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Countryside Adventures Team.

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The small, landlocked country of Laos is best visited between October and April, when the weather’s warm and dry throughout.

River travel is best between November and January, when high water levels make passage easy along Laos’ main waterway, the Mekong River. Visiting the Bolaven Plateau is also pleasant at this time of year.

Laos’ geography plays a major part in shaping its climate, and cool temperatures can still be found in the highlands, which lie mainly in northern, eastern and central regions. The ‘green season’ falls between late May and October, when the rains return to the country. However, showers are usually short and sharp, having little impact on your exploration. At this time of year the country comes to life, with waterfalls beginning to flow once more and the lush scenery attracting a variety of wildlife.

Timeless in its rural landscapes and traditional cultures, trekking through Laos is a rewarding experience as you meet locals, visit ethnic minority villages and admire views across rice fields and forests. The far north of the country is particularly scenic, seeing little influence from the modern world, and our Laos travel guides can help you make the most of the area.

Laos also makes a great destination for families, with activities such as boat rides and kayaking appealing to all ages, while those preferring a more luxurious getaway can unwind in one of Laos’ opulent hotels, offering exceptional service and guided excursions to explore the area.

GENERAL WEATHER SUMMARY

November to April: Dry season

May to October: Green season, though it may start a little early in a couple of Laos’ northern provinces.

August is the wettest month.

November to February: Cooler months, You will need warmer clothes for the evenings, the further north the more the requirement for a warm jumper and a pair of socks.

March to April are blisteringly hot.

April is the hottest month.

Pack list you should bring for Holiday in Laos

Passport with minimum 6 month validity left, VERY IMPORTANT!

A  good backpack (good quality)

A  good Travel insurance (check it covers Laos)

A second photo ID other than your passport

Drivers license if you wish to go on the road or rent a bike or a car

Important scans and documents on hardcopy and on a link on your cloud e.g. dropbox or google drive

Blood donor/type card in case of…

Prescriptions for any medication you require. Be assured that most Lao chemists will sell medicine without a script, but if you are searched by immigration it’s good to be able to show you need the medicine you carry.

Credit cards, not all carrying on the same bag please, and not all of them in your day to day wallet

Light sleeping bag or blanket for cleanliness if you hang out at backpacker places, others than that – only for trips around October till February

Sun protection, a hat, mosquito spray and sunscreen(enough of it)

Small towel and swim suit, maybe a light outdoor towel – the waterfalls are inviting!

Good walking shoes andtrekking sandals for activities and flip flops

First aid kit for outdoor activities if you plan such

Earplugs for sleeping and boat trips

Padlock to prevent unwanted searching of your bags

An easy to wash set of long and short cloths for outdoor use

Rain protection as our tours are held rain or shine (especially in June-October)

Basic toiletries and toilet paper

String and hooks to hang your cloths

Games & a good book for on the bus or a quiet night

Small knife, binoculars, head torch/flash light and extra batteries

Candles and lighter make sense, not in hand luggage please

Hygiene kit with soap, tissues, toothbrush, tampons…

MP3 player with some of your beloved music – unless you use your smartphone

HEALTH

As with all travel you should ensure you have up to date travel insurance that covers you in Laos.

Pharmacies are common across all of Laos and are stocked with antibiotics and other medicines and are more often than not, staffed with assistants who speak some English.

Hospitals and clinics are not a high standard but are very well equipped for diagnosing and treating Malaria/Dengue Fever and handling minor ailments and injuries. For anything serious you will need to be transferred to Thailand so in these instances having Travel insurance is a must.

Vientiane is malaria-free, but if you’re visiting remote regions, consider taking anti-malaria medication and using insect repellant with DEET. Get your own individual recommendations from your travel clinic.

SAFETY

Laos is fairly free of crime in tourist areas. Pickpocketing is rare, but you should still be careful in crowded areas. Never leave luggage unattended.

Penalties for drug possession are severe, and since the early 2000’s Laos has introduced the death penalty for serious drug offences. Take care in bars and restaurants if the word happy is used. This is normally an indication that some form of drug will be part of the ingredients.

Expect a hefty fine up if a foreigner is caught having sexual relations with a Lao person. Please remember that this is also very much against Lao Culture and can affect the Lao person in his or her society well after you have left the country.

It is always best to trek with a qualified tour company and guide when out in remote areas, there are still many areas with UXO’s around.

Do not photograph anything that may have military significance, like airports or military installations.

Mosquito repellant is available but it is extremely hard to find one that contains DEET. Sun lotion is available but normally in small bottles and very limited options. It is advisable to stock up on these products before entering Laos.

Lao Lao or Lao Khao is the local rice whisky and forms a strong part of Lao culture. It is a homemade rice whisky and it can be as little as 20% Alcohol proof up to a staggering 80% +

TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN

The Lao adore children and in many instances will shower attention on your offspring, who will readily find playmates among their Lao peers and a temporary nanny service at practically every stop.

Like many places in Southeast Asia, travelling with children in Laos can be a lot of fun as long as you come prepared with the right attitude. Baby formula and nappies (diapers) are available at mini markets in most towns and cities, but bring along a sufficient supply to rural areas.

For the most part parents needn’t worry too much about health concerns, although it pays to lay down a few ground rules – such as regular hand-washing or using hand-cleansing gel – to head off potential medical problems. All the usual health precautions apply.

LAO FOOD

In Laos, food is the most important activity throughout the day. In the local language, it is quite common for people to greet each other by immediately asking, “Have you eaten food?” (“Kin khao laeo bor?”). Food is often the topic of many conversations, especially when eating and sharing dishes between friends and family. Additionally, Lao people take great passion in sharing traditional dishes with curious travelers.

Lao people were originally migrants from Southern China, composing of many different ethnic groups with distinct languages and cultures. As they moved further South, they brought their traditions along with them. Due to historical Lao migration from the Lao PDR into Thailand and neighbouring countries, Lao cuisine has a much broader recognition in the world. According to Arne Kislenko, there are more ethnic Lao living in Northern Thailand than Lao itself, leading to certain Lao dishes being found far beyond the borders of the Lao PDR. In fact, much of the food in Thailand that is called Isan is traditionally Lao rather than Thai. However, we believe that the best way to try Lao food is by exploring the diversity of cuisines found inside the borders of Laos.

We have compiled a list below of the top ten most famous Lao dishes to try when traveling through the country. If you are adventurous, we recommend exploring local markets for a truly unique culinary experience!

TOP 10 LAO DISHES YOU MUST TRY!

1. STICKY RICE (KHAO NIAW)

Sticky rice is a staple throughout the country. It is commonly said that Lao citizens eat more sticky rice than anyone else in the world. It is traditionally steamed in a cone-shaped bamboo basket, and placed in a covered basket where it is eaten alongside many dishes. In Laos, there should always be sticky rice available to eat at any time of day.

2. MINCED MEAT SALAD (LARB)

This dish is a type of minced meat salad, and widely considered to be the national dish of Laos. You can find Larb made with chicken, beef, duck, fish, or pork. It is usually flavoured with fish sauce, lime juice, fermented fish juice, ground rice, and fresh herbs. It will usually come with a few chilli peppers, which you can avoid eating if you cannot handle spicy food. Larb is an essential dish to pair with sticky rice.

3. GREEN PAPAYA SALAD (TAM MAK HOONG)

Green Papaya Salad is typically made with shreds of unripe papaya. It is of Lao origin, but served in different varieties around the region. Green Papaya Salad was a dish imported to Bangkok from Lao immigrants. It is similar to Thailand’s Som Tam dish, but does not contain peanuts and is usually made with fermented fish sauce. Other ingredients include palm sugar, lime, garlic, tomatoes, dried shrimp, chilis, and raw eggplant. All of these ingredients are pounded together in a traditional mortar and pestle.

4. STEAMED FISH (MOK PA)

Mok Pa is steamed fish that is typically wrapped up in banana leaves and tied with bamboo string. It is prepared with lemongrass, kaffir leaves, green onions, fish sauce, green chilis, shrimp paste, and fresh dill. All these ingredients are mixed together with steamed fish. Mok Pa should never be served dry, and is also another dish that must be paired with sticky rice.

5. BAGUETTE PATÉ (KHAO JII PATÉ)

Due to its French influence, delicious baguettes are commonly found on many streets in Laos. This baguette sandwich largely resembles a Vietnamese Banh Mi, but instead of using cilantro and pickles, the Lao version consists of watercress, grated carrots, and a good amount of chile-garlic sauce. It is a quick meal that can be enjoyed on the go for either breakfast or lunch.

6. WET NOODLES (KHAO PIAK SEN)

Khao Piak Sen is a chewy noodle soup that has a similar consistency to Udon, but it is made with rice instead of wheat. It is considered to be a comfort food in Laos, typically made with pork or chicken, lemongrass, galangal, shallots, garlic, chopped coriander leaves, bean sprouts, and served with freshly sliced limes. The most crucial factor is the broth, which should be slowly cooked with bones for the best flavour. At many restaurants, you will be encouraged to add in your own amount of sugar, chilli sauce, dried chilli powder, fish sauce, or soy sauce.

7. CRISPY RICE SALAD (NAEM KHAO TOD)

Nam Khao Tod is a fresh salad from Laos that is made with deep-fried rice balls, chunks of soured pork sausage, peanuts, grated coconut, fish sauce, dried chili peppers, and other ingredients. It is traditionally eaten as a warp by filling the individual lettuce leaves with the Nam Khao mixture, topped with fresh herbs and dried chilis. Crispy Rice Salad is usually served as an appetiser and it is slowly gaining popularity in the West. However, we recommend eating this dish with locals in Laos for a truly authentic experience.

8. LAO SAUSAGES (SAI UAH, SAI GOK)

Lao-style sausages are an herb-infused meat that are unlike any other sausage you have tried before. These pork sausages are mixed with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir leaves, shallots, cilantro, chillies, and fish sauce. You may also find another variant of this sausage in Laos, known as Soured Lao sausage. In addition to the above ingredients, sticky rice is included and the sausage sits outside for a couple of days before it becomes sour. Sausages are essential to many dishes, and must be eaten by hand with sticky rice.

9. NOODLE SOUP (PHOR)

This noodle soup is a variant of the Vietnamese soup, Phô. It is prepared in a beef broth, and served with alongside a basket of fresh herbs, chilis, limes, and bean sprouts. It is one of the most common soup dishes to find in the country, and the ingredients vary depending on if you are visiting the North or the South of Laos. When ordering a bowl of Pho, you will usually be asked if you want thin or thick rice noodles. After being served, add in some sugar or fresh chilis to match your desired taste and enjoy!

10. LAO BEER (BIA LAO)

While Lao beer is not technically food, it is an essential companion of any dish when your in the country. It is the most famous brand of beer found in Laos, and widely considered to be the best tasting beer in the region. Lao beer is traditionally served with ice in small glasses, where it is enjoyed amongst friends and families. If you find yourself invited for a glass, be prepared to finish a few more bottles than you may expect.

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