Welcome to Laos

A land of the lotus eaters amid the bloated development of its neighbours, Laos brings together the best of Southeast Asia in one bite-sized destination.

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An Authentic Asia

Laos retains many of the traditions that have disappeared in a frenzy of development elsewhere in the region. It's hard to believe somnolent Vientiane is an Asian capital, and there's a timeless quality to rural life, where stilt houses and paddy fields look like they are straight out of a movie set. Magical Luang Prabang bears witness to hundreds of saffron-robed monks gliding through the streets every morning in a call to alms, one of the region’s iconic images. Intrepid travellers will discover a country untainted by mass tourism and Asia in slow motion – this is Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), or ‘please don’t rush’ as the locals like to joke.

A Kaleidoscope of People

Laos is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the region, reflecting its geographic location as a crossroads of Asia. The hardy Hmong people live off the land in remote mountain communities of the north, remote Kahu and Alak communities of the south have the last remaining traditional face tattoos, and the Katang villages of central Laos sleep with the spirits of the forest. Whether it is the cities of the lowlands or the remote villages of the highlands, Laos offers some wonderful opportunities for local interaction.

Fifty Shades of Green

With its dark and brooding jungle, glowing emerald rice fields, and the glistening tea leaves that blanket the mountains, the landscape in Laos changes shades of green like a chameleon. But it's not just the luscious landscapes that are green: when it comes to ecotourism, Laos is leading the way in Southeast Asia. Protected areas predominate in remote areas of the country, and community-based trekking combines these spectacular natural attractions with the chance to experience the 'real Laos' with a village homestay.

Eclectic Asia

Travellers rave about Laos for a reason. Adventure seekers can lose themselves in underground river caves, on jungle ziplines or while climbing karsts. Nature enthusiasts can take a walk on the wild side and spot exotic animals such as gibbons or elephants. Culture lovers can explore ancient temples and immerse themselves in Lao spiritual life. Foodies can spice up their lives with a Lao cooking class or go gourmand in the French-accented cities. And if all this sounds a little too strenuous, then unwind with a spa session or yoga class. Laos has something for everyone.

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Top experiences in Laos

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Laos activities

$104 Day Trips & Excursions

Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Fall Day Tour

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to a pier on the Mekong River for a boat ride up the River. Laos has several waterways that have traditionally been used as the local form of transportation and they continue to be used in that manner today in many parts of the country. Taking a local boat cruise is probably one of the most rewarding ways to discover the life along the rivers. As you cruise along, observe the daily activities of fishermen, how they throw their nets in an elegant arm gestures, and rely on the water for their livelihood. For the villages settled along the Mekong, the River plays an important role in their daily life and usually represents the only means of transportation and commerce.Two hours upstream from Luang Prabang, disembark to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. The statues range in size from a few centimeters tall to the height of a human and are crammed into the cave which is nestled in a limestone cliff. The caves are a destination for local pilgrimages.After visiting the caves, reboard the boat for a cruise back to Luang Prabang. En route, stop at Ban Xang Hay, a village which specializes in making traditional rice-wine.Lunch at local restaurant.This afternoon, enjoy a visit to Kuang Si Waterfall, south west of Luang Prabang (32km). Along the way, stops will be made to visit some villages of the various ethnic minorities of the area. Upon reaching the falls, relax and enjoy the scenery, and if the weather is good, you can enjoy a swim in the cool, clear waters.For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where stunning views await you at the top.After leisurely time at the waterfalls, transfer back to your hotel in Luang Prabang.
$83 Tours & Sightseeing

Luang Prabang, Ban Phanom, Kuangsi Waterfall Tour with Lunch

In the morning, we will pick you up in the hotel lobby sometime before 9am. The first half of the day is spent visiting the museum at the former Royal Palace and the monasteries of Vat Xieng Thong, Vat Saen and Vat Visoun. After enjoying lunch we head to the nearby traditional Tai Lue weaving village of Ban Phanom. This village is famed for its intricately woven textiles and unique weaving techniques, in former times the village wove textiles for the royalty. The next stop is the incredibly scenic Kuang Xi Waterfall which is surrounded with turquoise blue pools and an ideal place for swimming! On the way back to Luang Prabang we stop at the Hmong village of Ban Na Oun where we see how they create a vast selection of hand made traditional Lao handicrafts. Back in Luang Prabang we will visit Wat Phousi to enjoy the rewarding view of the city.
$150 Day Trips & Excursions

Pak Ou Cave, Kuang Si Falls: Private Tour with Mekong Cruise

Our tour-guide will pick you up at your hotel in the morning. We will depart to the pier to board a traditional boat and cruise along the Mekong towards Pak Ou Cave. Located near the center of Luang Prabang, Pak Ou is not only a particular destination but also a place, which shelters historic cultural values. Visiting the cave, you will see that this is the home for thousands Buddhist statues with numerous dimensions. After a picnic lunch and a short rest, we will move to Kuang Si Waterfall. On the way, you will see the picturesque landscape of the country with villages and verdant paddy fields. Don’t forget to take some nice photos! Kuang S Waterfall is considered as one of the most attractive destination in Laos. Visitors reaching here will have opportunity to contemplate the natural beauty. If weather permits, we can immerse into the water, swim for entertainment. That absolutely will be a nice experience to visitors.Transfer back to hotel in Luang Prabang.
$115 Day Trips & Excursions

Private Tour: Vientiane City Sightseeing and Buddha Park

In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel in Vientiane at 8:30 am and start this relaxing tour.Proceed to the well-known Buddha Park located 25 km from the city. The park is home to over 200 statues of Buddha and Hinduism characters made by concrete, especially the enormous sleeping Buddha statue which is 40m in length. Get inside the enormous monument with different floors symbolizing for Hell, Underworld, and Heaven. Many statues seem not to enter the static meditation and peace, they exude the frustrating look that makes a lot of different emotions. Relax and enjoy a picnic lunch and then head back to Vientiane City for sightseeing. Upon arrival in the city visit the Patuxay, a famous memorial monument built in 1957 and also one of the most prominent landmarks in the city. The architecture of the monument was inspired by the architecture of Triomphe in Paris and combined with typical Lao motifs. From the top of the monument, you can see an excellent panoramic view of the city. Follow steps to the end of Lane Xang Street to visit the That Luang, the symbol of Buddhist country Laos. it is also appeared on the bank-note of this nation and was built in 1566 on the ruins of 13th-century-Hindu temple. Finally, visit the Vat Sisaket which is famous for not only its cloister wall storing thousands of tiny Buddha images, but also its beautiful architecture and layout with history dated back to 1818. When the tour ends, transfer back to your hotel.
$6.50 Transfers & Ground Transport

Private Arrival Transfer: Luang Prabang Airport to Hotel

Reserve a private transfer from airport to your hotel in Luang Prabang will save you money and time. Receive a warm welcome, impeccable service and comfortable private transportation when making airport transfer arrangement. Each vehicle is operated by a professional driver, offering auto climate controlled comfort and reliability. Private transfer services are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When you book this service please provide your flight and accommodation details and you will be confirmed within 24 hours. Please give your driver travel voucher when you receive this comfort service and relax all the way to you hotel in Luang Prabang.
$7.50 Transfers & Ground Transport

Private Arrival Transfer: Vientiane Wattay Airport to Hotel

Reserve a private transfer from Vientiane (Wattay) international airport to your hotel in Vientiane will save you money and time. Receive a warm welcome, impeccable service and comfortable private transportation when making airport transfer arrangement. Each vehicle is operated by a professional driver, offering auto climate controlled comfort and reliability. Private transfer services are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When you book this service please provide your flight and accommodation details and you will be confirmed within 24 hours. Please give your driver travel voucher when you receive this comfort service and relax all the way to you hotel in Vientiane.
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