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Experience an early morning alms giving ceremony in Luang Prabang, an ancient Buddhist tradition. As the sun rises, stand alongside locals as they line the streets donating food to orange-robed monks.
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Marvel at Luang Prabang's Golden Temple, Wat Xieng Thongm, one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Laos.
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Gaze at the intricately gilded bas-relief facade of Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, or Wat Mai, the largest temple in Luang Prabang.
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Climb to the top of Mount Phu Si in Luang Prabang for impressive birdseye views of the city.
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Relax with a traditional massage at Muang La Lodge, an idylic rural boutique hotel.
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Discover Laos's many indigenous hill tribes from your base at Muang La Resort, located in the north of the country.
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A large part of Laos' charm is her rural hinterlands which boast some utterly ravishing nature and friendly local villages like this, which surrounds Muang La Lodge.
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Located just outside Luang Prabang, La Residence Phou Vao has an infinity pool to die for with awesome views over the surrounding landscape.
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Cruise along the Mekong River in a long tail boat, the traditional sailing vessel of the region.
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Go to town at one of Luang Prabang's many night markets, famous for local textiles and intricate jewellery.
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While in Vientiane, Laos's capital city, visit Si Saket Temple, a fine example of Siamese Buddhist architecture and the oldest temple in the city.
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Gaze out over the calming and picturesque Nam Song river in Vang Vieng.
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Explore Luang Prabang's many UNESCO World Heritage temples, especially those within the Royal Palace complex.
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Feast on an array of chillies and local vegetables at one of Luang Prabang's many colourful street markets.
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Explore the picture-perfect Kuang Si Falls, just a few miles from Luang Prabang.
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Go for a refreshing dip in the many pools that gather below the Kuang Si Falls.
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There is nowhere nicer in Luang Prabang to while away an afternoon than by the poolside at Amantaka, the city's most exclsuive hotel.
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Stay in one of Amantaka's Khan Pool Suites in Luang Prabang. With their own private pools and outdoor lounge areas, you can be guaranteed a perfect stay.
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Admire one of Luang Prabang's spectacular sunsets from your base at Amantaka.
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Nestled in the heart of leafy Luang Prabang, the Three Nagas is a charming boutique hotel. Stay in one of the hotel's three UNESCO World Heritage Buildings, all of which are over a century old.
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If you have a spirit for adventure, we couldn't recommend a stay at Rosewood Luang Prabang more. This tented eco-lodge offers luxury camping at its finest.
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Rosewood Luang Prabang's tents show the acclaimed designer Bill Bensley's inventive vision to its full effect.
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Rest poolside at La Folie, Si Phan Don with a cooling drink in hand. As the day winds to an end, you can enjoy a striking sunset reflecting over the Mekong river here.
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Treat yourself to a relaxing massage while staying at one of our favourite hotels, Settha Palace in Vientiane.
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Laos: Best time to go
Laos has two seasons: the rainy season, which runs from May to October, and the dry season, which runs 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.
N.B. All information given here is to the best of our knowledge, however, changes do occur, sometimes at short notice. Ampersand cannot be held liable for such happenings. Of course, if you have any tips that you feel would benefit other travellers, please pass them onto us and we will add them.
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 or Cambodia, and from Vietnam or China by land.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate visa(s) for your trip.
British passport holders require visas for Laos. Visas can only be obtained on arrival in Laos, they cost $35 and are valid for 30 days. You will need to provide 1 passport photo on application. Passports must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for 6 months after your return from Laos.
It is essential to visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations prior to travel. Risk for vaccine preventable diseases can change at any time. MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad) can supply a quick and easy online Travel Health Brief. This includes easy to understand vaccination advice for single or multi-country trips. Their website is www.masta-travel-health.com.
London - Luang Prabang: There are no direct flights from London to Luang Prabang. The best route would be to fly via Bangkok with Thai Airways. With a short connection, the flying time is usually 15 hours.
London - Vientiane: There are no direct flights from London to Luang Prabang. The best route would be to fly via Bangkok with Thai Airways. With a short connection, the flying time is usually 16 hours.
We highly recommend you reconfirm your onward and return international flights at least 72 hours prior to departure.
Places of Interest
Accommodation
