socially responsible activities to get stuck into while you’re here. Learn about rice farming, tour a buffalo dairy that supports underprivileged farmers and meet the graceful residents of the MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary.