This is a post with very little practical value. Laos is my favourite place in the whole world, and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that. I wonder which places in the PDR are other people's favourites? I have two I can't split: The Katamtak waterfall and Mr Boune Hom's Bungalows on Don Dhet. The falls are really not very impressive compared to some, but they are so deserted and such a bugger to get to, that being there is really quite special. Certainly you've proven your trail bike riding ...
Viewed 83,707 times, with 122 replies.
Hi all, If you have done the Huay Xai - Pakbeng - Luang Prabang boat trip by slow boat, please post in this thread when you did it and a rough idea of how many people were on the boat with you. This is to give other readers who are weighing up doing the trip an idea regards to overcrowding on the boat. As always, my humble thanks! ...
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Hi, what a fantastic website! have been reading non-stop. Heres my dilema... I will have 26 days to explore Thailand and Laos in Jan, I especially would like to see much of Laos. I start off in Phuket ( Islands/beaches etc) will take overnight train to Bangkok. Then off to Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya, then an overnight trip to Chiang Mai. I would then like to spend a good amount of time going through there and into Laos. And finishing up by taking the train from Vientiane to Bangko ...
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My Northern Laos Trip: Beginning to End
My Northern Laos Trip: Beginning to End I travelled around Northern Laos for just under a month from the 29th September onwards, moving fairly slowly south through Laos beginning in Luang Nam Tha and ending in Vientiane. This is more about information than sharing stories of my trip. Border Crossing I travelled from Kunming (capital of Yunnan province, China) to Mengla, where buses run to the border and beyond. There is a direct, overnight sleeper bus [more than one] from Kunming to M ...
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Hi, I'm somtam2000 and I'll be moderating the Travelfish travel board. I'm here to answer all your questions -- or at least the ones I know the answer to -- as for those that are mysteries to me, perhaps other Travelfish members will be able to answer. You'll see you need to be a member to post a new question or answer an existing one, but if you're already a Travelfish member, you don't need to join again. Your existing login works just fine. A few of general pointers; 1) I do have to ...
Viewed 15,511 times, with 2 replies.
Beware Tourist Scam Luang Prabang: alms ceremony
Posted by KMB on 27/2/2020 at 00:57The pre-dawn alms ceremony has, sadly, become a tourist attraction, and so a target for a few local people to make as much money as they can. I read about the ceremony, wanted to observe it respectfully: from a discreet distance, dressed appropriately, no obnoxious filming/photographing -not participating obviously - it is A ceremony of meaning and ritual for Buddhists. I was on a quiet side street in front of my guesthouse. A Lao woman was pushing tourists to benches by the road-side, then she ...
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Malany or Soutchai from Vientiane to Vang Vieng?
Posted by kja on 21/2/2020 at 07:07I believe my public transportation options from Vientiane to Vang Vieng are a minivan by Malany or a minivan or bus (depending on demand) by Soutchai. Any recommendations or information about one or the other? Thanks! ...
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Luang Nam Tha -- car, driver, and guide for a day
Posted by kja on 15/2/2020 at 07:30I plan to visit Luang Nam Tha early this coming May and would like to arrange a car, driver, and English-speaking guide to visit some of the minority villages in the area. Do any of you have recommendations for a specific guide or for a service that will arrange one? If the information is helpful, I currently plan 3 nights at the Thoulasith Guesthouse. Many thanks! ...
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Advice for first-time visitor to Laos
Posted by Birney on 24/1/2020 at 20:52My original plan for my first visit to Laos in late March is three or four nights in Luang Prabang , then by bus to Vang Vieng where I'll stay two or three nights. Then to Vientiane for a night or two before leaving the country. An alternative would be to go from Luang Prabang to Nong Kiaow and/or Muang Ngoi for a couple days then back to LP to catch a plane to Vientiane, thus skipping Vang Vieng. Also I just read Luang Prabang in March is hot, dry and smoky. Would love to hear ...
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Hello All, I was wondering if you could give me any advice on a good travel agency in Luang Prabang for day trips. My hotel doesn't organise them directly but have suggested one. Although I would like to get some tips from you as well. We will be there from the 8th to the 12th of February. Many thanks! Isabella PS: I have tried to search this topic in the forum but without much success, so sorry if it already out there. ...
Viewed 1,585 times, with 2 replies.
Getting to Don Khon from Cambodian border
Posted by geedoc on 18/1/2020 at 07:49Hi, I will be entering Laos overland via the Cambodia/Laos border. I don’t want to go as far as Nakasong if I don’t have to. Can I get to Don Khon without having to go that far north? Ideally, I want to get a boat shortly after entering Laos. I will have a bicycle. I’ll also have some US dollars in the hope to exchange (even if for a bad rate) at a hotel on Don Khon, again, saving me the cycle to Nakasong to use the ATM. Has anyone experience or knowledge on getting to Don Khon this ...
Viewed 1,459 times, with 1 reply.
Hi there, I'm planning a trip in January 2020 to Laos for 4 weeks possibly taking in a bit of Vietnam. The first two weeks will be Vientienne, van vieng, luang prabang etc and will see how I feel about the travelling. I am wondering what the bus travel is like over there, do the vip buses have room, recline etc. I am 53 and need a bit of space to stretch the aches and pains out! Also what are the daytime temps like over there mid 20's? I get more indecisive as I get older and am a bit tempted t ...
Viewed 1,979 times, with 2 replies.
I will be going there to celebrate this new year, cant wait ...
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Cost of tuktuk from Chiang Khong to Friendship Bridge
Posted by katisaun on 29/11/2019 at 19:18We’re heading from Chiangmai to Chiang Khong in December by Greenbus, staying overnight in Chiang Khong. Need to meet Shompoo Cruise at 8:00 am at Thai Immigration. What should we expect to spend for a tuktuk from Chiang Khong to the bridge, and how long will it take? Thanks! ...
Viewed 1,566 times, with 2 replies.
I’ve been hearing that Vang Vieng is less attractive these days because of quite a number of a dune buggies on the trails and roads. We’ve almost decided not to go, and I’d like some feedback from people who’ve been there recently. We are looking for quiet enjoyment of nature, not noisy party like atmosphere. ...
Viewed 1,450 times, with 1 reply.
I want to head off immediately to visit the TKL cave & Tad Saman waterfall after flying in to BKK. Trying to work out the best route. Fly to Ventianne & then bus direct to the cave village & arrange a cave visit with a guesthouse or is it a better way to fly across Thailand? Fly to Nakon Thanom then ferry to Thakhek and arrange travel to cave village from there? Seems a long way off to be based in Thakhek. ...
Viewed 1,602 times, with 1 reply.
Landing in Vientien and want to do the Tha-Khaek-loop -Feasable?
Posted by tomworld9 on 6/3/2019 at 04:06Hi, This will be my first visit to Laos, but unfortunately I will only be there 5 days. I will arrive the evening of March 13 and must be back for noon flight on the 18th. Is it feasible to get to and do the Tha Khaek loop and be back in time for my flight? If so where should I hire a motorbike? I've read the trip guide, but wondered if there were some favorite places not to be missed? accommodations especially inviting? restaurants not to be missed? If you think this is an unrealistic itiner ...
Viewed 3,532 times, with 4 replies.
Vientiane, Laos/Nong Khai, Thailand visa run
Posted by goodmclean on 1/2/2019 at 22:51We will be travelling through Laos for 8 weeks in April/May/June so will need to do a border run to re do our visas. Can we cross from Vientiane into Nong Khai and literally turn around straight away and come back through? Has anyone done this recently and can confirm that it is ok? We are a family of 5 (Mum, Dad, 11, 9, 7) and don’t really want to spend the night in Nong Khai if we don’t have to. We would be happy having lunch or wandering around for a while in Nong Khai if that i ...
Viewed 2,193 times, with 2 replies.
Northern Laos Extensive Kayak Trip seeks travelers
Posted by tilosettmacher on 20/1/2019 at 13:08After a great time along the Nam Tha river for two days in 2015 I want to make it the whole stretch from Luang Namtha to Pak Tha this year, what means a six days kayak adventure downstream. With camping, homestay, guesthouses possibly as well. From Pak Tha (Mekong) the boats to Huai Xai or Pak Beng/Luang Prabang or a bus to Huai Xai are connecting transportation. Is anybody up to share this last river experience, before all rivers in Northern Laos will be damm(n)ed? I am flexible from 1/ ...
Viewed 2,104 times, with 3 replies.
Laos rental car for LP to Sam Neua
Posted by mtnmichelle on 5/1/2019 at 13:54Has anyone on here rented a car to drive the road between Sam Neua and Luang Prabang? We’d like to check out Plain of Jars, Nam Nern night safari and the Pathet Lao caves. I know there is public transport but we rented a car for eastern Thailand in October and it was awesome to just drive ourselves around at our own pace. I’ve found rentals out of LP for $25/day which is not horrible. Please don’t respond back about how bad the drivers are, believe me we know, I just want to know if driv ...
Viewed 2,292 times, with 3 replies.
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