Sisombat Douangvilaykeo the owner of Treasure Travel is an absolute gem he speaks excellent English and so do a number of his staff which makes it so much easier for those of us who do not speak any Lao other than the basic thank you's and hello's.

I first met Sisombat in 1998 on my first visit to Luang Prabang when he had a Tuk Tuk. He had advanced to a songthau by 1999, my second visit, and then in 2003 he had progressed to a mini bus which we used extensively to take us out to the small village of Ban Phou Dam 73 K's south of Luang Prabang where we were involved with the school.

Upon my last visit in July of 2006 Sisombat had managed to further advance his business to the point of having a shop in the main street of Luang Prabang which caters for internet users and anybody who wishes to book tours in and around Luang Prabang, Northern Laos or even Southern Laos, to book international flights or have them confirmed, arrange and/or recommend accommodation in fact anything to make your holiday more pleasurable Treasure Travel is the place to go.

We used Sisombats driver to take us back up to Ban Phou Dam also he picked us up from the bus station , out to Kuang Si Waterfall and also up to Luang Nam Tha where he arranged for us to stay at The Boat Landing and he also arranged our trip down the Namtha River.

If this sounds like a plug for a mate it's because it is. I have had the pleasure of eating and consuming the odd Lao Lao and Beer Lao in Sisombats house with him and his family and have nothing but exceptionally happy memories with every contact thatI have had with him and his family.

The drivers whom he employs are absolutely exceptional and without a doubt the safest drivers that I have ever driven with in South East Asia.

If this testimonial can help him improve his business and assist anybody in making their trip even more memorable I will be extremely happy.

If you require any more information you can email me at kenjm@westnet.com.au or phone me in Perth Western Australia on Mob 0400525821.

Hope to see you again before Christmas Sisombat I need to do something for that little school in Ban Songcha.

Best wishes to all and safe travelling

Ken Matthews

Yves Sambi de Ravenne
Société des exporateurs Français
Bdv St Germain
Paris 6e

Venu au Laos pour achever la boucle d’un reportage sur les minorités ethniques, des dernières tribus des hauts plateaux et régions montagneuses du Sud-Est Asiatique, aux périphéries frontalières, Birmano-Sino-Lao-Vietnamiennes, j’ai choisi à Luang Prabang (après un rapide tour des agences de voyages) « Treasure Travel Laos » dont le choix s’avéra hautement judicieux, par la qualité des prestations humaines d’accompagnement, dans cet « Univers du Nord » à la spécificité, dont la rusticité la plus authentique est la règle.

Cette escapade d’une petite semaine aux allures parfois « de raid » voire d’expédition s’est soldée par une réussite totale. Merci.

Pourtant le plus difficile objectif imposé – dans cet « Univers hors du temps » aux croyances animistes (où la photo est un vol de l’âme) – de photographier « in situ » toutes les tribus montagneuses, relevait du tour de force.

Le but fixé fut atteint. Kop Chai !

C’est avec regret que je quitte Luang Prabang et Treasure Travel Laos où j’ai lié des amitiés, ainsi que Mr Sisombat d’une cordialité et d’une efficacité sans faille.
Encore merci… je reviendrai… A bientôt !!! Kop Chai lay lay !!!

Un voyageur… un pénitent.

I am a fine art photographer who works in travel essay projects. I have recently finished a soon to be published - 4 year project about daily life and the transitions taking place in modern Laos.

During this time I have travelled extensively throughout Laos and always with my good friend Sisombat Douangvilakeo of Treasure Travel. I had the very good fortune to meet Mr. Sisombat on my first journey. He invited me to take a trip to see the hill tribes and to take "very nice photos". Very nice indeed!

I accepted his offer, and threw my homemade itinerary away. Since then we have shared many great adventures. Sisombat and Treasure Travel have grown in service and size tremendously in the last few years. They are a "can do" service. Anything you want, they will do the best to accommodate you. Whether you would like a personal tour of the countryside, or a very well informed guide to take you around the temples in Luang Prabang, I know you will have a truly memorable time, and the service will be impeccable.

Please feel free to email me with any questions if you like, geoffhutch@earthlink.net and check out this website to see pictures of my experiences in Laos www.geoffreyhutchinson.com

Bon Voyage, Geoff

P.S. They know the best hotels and restaurants too!

It’s my feeling that the beautiful country of Laos can only be accessed with the right support and knowledge. Treasure travel and Sisombats team of employees provided this on my trip in July 2006. No request was too big or too small. The service provided flexibility, comfort and most importantly local knowledge. My understanding of Laos, the country and the culture was enhanced 100 fold by accessing treasure travel and I would recommend to any traveller wanting to have the full Lao experience to talk to the staff and learn what best suits you and what your wanting to experience. Thanks to Sisombat and his team for sharing this experience with me.

I hope you and your beautiful family and happy and well.

Regards,
Phoebe Matthews
Community Development and Training Officer
Transitional Support Services
(08) 93281600
(08) 9328 1655

Arrivée à Luang Prabang avec l’ idée précise de découvrir les tribus ethniques du nord Laos. Treasure Travel Laos Tour s’ impose rapidement comme étant la meilleure agence locale pour ce type de voyage. Mr Sisombat, le manager, est compétent, sympathique et il connaît très bien les ethnies.

Nous planifions avec lui un périple de 6 jours devant nous mener dans la région de Muang Sing puis dans celle de Phong Saly. Nous complétons par 2 jours dans la Plaine des Jarres après un retour d’ une nuit à Luang Prabang.

Voyage parfait : le minibus Toyota est confortable et nous avons un excellent chauffeur, parfaitement sécurisant sur des routes de montagne où certains camions ont une conduite parfois limite. L’ accompagnateur des 6 premiers jours, Mr Jay, de l’ ethnie Hmong, est discret, disponible et sympathique, expliquant fort bien les us et coutumes de chaque ethnie; le très bon contact personnel noué avec lui et son compère chauffeur font de ce périple un très grand souvenir.

Mr Sisombat s’ assure par portable de l’ évolution du voyage ; les guest houses choisies par ses soins sont ce qui peut se faire de mieux même si le confort est un peu limite dans la province de Phong Saly mais on n’ a rien sans rien.

Au final, que du positif au crédit de Treasure Travel Laos et c’ est sincère…

Patrick & Mireille Kurtkowiak
57, Cours Aristide Briand
33000 BORDEAUX FRANCE