Escorted tours of Laos with Expressions Holidays
Touring holidays to Laos from Expressions Holidays are tailor-made for individuals and offer the opportunity to explore this hidden gem whilst experiencing a slower pace of life, even in the main cities. Expressions Holidays has been organising tailor-made tours and holidays for over twenty years. Our programme of travel experiences and luxury holidays in Laos has been designed with the independent traveller in mind and our personal travel specialists will be delighted to use their first-hand knowledge to tailor-make the perfect Laos holiday itinerary for you from start to finish.
Throughout our escorted tours of Laos, you will enjoy private sightseeing with an English-speaking expert guide at each new destination on your itinerary. If you wish to visit another country in addition to Laos, we also feature other tailor made tours in Indo China (including Vietnam and Cambodia), or you could choose to end your multi-centre touring holiday with a relaxing stay on the beaches of Thailand or Malaysia.
Touring holiday ideas for Laos
Remaining virtually untouched after years of political isolation, its pristine landscapes and intact cultures make Laos the hidden gem of south-east Asia. Although the country is now developing rapidly, the pace of life is much slower than elsewhere in the region and village life is refreshingly simple. Touring in Laos with Expressions Holidays offers you unique sightseeing opportunities with expert guides at the best times of day. Our delightful range of accommodation includes everything from chic, boutique residences to grand, colonial hotels. Our hand-crafted authentic experiences make your bespoke holiday to Laos even more special and can include participating in a traditional baci ceremony alongside monks and villagers or kayaking down the Mekong to the island of Don Deng.
Discover Laos touring holiday: This 11-night escorted tour of Laos includes the small, French-inspired capital of Vientiane, a cruise down the mighty Mekong, a stay in an ecolodge in the emerald triangle region of Champassak and the charming UNESCO World Heritage listed, riverside city of Luang Prabang.
Indo China Experience touring holiday: This 13-night escorted tour of Indo China provides the opportunity to discover the gems of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in comfort and style. Highlights include the grand city of Hanoi, dramatic Ha Long Bay, a cooking class in Hoi An and the sights of old Saigon in Vietnam; the ancient temples of Angkor in Cambodia and a taste of atmospheric Luang Prabang in Laos.
Facts
Laos Country Facts
Our suggested tours of Laos include the capital Vientiane, where colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards intertwine with glittering temple spires and a rich heritage, and the charming, historic city of Luang Prabang. Away from the cities, there is so much more to discover. The forested mountains and hill tribes of northern Laos, the magical Plain of Jars near Phonsavan and the jagged limestone karsts around Vang Vieng. Pakse in southern Laos, with its colonial architecture and colourful markets, is often the jumping off point for cruising south on the Mekong where you will discover the enchanting ‘4000 islands’. It is possible also to include some nature and adventure on your travels through Laos by staying in an eco lodge or cycling, trekking, kayaking or rafting.
Best time to visit Laos
The dry season from November to May begins with lower relative temperatures and cool breezes until mid-February making this the best time to travel. It is best to avoid the hot temperatures of April and May. Southern Laos temperatures can be unbearable from March to May. The southwest monsoon arrives between May and July and lasts into November. The rainy season can actually be a good time to travel with heavy downpours interspersed by sunshine.
Local highlights
A cool beer, watching the sunset over the Mekong in Vientiane; Wat Si Saket, Vientiane’s oldest and most impressive temple; Explore the majestic and pre-Angkorian 10th century ruined temple complex of Vat Phou; the unique Plain of Jars near Phonsavan; Watch traditional riverside life whilst floating down the Mekong River; Uncover the secrets of the mysterious hidden forest temple of Oum Muong; meander amongst the ‘4000 islands’ of the Mekong; Pha Pheng waterfall, ‘the Niagara of the East’, close to the Cambodian border; go in search of the rare Irawaddy river dolphins; ride an elephant to Phou Asa mountain; participate in a village Baci ceremony to welcome the spirits; magnificent Wat Xieng with its intricate mosaics in Luang Prabang; traditional coffee shops and the smell of freshly baking baguettes; climb up the steps to the top of Mount Phousi for a panoramic view of the ancient royal city of Luang Prabang; shop in colourful day and night markets; explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves full of thousands of Buddha images; rise early to observe the daily ‘alms giving’ ritual of saffron-clad monks in Luang Prabang.
Getting out and about
The main mode of transport in our touring itineraries is by car. More than 4600km of navigable rivers are the highways and byways of traditional Laos. The Mekong is the longest and most important route, although river transport is declining now as new roads open up. The road infrastructure is quite basic, but the light and relatively slow traffic make it easy to get around. Because of this, Laos is the best country for cycling in the region.
Travel arrangements
There are international airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse. Indirect scheduled flights from the UK are operated by Thai Airways, Malaysian Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. The flight time is approximately 13 hours.