Wayfinders: LAOS

Oct. 17-27, 2024

Wayfinders LAOS: MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS

Mountains: Laos is a land of spectacular karst mountains and hills jutting straight up from the Earth, forming spectacular formations that are the backdrop for our adventures and drool-inducing photos.

Rivers: Rivers crisscross the Laotian countryside, forming the arteries of traditional Laotian life and culture. We’ll ply these rivers on our private boats (and inner tubes), and spend intimate time with both the lowland Lao people and the hill-tribe Hmong.

Laos is a peaceful, quiet Buddhist nation. When you arrive you feel your heart slow down and your anxieties melt, replaced by the peaceful rhythms of languorous Laotian life. At Wayfinders Laos we’ll align with those rhythms and explore life at a different pace. It’s a perfect place to deepen your connections with other members, as well as with yourself.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

After our time in Laos, you’re invited to join your fellow Wayfinders for a 4-day extension to breathtaking Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, where our private cruise ship will sail the islands of this magical archipelago.

LAOS: where ADVENTURE and CULTURE meet

LAOS: WHERE ADVENTURE AND CULTURE MEET

Laos has developed a well-deserved reputation as SE Asia’s adventure playground; its stunning scenery, rugged mountains, and serpentine network of remote rivers make for a natural outdoor playground.

It’s also home to many fascinating cultures, with an official count of over forty-seven ethnicities divided into 149 sub-groups and 80 different languages. From the lowland Lao people to the Hmong, Yao and other hill-tribe peoples, Laos is a captivating mix of cultures.

On Wayfinders: Laos, we’ll experience heaping doses of both adventure and culture, from spectacular hikes to homestays in a remote Laotian village.

WAYFINDERS LAOS ADVENTURE RATING: 6/10 (Moderate)

This Adventure requires a moderate level of fitness and ‘adrenaline tolerance’.

For reference, Wayfinders Ecuador is rated at 8/10 (High).

Our theme: LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS

A THEME AND A JOURNEY: LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS

The theme of our journey through Laos, which we will explore through self-reflection, dialogue (both inner and outer), and other exercises, is love and relationships, answering questions such as:

What does love mean to me? When do I most feel loved, what do I need, and how can I be clear in asking for what I need, when I need it?
How do I get in my own way when it comes to receiving and giving love?
How can I show up as my best self in my most intimate relationships?
Where do I need to grow to be my best self when it comes to love and relationships?
Is my intimate relationship fulfilling me? Should I stay or should I go?

NOTE: I will be bringing along the amazing Sherry Walling as my deeply skilled and experienced co-facilitator.

Having an intimate partner is not a prerequisite for participating in this Adventure and getting value from it. The focus of our journey is on you - not another person - and what you can do in order to have the most fulfilling relationships possible, which will serve you whether you’re single or in an intimate partnership.

OUR HOMES: RESORTS, LODGES, AND VILLAGES

OUR HOMES IN LAOS: REsORTS, LODGES AND VILLAGES

At Wayfinders: Laos, we’ll be staying in a variety of different lodging styles, including:

A beautiful boutique hotel in Luang Prabang before the start of the event
A beautiful eco-resort in the wilderness*, with a river running through the property and a gorgeous pool
A beautiful eco-resort outside of Luang Prabang*, with a tubing river, volleyball courts, and organic gardens
A homestay in a traditional Laotian village*, where we’ll spend time with locals and monks, learning about traditional Laotian life and Buddhism

*We’ll have these all to ourselves (just Wayfinders + staff or villagers)

Although we will be moving around over the course of the Adventure, the driving times are minimal (a total of 6 hours of driving).

NOTE: Room styles, sizes and levels vary considerably at the lodges we are staying at, from deluxe suites to standard rooms and, in some cases, glamping tents (that are quite beautiful, actually). We will do our best to ensure an equitable distribution of the best rooms, but those who book early will be given priority - early birds get the suites!

HA LONG BAY (VIETNAM) Extension

HA LONG BAY EXTENSION

After our time in Laos, you are invited to join the Wayfinders crew for a spectacular 4-day cruise through world-renowned Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, known as one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

It's a magical, breathtaking place with over 1,600 islands and islets surrounded by crystal-clear waters. The scenery is out of this world, with rugged karst formations that jut out of the sea, creating a mystical and tranquil atmosphere that's impossible to describe.

From our private boat, we can explore the charming fishing villages, kayak through hidden lagoons, and even visit some of the mystical caves in the area. We’ll indulge in some of the freshest seafood you've ever tasted: from famous Vietnamese fish soup to the delicious grilled prawns, there are many local dishes to try.

(This will not be a traditional Wayfinders experience (no exercises and the like) - we’re just there to enjoy and have fun!)

Details, Logistics, and FAQ

You need to get your butt to Luang Prabang no later than the morning of Oct. 17, 2024 (we have our first dinner that evening).
Two nights in Luang Prabang (Oct. 16 & 17, 2024) are included in the cost. You can arrive on either day, although this is the start of the incredible Buddhist Lent lantern festival in Luang Prabang so we recommend you arrive on the 16th to properly enjoy this beautiful festival.
Wayfinders Laos ends on Oct. 27, 2024. You can fly out any time that day. If you are taking part in the Ha Long Bay extension you’ll fly to Hanoi on Oct. 27.
At Wayfinders Laos we’ll be partaking in a variety of cultural and adventure-based activities, some on land and some on water. There will be hikes, there will be some river fun, there will be beautiful waterfalls, maybe some bikes, and there will be wonderful and deep interactions with the Laotian people.
All of the activities will be at go-your-own-pace levels as we split up into groups by fitness and skill level.
Like all Wayfinders Adventures, the full itinerary shall remain a mystery, but rest assured that our activities will be deeply rewarding, interesting, meaningful, and sometimes challenging.
Your investment in this Adventure includes:
-All expenses covered while in Laos, including 2 nights in Luang Prabang before the event (dinner in Luang Prabang on Oct. 17 is included, but other Luang Prabang meals and activities are on you). Your bar tab & souvenirs are yours to cover, everything else is ours.
-2024 membership in the Wayfinders community ($1495 CAD value)Click here to read about 2023 membership
—
The investment options to join Wayfinders Laos are as follows:
-Upfront payment of $12495 CAD
-Deposit of $1995 CAD, then $11,995 CAD in 4 months
-Deposit of $1995, then 10 payments of $1295 CAD starting in 4 months
NOTE: For you Americans, we have a USD payment option to save you the typical 2.5%-3/5% foreign transaction fees.
We’re still finalizing details for the Ha Long Bay extension in Vietnam, and it will be available for signup in May 2023. We expect it to cost about $2000-$2500 CAD for the 4-day/3-night excursion, which covers all expenses while in Vietnam.
Dates are Oct. 28-31, 2024. You can fly home on Oct. 31 but not in time for Halloween (if you absolutely need to get back for Halloween then you can leave the boat a day early, but the cost would be the same.
In order to partake in this extension, we recommend booking a return flight to Hanoi, and then booking a return flight from Hanoi to Luang Prabang (otherwise you’d likely go via Bangkok).
The Ha Long Bay extension will include all transportation in Vietnam, meals, lodging and activities. You will only need money for your bar tab and any souvenirs you want to purchase.
My refund policy has typically been ‘no refunds, no credits’, and I encourage people to get cancellation insurance for the unexpected. I put down large sums of money to secure lodges and suppliers, spots are limited, and I want to screen for people who are truly committed to coming and aren’t going to let other priorities overtake their participation.
For this event, however, I am going to be a bit more flexible: after you put down your deposit/make your initial payment, you’ll have until Sep. 1, 2023 during which you can cancel. If you cancel during that time any payments made will be refunded, minus $2500 CAD*, which can be converted to a credit that can be used for a future Wayfinders event.
*I am paying large deposits to secure exclusive use of the lodges and other suppliers for this event, and taking on the significant risk of not filling up your spot should you choose to cancel, so I need to share some of that risk with you.
NOTE: I recommend you purchase cancellation insurance to cover you for unexpected issues leading up to the event.
The signup link is located at the bottom of this page.
Participation is capped at 24 participants. I expect spots to fill up quickly so I recommend getting your signup in as soon as you can.