"lao: "siempre estaras en nuestro corazon"" Laos by jose_a_juan

Laos Travel Guide: 3,592 reviews and 8,810 photos

MEKONG RIVER TRIP

1rst day Mekong.-

We get in Lao through Huay Xai. Get up early in the morning in Chiang Klon in the Thai side, the border is open from 7,00 am. Don’t need to run, you are plenty of time to catch the slow boat to LP, it doesn’t live till after 9,00 am. The harbour for the slow boat is easy to find: turn left out of the border, walk for 10 or 15 m., turn left again after the market and soon you will see the boats. You have the bank turning right after the market to exchange your money, think you won’t fine no where to change money till LP. Have a big breakfast in the bar at the harbour very good sandwiches. Provide some food, drink and if is possible a pillow and a pulover it is a long trip and last Feb. was really cold. The Mekong river is very impressive and that you can see from the boat it very nice.

Packeng, were the boat stop for overnight, is a rustic place. People spend there only one night but if I would have time I would spend there 2 or 3 days. It is full of decent chip places to overnight.

2 nd day Mekong.

We continue the way down the river by slow boat, if you wand you can go on with the speedboats. The trip was lake the day before. We arrived at LP early. There are a lot of hotels and guesthouses but not a lot of room free. We were very lucky to find a room in Kounsavan Guesthouse (Ban Thogchalen. Tel: 856 71212297), cheap, clean, friendly and helpful people, a place to recommend

LUANG PRABANG

3rd, 4th, 5th days Luang Prabang.

LP is a small town with a lot to do, plane to stop there al list one-week: Plenty of pleases to visit in
and out of the town. Don’t miss Pak Ou and around and Kuang Si falls. Go to have a massage and sauna. There are a couple of pleases where to go, you have to book the day before. Normally they are full book.

VAN VIENG AND VIENTIANE

6 Th. day to Van Vieng.

We left Lp by bus. If you can go to the bus station the day before to check the buses time table. Nobody knows the right time. The bus gets full soon; tray to get a good seat near a window, because that you will watch it is wonderful. It is a very long trip and a lot of people get sick that makes it very disappointing. We arrived at VV early in the afternoon. Also there are a lot of new guesthouses, not expensive. We stop in Sunset Guesthouse and Restaurant, near the Bamboo Bridge. Different prises and facilities. It has a nice river view, in the evening young people come to wash themselves and the cars in the river, very impacting.

7th, 8th and 9th days Van Vieng.

VV it is now a small tourist village ideal for to rest a couple or three days. People can swim in the river, walk around and rest. Good pleases to eat.

10 day to Vientiane.

We leave Van Vieng early in the morning with the first big bus to Vientiane. There are also songthaews but I think the bus is more comfortable. In Vientiane is easy to find a room but they are more expensive that in the rest of the country. We recommend Boulichanh Guest House, nier Talaat Sao market, very good. They have different room with different prices.

11th, 12th and 13th day. Vientiane. We spend there three days, it is enough. A lot to do. The monument Walking tour is very nice. You can find two very interesting markets, where you have to buy your stuff: Talaat Sao (Morning Market) and more interesting Talaat Khua Din. If you have time have a massage and a sauna in Mixay Massage.

14th day to Tailand. We get out of Lao through the Friendship Bridge. We take a taxi to get to the Bridge witsh is 20 km. Far.

Last visit to Laos: Jan 2000
Intro Updated Nov 24, 2005
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Reviews (6)

Packing List What to Pack (1)

You don’t really need to bring every thing in your bag. In the Supermarkets you can find essential staff and there are... more travel advice

Pak Ou is cave facing the... Local Customs (1)

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Rice whisky or LàoLáo is a... Off The Beaten Path (1)

Rice whisky or LàoLáo is a popular drink in Lao. You will find it everywhere. We tried it in the evening we spend in... more travel advice

Our Mekong experience with a... Transportation (1)

Our Mekong experience with a slow boat. We spend two days in that boat, really uncomfortable, very crowded. Maybe it... more travel advice

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Comments (71)

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vesna04 Sep 13, 2003 at 2:29 AM

You helped me to learn more about part of the world I know little about...thanks:)
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dsantosh Aug 26, 2003 at 11:51 PM

Nice home page..beautiful phtographs..Many many happy returns of the day..Wishing you a happy birthday..Have a nice party tonight.
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jmmorgan Apr 23, 2003 at 5:28 AM

Great photos in your travelogues
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archan4698 Aug 20, 2002 at 1:24 AM

Great Travelogues, tips and pictures!
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call_me_rhia Jul 30, 2002 at 8:04 AM

great page.. am here now.. love it
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ysio Jun 9, 2002 at 10:27 AM

beautiful page, great shots!
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aliante1981 Apr 22, 2002 at 8:21 AM

If I had the chance I would go at once!
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floss1 Apr 21, 2002 at 3:27 AM

Amazing pictures!!!
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kimmo_v Apr 15, 2002 at 11:10 AM

Wow, you really shooted the film!!!!Nice place and page!!!!!
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utttz Mar 5, 2002 at 8:51 AM

great page