Laos Walks & Cycle Tours

Lush, languid and welcoming, it's easy to see why travellers are lured back to Laos. With its meandering rivers, remote villages and tranquil cities, Laos is famous for a gentle pace that invites you to slow down, relax and absorb your surroundings.

But this is by no means a boring destination: Laos's cities are a unique mix of golden Buddhist temples, French colonial architecture and colourful markets, thick with aromas of incense and fragrant street food, and yet you need not travel far to find waterfalls, caves and jungle-clad mountains to explore.

You can tour splendid temples and handsome colonial architecture in Vientiane, and unwind in the tranquil river city of Luang Prabang, with its saffron-robed monks and vibrant night markets. Then delve into the history of Southeast Asia by visiting the ancient Hindu Khmer ruins of Wat Phu or walking among the mysterious stone megaliths of the Plain of Jars.

Enjoy Laos's wild natural beauty with a cruise down the lush waterways of the mighty Mekong or a sojourn in the stunning 4,000 Islands of southern Laos. Don your boots and trek through the remote northern mountains, join one of our superb cycle journeys through scenic backroads and ethnic minority villages, or kayak down rivers fringed with dramatic karst outcrops.

Whichever itinerary you choose, you'll love the unique landscapes, cultures, cuisine and ambiance of this unspoiled gem of Southeast Asia.

Buddha statue in Vientiane | Peter Walton

About Laos

FAQs

Cruise or kayak down the Mekong River alongside lush forested mountains and dramatic karst outcrops

Don your boots and trek into the remote northern mountains or join one of our superb cycle journeys through scenic back roads and ethnic minority villages

Visit the 4,000 Islands of southern Laos and keep an eye out for the rare Irrawaddy dolphin

See the ancient Hindu Khmer ruins of Wat Phu and walk among the mysterious stone megaliths of the Plain of Jars

Tour splendid temples and handsome colonial architecture in Vientiane and unwind in the tranquil river city of Luang Prabang, with its saffron-robed monks and vibrant night markets

Local boys in Laos - <i>Photo: Peter Walton</i>

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with three distinct seasons:

A rainy/monsoon season from May to October, a cool dry season from November to February, and a hot dry season from March to April.

April is the hottest month. It is necessary to take along a warm jumper or fleece during the cool season as nights can be cool, especially in mountainous areas such as Luang Prabang. Between March and June, light cotton clothing and hats are recommended.

On average you can expect daytime temperatures of between 25-32°C (77-90°F), with cooler night temperatures.

In Vientiane, average daily temperatures vary from a minimum of 16.4°C (62°F) to a maximum of 28.4°C (83°F) in January; to a minimum of 24.7°C (76°F) to a maximum of 31.3°C (88°F) in July.

In Luang Prabang, average daily temperatures vary from a minimum of 14.2°C (58°F) to a maximum of 27.7°C (82°F) in January; to a minimum of 24.3°C (76°F) to a maximum of 32.5°C (91°F) in July.

Getting off the boat in Ban Xienglek - <i>Photo: Kylie Turner</i>

Laos is +7 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages

Laotian Kip

Thai Baht and USD are the best currencies to exchange although AUD, GBP, NZD are also accepted.

Banks and exchange facilities are found in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane.

Visa cards and ATM are available in most major centres, however it is not recommended to rely on these solely.

If you are purchasing items of over US$50 it is best not to change this into Lao kip as you will require a small back pack to carry all the notes!

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Electricity in Laos is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The pin type varies but is most commonly types A and C. We recommend taking a universal adapter.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.