Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, between Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and China, landlocked Laos is often overlooked in favour of it's more popular neighbours. But with its stunning and diverse landscape, friendly and relaxed people and responsible tourism practices, Laos is one of the most enchanting countries in Southeast Asia.
Laos has held onto its traditions and heritage. You'll see monks in saffron robes, elephants bathing in the river, golden temples and markets selling traditional arts and crafts.
The full name of the country is Laos People’s Democratic Republic, often shortened to Laos PDR, but locals will tell you that this acronym actually means ‘Please Don’t Rush.’ Enjoy Laos like the locals do: relax in a hammock by the Mekong, gaze at the stars in the 4000 islands and sip a coffee in a French-style cafe in Luang Prabang.
Destinations
General Travel Information
Find out about visas, weather, currency and what to expect from travelling in Laos.
How to get to Laos
Information and advice on how to get to Laos from Cambodia, Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia via land borders or by air.
Mekong Homestay
Go off-the-beaten-track to a remote village on the banks of the Mekong River. This is our Laos Homestay and Stray is the only group that visits it!
Don Det
Don Det is the most popular island to explore in the 4000 Islands, an impressive island-studded delta within the Mekong River.
Houay Xai
Houay Xai is on the Thailand/Laos border. Visit the Gibbon Experience or take a day trip to the ethnic Lanten villages.
Kong Lor
Kong Lor is truly one of the natural wonders of Laos. For 7km the river, Nam Hin Bun, disa...
Nong Khiaw & Muang Ngoi
Straddling the Nam Ou river and nestled in between towering karst mountains, Nong Khiaw is...
Pakse
Founded by the French in 1905 and runner up for the most popular city in Laos, Pakse still has a very French old world charm about it. It sits on the confluence of the Mekong and Don (Se Don) rivers, and is a great place to relax before exploring southern Laos.
Thakhek
Thakhek is home to hidden waterfalls, local swimming holes, rarely-visited villages and ambling Lao jungle and is truly off the beaten track.
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng's stunning natural scenery and range of adventurous outdoor activities along with it's reputation as Laos' wildest party town means the vibe here can be whatever you want it to be!
Vientiane
Though often overlooked in favour of Laos’s more beautiful city, Luang Prabang, we have mo...
Xe Champhone
Population: 100,000 in the district but a much smaller unrecorded population in Xe Champho...
Wat Phou
A major tourist attraction of Laos, Wat Phou is an ancient Khmer religious complex. It str...
