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When the French controlled Indochina, they called the slowness of pace in Laos and the apparent indolence of the people the "Laotian malaise", precisely what makes this land tourist heaven. Officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, a communist state, Laos is sandwiched between Burma (Myanmar), China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, a country about the same size as Great Britain. About 70 per cent of the country is made up of mountain and highland and there is extensive, untouched, forest too. Most Laotians live in the fertile plains of the Mekong and the 11 other rivers, eking out an existence by farming and fishing.

Its capital is Vientiane, home to Wattay International, where many flights to Laos touch down. Most travellers will pick up cheap flights to Laos from Bangkok. Vientiane is on the Mekong, a town of wide boulevards, French Colonial buildings, golden temples and Pha That Luang, Laos's most important religious monument.

The former royal capital is Luang Prabang, a gilded city locked in time with 45 temples, 32 of them active. The most spectacular temple is Wat Xieng Thong. Early each morning hundreds of orange-robed monks make their daily alms round, a sight not to be missed.

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Laos Climate

Laos has a tropical climate. The rainy season runs between July and October, when high humidity can also be expected.

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When to Fly to Laos

Laos’s climate can be split into three seasons: cool, hot and rainy.

The cool season (between November and February) when the rains have stopped and hot season (March to May) are both good times to search for cheap flights to Laos and visit. The Lao New Year (April) falls in the peak season and it may be difficult to find cheaper flights to Laos or accommodation during this time.

Off Season: the rainy season extends from June to October.

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Getting Around Laos

Lao Airlines flies domestically. Apart from flying there are several ways to get around the country including by ferry, bus (there is a good network throughout Laos), rental car, Songthaew (pick-up trucks with benches) and, of course, tuk tuk (modified motorbikes).

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Laos Insider Information

  • Luang Prabang is the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom and a Unesco World Heritage site, with beautiful temples and gilded palaces on the bank of the Mekong River. Wat Xieng Thong is the most lavish temple with a tiered roof and gilded facades. The National Museum used to be the Royal Palace, built by the French in the 1900s and housing the gold-leaf-covered Phra Bang or “Holy Golden Buddha”. Climb the 300 steps to the summit of Mount Phousito see Wat That Chom Sii and for views of the city. If you visit the city very early in the morning, you can see the local people line up to give alms to the monks.
  • The nearby Pak Ou Caves - two caves, Tham Ting and Tham Phun, house Buddha images that have been left by followers over centuries.
  • Si Phan Don (or Four Thousand Islands) is a group of islands in the Mekong River in Southern Laos. The largest island is Don Khong.
  • In Vientiane, the capital, is the Victory Monument, akin to Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, which can be climbed. That Luang (or Royal Stupa, a Buddhist monument) was built in 1566 and restored in 1935.
  • Hundreds of giant stone jars – some more than 3 metres high – are scattered around the Plain of Jars in north-central Laos. More than 60 jar fields have been identified so far and some sites have more than 250 jars. Archeological work is slow – and dangerous – as the area is littered with explosives from recent conflicts, but the jars are thought to be connected to burial rituals.
  • Follow the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a network of secret roads running parallel to the Laos-Vietnam border. This trail was used during the Vietnam War by the North Vietnamese and during the 1950s by the Viet Minh (against the French).

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Laos Airports

Vientiane Wattay International Airport (VTE). The airport is 3km (2 miles) from Vientiane.

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Passport/Visa

Those requiring visas should obtain them in their home country before travelling to Laos. Visas are available on arrival at Vientiane and Luang Prabang International Airports, as well as at the major Laos-Thai border crossings for those countries without representation of Laos. Visas allow for a maximum stay of 15 days (one extension possible) if the traveller has a return or onward ticket, a confirmed hotel reservation in Laos, and a contact individual or organisation based in Laos. A photograph is also needed; the total visa cost is US$30. On entering Laos visitors must ensure they receive an entry stamp in their passport as fines for not having one are high. All visitors' passports should be valid for at least six months.

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Entry Requirements

British citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is also required.

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Top flight deals

Laos

London (LHR) to Vientiane (VTE)
from£604rtnwith Netflights.com
London (LHR) to Luang Prabang (LPQ)
from£776rtnwith Netflights.com
London (LHR) to Luang Prabang (LPQ)
from£776rtnwith Anywhere Worldwide.com
London (LHR) to Vientiane (VTE)
from£601rtnwith HolidayGenie.com

In-flight Reading

In Siam and Laos

Marthe BassenneThe diaries (published in 1909) of a French doctor’s wife as she travelled up the Mekong to Luang-Prabang and back through Siam.

A Dragon Apparent: Travels in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

Norman LewisA classic travel book. Evokes the atmosphere of French Indochina superbly well.

One Foot in Laos

Dervla MurphyThe celebrated travel writer finds in Laos a country where the people are kind, gentle and welcoming in spite of the pressures of the modern world.

Stalking the Elephant Kings: In Search of Laos and Bamboo Palace: Discovering the Lost Dynasty of Laos

Christopher KremmerTwo books by the Australian travel writer. What happened to the 600-year old monarchy that the communist guerrillas overthrew in 1975? In these books, we discover the truth. Eventually.  

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Contributors to this guide: Word Travels, World Airport Guide, Cheapflights

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Wordtravels.com

Destination guides to countries and cities worldwide www.wordtravels.com

World Airport Guides

Guide to more than 200 airports around the world www.worldairportguide.com

Cheapflights.com

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