Welcome to Laos
Opportunities for adventure outdoor activities like trekking, caving and whitewater rafting can be found in Laos. The increase of travel companies that specialize in cheaper yet structured adventure tours in areas that were previously difficult to get to has made it much easier to experience the real Laos where nature takes control.
The country is extremely mountainous with some ranges exceeding 2,800m in length. This is not uncommon in Laos where 70% of the country consists of such terrain covered with expansive rainforests that have been untouched. There are also numerous valleys within these mountains where rivers run down through narrow valleys into the impressive Mekong River that flows throughout the country.
Trekking
With so many forests and mountains, it’s easy to see why Laos is a popular location for trekking and one where new routes are created across the country annually. As a result, trekking brings a lot of money for Laos and you’ll be able to choose from a selection of treks that range from one to five days. Most of the trips have an environmentally friendly component included in them and regularly draw thousands of visitors.
The best locations for trekking are in the most northern part of the country where the scenery is magnificent with forest regions and ethnic hill tribes who still live in colourful, traditional villages. The tourist facilities in many of these towns are excellent and more and more Guide Service Offices are opened in the north to accommodate visitors who are interested in doing treks that do not impact negatively on the environment or the people in the villages through which they travel.
If trekking with the local hill tribes is something that appeals to you, you’d do best to visit Luang Namtha, Muang Sing, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng that all offer organized programs for visitors who are interested in remote day-trips or treks for several days that include staying in local villages and camping.
There are also opportunities for independent treks if you prefer to do things on your own. You can hire a local guide by yourself in the towns of Muang Long, Xieng Kok, Houayxai, Vieng Phoukha Muang Khoua and Nong Khia, which are all in close proximity to traditional tribes; a number of guesthouses are also available.
South Central Laos has seen the establishment of several new companies through which tourists can explore sacred lakes, hike through old forests and experience the culture of the variety of ethnic tribes. The best part about these tours is that they do not impact negatively on the local environment or people, but instead improve and develop the lives of the locals.
Eco-tours
There are a couple of Lao companies that run eco-tours to remote areas where uncommon and exotic wilderness can be experienced. It’s the ideal location for birdwatchers and fans of nature where you can see some incredibly rare species housed in extensive forests. Despite the absence of the western-type national parks in Laos, the government has created 20 National Biodiversity Conservation Areas (NBCAs) since 1993; many of these are still inhabited by hill tribes. However, the recognition of these NBCAs does not equate to protection of the regions.
You’ll find the NBCAs across the country; since they’re in rural areas, they seldom have roads and many of them can only be accessed via professional mountaineering expeditions. However, a number of these NBCAs offer tourist centres with guided walks as they have been specially designed for eco-tourism. For the best eco-tourist NBCAs, that all have road accessibility, head to Phou Khao Khouay, Nam Ha and Phou Hin Poun.
Watersports
Most river-enthusiasts are happy to take a slow journey done the Mekong River between Houayxai and Luang Prabang, but they’re missing out on the numerous opportunities to experience and navigate the more adventurous waterways of Laos. Consider taking one of the whitewater rafting trips on the northern rivers that are from out of Luang Prabang by many companies; these often include Nam Ou, and the Nam Xuang.
River-kayaking trips are even more popular with options for single day or multi-day adventures for all levels of kayakers and offer up to grade 5 rapids. There are currently professional tours offered regularly mostly on the northern rivers, but also in Si Phan Don and the Ag Nam Ngum Reservoir, which is near the capital. Serious kayakers looking for a good home base should consider Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and Luang Namtha. The Khammouane Limestone NBCA is also an excellent option with its natural river-tunnel of 7km that runs through the mountain’s heart.
Caves and Rock Climbing
Laos is an excellent location for caving and rock-climbing with its limestone scenery and magnificent forests. The best locations for this scenery are Vang Vieng, Kasi, Thakhet and Vieng Xai. Spelunking is generally limited to the more touristy caves that have clearly marked paths, but more experienced spelunkers should head to the Khammouane Limestone NBCA and the Hin Nam No NBCA for the extensive network of caves available. However, you will need to obtain permission to explore many of these caves which are still in the process of undergoing archaeological surveys. While rock climbing is still a relatively new sport in Laos, Vang Vieng is the best location for it with many new routes constantly being opened.
Mountain Biking
Laos is an increasingly popular tourist destination for mountain biking thanks to its rural natural, sandy roads and minimal traffic. Many tourists organize their own mountain bike tours – particularly in the north of the country – and bring their bikes with them. The most popular route, which also has exquisite scenery, is Route 13 that runs from Luang Prbanag to Vientiane; however, it’s not for amateurs and is extremely mountainous. For better routes that boast a number of rural villages and equally magnificent landscapes, some with paved yet traffic free roads, head to Houa Phan and Xieng Khuang.
Make sure you plan your trip thoroughly and don’t underestimate distances that may appear short on a map. Bike tours are easy to organize in Laos and it’s safe to do, but you can also do organized tours.