Enjoy your holiday with maximize your
Authentic Lao experience
Eat Lao food - Purchasing fresh foods in the market and eating Lao dishes ensures that your money stays local and supports Lao farmers. When on a tour, request to eat in the village instead of taking food with you from town. This will provide villagers with income and you with an authentic Lao meal and tremendous cultural experience. Purchasing handicrafts in markets or villages directly supports local artisans and their traditional crafts. Taking a village guide and/or a local guide from town will makes your trip more enjoyable and educational, while helping employ local people. Look for packaged tours that include local guides, local food and local accommodation. Staying overnight in a village as part of an organized tour provides a genuine experience with Lao culture and Lao people, Remember to compensate villagers for accommodation and for food and to visit villages with a local guide. Visiting national protected areas help generate income and awareness to support the protection of threatened wildlife and forest ecosystems.
In addition, we recommend that you view the Do’s and Don’ts to learn about what you can do to minimize negative impacts on Lao culture and the environment and maximize your authentic Lao experience.
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Provincial Highlights
Laos’ 18 provinces present a diverse natural and cultural landscape with a myriad of ecotourism activities.
Waterfalls
Laos ' high annual rainfall, mountainous terrain and extensive river system create some of the most impressive waterfalls in the world. In fact, the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia, Khone Phapeng, is located in Laos. Laotian people often use waterfalls (called tad in Lao language) for weekend getaways, picnics and family get-togethers. Thus, many waterfalls have relaxing rest stops, accommodation and locally guided tours. Below is a list of some of the more popular waterfalls in Laos.
Rivers
Covering more than 40% of the Mekong 's catchment area, Laos has many excellent rivers that traverse dense jungle, deep gorges and sometimes flow through extensive cave systems.
Lao rivers can be either wild and challenging or mellow and mild depending on the season. They also vary considerably in their depths, some navigable all year round, and others revealing riverbed rocks when flows are slow and water levels low.
Wild Orchids
Orchids are found in all the forest types of Laos, and although 335 species have been recorded officially, it is certain that many more species are yet to be discovered.
Trekking in Laos
Explore the mountains and forests of Laos on a 1- to 3-day trek or longer, and visit remote ethnic villages, journey to hidden waterfalls and caves, spot birds and other wildlife and investigate ruins of ancient civilizations.
