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6 trips

Destination
  • Africa
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Laos Tours & Trips

View of Nam Song River in Vang Vieng Laos
Download Laos Key Facts

Experience Southeast Asia like never before in Laos. Uncover this hidden gem’s unspoiled landscapes on our Laos tours, featuring towering mountain ranges, heavenly pools of turquoise waters, cascading waterfalls, and vast rivers winding through the unspoiled countryside. From hiking trails and adventure sports to rich cultural traditions and authentic countryside life, our Laos trips are an unforgettable experience. And while this destination is worth exploring all on its own, it makes for an incredible highlight as part of any longer journey around Southeast Asia.

Read more in our Laos Travel Guide.

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Laos Facts

Capital City

Vientiane

Currency

Laotian Kip (LAK)

Language

Lao

Dialling Code

+856

Plug Type

A, B, C, E, and F

Laos Highlights

Landscape of Nam Song River in Vang Vieng, surrounded by mountains, at sunset, in Laos

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a hidden gem in Southeast Asia that often becomes backpackers' favourite spot. Your jaw will drop when you see the natural beauty of this town, surrounded by bright Blue Lagoons, dreamlike caves, and unmissable viewpoints. Hop in a hot air balloon to watch the sunrise or wander through endless green rice fields.

Traveller looking across to the milky blue waters of Kuang Si Falls in Laos

Kuang Si Falls

The best day trip from Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls, is so stunning, you can’t help but chase these waterfalls! Tiered rocks form a scene out of a fairy tale, as the unique, milky-blue water cascades into the pools below. Nestled within the jungle, listen to the sounds of nature before heading for a swim in the lower pools.

the Royal Palace Museum in Luang Prabang in Laos

Luang Prabang

Experience Laos’ culture in Luang Prabang, a great base for discovering the bucket list sites nearby. A UNESCO World Heritage site, explore the amazingly preserved Buddhist temples and float down the Mekong River on a sunset cruise. As one of the longest in Asia, this is the perfect way to experience the city.

Pha That Luang in the capital city of Laos, Vientiane

Vientiane

The relaxed capital city of Vientiane is sure to win you over. Blending riverside charm with local culture, you’ll spend your days here wandering the golden temples, sipping coffee in authentic cafes, and strolling along the Mekong River. Vientiane is a side of Southeast Asia you don’t want to miss.

Laos Travel Advice

Viewpoint overlooking the mountains in Nong Khiaw, near Luang Prabang in Laos

Climate & Weather

Laos has a tropical climate, with two main seasons. Travellers will enjoy sunny, warm days during the dry season, from November to April, with average temperatures of 26°C. This is the ideal time to enjoy Laos’ scenic treks and swim in tranquil blue waterfalls. 

The rainy season, from May to October, brings short afternoon showers and higher humidity with average temperatures of 30°C. The green landscapes flourish during the rainy season, with fresh rice fields and cascading waterfalls in all their glory.

Blue skies and green rice fields in Vang Vieng, Laos

Best Time To Visit

Laos is a year-round destination, and its two distinct seasons offer something special for travellers. The dry season (November to March) is a popular time to visit, with comfortably warm temperatures, perfect for exploring temples and natural landscapes. 

April is considered Laos’ shoulder season and is an ideal time for travellers who love long days in the sunshine. Welcome in the Lao New Year, in mid-April, when you can experience water fights, traditional food and music. As the rainy season arrives from May to October, watch the stunning green landscapes come to life, suiting budget-conscious travellers.

Pha That Luang in Laos' capital city, Vientiane

Customs & Culture

Travellers will love learning about Laos’ culture, shaped by Buddhism and local traditions. Exploring the golden temples is a highlight of exploring the capital city, Vientiane, and the bustling town of Luang Prabang. On your visit to the temples, remember to be respectful of the Buddhist culture. Dress modestly, covering your shoulders and knees, and keep your voice low. 

If you are ever unsure about cultural customs, your group leader can advise you on our Laos trips.

Red and blue british passports

Passports & Visas

Entry requirements and visa regulations are different for every destination and your purpose of travel. We recommend staying updated on the latest official information before you go travelling. Your passport should be undamaged and have enough blank pages for stamps and visas. Many countries require your passport to have at least 6 months of validity beyond the date of entry.

For more information and resources regarding entry requirements, check out our Visa Advice page.

Group on a trip to Laos, standing in front of Kuang Si Falls

Health & Safety

At Gap 360, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. From the moment your trip is confirmed until you arrive back home, you'll have access to a 24/7 emergency contact number for any urgent issues. For anything non-urgent, our friendly team is also available during office hours to help.
We strongly recommend checking the FCDO advice for Laos, as it's regularly updated with the latest safety and travel information, and you can even sign up for email alerts to stay informed of any changes. In addition, you can check the FCDO general travel advice for British nationals abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Laos depends on your preferences! With two distinct seasons, a dry season and a rainy season, both offer unique experiences, showing off how amazing this destination is. November to March is the dry season, and a popular time for travellers to enjoy sightseeing, exploring the temples, and seeing breathtaking mountain views with clear skies. Travellers can enjoy bucket list spots with fewer crowds from May to October, with rain typically for a short period in the evening.

In Laos, you can enjoy exploring awe-inspiring nature, discovering cultural sites, and getting your adrenaline pumping with adventurous activities. Some must-do activities to include in your Laos trip are visiting the magical Kuang Si Falls and uncovering Laos’ history at the UNESCO-listed town of Luang Prabang. As one of the largest rivers in Asia, the Mekong is a bucket list place to see on a sunset cruise. Our Laos tours will highlight the best of the destination, plus hidden gems.

We generally recommend bringing both cash and card. The Laotian kip is a closed currency, which means that it can only be obtained within the country. We encourage you to bring some pound sterling for your trip to exchange when you arrive. However, please keep in mind that Scottish or Northern Irish pound notes are difficult to exchange. On our Laos group tours, your group leader will inform you of where you can find the nearest ATMs.

Gap 360 has partnered with Masta and Nomad Clinics, one of the UK’s largest networks of private travel clinics. Through Masta, you can arrange a Travel Telephone Consultation, an in-person Consultation, and book your vaccinations at your nearest clinic.

The average travel time from the UK to Laos is around 18 hours, with at least one stopover.

Laos Trip Reviews

4.7
Rating
118
Reviews

Faye Bowker

I enjoyed my time however I also feel like there's a lot more to see and do. Tour guide made the trip amazing !

Rachel Littlewood

Best month of my life!! I had the most amazing time, the tour guides were lovely and I felt like we did so so much in 5 weeks that it felt like years! There is a lot of travelling but so worth it and didn't feel like travelling at…

Yannick

Thanks everyone for the awesome 7 weeks! Special thanks to the tour guides Mai - for getting us started in the trip! Lee - for the great vibes and good nights out! Bao - being so kind, lovely and caring! Lao - for the very…

Anonymous

So good with planning my whole travel experience

Anonymous

I had a great time on the 47 day South East Asia Journey trip. All of my guides Mai, Lee, Hao, Bao, Lao, May, Povan and Yap made the experience unforgettable and I have had experiences that I'll remember for a lifetime. Thank you…

Anonymous

A once in a lifetime experience. Met amazing people and friends for life. The whole set up is incredible and really does make travelling super easy. The tour guides are immense and love to do everything with the tour group…

Anonymous

I booked the 47 day trip, i had such a good time and met so many amazing people!! Had some amazing guides, Ket, Viet and Povan were so friendly and informative!!!!

Kathryn Shenton

My main highlights of the trip were: seeing the elephants, Cu Chi tunnels, Hoi An, the light festival on Laos and Koh Rong.

Ella

I did the South East Asia Adventure a few weeks ago and have just booked my second tour with Gap 360. As a 19 year old solo female traveller I met the most amazing people on my tour who I continued travelling with for weeks after…

Lucy Webb

The adventure of a lifetime!

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