Laos Tours

Laos is a beautiful country with pristine natural sites and a laid-back nature. The cities are friendly, with a unique local culture, and the countryside is dotted with idyllic villages carrying on traditional practices.

A week is enough to see many of the country’s highlights. With two days in Vientiane, you can visit the National Museum and ancient temples like Wat Si Saket. Then, you can explore the limestone mountains, caves, and rivers around Vang Vieng. Finally, Luang Prabang is a must-visit spot packed with cultural and natural attractions.

Explore temples like Wat Sene, take a boat ride up the Mekong River, and visit the Pak Ou Caves, as well as the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall.

The main international airports in Laos are Wattay International Airport in the capital, Vientiane, and Luang Prabang International Airport. There are no direct flights from Europe or North America, but connections can be found through nearby countries such as Thailand, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

The most common land border crossing is through Thailand. Travelers can also enter by road through Vietnam, China, and Cambodia.

Visas are required for most tourists visiting Laos. A visa on arrival is available at international airports and major land border crossings. This visa is typically valid for 30 days and can be extended once for an additional 30 days. It costs 30-45 USD, depending on your nationality.

The e-visa is a good option when visiting during busy periods. Visa on arrival processing times can be long in peak travel seasons. Applying for an e-visa takes 5-10 working days and costs 50 USD for citizens from most countries.

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with a dry and a wet season. The dry season from November to April is the most popular time to visit. Temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C during the day, and clear, blue skies are common.

The weather is ideal for exploring the natural beauty around Luang Prabang or the peaceful countryside of Vang Vieng. Toward the end of the dry season, it starts to get hot, with highs going up to 35°C. Be careful if you’re outdoors for long periods, and try to stick to the shade.

The wet season from May to October is cooler, but the high humidity can make it uncomfortable outdoors. Bursts of heavy rain can occur throughout the afternoon and evening. While it is a less expensive time to visit, some rural and natural areas can be inaccessible due to poor road conditions.

Laos is a very inexpensive country to visit. 3-star hotels in Vientiane can cost around $25-35 USD a night, and guest houses can be less than $15 USD. Guided tours cost around $20-50 USD depending on the length and location, but entrance fees for tourist attractions are very reasonably priced.

Tickets for Wat Phou in Laos, the ancient Khmer temple complex, cost 1.5 USD, and much of the country’s beautiful natural environment can be seen for free.

Laos has to import much of its food, so prices are higher than in other Southeast Asian Countries. That doesn't mean food in Laos is expensive, though.

Street food is delicious and typically costs 1-3 USD per person. A two—or three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost around 10-20 USD, and high-end restaurants can cost anywhere from 20-50 USD per meal.

Laos' national currency is the Lao Kip. At the current exchange range, 100 USD is worth around 2,200,000 LAK. US dollars and Thai Baht are widely accepted in the country. It is common to see more expensive goods and services quoted in baht or dollars and smaller items quoted in kip.

It’s best to carry at least two of the currencies with you in cash. For small transactions and in rural areas, kip is preferred, while paying for anything over a value of 20 USD is more convenient in the other currencies. The use of credit cards is growing more common in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, but have cash on hand just in case.

Laos is considered a very safe country to visit. Popular areas are generally free of crime apart from pickpocketing and petty theft. Tourists following common sense, and keeping track of their belongings can expect to have a smooth, trouble-free trip.

Traffic can be chaotic and presents the biggest risk to tourists. Stay aware of your surroundings when crossing the road and use pedestrian crossings whenever crossing the street. Mosquitoes can be a problem, especially in rural areas. Use a mosquito repellent with DEET, and sleep under a mosquito net whenever possible.

Some wilderness areas should not be visited with an experienced local guide. Parts of Laos have unexploded bombs and other ordinance dating back to the Vietnam War. Xieng Khouang province and areas near the Vietnamese border along the former Ho Chi Ming Trail are considered high-risk areas.

The dry season is hot in Laos, so clothes made from lightweight, breathable fabrics will help keep you cool. In bigger cities, shorts and sleeveless shirts are generally ok, but locals dress more conservatively, so follow their example in more rural areas.

Sturdy, comfortable shoes are a must for trekking or exploring natural areas. Mosquitoes can be an issue in jungle or forested areas, so long-sleeved shirts and long pants are a good idea. Modest clothes should be worn when visiting temples or pagodas. Clothing should cover your shoulders and knees, and hats and shoes should be removed before entering.

Do learn the local way of greeting. Greet people with a smile and say ‘sa bai dee’ (hello) in the local language.
Do shop locally whenever possible. It helps support local businesses and communities.
Do respect the environment and leave no trace of your visit.
Do be patient if things don’t go as planned. Local people will always try to help you find a solution.
Don’t touch anyone on the head or point your feet at people. These are very disrespectful gestures.
Don’t shout or argue. Local culture is to avoid confrontation.
Don’t take people’s photograph without asking permission.
Don’t engage in public displays of affection.

Visiting Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos together is a deep experience of the cultural and natural beauty of Southeast Asia. With their shared cultural and historical ties, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia are deeply interconnected countries. Direct flights and border crossing points make it easy to transfer from country to country. Traveling by air between three capital cities, Hanoi, Vientiane, and Phnom Penh, takes around 1-2 hours, with many flights available.

Vietnam is the gateway to the region, with the most international flight routes. See the bustling markets and historical attractions of Hanoi and Saigon, the charming landscapes of Laos, and the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap, and come away with a deep impression of Southeast Asia.

Independent and solo travel is no problem in Laos. The main cities of Vientiane and Luang Prabang are very welcoming to tourists. With some advanced planning, getting around between attractions is convenient, and independent travelers can have a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Visiting rural or isolated areas should be done with an experienced guide. Laos’ infrastructure is often not highly developed, and the knowledge of a local guide can be essential for dealing with any issue that might arise. A guided tour also makes for a more enjoyable trip with all the details taken care of. After confirming your itinerary, we’ll handle all the arrangements, including door-to-door transportation, so you can focus on enjoying the experience.