Laos is a land locked country that is often overlooked because of the popularity of its neighbors, especially Vietnam and Thailand but its popularity is rising, and rightly so. It’s a fairly poor country, mountainous and beautiful.

Our Laos Travel FAQ aims to give you all you should know if you take a holiday in Laos; visas, language, money, food, climate, places to see and the time difference. Laos is a mountainous land-locked country west of Vietnam and north of Cambodia.

Visa travel is the norm these days but countries like Laos have realised that it is important to make them readily available to tourists on Laos travel packages. A good Laos tour operator will certainly be able to advise you about the requirements. In most cases a visa can now be obtained on arrival; the main airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse are the most popular places of entry and each has the facility to provide a visa if needed.

The Lao are a strand of the Tai people of South East Asia; the Al Lao were mentioned as long ago as the Hang Dynasty in China and Vietnam in what is now Yunnan Province.

Even though external influences have brought change to Laos traditions prevail particularly on special occasions. That is reflected in clothes. While in urban areas western style clothing is seen regularly during the working day Lao people have certainly held on to the colourful clothing that they take out whenever there is something to celebrate.

Laos remains a fairly poor country but that does not mean that it is not making great strides. Certainly, the increased number of overseas visitors booking Laos travel packages is helping the economy and the positive experience that Laos is providing should ensure tourism continues to grow.

Superficially Indochina is Buddhist but there is more to it than that. Tradition plays a role in Laotian life and the spirits play a role, especially amongst the small ethnic tribes. In total, there are around 50 such groups. Buddhism in the region dates back to the 8th Century and over succeeding centuries it spread. Laos kings were patrons of the religion which was adopted as the national religion in the 16th Century.

Buddhism is central to life in Laos and that is reflected in the number of festivals and events throughout the year that celebrate the fact. Animism plays its part as well and whenever you book a Laos tour package

Laos has many attractions; the natural environment, culture and history. Music and the arts make an important contribution of life as well and those who book Laos travel packages are likely to see and hear traditional performances. They have developed over many centuries and there is determination that such things will continue to live on.

The ancient town of Luang Prabang in the center of northern Laos has been described as one of the most charming and best preserved towns in Southeast Asia. There are 34 Buddhist temples among Luang Prabang's colonial and Chinese architectures, all set in a backdrop of lush green mountains.

Travellers to exotic countries inevitably bring back great memories, an album of photographs and usually some local craft souvenirs/ If you take a Laos travel package

Laos is a beautiful and enchanting country in SE Asia. Fascinating Buddhist culture is combined with jungle-clad valleys and mist-shrouded mountain peaks to create a perfect destination for the luxury tourists to independent travellers.

Laos has certainly benefitted from the growth of tourism in its near-neighbour, Vietnam. As an increasing number of tourists have experienced the joys of one country in Indochina

Take your time to discover and experience the Lao way of life with one of our wonderful bike and cycling excursions in Laos. Meet people, and discover hidden places and the secrets of Laos and Thailand on a 1-3 week guided biking tour. You will find fewer people and more nature when you cycle in beautiful remote Laos!

With doors now open, visit Laos to uncover a small, charming country untouched by foreign influence. Gain a true glimpse of traditional Southeast Asian life. The kind of simple, leisurely lifestyle that is hard to come by nowadays. All set against a striking backdrop of wild mountains, dense forests, and the great Mekong river. Laos is a country of romance and mystery.