Laos

Description

Laos

Squeezed in between Thailand and Vietnam is the landlocked country of Laos. Main feature of Laos is the Mekong River. The Mekong enters Laos from China in the north, forms most of its western border with Burma and Thailand, and then leaves Laos in the south to enter Cambodia. Away from the Mekong, Laos is a largely mountaineous country of steep hills, rugged ranges and narrow valleys covered in jungle. No easy terrain to travel around, even on foot, so transportation by boat of goods and people on the Mekong and its tributaries has always been very important to the Laotians. Still today, roads into the interior are few and often in a bad state during the rainy season. As a result the hills and mountains of Laos are by definition remote and sparsely populated by a myriad of hill tribes displaying astounding ethnolinguistic diversity. Highest mountains are found in the northern half of Laos, and in the Annamite Mountain Range running north-south to form the eastern border with Vietnam.

In recent years, numerous community-based trekking possibilities have sprung up across Laos, focusing on experiencing nature and meeting ethnic minorities. Local guides will lead you across the fields into the tropical jungles and mountains from one village to the next, sometimes camping out, wading through rivers and involving an occasional steep climb. Popular starting point for 2- and 3-day treks are the northern towns of Luang Namtha, Udomxay and Phongsali. Hiking is possible in Xiengkhouang province, including the mysterious ancient Plain of Jars. Further south there are some nice trekking options in National Protected Areas (NPA's) in the province of Savannakhet, and in Champasak and Attapeu, both on the border with Cambodia. To get started, just take a look at the Ecotourism Laos website for inspiration and details.

Best time to go hiking is during the dry season, roughly from November till April, although it can get stiflingly hot in March and April in the lower regions. During the monsoon rains, getting around is a muddy affair or even impossible.

Trails

Regions

Mountains

Books

Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Sheila's Guide to Fast & Easy Chiang Mai
  • Have you ever visited Chiang Mai in the far north of Thailand? Located in “The Golden Triangle,” where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet? Chiang Mai is world’s apart from big sister, Bangkok. This area in the Himalayan foothills is known for its mountainous beauty, jungle trekking (try elephant riding), ruins, hill tribes, and “Wats,” (the Thai... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
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Bol.com
Belgium
  • Sheila's Guide to Fast & Easy Chiang Mai
  • Have you ever visited Chiang Mai in the far north of Thailand? Located in “The Golden Triangle,” where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet? Chiang Mai is world’s apart from big sister, Bangkok. This area in the Himalayan foothills is known for its mountainous beauty, jungle trekking (try elephant riding), ruins, hill tribes, and “Wats,” (the Thai... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2013
  • Reisgids Kunstreiseführer Vietnam, Kambodscha und Laos | Dumont
  • Man sieht nur, was man weiß - wer nach dieser Devise reist, braucht einen Reiseführer mit Tiefgang und mit profunden Informationen. Der Kunst-Reiseführer Vietnam, Kambodscha und Laos beinhaltet all das, was man als kulturinteressierter Reisender gerne lesen und wissen möchte - insbesondere eine Einführung in die vielfältigen Kulturen der Länder... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The Last Unicorn
  • An award-winning author's quest to find and understand a creature as rare and enigmatic as any on EarthIn 1992, in a remote mountain range, a team of scientists discovered the remains of an unusual animal with exquisite long horns. It turned out to be a living species new to Western science--a saola, the first large land mammal discovered in... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The Last Unicorn
  • An award-winning author's quest to find and understand a creature as rare and enigmatic as any on EarthIn 1992, in a remote mountain range, a team of scientists discovered the remains of an unusual animal with exquisite long horns. It turned out to be a living species new to Western science--a saola, the first large land mammal discovered in... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The Last Unicorn
  • In 1992, in a remote mountain range, a team of scientists discovered the remains of an unusual animal with beautiful long horns. It turned out to be a living species new to western science -- a saola, the first large land mammal discovered in 50 years.Rare then and rarer now, no westerner had glimpsed a live saola before Pulitzer Prize finalist... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The Last Unicorn
  • In 1992, in a remote mountain range, a team of scientists discovered the remains of an unusual animal with beautiful long horns. It turned out to be a living species new to western science -- a saola, the first large land mammal discovered in 50 years.Rare then and rarer now, no westerner had glimpsed a live saola before Pulitzer Prize finalist... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2011
  • Reisgids Culture Shock! Laos | Marshall Cavendish
  • The CultureShock! series is a dynamic and indispensable range of guides for those travellers who are looking to truly understand the countries they are visiting. Each title explains the customs, traditions, social and business etiquette in a lively and informative style. CultureShock! authors, all of whom have experienced the joys and pitfalls... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Lonely Planet Laos
  • Discover Laos Weave your own path through the temple-lined streets of World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang.Find out why Katang villagers sleep with their heads pointed towards an outside wall.Explore the ancient Khmer's 'imitation of heaven' at mystical Wat Phu Champasak.Join locals for a riverside Beerlao as the sun sets over the Mekong in... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Lonely Planet Laos
  • Discover Laos Weave your own path through the temple-lined streets of World Heritage-listed Luang Prabang.Find out why Katang villagers sleep with their heads pointed towards an outside wall.Explore the ancient Khmer's 'imitation of heaven' at mystical Wat Phu Champasak.Join locals for a riverside Beerlao as the sun sets over the Mekong in... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Killing for profit
  • Rhino horn is worth more than cocaine, heroin or even gold on the black markets of Southeast Asia and China. Now, Killing for Profit brings you the story of one man s journey into a violent underworld where ruthless criminal syndicates will stop at nothing to attain their prize a tale of greed and corruption and of an increasingly desperate... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Killing for profit
  • Rhino horn is worth more than cocaine, heroin or even gold on the black markets of Southeast Asia and China. Now, Killing for Profit brings you the story of one man s journey into a violent underworld where ruthless criminal syndicates will stop at nothing to attain their prize a tale of greed and corruption and of an increasingly desperate... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2020
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Reisgids Capitool Reisgidsen Cambodja & Laos | Unieboek
  • Capitool Cambodja & Laos: de ideale reisgids voor jouw reis naar Cambodja & Laos Het is de luxe reisgids voor levensgenieters Met een zorgvuldig samengestelde inhoud van zeer hoge kwaliteit Met vele schitterende foto’s en illustraties Bestand tegen intensief gebruik, voor, tijdens en na je reis En de gids die je nog lang zult bewaren samen met... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • The Rough Guide to Laos
  • The Rough Guide to Laos is your definitive guide to this fascinating country. The 24-page full-colour introduction highlights all the "things not to miss", from the Buddhist temples of Louang Phabang to the French colonial architecture of Vientiane, Laos'' capital. The guide reviews all the top places to stay, eat and drink to suit every budget... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • The Rough Guide to Laos
  • The Rough Guide to Laos is your definitive guide to this fascinating country. The 24-page full-colour introduction highlights all the "things not to miss", from the Buddhist temples of Louang Phabang to the French colonial architecture of Vientiane, Laos'' capital. The guide reviews all the top places to stay, eat and drink to suit every budget... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Rough Guide to Laos
  • This guide features detailed coverage of the sights of Laos from the Buddhist temples of Louang Phabang to the French colonial architecture of Vientiane and the mysterious Khmer ruins at Wat Phou. There are detailed listings of the best places to eat and stay, as well as incisive articles on the history of Laos, its religion, arts, peoples and... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Rough Guide to Laos
  • This guide features detailed coverage of the sights of Laos from the Buddhist temples of Louang Phabang to the French colonial architecture of Vientiane and the mysterious Khmer ruins at Wat Phou. There are detailed listings of the best places to eat and stay, as well as incisive articles on the history of Laos, its religion, arts, peoples and... Read more
» Click to close
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2017
  • Reisgids Trotter Laos | Lannoo
  • Veel aandacht voor praktische informatie als hotels en restaurants en musea, maar ook soms wat beperkte beschrijvingen van bezienswaardigheden. Handig zijn de vele plattegronden: verrassend en verfrissend geschreven! - Het echte verhaal achter de klassieke trekpleisters - Tips om de verborgen parels buiten de platgetreden paden te verkennen -... Read more
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Laos Periplus Travel Map
  • Laos at 1:2,000,000 from Periplus with more detailed enlargements of several most visited areas, plus indexed street plans of the country’s main cities: Vientiane Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, Vang Vieng and Pakxe.On one side is a general map of the whole country showing its road and rail networks. Local airports are marked and numerous places of... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
De Zwerver
Netherlands
De Zwerver
Netherlands
More maps…

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