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Exploring Laos

When to Visit Laos

Laos has one of the simplest weather patterns in Southeast Asia; with two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from October to April and the wet season is from May to September; however, it is becoming harder to predict the rainy season – in some years, the rainy season has held off until June or July!

Of course when we say ‘rainy season’ it does not rain all day, every day. In fact, it is actually one of our favourite seasons in Laos because the temperatures are perfect and everything is so green – it’s the prettiest time of year for this rural paradise but you can expect outbreaks (that are often short) of strong and hard downpours.

The early months of the wet season (May – July) remain very hot and rainfall is often short lived, whilst in the latter months (late July – September) the rains tend to get more constant and can be heavy at times, especially in southern parts of the country. Further north and in Luang Prabang, rainfall tends to be lighter and you can expect rain during the night or mornings with some relatively clear afternoons.

The hottest time of the year is March – June and the coldest time of the year is December and January. As to how hot and cold it is in these times really depends on the altitude of the area and if it is in the north or the south. As a general rule north, central and eastern regions are at a higher altitude than those in the south, where it’s at the lowest.

In Luang Prabang, for example, temperatures are often around 17°C during the day in December and January while nights and early mornings can be chilly. Once you reach March, temperatures start to rise and come April and May it can peak as high as 31°C+. We do always recommend taking a jumper with you for the evenings in Laos, unless you are travelling at the hottest time of year.

 

Luang Prabang
This delightful Unesco-heritage protected town has some of the finest architecture, food and temples of all of Laos (as well as lots of cute boutique shops!) You could spend days in this delightful town, which has two rivers running through it, whilst exploring nearby caves, waterfalls and elephant camps.
Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands)
This cluster of islands caught in the middle of the mighty flowing Mekong is the perfect place to chill for a couple of days. Cycling to waterfalls, spotting rare river dolphins, chilling in hammocks and watching the sunset over the Mekong are all in the order of the day here.
Champasak & The Bolaven Plateau
The Bolaven Plateau is not to be missed by any die-hard coffee fans! This idyllic, hilly region is where the finest coffee in Laos grows and we have some wonderful day tours on offer here - you can even spend the night at a family home on a traditional coffee plantation. Nearby Champasak has some wonderful luxurious riverside accommodation (some of the best in Laos) and a sunrise trip to Wat Phou Temple must not be missed.
Vientiane
The riverside capital of Laos is home to some of the country's finest restaurants, spas and cafes, not to mention a fantastic collection of boutique hotels... it is the perfect place to indulge your tastebuds and senses for a day or two. Nearby there are a number of impressive temples and cultural sights which are ideal to explore by bicycle.
Vang Vieng
Something of an outdoor lover's paradise, Vang Vieng, which is set on Nam Song River, is the perfect place for anyone seeking nature based activities - as well as some more adrenalin-seeking adventures. It's backdrop of serene cliffs and vibrant green paddy fields, coupled with an excellent selection of boutique hotels, make it the ideal place to chill for a day or two.
Vieng Xai Caves
This fascinating wartime cave hideout is set in beautiful gardens backed by delightful karst scenery. It is ideal for those who are travelling onwards to Vietnam and crossing at the land border - or vice versa.

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