Laos Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
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Overview
Discover one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept travel secrets, with our Laos tours and holidays. With the countries, undeniable qualities being overshadowed by its more established neighbours, Thailand and Vietnam, life in Laos is calm and serene, with the country’s historical isolation presenting travellers with a rare glimpse of traditional life in Southeast Asia.
After its doors opened to foreign visitors in the 1990s, Laos has seen a steady but relatively small influx ...
Discover one of Southeast Asia’s best-kept travel secrets, with our Laos tours and holidays. With the countries, undeniable qualities being overshadowed by its more established neighbours, Thailand and Vietnam, life in Laos is calm and serene, with the country’s historical isolation presenting travellers with a rare glimpse of traditional life in Southeast Asia.
After its doors opened to foreign visitors in the 1990s, Laos has seen a steady but relatively small influx of tourists arriving, hoping to enjoy one of the region’s few remaining off the beaten track destinations. Those who do make the journey will find Laos a nation of quite staggering natural beauty, sleepy villages dot its verdant countryside while mist-veiled mountains, the mighty Mekong River and pristine forests provide a stunning backdrop to any visit.
For much of its history, Laos was free from foreign control, until being absorbed into French Indochina in the latter part of the 19th century. However, remnants of a long-forgotten past can still be found throughout the country, particularly at the mysterious ‘Plain of Jars’, a vast stretch of land scattered with countless prehistoric stone jars of varying sizes and shapes. The Khmer temple complex of Wat Phu meanwhile is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos. Spectacularly located close to the Mekong river, it has monuments to both Laos’ Hindu and Buddhist heritage, and whilst much smaller than Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, it has the advantage of receiving a fraction of the visitors.
Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former royal capital, is a major centre of Laotian Buddhist architecture. Its Buddhist monasteries are at the centre of a sacred alms giving ritual that is a privilege to witness - each morning saffron robed monks wander the quiet streets receiving alms from devout locals. Only a short drive from the city lies Kuang Si Falls, a little piece of paradise set amidst lush jungle where locals and travellers can embrace clear turquoise waters to escape the heat of the day.
Those seeking some exercise should head out into the foothills of the Annamite Mountains and support local guides and community projects by trekking in these enchanting surroundings of quite astounding natural beauty. Wild Frontiers also work closely with Lone Buffalo, a non-profit organisation that provides support and education to young people in some of Laos’ least affluent communities. Close to the Cambodian border the sleepy 4,000 islands region is a great place to relax. These tiny islands in the Mekong Delta offer great walking and cycling opportunities as well as fantastic spots to enjoy dazzling sunsets.
An often-overlooked aspect of Laos’ culture is its fantastic cuisine. Using a combination of ingredients and flavours familiar to lovers of Northern Thai food, alongside a distinctive Laotian twist, dishes like Or Lam – a thick meat, bean and aubergine stew – and Larb – a delicious meat salad that is considered Laos’ unofficial national dish. Although reminders of French colonial influences are still very evident, just ask the many purveyors of freshly baked baguettes on the streets of Vientiane or the customers of the Parisian style cafes found in most towns and cities!
Wild Frontiers prides itself on offering a wonderful array of exciting group tours and tailor-made Laos holidays. Helping you to get under the skin of this fascinating destination by meeting local people and getting off the beaten track
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Laos with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF LAOS
BEST EXPERIENCES
Receive a blessing from the elders
Take part in a traditional Baci ceremony. A local village elder will perform blessings, chanting and Pook kwan - the tying of the white Baci threads on your wrists. Later, taste a home-cooked traditional Lao cuisine.
Learn the secrets of Lao cuisine
Kick off the Tamarind cookery course with a visit to the morning fresh market to find local herbs, vegetables and foods that are customary to Lao cuisine. Learn about local ingredients and preparation methods and enjoy your own version of the day’s menu.
Spot dolphins in the 4,000 Islands
Explore the abandoned French colonial buildings and Old French Railway Bridge on Don Khon island and visit the beautiful Liphi Waterfall nearby. Board a long tail boat and head towards the Cambodian border in search of the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin.
Meet isolated communities
Follow a picturesque mountain trail up through breathtaking scenery to meet the villagers of Khamu and Ikhos, living in traditional bamboo and wooden houses. Get a taste of the beliefs and unique traditions of some of the most isolated communities in Laos.
Try your skills at boules
Experience Luang Prabang’s unique night life and challenge your guide to the popular game of ‘Petanque’ or boules. Later, reward yourself with a beer and delicious traditional BBQ - ‘SinDat’ – at a restaurant popular with the locals.
Explore Mekong River villages
Take a longtail boat and set off along the mighty Mekong River. Observe daily life along the river as you stop by numerous villages, home to traditional local trades such as pottery, weaving and fishing, as well as some beautiful temples. You'll even get the chance to sample some of the famous Lao Lao whiskey!
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos sits at the junction of the Mekong and its tributary the Khan River. Considered to be the jewel of Indochina, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage ...
Muang La
In the heart of northern Laos, equidistant from China and Vietnam, you'll find the small village of Muang La, with less than 100 inhabitants and dotted with wood and bamboo buildings. Surrounded by rain-forest,...
Vientiane
Unlike many other Southeast Asian capitals, Vientiane is low-rise and the pace of life is far slower than many of its bustling neighbours. Set on a bend of the Mekong River, Vientiane is Laos' largest ...
Champasak and the 4000 Islands
Champasak is a small town in southern Laos, on the west bank of the Mekong River. Once the seat of the Kingdom of Champasak, an independent Lao state which was abolished by the French in 1945, the town ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Ansara Hotel, Vientiane
Previously the Thai Embassy in Vientiane, this beautiful Ansara Hotel is a boutique property superbly located on a quiet lane right in the centre of Vientiane, and is an excellent choice for the…
Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel, Luang Prabang
A wonderful escape from the bustle of town, the Avani+ is conveniently located opposite the night market and nearby the Mekong River. The minimalist design and wooden interiors create an airy and…
La Folie Lodge, Don Daeng Island
La Folie Lodge is set on the banks of the Mekong River on tiny Dong Daeng Island, a short 15 minute boat ride from the riverside town of Champasak. This eco-lodge is one of our favourites in Southern…
Riverside Boutique Resort, Vang Vieng
Located on the banks of the Nam Song River, next to a small wooden bridge, the Riverside Boutique Resort is a luxury hotel set amidst lush tropical garden. Its thirty-four rooms and suites are set…
Rosewood Hotel, Luang Prabang
Inspired by the French-Lao architecture of Luang Prabang itself, this exceptional property combines modern luxury with the enchanting elegance of a bygone age. A choice of accommodation includes…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Indochina has a climate that ranges from cold and wet in the mountainous of the far north – mainly at night and in the early morning until the mist has been burnt off – to hot and humid in the south. October - February is the cool season so it’s really nothing too drastic. In northern Laos bring a fleece and waterproof jacket for the evenings and In southern Laos the daytime temp will generally be 80-100 degrees so hats and sunscreen all round.
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Laos though you should be up to date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in some parts of Laos. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Laos the official unit of currency is the Kip.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.
Overall Laos is very liberal towards travellers and their ways, but we always advise that modest dress should be reflected for both sexes, especially in the more remote areas. The region is predominantly Buddhist and so especially when visiting temples or monasteries you will need to cover your legs and shoulders. Do not wear hats in religious buildings, never touch anyone on the head and do not point your feet towards them (this would be an insult to a monk particularly). Also avoid eating within religious buildings. Generally, when entering a temple sanctuary, house or even guesthouse, you should remove your shoes. This will be apparent by the pile of shoes outside!
At Wild Frontiers we are very aware of the ethical impact tourism can have on ancient cultures. We realise that taking tourists through such a region can have a negative impact on the lives of those who live there and on all our tours we therefore go to great lengths to minimise the negative and accentuate the positive…after all, there are also many good things that the tourist can bring.
To help this process we ask that our clients do not hand out pens or sweets to children. As one sign in Egypt emphatically put it, ‘Please don't make beggars out of our children!' No matter how well intentioned, in our opinion the dolling out of free gifts fosters a ‘beggar mentality' that is ultimately extremely destructive to a society. In addition, we do not condone giving out money to beggars or ‘students'.
However, we also realise that we are exceptionally privileged to be travelling in areas where most of the people have far less than us and that the desire to ‘help' can be very powerful. As a result, we ask that you refer to the Responsible Travel section of this document which highlights the Wild Frontiers Foundation, which supports specific projects in the areas where we travel.
Language & Religion
The official and dominant language of Laos is Lao. It is a tonal language of the Tai linguistic group whch only just over half of the population speaks. The remainder speak various ethnic minority languages, especially in the rural areas. Just under 70% of the population are Theravada Buddhist with the majority being officially unspecified. The proportion of Buddhist could be as high as 98% as religion remains one of the most important social forces in Laos. Christian missionary work is restricted by the government and the Christians are mostly in the Vientiane area, whereas Muslims are located towards the Myanmar border region.
Time
Laos is 7 hours ahead of GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Food can be one of the highlights of travelling in Southeast Asia. Rice is the foundation for meals and almost all dishes are cooked with fresh ingredients, such as vegetables, freshwater fish, poultry, duck, pork, beef or water buffalo. Lime juice, lemongrass and fresh coriander give the food its characteristic tang, and various fermented fish concoctions are used to salt the food. Hot chillies, garlic, mint, ground peanuts, tamarind juice, ginger and coconut milk are other seasonings.
In terms of alcohol, the local beers are very good and reasonable wine can also be found, although they can be expensive by comparison. Most spirits are also generally available in larger towns, and make sure to try the Lao Lao whiskey!
Travelling Solo In Laos
All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.