are you going to visit Laos--any question please ask me?

Frankie, from my visit I would say at least 2 days in Vientianne. Go check out Buddha Park beyond the Friendship Bridge one day and sights in the city on the 2nd day.

I'd say its safe to travel overnight to LP but the road is very twisty beyond Vang Vieng and you might not get much sleep on the bus. There are some spectacular sights on route 13 and its almost a shame to miss the views during the night from the bus.

Again at least 2 days maybe 3 in LP...Batu Caves, Kuang Si Waterfalls (If I remember right) and then a day chilling in the town.

My biggest piece of advice is not to rush through Laos as the pace of life and warmth of the locals is infectious. Be warned, you can quickly find your visa running out!! Reply to this

Jay,

Thanks a lot for your advice. At least I can now finalize our travel itinerary for Laos.

Have a good day!

Regards,
Frankie Reply to this

Not sure John. We made a point of just turning up in places and seeing what the options are. There will always be people offering accommodation when you get off the buses, boats etc. If your wanting somewhere quite nice and central I'd maybe think about booking something. Reply to this

Your flying into Luang Prabang right....Why not fly to Chiang Rai and travel up to the border. Easiest way to meet like minded travelers is start with the 2 day slow boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. You'll end up travelling with or just meeting the same people for the next month probably!!!

On a serious note, do have fun but do respect the culture, customs and laws..If you go to Vang Vieng, be warned, the police make a fortune off travelers who are stupid enough to buy weed, unless you want to throw away a lot of money just to stay out of jail!!! Respect the locals and they will respect you....I'm sure Jay would agree with me.. Reply to this

oh yes i have been to thailand before and fully respect the culture of others, i hear people say it is quite easy to buy weed and such in laos, if you keep yourself to yourself is it possible to stay away from the law...? like JAY says if you get in with the locals you should be ok?
i looked into the traveling you mentioned from chang rai by slow boat, but i dont no if the girlfriend is to keen on the idea as she has read the bad reviews on it, what do you think?
thanks again Reply to this

ASBO uv been great thanks
i can see myself enjoying laos very much and will continue onto cambodia for 30 days if that is the case.. if not i will retreat to a gorgeous beach somwhere in thailand...
thanks again Reply to this

You're almost better to do the opposite route...although depends how your coming into Laos.

If you come into Huay Xai, do the gibbons from there, do the 2 day slow boat to Luang Prabang. From LP take the bus to Vang Vieng. It seems to be attracting a lot of people now who just want to hang out at the bars on the river and get wasted, but I'd recommend getting away from that by hiring a bicycle for the day and go explore some caves. From VV then on to Vientianne.

If its culture, nature and tradition forget about tubing in VV....

I absolutely loved the Gibbons Experience. There is the Flight of the Gibbon in Chiang Mai that has nothing on the Gibbons Ex!! Get out my blog on the Gibbons Ex..

If you definitely want to go from Vientianne north, from Luang Prabang take a bus to Luang Nam Tha. Some excellent and easy trekking there and very easy terrain to explore on a bike. You can then take a local bus that goes to Huay Xai, but leave a day before and you can jump off in a tiny village, stay the night and the Gibbons guys will pick you up from there. After the Gibbons its super easy to get to Chiang Mai in the same day.

Have fun and any questions I'm happy to pass on my experiences. Reply to this

No question is a stupid question!! You can do the slow boat the other direction. Its not as popular with travellers...if your looking to meet new people and faces then the Huay Xai to LP is the better option.

No I haven't heard about that new tour..one more reason for me to go back!! If you do go and do that make sure you post on the board your blog!! Reply to this

Hey Jay and others,

We are travelling to Laos this October.
* I am told there is an annual festival in Luang Prabang that happens around this time of the year. Can you give some more details - When exactly is it? What are the highlights ? Is it wise to travel to LP at this time without a room reservation ?
* I am interested in seeing some caves / beautiful countryside and not the least bothered about tubing. Which is a better bet between Van Vieng and Muang Ngoi considering I do not mind to goto VV provided I can stay away from the tubing and bar scene.

Thanks Much for your advice Reply to this

Hi Ak

Yes there is annual festival throughout the country on oct, it is called boat racing festival or the end of Buddhist lent ,( 23-24 Oct) Luangprabang must be a nice place to visit as well as other places in Laos.
to see the cave? yes konglor cave in Khammuane province is stunning as ASBO mentioned above, there are many beautiful caves in Khammuance province,
Tham an ( 10 km from Thakhek)
ThamPha or Buddha cave ( where the hundred golden Buddhas has discovered in few years ago )
if you visit Luangprabang, Yes.. Thamting cave is worth to visit as well.

good luck.

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