Overview

Laos, a peaceful land-locked nation, is one of Southeast Asia’s hidden gems. The stunning natural beauty of forested mountains and valleys teeming with wildlife combined with a fascinating Buddhist culture make Laos a superb destination for those seeking an adventurous and authentic cultural experience.

The tranquil capital city of Vientiane maintains a vintage charm with its faded old colonial architecture juxtaposed with ornate, gilded temples. The UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang continues to be the leading attraction for its glittering ancient temples, saffron-robed monks, authentic textile villages and sleepy riverside atmosphere. The far mountainous northern region and the southern provinces offer excellent opportunities for outdoor activities such as trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing. The beauty of Laos is best discovered when you take the time to soak in the atmosphere whether it be enjoying the sunset over the Mekong or interacting with monks at the temples.

Country Facts

Capital City: Vientiane
Time Zone: UTC +7
International Dial Code: +856
Currency: Kip
Population: 7.71 million (April 2024)
Religion: Buddhism

Within Easy Reach Of…

Landlocked Laos has two international airports: Luang Prabang International Airport and Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. The below flight times are to/from Luang Prabang International Airport.

Vientiane: 1hr
Siem Reap, Cambodia: 2hrs 15min
Hanoi, Vietnam: 1hr 05min
Bangkok, Thailand: 1hr 45min

Laos Visas:

Most nationalities are eligible for a one-month visa on arrival at international airports (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse and Savannakhet ) and land borders. The visas fee for most nationalities is between USD30 to USD42 per person depending on nationality, payable in cash by US dollars only and two passport photos are required.

There will be a US$6 often charged for over time fee on on weekends, Lao public holidays, before 8 A.M and after 4 P.M weekdays. Citizens of some Asian, Nordic countries, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Switzerland and Luxembourg nations are exempted from Laos visa with duration stay from 14 to 30 days, depending on nationality.

Citizens of some African and Middle Eastern countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Jordan, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Mozambique, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Syria, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkey, Zambia and Zimbabwe) must apply for a visa in advance. You may apply for a visa through a Laotian embassy or consulate in your country.

Your passport:

Please make sure your passport is valid more than 6 months from the date of arrival in each country you are visiting. It is also to be sure that there is sufficient space in your passport to allow for all immigrations procedures. At least 3 blank pages are required due to the full page visas used in South East Asia.

When to go

Laos has two seasons. The rainy season runs from May through October and the dry season from November to April. For the most part, Laos is hot, although there is a good deal of fluctuation between summer and winter temperatures at higher elevations. The capital, Vientiane, ranges from the upper 20℃ (mid 70℉) in January to mid 30℃ (mid 90℉) in April and May. In the mountainous region, however, temperatures can plummet to near freezing in December and January. During the rainy season, the highest precipitation is in southern Laos.

Arts and crafts are a colourful representation of the diversity of the peoples and cultures of Southeast Asia. From traditional crafts to modern art, we connect our guests to artists and artisans for a first-hand look into how the art is brought to life.