Laos - Before you go
Highlights | Know before you go | Trips ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A valid passport with entry visa is required for all visitors. A 15 day
tourist visa can be issued upon arrival at Wattay International airport
in Vientiane and on the Friendship Bridge crossing the Mekong River near
Nong Khai, Thailand. Please note you must have US$50 in cash upon arrival
at Wattay or at the bridge. Please consult your nearest Embassy for up
to date information.
CUSTOMS
You are not supposed to enter the country with more than 1 litre of distilled
spirits or 500 cigarettes. All the usual prohibitions on drugs, weapons
and pornography apply. Antique items such as Buddha images and other old
cultural artifacts are prohibited to be taken out of Laos.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
A US$ 5.00 departure tax is to be paid at the airport.
LANGUAGE
The Laos language is officially called Lao and it is a monosyllabic and
tonal language. In the cities and towns of the Mekong river valley, French
is intermittently understood. Try and learn some of the following basic
greetings before arriving, the rewards are well worth the effort and will
earn you great respect.
| Hello How are you? I'm fine Thank You Excuse me How much is this? Too expensive Zero One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten |
Sabaai-dii Sabaai-dii baw? Sabaai-dii Khawp jai Khaw thoht An-nii thao dai? Laakhaa phaeng laai Suun Neung Sawng Saam Sii Haa Hok Jet Paet Kao Sip |
LOCAL TIME
Laos, like Thailand, is seven hours ahead of GMT.
INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CODE
+856
RELIGION
Around 60% of the Laos population are Theravada Buddhists. A small number of Lao are Christians, largely the remaining French educated elite. A number of Mulsims live in Vientiane, mostly Arab & Indian merchants. Also a small number of Chams and Cambodian Muslims who fled Pol Pot's Democratic Kampuchea in the 1970s reside in Vientiane.
CLIMATE & WEATHER
Laos' seasons are split into three distinct zones, the monsoon (between May & July and lasts into November), the dry season (November to February) and the hot season (March to May). Temperatures in the mountainous provinces can change drastically. Variations within the seasons and between years can alter these monthly guidelines.
MONEY
The Laos official unit of currency is the Kip but in reality the Thai Baht, US$ and Kip are all used in daily transactions. In the smaller towns and villages Kip will be preferred and in cities kip is preferred for small purchases. The kip comes in denominations of one, five, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 kip. Laos has no restrictions on the amount of money you can exchange upon entry.
In Vientiane a number of the large hotel chains accept Visa, Mastercard and AMEX but once out of the city Credit Cards are useless.
HEALTH
No compulsory immunisations are required for Laos. Please note that immunisation against Yellow Fever is compulsory if you are coming from an infected area. Please contact your local Doctor for further details and vaccinations that you should consider for your expedition.
INSURANCE
It is a condition of booking that you take out an adequate personal insurance policy for the full period of travel.
STAFF
On all Laos expeditions our partners provide a leader assisted by guides, drivers and other staff as appropriate.
SUGGESTED THINGS TO BRING
Sunglasses
Umbrella
Rucksack
Lightweight hiking boots or trainers
Binoculars
Sun Cream
Sun Hat
Reading materials
Camera & plenty of films (slide film is difficult to obtain)
Mosquito Repellent, both lotion and electrical
Light casual clothing, preferably cotton is suitable all year round. A cardigan or light jacket is recommended when visiting Northern Laos in the cold season.
Sandals or slippers are convenient when visiting temples
Modest bathing suit
Swiss Army Knife
Photocopies of essential documents
