BraggWorthy Adventures Laos Destination Details Language Currency Language: Lao Lao kip (k) Top Laos Phrases ATMs in major centres. Hello/Goodbye - sabai-dee Credit cards accepted in Luang Prabang and Traditional greeting gesture is a prayer like placing Vientiane of the palms in front of the face or chest US $1 is about $8250k Yes/No - Maan/bor Thank you - Korp jai Food Do you speak English - jow bahk pah-sah ang-kit dai bor Standard Lao breakfast is fer (rice noodles) usually served in a broth with vegetables and Electronics meat of your choice Lahp is a distinctively Lao dish- a spicy salad Pre-paid SIMs available for as little as 10,000k made from minced beef, pork, duck, fish or Decent connections chicken, mixed with fish sauce, small County calling code is 856 shallots, mint leaves, lime juice, roasted ground rice and lots and lots of chillies Popular side dish is Khao naw or sticky rice Visa served in a small basket which you take and roll a small amount into a walnut-sized ball On arrival visas are valid for 30 days for U$30-$42 to dip into the food depending on which passport you hold Water purified for drinking is called nam deum Security Tips Don’t drink the tap water. Book accommodation in advance especially from November to February and around Lao Embassy New Year in April 021-487000 https://la.usembassy.gov Always ask permission before taking photos Th Tha Deua, Ban Somvang Thai, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane Don't prop your feet up on chairs or tables Open 7:30am-4pm while sitting Refrain from touching people on the head or having any physical contact with monks Remove your shoes before entering homes or temple buildings Don’t hold hands or kiss in a Buddhist temple Adventure Itinerary Huay Xai Luang Prabang Vientiane Si Phan Don Si Phan Don Vientiane Luang Prabang Huay Xai Start in Si Phan Don for Spend 5 days in Vientiane Spend 7 days exploring Take part in a 3 day 5 days the Capital of Laos waterfalls in Luang adventure at the Gibbon Get from Si Phan Don to You can take an 11 hour Take Boat to Huay Xia Vientiane via a local bus (hopefully a sleeper with Luang Say Cruise: 2 airline out of Pakse total bus) or use another local day cruise; luxurious; last travel time will be about 6 airline ticket for a 2 hour minute bookings at the -7 hours flight to Luang Prabang office can shave more than 50% off the listed price. Departs from Galao Boat Pier (www.luangsay.com; 071- 252553; 50/4 Th Sakkarin; US $433-542; open 8:30am-7pm) Adventure Itinerary Si Phan Don (5 days) 1 The land of lotus eaters, also known as the Hammock Capital, where you’ll find postcard worthy views About These are some of the islands: The largest Island is Don Khong Island- it has two main towns Sleepy Muan Khon on the eastern shore and the charmless market town of Muang Saen on the west Don Det- hippy esque party scene Don Khon- more serene When you cross the French bridge to Don Khon you will be asked to pay a 35,000K tourism tax at the little blue shack which helps pay for local projects and covers the entrance fee to Tat Somphamit. If your sleeping on Don Khon and want to go norther you don’t need to pay it, but check in before you cross Activities • See all three of the below at once with a boat trip from Bang Hang Khon (55,000K open 8am-5pm) or separately A pod of Irrawaddy dolphins can be viewed along the southern shore of Don Khon Khon Phapheng Falls (250,000K open 8am to 5pm) Nook Xume waterfall (100,000K) • Tat Somphamit- river rapids (Li Phi Falls; Don Khon; 35,000K open 8am-5pm) Hostel Options • Pomelo Guesthouse - stunning location over the river in Ban Han Khon with two spacious rooms (020- 97925893 $25) • Sala Done Khone - five hotels in one including french inspired and floating cottages (031-260940 www.salalaoboutique.com r incl breakfast $60-80) Eating • Chez Fred et Lea - top quality Lao and western cuisine (020-2218882 mains 20,000-50,000K open 7am- 10pm) • Garden- very fresh open-kitchen restaurant with spicy papaya salad and grilled Mekong river fish (mains 20,000-65,000K open 7am-10pm) Adventure Itinerary Vientiane (5 Days) 2 The capital of Laos Sights • Pha That Luang - the most important national monument in Laos it is a symbol of the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. Legend has it a breastbone of Buddha’s is there. (Th 23 Singha; 10,000K rental of long skirt to enter temple 5,000K open 8am-5pm) • Patuxai - Vientiane’s Arc de Triomphe replica. It commemorates the Lao who died in the pre-revolutionary wars (Th Lan Xang; 3,000K; open 8am-5pm) • (Festivals - Bun Nam Boat Racing Festival in October; Bun Pha Temple Festival in November) Activities • Vientiane Yoga Studio - located in a quiet garden down a secluded alleyway (look for signs across from Fuji Japanese Restaurant) (020-5698 4563; www.vientiane yoga studio.com; Th Nerhu; 80 min class 80,000K) • Lao Bowling Centre - Expect bright lights, boisterous bowler and equipment in bad shape. Its fun to come later in the evening for a Lao-style night out (BYO socks) (021-218661; Th Khounboulom; per game with shoe hire 13,000K; open 9am-2am) • Tuk Tuk Safari - community conscious tour gets under the skin of the city. You can go to a rice farm, a silversmith’s workshop or a premier weaving house. (020-54333089; www.tuktuksafari.com; US $70; open 8am-5pm) • Backstreet Academy - Original local encounters like a clay art class, Zen meditation or a Lao cooking class. (020-58199216; www.backstreetacademy.com) Sleeping locations • Sailomyen Hostel - chic design, luxurious rain shower, ground floor cafe. (021-214246; www.facebook.com/ sailomyenhostel; Th Saylom; dm incl breakfast 80,000K) • LV City Riverine Hostel - Rooms include free laundry so this is great if you are returning from a jungle trek. LV has a great riverfront location and spacious rooms. (021-21463; www.lvcitylaos.com; 48 Th Fa Ngoum; r incl breakfast 220,000K-390,000K) Eating • Doi Ka Nois - Authentic and unmissable Lao restaurant with a menu that changes daily and focuses on home recipes with seasonal ingredients. (020-55898959; 242 Sapang Mor; Mains 25,000-50,000K; open 10am -2:30pm Tue-Thu and 10am-9pm Fri-Sun) • The State of Pasta - Fresh italian pasta paired with traditional Lao flavors. (021-253322; www.thestateofpasta.com; Th Manthatourath; mains 20,000-45,000K; open 11am-10pm Sun-Thur and 11am -11:30pm Fri-Sat) • Noy’s Fruit Heaven - a juice bar that also has super fresh fruit salads and burgers. (Th Hengboun; mains 20,000K-30,00K; open 7am-7pm) Adventure Itinerary Luang Prabang (7 days) 3 This city has it all - ancient temples, royal history, colorful monks, waterfalls, and world class French cuisine. Sights • Wat Xieng Thong (Hor Dai; Hor Dai Pha Sai-nyaat; Phu Si) - Best known monastery. It is centered on a 1560 ordination hall. Close by are the Hor Dai which are three chapel hills shaped like a tall tomb , housing a standing buddha and the Hor Dai Pha Si-nyaat or red chapel contains a rare reclining buddha. (off Th Sakkarin; 20,000K; open 6am-6pm) • Phu Si - dominates the old city center and a favorite sunset spot. It is a lot of steps (100m high) and is topped with a 24m gilded stupa called That Chomsi. Beautiful city views as well (20,000K open 6am-7pm) • Royal Palace - this former summer royal palace was built in 1904 and was home to King Sisavung Vong whose statue stands outside. They also have a royal palace Car collections if you are interested. (Ho Kham; 071-212068; Th Sisavagvong; 30,000K; open 8-11:30am and 1-4pm with last entry at 3:30pm) • Green Jungle Park - 32 km south of the city this slice of paradise has ziplines, flower gardens, natural swimming pools an organic produce market and elephant viewing area. (071-253899; www.laogreengroup.com; Ban Paklueang; entry US $35 return boat transfer from Luang Prabang 10,000K; open 9am-4:30pm) • Tat Kuang Si (Kuang Si Rescue Center) - a many tiered waterfall with a series of cool swimmable turquoise pools. There are also picnic tables, swingin ropes and the Kuang Si rescue center where wild Adiatic Moon bears confiscated from poachers live. (20,000K; open 8am - 5:30pm; Kuang Si Rescue center- www.freethebears.org; open 8:30am-4:30pm) • Wat Mai Suwanna Phumaham - a temple that was spared destruction from teh Haw Gangs in 1887 because they found it to be too beautiful. It is home to the head of Lao Buddhism. (Th Sisavangvong; 10,000K; 8am- 5pm) Activities • Luang Prabang Yoga - yoga classes taught at a serene locations like a lush riverside garden at Utopia and rooftop sunset views. (www.luangprabangyoga.org; classes 60min 40,000 90min 60,000K; classes at 7:30am and 5pm) • Lao Red Cross - This is apa with first-rate massages and a terrific sauna infused with medicinal plants. (071- 252856; Th Wisunarat; sauna 15,000K massage 50,000K Aroma Therapy Massage 80,000K per hr; open 1- 8pm) • Bamboo Tree Cooking Class - Chef Linda shows you 5-6 different Lao dishes in a spacious restaurant. Morning classes are from 9am-2pm and evening classes (which exclude the visit to the market) are from 5- 8pm.