Laos Tours

Famed as one of the world’s greatest rivers, the Mekong is the lifeline of Laos. It snakes all the way from Laos’ northern border with Thailand, down to the country’s cities of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Then it continues westwards, following Laos’ border towards the far south.

This waterway is essential to the lives of many locals, and a river cruise is an excellent way to see just how crucial the Mekong is. Whether you embark on a two-day journey crossing from Northern Thailand into Laos, a romantic sunset sail, or you simply admire the waters from a riverside terrace, you must see the Mekong during your tour of Laos.

From the fairytale-like waterfalls of Luang Prabang, to the hot-air balloon rides of Vang Vieng, to the buzzy night markets of Vientiane – there are several charming urban hotspots to visit in Laos.

The lovely city of Luang Prabang is considered the country’s beating, spiritual heart. Here, you’ll find a diverse mix of delightful Buddhist temples, natural sights, striking Indochina architecture, and mouth-watering food.

Elsewhere, Vang Vieng lies between the capital of Vientiane and Luang Prabang. A favourite with backpackers, this small town used to have a wild reputation for its river tubing and lively nightlife. But it’s much calmer now, and makes for a pleasant stop during your tour. You can admire the surrounding jungle as you float down the Nam Song River on your tube, stopping off during the route as you please. And make sure you check out Tham Phu Kham Cave, which is popular for its turquoise lagoon and bronze Buddha statue.

As well as its looming mountains, Laos is known for its vast forests and enchanting waterfalls. The country is landlocked, so you might be surprised that it’s home to Si Phan Don Islands – which translates to ‘Four Thousand Islands’. This scattering of pretty islands is caused by the Mekong River splitting close to the border between Laos and Cambodia, and is definitely worth a visit. You can kayak between the islets, and you might even see rare Irrawaddy dolphins.

The Bokeo Nature Reserve is another must-visit spot for nature-lovers. Found near the town of Huay Xai, this place is renowned for its conservation work to look after black-cheeked gibbons, which were rediscovered in 1997 after they were believed to be extinct. The park’s also home to elephants, tigers, buffalo and bears. There are plenty of fun jungle activities to try, too, such as zip-lining. And you can stay in tree houses, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding forest.

Many people overlook the cuisine of Laos, preferring to focus on its famous foodie neighbours, Thailand and Vietnam.

Laotian food can be compared with Northern Thai food, as there’s a cross-over of ingredients and flavours. However, Laotian food comes with a distinctive twist. Be sure to try much-loved dishes like Or Lam – a hearty meat, bean and aubergine stew – and Larb, which is a tasty meat salad and Laos’ unofficial national dish.

The French colonial influences are also still very much present in the cuisine. You’ll notice freshly-baked baguettes on the capital's streets, and Parisian-style cafés found across the country’s towns and cities.