Getting in: visas and entry
Visa rules for Laos shift over time and depend on which passport you hold, which is why we don't quote a set fee here. Once you tell us your nationality, we'll confirm what's currently required, what paperwork to prepare and the lead time needed before you travel.
A safe general rule: your passport should run at least six months past your planned return, with two pages left blank, and you should have onward tickets and hotel bookings confirmed and ready to show.
Visa fees, travel insurance and international flights are not included in your trip cost unless the itinerary says otherwise.
Paying for your trip
- Payment is 100% of the trip cost, due when you confirm your booking.
- You pay online by card through OnePay, a licensed Vietnamese payment gateway. We never ask for card details by email, chat or phone.
- Hotels, transport and activities are booked as soon as your payment clears.
- The exact amount is on your written quotation before you pay anything.
If you have to cancel
- Cancellations are accepted in writing by email; the date we receive yours is the one that counts.
- Day trips: free cancellation, with a full refund, up to 7 days before the tour date.
- Tours of 2 to 3 days: free cancellation up to 14 days before departure.
- Tours of 4 days or more: free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
- Inside those windows, or if you do not show up, the full trip cost is charged and not refunded.
Local manners worth knowing
A few minutes reading this before you fly will save you the odd awkward moment on the ground.
- In Luang Prabang, watching monks receive their morning alms is an act of faith, not a photo opportunity — keep your distance, remain silent, and switch off the flash.
- Keep knees and shoulders covered when visiting temples; monks shouldn't be touched by women, nor handed items directly.
- Everything in Laos happens more slowly than in neighbouring countries, so leave extra time around transfers and resist filling each day too tightly.
- Remove your shoes before entering temple halls and homes.
- Avoid touching anyone on the head, including children.
The practical bits
- In the mountainous north, road distances on a map take noticeably longer to cover than they appear to suggest.
- Card acceptance is limited on some rural stretches; carry cash for the day.
Frequently asked questions
When do you need our passport details?
Seven days before you arrive. In high season, sending them earlier helps, since hotels can release blocked rooms quickly if a booking isn't confirmed.
How is the price worked out?
It's based on your dates, group size, hotel category and the activities in your itinerary. We send a written quote once we have those details, and nothing is booked until you confirm it.
Can special diets be handled?
We can. Vegetarian, vegan and halal options are all available if you flag them when booking rather than waiting until you land.
What if a domestic flight is cancelled?
Our local team reworks the ground arrangements around the new schedule and lets you know straight away. Any airline charges are passed on at cost.
Who helps if something goes wrong mid-trip?
Absolutely — a local contact stays reachable across your whole trip, not only during standard working hours.