Silverbird Travel - The Far East travel Specialists

The currency is the kip, perhaps reflecting the sleepiest of Indochina countries emerging from former isolation. Laos has had probably the least interference from foreign influences.

This is an extraordinarily scenic country, ranging from the fertile lowlands of the Mekong to the rugged Annamite hills. Most of northern Laos is dominated by rugged hills and as a result there are about 47 different ethnic groups. The landscape changes along the Mekong River where the land becomes fertile.

Throughout, the country is blessed with equally impressive temples, fine food and a relaxed demeanour.

Like Cambodia Laos is easily visited on a side trip or tour by air or overland from Thailand but can equally be visited as a standalone destination.

Sabbaidee - a word that you will hear time and time again and reflects the warm welcome visitors to Laos tend to find

Read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office's official travel advice for Laos.

Click button above to display the country map. You can then search for a hotel by clicking on the regions within the map. Alternatively click the close button to hide the map and search manually.


	Vientiane A relaxed, slow-paced capital beside the Mekong with a good range of hotels, bars and restaurants together with minimal traffic, an excellent central market and scattering of monuments, monasteries and temples. Luckily it is still a quiet tree-lined city that features a number of interesting temples, lively markets and French colonial architecture. Dont miss: That Luang - Laos' most revered Buddhist monument


	Luang Prabang The old royal kingdom of Lane Xang is packed with beautifully preserved palaces and temples and has a stunning position at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. A World Heritage site since 1995 Luang Prabang is also an embarkation point for excursions to the Pak Ou caves and villages along the Mekong. Luang Prabang is a small town full of charm and the best way to explore is either on foot or by bicycle. Even with many travellers and tourists visiting it appears to be as laid-back as ever. Through the years the town has kept the custom of giving alms to the monks as the sun rises - it proves to be a time of calm and quietness. You could end the day as the sunsets on the hill top of Mount Phousi. The most popular time to visit the town is during the cool months of November, December and January (you might need a jumper as it gets chilly late at night or very early in the morning) and the best time to visit is from December to February. Dont miss: Getting up at 6 a.m. to witness the saffron robed monks collecting food; the Night Market; the Royal Palace Museum


	Xieng Khuang South east of Luang Prabang is Xieng Khoung province. Here you will find the mysterious Plain of Jars littered with hundreds of stone jars of different sizes. No one seems to know the origins of why or how but they are estimated to be between 2500 to 3000 years old. Less of a mystery is the remains of many thousands of tons of ordnance dumped by American aircraft during the Vietnam War. Dont miss: the pots!


	Southern Laos Pakse is one of the most unexplored regions in the country. It is the capital of Champasak Province where the Mekong River meets the Si Don and it has a rich history with Khmer influences which can be seen around the city and is the site of over 4000 islands. Dont miss: Champasak Palace now converted into a hotel; the UNESCO World Heritage site of Wat Phou; the peaceful scenery at Si Phan Don