Laos Travel Forum

I'm visiting in the final week of August for 20days. Any suggestions about what I should include in an itinerary?

Who is most reliable/affordable air carrier between Bangkok and Luang Prabang in September 09?
I also need to book air from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap and then on to Ho Chi Minh City. Any assistance greatly appreciated! Thank you.

My friend and I will be heading to Laos this fall. The tour itinerary we're looking at has us starting at the border crossing at Huay Xai and ending at the border crossing at Chong Mek. Effectively, the trip starts in Huay Xai and ends in Pakse.

Questions:

(1) Can we fly between Bangkok and Huay Xai (or somewhere nearby)? If not, how does one get to Huay Xai from Bangkok? It seems like a very long drive.
(2) I see that there is a flight between BKK and Pakse, but it's only three days a week, and I'd like to do the trip on a Saturday (no flight that day). How long does it take to drive back to Bangkok from there?

I realize these questions are probably more about Thailand than Laos, but hopefully people who have been to Laos have dealt with these issues already!

My fiancée and I are planning our honeymoon in Laos next year and as well as going to Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng we were also thinking of travelling to Don Det & Don Khon. Are there any decent mid-range or boutique hotels there at all? And what is the quickest way to get there? Is there anywhere else that you would suggest visiting in the country for a really memorable holiday?

I backpacked around the country when I was a student about 10 years ago but guess it must have changed a bit since then …!

Hello,
I am hoping to travel from Bangkok to Laos in January and then onto Hanoi approx 2 weeks after.

I have been doing my research and have heard about an excursion pass which will allow me to fly from Bangkok, then catch a flight from Luang Prabang and then another to Hanoi at a later date. This might be through Laos Airlines.

I was wondering if anyone has heard of Laos airlines or another other carrier doing such a deal? I have looked at individual flights from Bangkok to Luang Prabang and was shocked at how expensive they were. The 'pass' seems to be a much cheaper option.

If you have heard of this please could you tell me how I could go about booking these flights and any idea on prices. I have also heard that Bangkok air may do a similar pass called discovery pass?

Thanks.

Your answers will be really appreciated

My partner and I are planning to travel from Loeï Thailand to Luang Prabang Laos with my partner on the 8 october 2009. We are both holding a Laos visa and we would like to pass the border of Tha Li in Thailand near Loeï to Kenthao in Laos. My question is: does anybody know if there are any buses from Kenthao to Luang Prabang via Muang Sayabouri? or even from Loeï? I read on travelblogs that a few travellers did the opposite way, Luang Prabang to Thailand by bus, bus from Luang Prabang to Paklay and then from Paklay to Kenthao.
But nothing on the opposite way. My question is: Does anybody know if there are buses from Loeï to Luang Prabang via Sayaboury? If anyone has some info, bus timetable, are welcome. Thanks to all

Marcel & Pracha

HI there travellers! My partner and I are going from Luang-Prabang to Chiangrai on the 13th of october 2009, does anyone have details regarding (direct)bus, timetable, prices or whatever would be helpfull? What is the fastest way? maybe airplane but "may mee enough neugn!
All infos are warmly welcome.

Thanks to all

Hello, Im planning a trip this December starting in BKK heading north to Chiang Mai. Then my plan is to head to Louangphrabang overland somehow, then heading south to Vientine and onwards basicaly to Phnom Phenh, Cambodia. Looking at the map my entire route is along the Mekong river, would that be my only way of travel throughout Laos and onwards to Cambodia ? Ive done a little bit of research and it seams roads dont really exist throughout Laos ?

Anyways, any information would be appreciated

Cheers, Ryan (Wales, UK)

Hi!
We are a group of six and will be flying to Vientiane by Air Asia in late july. We have 6 nights and would like to cover Vang Vieng and L. Prabang as well as Vientiane. We would like to rent a minivan to take us straight to VV when we arrive and leave Vientiane for the last 2 days. Would be grateful if anyone could suggest the name of a tour agency/van driver whom we could contact beforehand or on arrival. This way maybe we will have time to see Ponsavan as well. It will be our first visit to Laos and we're really looking forward to seeing as much as we possibly can.

What will the weather be like in late July and early August? Also will it be easy to get accomodation on arrival at the various places? We hope to stay in guesthouses or familyrun budget hotels.

Thank you.

How to carry many:
Can i practice to pick cash at bancomat with Visa and Maestro card?
Should i take euros or dollars with me?

Must i take slipping bag and camping tend with me?
Or there are camping with small houses (bungalows) easy to find?
I'm little worry because of rain season (mont of may).
I'm looking for camping with divine nature to get a feeling to be in haven.
Maybe in some natural park.

Then if a rent a motorbike and live passport there what document should i have then with me?
Is a driving license good?

Do i must have medical insurance?

I know that in Laos are many Buda temples? I'm looking for some particular, which may me give me the best experience.

What about food?

Thank you

I'm interested in nature(falls where can i swim).
I have two weeks. Maybe three or for diferent places to spent time.
Could it be posible to rent some motorbyke (ower 250 ccv)and make circle round north Laos from Vientiane?

Hi all!
I'm planning on visiting Southern Laos in late June/ Early July, which is about a month or two in to the "wet season".

According to guide books "southern Laos and Cambodia" are the "exception" when it comes to the wet season not complicating travel.

I have grown to not fully trust guide books.. not only because they encompass a vast amount of information usually gathered by one single person in each region, but because they have liabilities that an individual does not when giving advice.

So, I'm back on TravelFish to find out,
CAN I EFFECTIVELY TRAVEL IN THE DEEP SOUTH/ BOLAVEN AREA DURING THE WET SEASON???
IF so, what are my strongest obstacles? limits? Impediments?

I plan to enter in Pakse and branch out from there.. Options on my table include but are not limited to;

Attapeu
Salavan
Sekong and
Champassak provinces and their respective centres..

I am most interested in hikes, treks and overnights in hill tribe communities..
And I will be trying to visit the plantations, waterfalls and National Parks in the area.

**Can anyone tell me if it will be veritably impossible for me to reach any of these places...
or may anyone add any feedback in and of these places that could also help me narrow down my focus and slim down my options to real terms~?***

Any recommended guides? Preferred bases?

MANY THANKS!!

P.S>
I will be traveling solo, economical and without schedule... and will continue on to Vietnam (hopefully via the Bao Y/ Yalakhuntum crossing) any reviews on the Attapeu-Bao Y/KonTum/Pleiku bus also?!
haha THANKS!

dear all , Hi.
I`m planing to have a trip to laos in 3 weeks.
I start my trip from thailand to laos & from there to hanoi in Vietnam.
has any one ever tried this rout?
as I found out I must not neglect Luang prabang in laos besides I`m thinking aobut visiting Vientiane.
your kind suggestions & advices are most welcome.\
yous
shadi

Hello, Hope someone can help.
I am a teacher who has been lucky enough to be given a career break from work to do volunteary work/travel for 4 months. I will be travelling through Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia and then on to OZ, New Zealand and Argentina.
I have looked for literally hours on the net and unfortunately have only found companies supposedly 'offering' volunatry trips but at ridiculous prices, sometimes over £2000! I cant understand why this is charged! I would be able to provide my own accommodation and travel. All I want to do is offer my skills in a school, orphanage, or anywhere that needs help. I can work for between 1 and 2 weeks. I hope to do this in most of the countries I go to.
Please could anyone help? Do you know of any charities that would like support? or need any help. My current school have offered to do some fund raising on my behalf (nearer my departure)....therefore I would also be bringing much needed funds.
Any advice or help would be great!
Thanks

I am a 26 year old female, travelling Jan 2010

If I were to travel to Laos with a very limited time to spare, where should i go? Luang Prabang or Vientiane? considering that i will have only 3 days to spare for Laos.

I had been working on Vientiane all the while but now someone from VT has strongly suggested Luang Prabang ("unesco site", and it would be ver interesting),now i am in two minds.
thnx in advance

Thinking of taking a mini laptop to Laos next month. Was wondering whether anyone else has (and whether they wished they hadn't) and if they found plenty of hotspots to use?
Thanks

Hi,
Just wondering does anyone have any info on getting from Vientiane to either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh by land and relatively quickly!!! Don't really have time to travel through southern Laos and don't want to fly if I can help it.

Is there any way of doing it in less than a day? If I could travel over night it would be perfect...any sleeper/VIP buses going between the two capitals?Thanks

Hello all, has anyone taken a boat from Muang Khua down the Nam Ou to Luang Prabang. Any detail and or information on boats/operators and best way to get to Muang Khua would be greatly appreciated. I'm also curious on how long it takes a slow boat and how comfy or un-comfy the trip may be, ha.
As always, thanks for the help.

I only have a few days to visit Laos on my next Asia trip. Which city should I choose and why?

My plan is to buy a round trip ticket Manila-BKK-Manila. Then from BKK, bus (BKK to Chang mai then chang rai then huay xai then boat to LP) or plane (BKK to ChangRai via Air Asia then huay xai then boat to LP).

However, I always end up having a hard time finding a transportation from Vientiane (since this is my last stop in Laos) to BKK. Either there's no airline that has a route here or it's very expensive.

Or after Vientiane, I'm thinking of going back again to Huay Xai and then cross the border to Chang Rai and then take a bus/plane to BKK?

Any suggestions? New ideas are accepted =)

I have one week to do go to these 3 places. But I learned that it's recommended to take the slow boat from Huay Xai to LP, which takes around 2 days. So now I have 5 days left. Below is my original itenerary, hopefully someone can help me adjust the time on how I can do all that stuff, and maybe advice which stuff is not worth it so I can remove it from my itenerary.

Day 1: LP - Wat Xieng Thong, Royal Palace Museum, Phu-Si, Night market (optional)

Day 2: LP - Pok Ou Caves, Tat Kuang Si

Day 3: Early morning leave LP to go to VV
Afternoon - arrival at VV, bicycle at Than Phu KAm

Day 4: VV - tubing, lunch, take the bus to Vientiane (I saw the sched of the bus is 5am-4pm), arrive late at VV

Day 5: Vientiane - Wat Si Muang, ieng Khuan Buddha Park, Lao Nat'l Museum, Lotus massage (optional)

Day 6: Vientiane - Pha That Luang, Patuxai, shopping (optional)

Day 7: Leave Vientiane (I alloted the whole day for this because there's no direct flight from Vientiane to Manila, so I have to wait long for the stopover)

I'll still thinking about spending one day or 2 days in Vientiane, since I don't want to visit too many museums and temples, because I feel they are all the same to me. Another option is completely missing Vientiane, but I'm still not sure.

Hopefully someone can help me. Thanks!

I'm going to Laos for 6 days. My first stop is in LP. My original plan was from Chang Rai Thailand, I go to Huay Xai then take a fast boat in Mekong River to go to LP. However, I realized there are no flights from Manila (I'll coming from this place) to Chang Rai. If I take a flight from Manila to BKK, then bus or plane to Chang Rai, it'll cost a lot of time, so I'm thinking of a plane from BKK to LP directly. But they say MEkong River is a must.

So it is really a must? If it is, then I'm willing to sacrifice more time just to experience Mekong River. I'm 85% of a nature person.

Does anyone have recent experience with the VIP bus from Vientiane to Pakse?
Are there any overnight runs and would it be possible to catch some sleep?

How was it on a scale from 1-10 where 1 is "My kindneys was shaken loose, still ...sing blood and 10 "A treat, I slept like a baby"

Hi all,

Trying to book somewhere real nice but reasonable for my buddies and I go stay for a few days. I'm confused though ... what exactly is the difference between the above two spots??

Anyone have a preferencial recommendation?

Thanks,

Xb

I've been reading up on the use of ATM's in Laos, and it seems that what with a limit on the amount that you can withdraw from them, and the fact that there might only be ATM's in Vientiane, I might need to organise cash & travellers cheques before I go. I'm thinking that travellers cheques may be a lttle hard to cash, so here's my question: Being an Aussie, it's not really a good time to be buying US$. Will I be able to cash A$ in Laos, or would I be better off buying Thai Baht, or just biting the bullet & buying US$?
Thanks for all replies.
betska

Have been reading alot on Laos for my up-coming trip but would like an up to date response/advice on this:

In early February, i will be heading to Vientienne, Vah Vieng and Luang Prabang. For accomodation,if it is difficult to make a telephone booking, we may have to walk in. Is it advisable to do this in all these 3 places. We are a group of 3 travelling on a budget hoping to book rooms that can provide an extra bed with attached washroom preferable. As long as it is clean. Fans are fine and away from too much noise so as to get a good night's sleep.

If anyone's in these places and reading this posting,please advice...During that time it is the 2nd week of Chinese New Year which I think is one of the main festivals there but things shouldn't be so busy by then.

Kindly recommend specific places (telephone number/e-mail address would be real handy) if any as well.

My travelmates and I are much more comfortable booking in advance so we don't spend too much time walking around looking for a place to bunk since there are 3 of us.

And to save time, we might take an overnight bus or two along the route of VT-VV-LP then LP-VT in 8 days. But i know one will miss the sights and sounds.What's your take?

Thanks very much in advance.

Hello everyone, this is the first of possibly a few posts, I am just starting to plan my trip for March this year, and wanted to make a start on a rough mud-map of where to go.
So far, I arrive at Vientiane, and plan on heading north to Luang Prabang via Vang Vieng. From LP, I'd like to go across to Phonsavan to the Plain of Jars. Then head south to Paksan, and follow the Mekong all the way down to Don Khong, crossing into Cambodia from here. I'm planning 3 weeks for Laos, and the last week in Cambodia.
I'd like to use buses, too much to be missed flying!
Can anyone out there tell me if this route is do-able, will I have enough time, and if there are any safetly concerns for a female solo traveller. I'm a bit worried after reading some stories on getting the boat at the Cambodian border, Am I worrying needlessly?

Thankyou for all responses!
Betska

Hello, I need a favour, my sister sent a package from there some time ago, it got to Ireland but no-one was there to collect it, it seems to have been sent back but not sure if it went to Vang Vieng - could anyone get their phone number or find out what happens to post returned? I would be so grateful and could return the favour somehow! Thanks :)

Hi There

Is there a quicker way to get from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng?

We only wanted to stay in VV for 2 nights, so i didnt want to spend 6 hours on a bus there and another 6 hours back to LP

Does anyone have any advice please?

Thanks

Rachel

Hi, I'm off to Cambodia and Laos for a month in a few days and I would love lots of suggestions where to go. And any recommendations for places to stay at these places?? im by myself so would prefer hostels if there is any, Has anyone done homestays???
thanks for your help!