Road trips in Laos

Laos is off the radar and a little bit wild

While small, landlocked, and still developing, a Laos travel adventure should not be overlooked! The rugged mountains, vast wilderness, and powerful Mekong river offer awesome off-road Laos adventures. The history of Laos dates back hundreds of years and the country is home to dozens of different ethnic tribes; somewhere around 50 to be precise! You will not be disappointed by the serene natural beauty and vibrant variety of culture hidden in this country as you experience it on two wheels, four, or however you choose.The south of the country, through the Mekong river delta, is relatively flat, but in no way boring! Small, local villages are tucked away around every corner, and offer an incredibly authentic experience of the Laotian culture. The river itself also creates for some exciting adventures, like tubing and rafting, or viewing some of the largest waterfalls in southeast Asia and even the pink freshwater dolphins! Further to the north lies much hillier and mountainous terrain, much of it covered in jungle. This is a great area for any type of off-road Laos adventures. If you are looking for other outdoor adventure, there are opportunities for trekking, kayaking, rock climbing, and elephant visits that focus on conservation.While nature certainly offers plenty of excitement, the culture is no less thrilling. Laos is the least “westernized” and most relaxed of the southeast Asian countries, and still offers a raw, untamed experience. You can visit endless Buddhist temples, architecture from the French colonial period, the iron age megalith structures found on the Plain of Jars, and more. In fact, the entire ancient capital of Luang Prabang has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Other Need-to-Know Information about Laos

The food can be a particularly stimulating part of the culture. Many dishes feature lots of spice, fresh herbs, and vegetables served raw. It might remind you of the food from some of the neighboring regions of Thailand. A national staple is leap, which consists of minced meat combined with herbs, spices, lime juice, and typically, lots and lots of chilies. Be careful of the raw meat versions though! French cuisine is also prevalent throughout the country as it has hung around from the times of French occupation.

The weather in Laos will have a big impact on when you kick off your Laos travel adventure. There are three distinct seasons, consisting of “summer,” the wet season, and the dry season.. Summer only lasts from March through May, but brings blazing hot temperatures, as high as 40*C, or maybe even a little more. May through October is the wet season, which is when temperatures will be a little cooler, but there will also be frequent downpours. July and August are especially bad. Last is the dry season (November to March), and it has the least rain and lowest temps, which also makes it the high season for tourism. Despite the potential for hordes of tourists, this will most likely be the time you’ll want to take your Laos motorbike tours.

As a westerner, you’ll need to obtain a tourist visa to enter the country. These are typically good for 30 or 60 days and can be obtained in advance from a Laotian embassy or consulate, or on arrival at the major airports, and some land crossings. You’ll most likely want arrive by plane, and there are international airports in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse. There are several land border crossings open to foreigners, which include locations on the Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese borders, but you should check the list on the Laos National Tourism Administration website to be sure.

Crime is typically low in Laos, but you do have to be alert for pickpockets, thieves, and other scammers. Corruption can be a problem, so it’s best to stay on the right side of the law! One piece of advice that’s always good to follow is to keep your passport safe. Generally, use common sense, stay with your group, and you should be fine.

What Planet Ride offers adventure travel in Laos

Planet Ride currently offers 4×4, motorcycle, and scooter trips in Laos! You can make them as short as four days, or as long as 21, and just about any duration in between. With Planet Ride, you will have an excellent local guide who will work hard to make your trip fantastic. They can help you with any vehicle maintenance, point out the coolest, under-the-radar spots, and are generally experts on the local culture.

If you’re short on time, our 4-day 4×4 Laos travel adventure offers tons of excitement packed into those four short days! You’ll load up in a Ford Ranger or Everest, or another comparable vehicle, and bounce from village to village in the northern reaches of the country. Along the way, you’ll meet several different hill tribes, including the Tay Leu, Hmong, Khamus, and Akha. Some nights are even spent with the locals!

Our 8-day Plain of Jars trek is one a popular option for Laos motorbike tours. You’ll ride out of Vientiane towards the countryside and the various villages it hides. Along the way is a mix of paved road and dirt trails that will give you a nice mix of riding. You’ll have opportunities to meet villagers, soak in the gorgeous landscapes, relax along the Blue Lagoon River, visit the ancient megaliths of the Plain of Jars, and so much more.

Lastly, our 5-day scooter jaunt is similar to many of our motorcycle tours, but a little shorter in length and generally stays on nicer roads. Again, you’ll cruise past rustic villages, endless fields of rice, costumed locals, and plenty of beautiful scenery. This one starts and ends in Luang Prabang and also offers the opportunity to take in some of the sights of that city.