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Flow into sticky rice time, explore Lao food and linger over coffee and almond croissants!
The best season to travel is between October and February- however from December onward, be prepared for peak season crowds and prices- especially around Chinese New Year in February.
By March peak of the dry season, the air quality can become very unpleasant from the burning of fields in the region. April during Lao New Year and May are the hottest months. Cooling rains usually start to fall in June with heaviest rain in August.
Full Moon of September is when the boat races can be seen along the Mekong and Full moon of October marking the end of Awk Pansa, Buddhist Lent- is a lovely time with lanterns and floats on the Mekong.
Along the Mekong are numerous local restaurants to enjoy food with a view. So many places!
Below are a few personal recommendations in town
Enjoy Lao Food!
Mekong View Point- a favorite spot at the tip of the peninsula where the Nam Kham meets the Mekong.
You could feel like sitting here all day with some delicious food including Lao Laap and Luang Prabang Salad with sticky rice.
Silk Road Cafe at Ocl Pop Tok
Venture out to Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center and after learning about how silkworms become nagas, enjoy lunch at their Silk Road Cafe … delightful spot also for sunset time- short ride from town.
Free shuttle from Ock Pop Tok showroom on the Main Road.
Tamarind on the Nam Khan river also offers Cooking Classes in their gardens outside of town.
More on: https://www.tamarindlaos.com/
Cafe Toui
Toui is a great chef – check out this special small place for Home-Style cooking…just off the Main road and a few steps from the Nam Khan.
Le Banneton Cafe and French Bakery:
on the main road down by Wat Khili, fresh morning breads and croissants along with salads and sandwiches.
Saffron– for the best Lao organic coffee on the Mekong!
Read their story: https://saffroncoffee.com/
Joma Bakery and Cafe– two locations serving western sandwiches and other treats and where you can catch up with news in the Vientiane Times.
https://www.joma.biz/luang-prabang-laos
Places to stay in Luang Prabang:
As Luang Prabang becomes a discovered destination, accomodations are going more upscale. New smaller guesthouses keep opening in newly restored houses where reasonable prices can still be found- especially in low season!
Check out latest listings on Booking.com or Agoda.
Staying down at the quiet end of the old town by the tip of the peninsula allows you to roll out of bed and sit in the park by the meeting of the rivers.
A few recommendations:
Boutique Hotels and Guesthouses:
Chaleunxay Villa– just around the corner from Wat Xieng Thong on the quiet end of the Main Road close to the meeting of the rivers. Friendly guesthouse with a new annex in the back. Find it on Booking.com
Senesouk Guesthouse and Villa –
along the main road directly opposite Wat Sene with the beautiful
standing Buddha image The newer wing in their quieter courtyard just a
few steps up from the Nam Khan river.
http://www.luangphabang.com/senesouk/home–page.htm
Luxury:
Xieng Thong Palace: now a Victoria Hotel
Located just behind beautiful Wat Xieng Thong along the Mekong:
https://www.victoriahotels.asia/en/destination/victoria-xiengthong/
Mekong River View which runs the View Point Cafe.
http://mekongriverview.com/
Luxury on the Hill:
La Residence Phou Va
Flying into Laos:
Visa on arrival available at all airports and most overland crossings.
USD 50 and a passport photo. Visa Cost can be slightly higher for some nationalities.
LAO E-VISA Official Site: Apply online to save time at the airport. Allow 3 working days:
https://www.laoevisa.gov.la/index
Air options:
Lao Airlines flies Luang Prabang to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi and Siem Reap (via Pakse in southern Laos) and other destinations via Vientiane. Operating ATR aircraft and a few Airbus 320s with their Frangipani National Flower Logo.
https://www.laoairlines.com
Bangkok Airways – the boutique airline daily flights to Bangkok: www.bangkokair.com
Air Asia:
Bangkok Don Muang Airport direct to Luang Prabang and to Vientiane.
Air Asia also from Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane
www.airasia.com
Vietnam Airlines between Hanoi and Siem Reap to/from Luang Prabang. Also Hanoi/Vientiane/Phnom Penh/Ho Chi Minh City.
www.vietnamairlines.com
Singapore to Vientiane on SCOOT- budget branch of Singapore Airlines
A beautiful 2-day journey down this river where you can unplug and re-charge!
Public Slow Boat can be very basic and crowded and best AVOID the Speedboats which can be very dangerous travel.
Wonderful Join-in Cruise operation:
https://shompoo-cruise.com/en/
or Arrange Private local boat charter via local agent.
Clear Immigration at the Bridge to Laos early morning by 0800am if you wish to continue directly by boat harbour. If a private boat has been arranged, confirm timings with your local agent or guide. Important to also check the Mekong water levels during the drier season.
You need to break up the trip half way at the market town of Pakbeng where lots of accomodations from budget backpacker places to more upscale are available.
Upscale Pakbeng Lodge:
http://www.sanctuaryhotelsandresorts.com/english/main/pakbeng/about/
Budget: lots of local guesthouses can be found on arrival just up from the boat landing.
Imagine this- a High Speed Train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and on to China
Normally the 9-10 hour drive from Vientiane to Luang Prabang ( via Vang Vieng) can now be done by train in around 2 hours!
LCR- Lao China Rail has an APP to book tickets directly within 3 days of travel.
However you NEED to have either a Lao, China or Thai mobile number to register!
Tickets are only available 3 days in advance, and they sell out quickly. There is 2nd class, First Class and a Business Class. You can have a local Lao agent or see if your hotel can assist with tickets as going out to the train station is approx 30-40 min. drive from the centers.
Once on aboard enjoy the views riding in comfort. Around Vang Vieng you can see the beautiful mountains. Closer to Luang Prabang, there are several tunnels allowing this train to travel so quickly.
More info on:
https://www.laostraintickets.com/
Enjoy Lao Journeys!
For More on Laos: click here