Only open to foreigners since 1990, the small land-locked nation of Laos is one of the most charming countries in South East Asia. Much of the country is made up of rugged highland areas with most of the population living in river valleys. The Mekong is the country's life line and a popular way of entering Laos from Thailand as well as exploring the Four Thousand island area of islets, rocks and sandbars to the far south of the country. The most evocative Khmer ruin outside Cambodia, Wat Pho, is also along the southern banks of the Mekong Vientiane is possibly the most modest and laid back of the South East Asian capitals with a number of impressive Wats and a large market. The enchanting former royal capital of Luang Prabang is full of gilded temples, elegant monasteries, French colonial houses and saffron robed monks collecting alms. Tucked into a loop of the Mekong, surrounded by hills, Luang Prabang is the perfect place from which to explore off the beaten track ethnic villages, haggle in local markets, take a boat trip on the Mekong or just to sit in a café enjoying Laos coffee and watching the world stroll by.
There are no direct flights into Laos from the UK; flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang go via Bangkok. You can also enter by boat along the Mekong from Thailand.
Laos has two seasons; the rainy season runs from May through October and the dry season from November to April. Most rain falls in the south. For the most part, Laos is hot, although there is a good deal of fluctuation between summer and winter temperatures at higher elevations. In Vientiane it ranges from the mid-30s Celsius in April to the upper- 20s Celsius in January. In the mountains, however, temperatures can plummet to near freezing in December and January.
British passport holders require visas for Laos. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least 2 blank pages. Visas can only be obtained on arrival in Laos, you will need to provide 1 passport photo, and $35 cash for a visa valid for 30 days.
For information on vaccinations and health requirements, we suggest you contact your GP or a travel clinic such as Fit For Travel at least 2 months prior to departure for advice and to arrange immunisations. Recommended vaccinations for travel to Thailand and Indochina are polio, tetanus, typhoid, meningitis and hepatitis A. We also recommend you take anti-malarial tablets, but please consult your doctor for his/her advice.
Luang Prabang: 15 hours 30 minutes not directVientiane: Approx. 15 hours not direct
Laos is 7 hours ahead of GMT