3 Q about Laos Trip
Feb 1st, 2006, 08:51 PM
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3 Q about Laos Trip
Hello -
I have three questions regarding my planned trip to Laos in the next few days:
1) Where to Stay
2) How Expensive
3) Safety of Route 13 to Vientiane.
1)
Any suggestions for cheap but clean! guest houses/hotels in handy location in Luang Prabang. I will head out there in a few days..
What's the most convenient area to stay in in Luang Prabang?
2) Any thoughts on much money I need to bring for a week inc exploring the area by trekking and some slow paced sightseeing tours (not the in-and-out-of-bus type ones;-)?
3) I thought of travelling by bus/boat to Vientiane via route 13 but hear mixed stories about safety along the route but not enough to make upo my mind. Any thoughts on this?
Oh sorry there is a fourth question:
Is it possible to do a tour from LP to Plain of Jars or is it too far away?
Many thanks for any replies.
I have three questions regarding my planned trip to Laos in the next few days:
1) Where to Stay
2) How Expensive
3) Safety of Route 13 to Vientiane.
1)
Any suggestions for cheap but clean! guest houses/hotels in handy location in Luang Prabang. I will head out there in a few days..
What's the most convenient area to stay in in Luang Prabang?
2) Any thoughts on much money I need to bring for a week inc exploring the area by trekking and some slow paced sightseeing tours (not the in-and-out-of-bus type ones;-)?
3) I thought of travelling by bus/boat to Vientiane via route 13 but hear mixed stories about safety along the route but not enough to make upo my mind. Any thoughts on this?
Oh sorry there is a fourth question:
Is it possible to do a tour from LP to Plain of Jars or is it too far away?
Many thanks for any replies.
Feb 3rd, 2006, 05:10 PM
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Hi, I've been to Laos a couple of times but both times flew between Vientianne and Luang Prabang - mainly a time thing - you can easily get buses (vip minibus) but you usually have to stop over in Vang Veng overnight. Safety doesn't seem to be a real big problem at the moment but the roads themselves are fairly dangerous - bad roads, bad drivers. They are mountainous and twisty so give wonderful scenery.
Now the best place for you to pick up information on cheap guesthouses etc is actually on the Lonely Planet Thorntree forum and you'll get a lot more info for the outback places too. This forum tends to use the more expensive places to stay.
There are lots and lots of Guesthouses in LP for under $20us per night but then you can go up to $200plus for a good hotel. Best if you can to stay in the main town area. Again lots of places.
Lots too in Vientianne - I stayed last time at Mali Namphu for between $15 and $17 per night - very good for that but you can get others much cheaper too. Its in the middle of town and very convenient, clean and safe.
The Plain of Jars - from LP its a good days trip in the bus - so you need to overnight. Most would then do the loop and go back down to Vientiane or vice versa. Hope thats of some help.
Now the best place for you to pick up information on cheap guesthouses etc is actually on the Lonely Planet Thorntree forum and you'll get a lot more info for the outback places too. This forum tends to use the more expensive places to stay.
There are lots and lots of Guesthouses in LP for under $20us per night but then you can go up to $200plus for a good hotel. Best if you can to stay in the main town area. Again lots of places.
Lots too in Vientianne - I stayed last time at Mali Namphu for between $15 and $17 per night - very good for that but you can get others much cheaper too. Its in the middle of town and very convenient, clean and safe.
The Plain of Jars - from LP its a good days trip in the bus - so you need to overnight. Most would then do the loop and go back down to Vientiane or vice versa. Hope thats of some help.
Feb 4th, 2006, 02:43 AM
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I found the Cold River Guest House in LP, it's about a 10-15 minute walk from the main drag but that's a pleasant walk along the bank of the river. The guest house is also built on the river and has nice balconies with views. It cost us $USD6 a night. The phone # is (856-71) 252810
You can book a POJs trip from LP but as Mary said it requires overnight stay.
We took the bus from Vang Vieng to LP, as Mary describes, it was one of the most remarkable journeys I've ever done, I was sitting in the bus stunned by the scenery. Other travelers around me were snoozing or reading but I was looking out the windows. Remarkable scenery!
You can book a POJs trip from LP but as Mary said it requires overnight stay.
We took the bus from Vang Vieng to LP, as Mary describes, it was one of the most remarkable journeys I've ever done, I was sitting in the bus stunned by the scenery. Other travelers around me were snoozing or reading but I was looking out the windows. Remarkable scenery!
Feb 8th, 2006, 07:36 AM
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You can do the Plain of Jars in one day from Luang Prabang but it is a long day and it seems that no sooner are you there, it is time to go back.
It would be far better to visit via one of the many overnight tours travelling from Vientiane.
The road from Luang Prabang to the Plain of Jars is a good one ( not a dirt road) but it does twist and turn. The views approaching Luang Prabang are stupendous- almost above the clouds.
You should be safe by joining a small tour. You will need a guide to take you around the various sites anyway.
We did it in a day from Luang Prabang. Hmmm ! I don't know if it was such a good idea to do it. I had a really bad headache the next day.
My advice is to incorporate it in your travels.
This is an account of our journey:
http://www.epinions.com/content_213614038660
It would be far better to visit via one of the many overnight tours travelling from Vientiane.
The road from Luang Prabang to the Plain of Jars is a good one ( not a dirt road) but it does twist and turn. The views approaching Luang Prabang are stupendous- almost above the clouds.
You should be safe by joining a small tour. You will need a guide to take you around the various sites anyway.
We did it in a day from Luang Prabang. Hmmm ! I don't know if it was such a good idea to do it. I had a really bad headache the next day.
My advice is to incorporate it in your travels.
This is an account of our journey:
http://www.epinions.com/content_213614038660
