Laos Holidays - Luxury Travel & Tailor Made Tours 2023/24

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Places to visit in Laos

Predominately rural with beautiful countryside, an interesting culture and numerous historic sites, Laos is an under-developed and charming country. Travellers are captivated by Luang Prabang’s charms and this tranquil riverside town is home to ancient temples, atmospheric night markets and a lovely setting. To the north of Luang Prabang the landscape becomes increasingly hilly and conceals some of the region’s most remote minority villages. South of Luang Prabang is Phonsavan and the archaeological remains of the enigmatic Plain of Jars as well as the Laotian capital of Vientiane – a relaxed city that blends beautiful French-colonial architecture with traditional Buddhist heritage. Pakse is the gateway to southern Laos and the gateways to Champassak, the stupendous Khmer temple complex of Vat Phou and the waterfalls of the Mekong’s ‘Four Thousand Islands’.

MAP OF LAOS

When to Visit laos

Laos is a slender land-locked country with lowland regions and higher mountain elevations in the far north. The best time to visit Laos is between November and February when the weather is warm and the risk of rainfall low. Evenings at this time of year can be a little cool and in the hills temperatures can drop to single figures. From the end of February to May the temperature increases considerably as does the humidity. This is also the period when crop burning occurs with areas in northern Laos sometimes affected by the resulting fog. The monsoon arrives from the south west in May and can last until September. During this time rain is frequent but generally this falls in the early morning or late afternoon and affords refreshing relief from the heat.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

Capital: Vientiane

Main Language: Lao

Time Zone: GMT + 7

Currency: Kip (LAK)

laos Guide & Travel Advice

Explore Laos

Luang Prabang

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Malaysia, Vietnam and Laos Holiday Review

It is the fifth major trip that you have organised on our behalf, all of which have been a great success. However on this occasion you have excelled yourself. It was an excellent mix of destinations and experiences. Each was unique in itself and we find it difficult to identify which was the highlight of the trip. They all were!

AW - Malaysia, Vietnam and Laos - February 2016

Accommodation in Laos

In both Luang Prabang and Vientiane there is a wide variety of accommodation including some of South East Asia’s best heritage hotels. In the more rural areas of the country the accommodation, although clean and comfortable, tends to be simple with a Laotian style and limited facilities and amenities. Often the purpose of visiting rural locations in Laos is to experience the area rather than the accommodation you are staying in, however, you will of course be made to feel most welcome with every effort made to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Common Laos Travel Questions

Q1 - When is the best time to visit Laos?

A1 - Laos has two distinct seasons – the dry season which runs from October to April and the wet season which commences in May and lasts through to September. During the dry season, which is the best time to visit Laos, you can expect warm weather and very little risk of rainfall. As the dry season draws to an end, temperatures increase with the hottest months of the year spanning March to June. Rainfall is infrequent during the early months of the wet season but increases in regularity as the season progresses.

Q2 - Do I need a visa to travel to Laos?

A2 - Visas can be obtained on arrival in Laos. If entering Laos by an overland route, in certain circumstances it may not be possible to purchase a visa on arrival and so this will need to be arranged before you travel.

Q3 - What are the different ways you can get to Laos?

A3 - As a landlocked nation, there are a number of different ways to reach Laos. A popular option is to travel overland utilizing one of the border crossings between the country and Thailand, Cambodia or Vietnam. Laos can also be reached by river with cruises travelling the Mekong between northern Thailand and Luang Prabang. Laos is connected by air to all main regional cities including Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap however there are no direct flights to the country from outside of Asia.

Q4 - How long is the flight to Laos from the UK?

A4 - There are no direct to Laos from the UK. The quickest way to reach Laos is usually via Bangkok with flights taking around 14 to 15 hours.

Q5 - Are vaccinations required for travel to Laos?

A5 - Whilst there are no mandatory vaccinations for Laos, we would recommend speaking to a medical professional who will be able to provide you with the best advice. Generally, recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Anti-malarial medication may also be required.

Q6 - What is the best currency to use in Laos?

A6 - Lao Kip is the official currency of Laos and is best used for smaller or more general purchases. Thai Baht and US Dollars are also widely accepted throughout the country. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and there are several ATM machines in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Q7 - What language is spoken in Laos?

A7 - Lao is the official and most widely spoken language of Laos. Laos is also the second largest French-speaking nation in Southeast Asia whilst English is now taught in schools and therefore popular amongst the younger generation.