| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 5,900,000 |
| Languages spoken | Lao, French and English |
| Currency | 9,600 LAK = 1 USD |
| Average temperature | Summer: 93F; winter: 57F |
| High season | November to February |
Laos is the lost land of Southeast Asia. It’s landlocked, it’s poor, it’s communist, and it was bombed to smithereens during the Vietnam War. Historically, it hasn’t been a major tourist destination, but now the tiny country is experiencing a tourism renaissance and it’s taking queues from neighboring Thailand. Today Laos has open arms, inviting travelers to explore its quirky mix of French Colonial and Lao cultures.
Only in Laos can a guy grab a cup of dark French coffee and a croissant for breakfast and a pile of larb (a tasty Lao dish) for lunch. He can tour temples, ride elephants and sip Beerlao at riverside restaurants. Laos is perfect for travelers looking for new experiences or those who just want to relax.
All prices are listed in U.S. funds.
trip planning
Visa
You will need a tourist visa, which you can get in Vientiane or Luang Prabang, to enter the country. Also, bring three passport photos, a valid passport and proof that you actually have plans to go home. You’ll need to fill out an application and pay $35. Advance visas are available through the Lao embassy in Washington D.C.. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.Getting there
Lao Airlines, Thai Airlines and Bangkok Airlines fly into Vientiane and Luang Prabang. You can also enter Laos by road via the Tai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which spans the Mekong between Nong Khai in Thailand and Vientiane.Where to stay
In Vientiane, check out Le Parasol Blanc, a nice place with a pool and bungalow-style rooms. Rooms run from $30 to $50 a night, and it’s quiet. It’s also close to the Patuxai Victory Gate, one of the country’s more impressive monuments. In Luang Prabang, grab a room at the Sayo Riverside. It offers Lao-style rooms with European luxuries and it is steps from the Mekong, tons of restaurants and downtown. Rooms are available for about $20.Day 1: Venture through Vientiane
The French nabbed the region now known as Laos in 1893 and used it as a buffer state between the French and British empires. They settled in Vientiane, where they built coffee shops and patisseries. The Lao absorbed French culture, developing a passion for pastries and dark coffee. This culture clash can still be felt, seen and tasted in the city, which has gone through a lot since the French left in 1954. It makes Vientiane one of the quirkiest cities in Southeast Asia.Start in downtown Vientiane at the crack of dawn and you’ll be just in time to catch the locals giving food to the monks, a sacred Lao tradition. For breakfast, head to the area around the Nam Phou Fountain where there are several coffee houses that offer croissants and coffee. Once your belly is full, get some transportation. The awkward Lao taxis called jumbos, are cheap, but you can rent a bicycle for about $2. There are rental shops near the fountain and if you don’t spot one, ask a local. (Note: It’s common for rental shops to ask for a passport as collateral.)
Head north on Lan Xang Avenue and That Luang Road to That Luang, the pride of Laos. That Luang is a huge golden temple with an awe-inspiring spire that rises 150 feet into the air. This spectacle is surrounded by a covered walkway that shelters hundreds of statues and paintings. The temple dates to 1566, but it has been sacked more than once since then. Still, it’s a fantastic place to absorb some Lao history.
You could spend a few hours at That Luang, but head back into town. On the way, stop at the Morning Market on the corner of Th Lan Xang and Th Khu Vieng. The place is more like a mall than an Asian market, but you’ll find Lao silk and silver, in addition to great food. From there, head to Wat Siskaket on the corner of Lan Xang and Setthatilat avenues. The monastery was built in 1818 and it’s the oldest continually standing temple in the country. After you’ve had your fill of Wat Siskaket head for Ho Phra Keo, which is also on Setthatilat Avenue. At one time the temple housed the Emerald Buddha, a Thai artifact. The Thai took the Buddha back in 1779 and then burned the temple in 1828. It was rebuilt in 1942 and now houses a small museum of national treasures.
After your ride, treat yourself to a calm evening along the Mekong. The locals call it the Quai Fa Ngum, a serene string of waterside restaurants where you can sip Beerlao and watch the sun set. The Lao food is scrumptious, but European fair can also be had. Then head to bed early, because tomorrow you’re heading north to Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Laid-back in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is one of the oldest cities in Laos. It’s also the former seat of the Lao royal family and is home to more than 60 historical temples and the Lao Royal Palace. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, which means it’s packed with historical places to see. It’s also a laid-back city full of spectacular restaurants, classy bars and great shops.The flight to Luang Prabang is only about 30 minutes. Once you settle in, head to the Phou Si Hill. It’s crowned with a spindly temple and a Vietnam War-era anti-aircraft gun, which no longer functions, but serves as a poignant reminder. During the war, the U.S. dumped about 1.9 million metric tons of bombs on Laos in what was later dubbed the “Secret War.” The bombing was meant to annihilate Communist leader Pathet Lao, but it only devastated the country. Phou Si will give you a great perspective on the ancient city, huddled on a peninsula between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
Descend the hill and head to the Royal Palace, aka Haw Kham. It was built by the French in 1904 for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Here you’ll find the king’s gilded traveling hat, traditional Lao swords and a Beaux Arts mosaic depicting Lao history and the life of Buddha. The King and Queen’s bedrooms are preserved and several of the King’s more extravagant outfits are on display for curious visitors. It’s a quirky place that’s well worth the visit.
Next, take a 30-minute taxi ride to the Kuang Si Falls. Kuang Si contains several crystal-clear swimming holes that are refreshed by a stream of mountain spring water -- nothing beats a refreshing dip in frigid waters after a day in the heat. Kuang Si is also home to a tiger and a few Asian black bears, which are safely housed in zoo enclosures. Pick up lunch while you’re there: A few on-site restaurants serve traditional Lao food, including larb, a delicious dish made from river fish and chilies.
After your swim, head into town and treat yourself to dinner at L’Elephant, a magnificent French-Lao fusion restaurant that serves everything from Mekong river fish to filet mignon. The food is four-star, but it costs next to nothing. If you’ve still got some energy, check out the local night market. Located at the end of Sisavangvong Road, it’s one of the best markets in the country for traditional Lao silk and silver handicrafts.
Day 3: Elephant adventure
When the elephant’s shoulder blades lurch beneath you, your heart will take a swan dive into your stomach. The elephant isn’t bucking wildly or charging headlong into a line of Thai infantry, in fact it’s moving at a glacial pace. Its enormous size and the nine feet that distance your skull from the hard trail are what cause fear. To top it off, the forest is prickly with thorn vines and the path bristles with jagged stumps and branches. After a few minutes of clinging to the elephant, your fears will be put to rest as she huffs reassuringly and locks you into position with her ears.This is not an extreme-sports vacation, but rather one of the “elephant adventures” offered at Tiger Trail Adventure. The tour company has a jungle retreat with a well-appointed lodge, several bungalows, a good restaurant and a few elephants. For about $100, you can book an overnight trip at the lodge, where you’ll get to ride, feed and wash elephants. It doesn’t sound like an adventure, but this up-close contact with elephants is usually reserved for elephant trainers. Sure, you may have ridden an elephant at a theme park, but you haven’t ridden one bareback into a river for its daily washing.
Tiger Trails is essentially a safe house for elephants, which is a big deal in a country that’s seeing a rapid decline in its elephant population. Many of the company’s elephants have been rescued from the dangerous and arduous life of working in the logging industry.
Tiger Trail Adventures offers several packages, from a basic overnight visit to an extended stay that includes mountain biking and kayaking. Space fills up quickly, so book your tour early because this is something you won’t want to miss.
heading out
Laos is probably one of the last tourist frontiers in Southeast Asia. The quirky clash of cultures make it unique and charming, while the breathtaking landscapes make it inspiring and peaceful. The friendly and helpful people welcome you to their homeland and contribute to the atmosphere of this great vacation destination. Hurry up and plan your getaway, because the country is becoming a tourist magnet and its charm may be short-lived.tips for the trip
- The Lao Kip is the official currency in Laos, but Thai baht and U.S. dollars are also widely accepted.
- Get an inexpensive (as cheap as $5) Lao massage from a well-trained masseuse.
- Tipping isn’t expected in Laos, but a 10% to 15% tip is appreciated.
- Try some of the local rice moonshine, called lao-lao, which can be as potent as a wine or as devastating as jet fuel -- be sure to ask which you’re getting when you order.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laos - Laos
http://wikitravel.org/en/Vientiane - Vientiane
http://wikitravel.org/en/Luang_Prabang - Luang Prabang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang - Luang Prabang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace_Museum - Royal Palace Museum
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/laos
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/vientiane/thatluangindex.htm
http://www.elephant-restau.com/
http://www.laos-adventures.com/travels/travel.asp?t=C0A103C1-112A-490A-9ACA-B346AD8F1AA2
Laos Travel Guide
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