The Ultimate Laos Travel Guide 2021 - Heena Bhatia

The Ultimate Laos Travel Guide 2021

Laos is one of the most assorted countries that is situated on the crossroads of Asia. It is an inexplicable experience for travelers. Laos is home to breathtaking waterfalls, rivers, amicable historic temples, ethnic villages, and some other yet to be explored corners. Perhaps, it is not that popular destination as some of its Southeast Asian neighbors, but you will be amazed by seeing the charisma of this beautiful landmark.

This landlocked country is border by five neighboring nations. To the southeast, Laos is bounded by Thailand and Cambodia. China and Myanmar form the northwest boundary while Vietnam is to the east. You must have heard about all these places but have you craving for something more than that. If yes, well then, you're in for a treat. Let's explore the uncharted places in Laos.

Laos

North and South Laos | Where to Go

The geography of Laos is richly diverse. It has a lot to offer, and you shall get to see the uniqueness, diversity, and natural beauty of Laos from north to south. Vientiane is called the capital city of central Laos. All the places will surely be a bucket list item for all those bag packers looking for offbeat travel.Laos has two different regions: Farmlands of the south and the Mountainous north.

Vientiane: The country's capital and one of the largest cities of Laos is located on the banks of the Mekong River near bordering Thailand. Wat Si Saket is the oldest part of Vientiane, which has a surrounding terrace and a five-tiered roof that is very different in look from Lao-style temples. The structure holds an inner sanctuary filled with over 6,000 Buddha figures of varying sizes and ages. The night market of this place is another main attraction of Laos, where you can do the shopping and buy exciting Buddhist themes items. And in the evening, enjoy the warming sunset near the Mekong River.

Vientiane

North Laos has a lot to offer. It is filled with mountains, dense forests, mighty Mekong River, and from a famed cultural town Luang Prabang to beyond a land of million elephants surrounded through the towering mountain, serpentine river valleys, and many incredible caves to explore.

Top Attractions in North Laos

1) Luang Prabang: It is a former capital of the kingdom of Laos titled as UNESCO protected downtown since 1995 with full of colonial architecture and 33 active ancient gold-covered temples. It is a place perched on the mighty Mekong and Khan rivers. Some of the waterfalls there also offer elephants ride to their visitors. Cultural events like boat racing and boat lantern festival, Lao new year Pi Mai celebration, Kuan Si Waterfalls ( Tat Kuang Si), and a fried Mekong river moss are the main highlight which shouldn't be miss out.

2) Phonsavan: It is also famous by the name of " plain of jars," which has an archeological site and most heavily bombed areas consisting of the mysterious megalithic plain of jars that tourists find fun to guess. You will find their stone jar shaped vessels in a hundred numbers, which is scattered allegedly over 2000 years old. Capturing the legacy of an ancient civilization makes this place a must-visit.

3) Vang Vieng: This enchanting landscape is situated between Vientiane and Luang Prabang and known to be another top-rated place that is settled on the Nam Song river with access to some exciting adventures like kayaking lagoons, ziplining, mountain biking, hiking, tubing, and rock climbing. This place is also popular for its yummy banana cake, which is a must-try.

You can explore the river while admiring its stunning natural beauty all around here and visit the caves such as Tham Phu Kham cave in Vieng Xai, which is known for its bronze statues of Buddha and lagoon, and Xe Bang Fai River cave known as the world's largest cave.

It is a gateway to the Bokeo nature reserve, which is famous for its spectacular gibbon experience. As visitors normally take a Boat from Hung Xai to Luang Prabang however it is famous for its Mekong river cruises.

5) Pakbeng: It is located between the Hung Xai and Luang Prabang, and many visitors prefer to stay here overnight if they take a river trip between the two towns down the Mekong River. There are many beautiful restaurants available to serve you delicious foods while enjoying the breathtaking sunset views over the majestic Mekong.

6)Xe Bang Fai River Cave : it is known as the greatest river in the world, which originates from the Annamite range on the border between Laos and Vietnam. The cave chamber measures around an average of 76m in width and 56m in height. Its spectacular natural decorations, flowstones, and cave crystal provide an alluring beauty rarely experienced.

Southern Laos: It is rich in cultural treasures, unique traditions, and refreshing nature and tourist attractions. From the ancient villages to the world-renowned world heritage sites, stunning landscapes to the quaint, South Laos is a rewarding part of the country to explore.

Top Attractions in Southern Laos

1) Wat Phu Champasak: It is a UNESCO - the protected complex of pre-Angkorian and Khmer Empire. It is a gorgeous Khmer temple situated just 8 km away from the Phu Kao Mountain in the Champasak province of Laos. You can do your own reading or can hire a guide to understand and appreciate the symbolic layout of classic Khmer architecture. Moreover, Champasak is a place full of availabilities like access to banks and ATMs where you can exchange cash, a post office, tiny markets where you'll find almost everything you need

2) Si Phan Don (4000 islands, Champasak): The name describes this place, which has a meaning of a set of islands (four thousand islands around). It is a land of lotus-eaters for rest and relaxation. You will find many cheap bamboo bungalows near the southern part of Cambodia if you are looking for a luxury stay. You can also try out the most popular activity of this place, which is zoning out in a hammock.

And also, don't miss out on the Khon Phapheng Falls, which is the top-recommended waterfall in Si Phon Don. It serves millions of liters of pure water crash over the rocks. You can check out the pavilion for the legendary Manikhote tree.

3) Pakse: All the coffee lovers' travelers, this place totally belongs to you. Yes, because Pakse is better known as the coffee capital of Laos. You will definitely appreciate the specialist of the coffee plantations and the city's famous cafes that serves mouth-watering coffee. From comfort stay to outdoor activities, this place has a lot to serve you in its cool and breezing weather. It is also a gateway to the Bolaven Plateau.

4) The Bolaven Plateau: just roughly 30km from the Pakse, it is also home to the coffee and tea plantations. You will get a chance here to gaze at the 100m high waterfalls soaking in the cool climate with a spectacular motorcycle trip around this plateau. Fruits, cardamom, rattan, and avocadoes are also cultivated in Bolaven. Bolaven is surrounded by its four provincial capitals - Salavan, Xekong, Attapeu, and Pakse, while Paksong is known to be its main settlement. Embrace a Journey to the Most incredible waterfalls on jungle camp Adventure to Bolaven.

A Comprehensive Travel Guide For Laos

Language: Laos is the official language of the country, while French and English are considered as another most spoken languages in Laos. As it is regarded as the language of global commerce, English can be the savior for travelers in Laos.

Although Laos's local currency is the Lao kip (LAK), the US dollar and British pounds are widely accepted in many hotels and rural parts of the country. In fact, in Vientiane, Thai baht has also been used. To get the money exchange, you will find the licensed exchange shops, banks, or ATMs easily in the central Laos Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Culture: With more than 150 ethnic groups known for colorful designs and intricate embroidery, the culture of Laos is truly fascinating. Laotians are comprised of lowlanders, uplanders, and highlanders; their kind and welcoming nature towards travelers are truly complimentary. Laos is full of WATS and temples designated for Buddhism; hence Buddhism is considered the dominant religion of Laos. Overall you will find the culture there full of beautiful stories, rituals, and traditions.

Visa: Visa is required for all foreigners travelers except people traveling from Japan, Korea, Russia, Switzerland, and South Asian countries (who do not require a visa to enter Laos). You will be able to get the visa on arrival while entering airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse, which costs $35 roughly( make sure to have at least two passport-sized photographs, a passport valid for six months, and onward travel ticket with you). The validity for on arrival visa is 30 days in Laos. Another option is a visit to Laos's embassy in your home country in order to acquire a visa in advance.

Safety: Laos has earned a reputation among visitors as a remarkably safe place to travel over the last couple of decades. People are honest, and the case of any violence is rarely heard of. Moreover, the assistance to the police is also there if you get stranded in some issues. But it's good to be cautious anywhere you go. There are few things that you should avoid in Laos like don't touch a monk, don't wear shoes inside the temples, say no to drugs in Laos, and don't argue with the police.

Food: The food of Laos reflects the southeast Asian country's influence on it. It's a blend of everything east, west, north, and south. Northern Laos has a Chinese influence; you will find a lot of Chinese variety of food. Laos is popularly known for its sticky rice, and no meal is complete without it there. For foodie travelers, Laos has a great range of sweet to spicy with full of fresh and plentiful ingredients to explore and enjoy!

Scheduling your trip to Laos at the right time should be the priority for travelers. November to January is believed to be the perfect time to visit the landlocked country for river travels when the countryside is covered with lush greens after rains. Therefore, the temperature is warm with little evening chilies, making it the best time to explore the country's waterways. You will witness the high water levels making passage through Laos's main gateway through the Mekong River.

October to April is considered the dry season in the country, while May to September is regarded as the wet season. The thermostat readings generally climb in April worldwide with peak rates and crowded hotels due to Lao New Year celebrations and the rice harvest season when the farmers set fires to their felids to prepare the ground for next season crop.

Budget Summary of Expenses for Laos

Laos is so affordable that it is possible to get around within $30 to $40 or a minimum. Laotian kip or LAK is the local currency in Lao; the US dollar and British dollars are widely accepted in many transactions. So we suggest you keep some US dollars in cash with you while traveling Laos. 1 USD is about 9280.00 LAK (Dec 2020).

Cost of Transport in Laos

Local transportation in Laos is readily available across the country. You can get local vehicles like Buses, minivans except for trains. As there are no railways operates in Laos. Local transportation roughly costs around $10 per person depending upon how frequently you travel and which company you choose for local travel. Jumbos is a way cheaper option (2$-3$) there, and many villages in Laos are small enough to walk, so you can also do cost-cutting here. However, motorbikes or cycles are always an option for you to hire your private vehicle.

Cost of Accommodation in Laos

From the selection of rooms with fans, air-con, double or single, Laos considered their guests not less than friends. At only around 5$ per person for a single night in a dorm or 25 dollars for a double room with air conditioning, you will find super affordable places to stay in a country.

If you want to exploit some luxury, you can choose private rooms in luxury resorts that cost around $200+. Overall standards of hotels worldwide are increasing with the increase in the number of bag packers traveling to Laos. So basically, Laos's hospitality will definitely gonna impress you with their services.

Cost of Food and Drinks in Laos

The restaurants and sit down meals range starts at around $6 for food foods and $2 for drinks. You can enjoy Italian, French, Indian dishes, tasty baguette sandwiches with the Laos national beer called beer Laos ($1) at very cheap rates. Don't leave Laos without trying their famous Sticky rice ( Khao New) served with fruits and ice cream for just around USD 2.

Cost of Main Attractions and Activities in Laos

The entrance to the UNESCO world heritage temple costs between $4 to $8. The range of two days riverboat trip on the Mekong River is generally $130+ with food, drink, and accommodation in all inclusion. If you want to rent the tube in Vieng, it costs around $7. Access on Don khon Island to see the waterfall is just $3.

How to Reach Laos

Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Luang Prabang International Airport in Luang Prabang, and Pakse International Airport in Pakse are the three main international airports in Laos. And flying is the easiest way to get into Laos. One can get here through a direct flight from its neighboring countries, including Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Hanoi and Ho Chih Minh City (Vietnam), Bangkok and Chiang Mai (Thailand), Yangon (Myanmar), and Kunming (China).

Lao Airlines is known as the national airline of Laos. It flies international as well as domestic routes. Importing a private vehicle like a motorcycle or bikes and speed boats is also an option for traveling on a domestic way.

It is vital to prepare well along with your gears for wherever you go. And of course, an adventurous stay in Laos demands the same. Find out what items should be there in your travel bag.

Passport with minimum six-month validity left. The right Travel insurance prescriptions for any medication you require. Credits cards and some cash in US or British Dollars. Driving license if you wish to rent a car or moto cycle there for domestic travel. Light outdoor clothes and swimsuit- you will need it for a waterfall visit. First aid kit in case you planning outdoor activities for safety. Sun protection or Sunscreen to protect your skin layer from sunburns. An offline dictionary and map of the country. Raincoats in case you are traveling in the wet season ( June- October).

Travel Insurance For Laos

An acceptable travel insurance policy, as always, is a wise investment. It can cover you for a wide range of mishaps on your adventure. Medical care, lost luggage, flight delays and cancellation, stolen belongings. With no travel insurance, and overseas emergency can be costly. This thing is incredibly real in Laos and can cost tens of thousands to your pocket.

Additionally, many doctors and hospitals in Laos will require cash before offering treatment. So we recommend you the global suppliers of travel insurance, World Nomads. It assists if you find yourself stranded at any point in traveling and can save you from unforeseen events.

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