Laos tours & holidays

A tucked-away treasure trove, Laos feels like an undiscovered gem
From the jade jungles and blue waterfall pools to the golden Buddha statues standing sentry in limestone caves, Laos is truly an artists’ tropical colour palette. Journey along the Mekong River to World Heritage-listed cities like Luang Prabang, where monks dressed in orange robes set out on their morning Sai Bat. Find time to walk well-trodden paths next to rescued elephants or set out to find a tasty meal to accompany your next serving of Laos’ famed sticky rice.
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Laos at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Vientiane
POPULATION
7.6 million
CURRENCY
LAK
LANGUAGE
Lao
TIME ZONE
(GMT+07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta
CALLING CODE
+856
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin) Type B (American 3-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)
Learn more about Laos
Best time to visit Laos
Like its neighbours, Laos is a warm, tropical country that revolves around the yearly wet and dry seasons.
The best time for travelling in Laos is the dry season, from November to April, when the weather is still warm, with highs of 32ºC but slightly cooler than the summer season. The early winter months, November to January, are a great time to see Laos as the monsoonal rain of the wet season has gone, the rivers are flowing and the humidity has eased.
The hot and wet summer season from around May to October is known for heavy rains and humid temperatures. The heat will rise around February and peak from between March to June, sometimes hitting 40ºC before the monsoonal rains start in July. Sometimes these heavy downpours see closures to attractions, roads and parks. Instead, hop aboard a cruise across the Mekong as the wet season makes it a great time for river travel.
History and culture
Made up of more than 100 different ethnic groups, each with its own distinctive language, customs, clothing and lifestyle, Laos is a place whose spirit has stood the test of time.
Today, most Laotians live in villages, rather than the city, where the sense of community is strong and people are connected to their neighbours and friends. Visiting wats (temples) to make offerings and give alms to monks is a common part of daily life for most, with much respect and reverence reserved for monks. Buddhist holidays and traditional festivals linked to harvest time and holy periods are commonly celebrated throughout the villages of Laos and are timed according to lunar cycles.
One of their biggest festivals is Bun Pi Mai (Lao New Year) which goes for a lengthy three days with water fights to wash away the past year’s troubles and welcome a new year. Another of Laos’ festivals is the Vientiane Boat Racing Festival held at the end of Buddhist Lent with thousands attending for the celebrations and feasts.
Geography and environment
Laos is a landlocked country in South East Asia, bordered by China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. It’s mighty Mekong River is a hub for communities who live close to its banks in the lowlands.
Laos may be smaller than its neighbours, but it’s no less impressive. From mesmerising waterfalls like the Kuang Si Falls or the largest waterfall in South East Asia, the Khon Phapheng Falls, to its limestone caverns like Tham Chang, exploring Laos is like finding one hidden gem after another. Sometimes, these caves also hold significance for Buddhists, like the Pak Ou Caves, which are filled with Buddha statues.
Much of Laos’ topography is very mountainous and covered in forest, making it a hikers and wildlife-lover’s dream. You could spend time cycling through rice paddies and farms or even kayaking the waters of the Nam Song River.
Eating and drinking
Laotian cuisine draws on culinary traditions from its neighbours, so visitors will be able to taste the flavours of China, Thailand and Vietnam in the food of Laos.
Things to try in Laos
1. Larb
This spicy meat salad is considered the national dish of Lao. The delicious combination of minced beef, chicken or pork seasoned with chilli, lime and mint, served with vegetables and sticky rice is a firm favourite with locals and travellers.
2. Khao Poon
This popular soup of meat, rice noodles, lime leaves, chilli, garlic and fish sauce has a few variations. The version made with coconut milk makes the dish similar to a laksa, while the version without coconut milk is a lighter option.
3. Fresh fruit
The markets of Laos have a cornucopia of delicious fruits on offer, either fresh or whipped up as juice. Pineapple, orange, watermelon, guava and banana are plentiful, but why not try more exotic fruits like lychee, longan, rambutan or jackfruit?
4. Beerlao
The answer to Laos’ heat and humidity is a bottle of locally brewed Beerlao, best-served cold at the end of a long day of exploring.
Top 10 outdoor experiences in Laos
1. Waterfall wander
Walking around peaceful Kuang Si Falls is a must-do for anyone traveling through the Luang Prabang area. Gentle cascades of water flow into turquoise pools creating a heavenly atmosphere that draws in both tourists and locals keen on some respite from the heat.
2. Play petanque
The French game of petanque is a lot like bowls and is quite popular with the people of Laos. If you’re lucky enough to come across a group of kids playing this game in the streets, try to join in – it’s fun and simple to play and free.
3. Beautiful biking
Hiring a bike and cycling past quiet villages, small farms and rice paddies is a great way to spend an afternoon in Laos, as you can take in stunning scenery, meet locals and get fit all at once.
4. Have a kick
Get amongst the action by watching and playing a bit of Sepak Takwar with locals in the parking lots, streets and parks of Laos. This game (which could be described as a hybrid between football and volleyball) is commonly played throughout South East Asia, and the locals of Laos are no exception.
5. Power to the paddle
Paddling a kayak down the Nam Song River is an interesting and energetic way to get active and see the sights of Vang Vieng.
6. Get back to nature in Nam Ha
Home to a wide range of rare plant and animal species, this protected area is a hidden gem for nature enthusiasts, bird watchers and animal lovers. The challenging hike through forested terrain provides many rewards in the form of animal spotting and breathtaking scenic vistas.
7. Refreshing river swim
Taking a dip in one of Laos’ many rivers is the perfect way to escape the heat on a hot summer’s day.
8. Spiritual stroll
Taking a leisurely walk around Vientiane’s quirky Buddha Park (also known as Xieng Khuan) is akin to taking an active history, religion and art lesson. Full of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures that depict myths, legends and stories – the giant reclining Buddha is a highlight for most. Surrounding trees, gardens and flowers add to the serenity.
9. Cruise along an icon
Taking a riverboat journey down the Mekong is an iconic journey to savour. Sit on deck, catch the breeze and take photos of the surrounding landscapes as villages, people and mountains glide by.
10. Tough trek
Test your fitness against some of Laos’ mountains on a challenging trek. With so much mountainous terrain, there are many different options and places to hike all around Laos – bring your best hiking boots and a sense of adventure.
Money matters
The official currency of Laos is the Kip (LAK); however, USD is also widely used throughout the country.
Major credit cards are generally accepted by larger and more upmarket shops, hotels and restaurants in the tourist areas of the city. They may not be accepted by smaller vendors like family restaurants or market stalls in the city and it is unlikely you will be able to pay by card when in remote towns and rural areas.
It is advised that you carry enough cash for purchases with ATMs being present in most cities but less likely to be found in smaller towns. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to exchange foreign currency notes that are damaged, old or faded.
Laos travel FAQs
Travellers from most nationalities need a visa to enter Laos. For more information, please visit the Government of Laos' website or the Essential Trip Information.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Tipping isn't mandatory or customary in Laos, but a tip of spare change or another small amount would be appreciated by restaurants, drivers and other service workers, especially if the service has been particularly good.
Because Laos is a warm and sunny tropical country, the best things to wear are breathable clothing. Opt for lightweight materials in natural fibres like cotton or linen and remember that Laos is a more conservative country, so it’s recommended you dress more modestly while you’re here. You will need to be covered when visiting places of worship, this includes legs and shoulders.
If you are visiting in the dry winter months when nights can get chilly, bring some warmer clothes to wear at night. If you are visiting during monsoon season, throw in a waterproof jacket and some closed-toe walking shoes.
Be sure to also pack to prepare for the sun with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Laos. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. Ask your leader where filtered water can be found; some hotels we stay in may have drinking water available. It's also advisable to avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit and vegetables before eating.
Internet access is available easily in tourist areas like Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, but is far less likely to be found in rural and remote areas.
You'll be able to use your mobile phone in most urban areas of Laos, although rural and remote areas may not have network coverage. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your mobile carrier before you leave home if you wish to use your mobile while in Laos.
The standard toilet in Laos is a squat toilet, with some Western-style toilets found in large hotels and in some tourist areas.
While homosexuality is legal in Laos, same-sex marriage is not recognised. Laos is known to be a conservative and traditional society where it is uncommon to see open displays of affection within any couple, both of the same and opposite sex.
While tolerant towards LGBTQIA+ visitors, it is recommended that travellers are aware of the customs regarding public displays of affection.
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to Laos directly support our foundation partner, MandaLao Elephant Conservation.
MandaLao Elephant Conservation
MandaLao Elephant Conservation was the first non-riding elephant sanctuary in Luang Prabang, and they actively promote ethical elephant care and create jobs in communities in Laos. Donations from our trips help them care for rescued elephants at their sanctuary (including food and veterinary costs) while providing employment opportunities within the local community.
Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Find out more or make a donation
We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.
Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.