LAOS

[mreichel]

Can anybody recommend a tour company/guide to use for a trip to Laos? I am looking for a decent price, but the most important aspect is safety and reputability of guide/company. Thanks

¿Alguien puede recomendar una compania de viajes/guia para un viaje a Laos? Estoy buscando un precio decente y bajo, pero lo mas importante es seguridad y calidad de la guía/compañía. Gracias

Alguem pode recomendar uma companhia/guia da excursão ao uso para um desengate a Laos? Eu estou procurando um preço decent, mas o importante é segurança e calidade da guia/companhia. Obrigado

Est-ce que quelqu'un peut recommander une compagnie/guide d'excursion d'utilisation pour un voyage au Laos ? Je recherche un prix décent, mais le important est sûreté et qualité de guide/de compagnie. Merci

有人可以推荐一本游览公司/指南对于用途为旅行给老挝吗? 我寻找一个正派价格, 最重要地是指南/公司的安全和质量。 谢谢

[sunnisan]

Hey there..I am from Laos myself, although I haven't been there in a while. I really don't have any recommendations for you, I just had a request. If and when you go, could you post some photos for me and everyone else out there. I have been looking for pictures of Laos for a while now. Lots of Thailand, not much Laos. Thank you

[mreichel]

Jai Sa bai dee boh? I had to postpone my trip to Laos to 2005, but when I get there I'll post a ton of photos of course. Right now I'm planning to visit Luang Prabang, Oudomxai Province, and the area around Vientiane. I'll be in Thailand (again - to visit my old host-family) and India in 3 months or so, I'll bring back a ton a photos from there.

Take care,

Matt

[sunnisan]

That's really cool! I hope you have fun and enjoy yourself, but most of all, be careful. Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Sunn

[dgawen]

Don't bother getting a guided tour, you would get there and realise you had wasted money.

The country is really safe, and very well traveled now by backpackers, families etc. Much cheaper than Thailand and the people are quality, really friendly, helpful and a joy to be around. You wont have any problems and because most travelers tend to travel the same way you'll probably bump into the same people the whole way through.

Vientenne is boring compared to Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng, both of which are stunning. Try and enter via Northern Thailand to do the Slow Boat own the Mekong, its getting more and more touristy by the yr. When in LP, make sure you make it to the smaller of the tow waterfalls, you can swim in them, fantastic.

Just rememeber to spend all yr Kip before you get out of the country, you cant change them elsewhere. I took a load of Baht, changing them to Kip as I needed to. Cheap as chips.

Laos is one of the highlights of my trip so far! Have Fun!
http://www.pbase.com/dgawen/july_2004_laos

[dgawen]

who the hell voted 'not very'???

I take it they havent been there in yrs.

[mreichel]

Kohp Jai for the info again! BTW which guesthouse (if you used one) did you go to in Vientiane? Luang Prabang?

[dgawen]

I'll consult the diary and get back to you on that one...cant rememer off hand

our vientenne hostel was 'alright' but i wouldn't ness recommend it, our LP hostel was fantastic, right round corner from nightmarket (brilliant arts, crafts etc, and V cheap food). Manager was V friendly, he even took us to the club just out of town next to the bus-station, organised tuktuks (Jumbos) for us etc.

Dave

[nfl]

Not very???
You must be joking, it's amazing!
--
mybackpackingbuddies.com

[dougj]

nfl - you have to be kidding, this thread is 3 years old......

[nfl]

[vietguide]

Laos is a beautiful and safe country. May be, this is one of the rare countries in the world which not many tourist come. So in Laos, there are still many discovered places, may hidden cultures, charm, beauty waiting for your conquer.

Be quick or every thing will change with the growth of economic

Happy traveling
Bill Nguyen
Marketing manager
http://www.traveltolao.com
http://www.easyvietnamtravel.com
http://www.bienngoccruise.com[/url]

[dalejohn49]

You are more likely to have problems with fellow backpackers than Lao Nationals. And a lot depends on your life style. If you stay out drinking until the early morning hours or get involved in drugs and prostitution, expect problems.
That being said, you are safer in the capital city of Vientane than in any major city in the world. (except for the sometimes very large holes in Vientane sidewalks)

[jurgentreue]

Sabaidee,,,,at this time I'm in Laos for my 4th stint in 3 years..My wife has been working out of Vientiane in Development Aid for the past 4 years..We plan to stay here indefintely this time or until work runs out..To put it simply,,we love the country, the people and culture..

We have lived and travelled through China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos..Let me tell you the Lao (don't call them "Laotions",,they don't really like it) are the kindest most laidback people we have met..

Vientiane is possibly the safest city in Asia,,very little street crime and the Lao generally leave the Falang (foreigners) alone..This is possibly due to very harsh penalities for any crime..Like any city watch your gear and be a bit sensible..

If you go trekking stick to marked paths because Laos has an extremely bad problem with UXOs (unexploded ordinances),,worse than Cambodia..Cluster bombs litter the countryside especially in Savannakhet and Xieng Khoung..Laos has the uneviable reputation of being the most bombed country on this planet..Use trekking companies when trekking..

The dry season from October to February is the best time to visit,,it is cooler and dry..

Jurgen
Laos