Landlocked in the centre of the Indochinese peninsula, Laos borders China, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. It covers an area of 236,800 km² (two-fifths the size of France) and stretches almost 1,500 km from north to south.
The Mekong, an essential communication and transport route, crosses the country over a distance of 1,898 km (4,350 km for the entire river) and largely forms the border with Thailand.
Laos is made up of two main regions, built around large limestone or sandstone plateaux:
The northern half of the country is mountainous and largely forested. The Mekong River and its many tributaries flow through it from the west. The capital Vientiane and the town of Luang Prabang are located here. The capital is home to 1/3 of the country's urban population.
The southern half of the country, narrow and elongated, is only around a hundred kilometres wide in places. It is bounded to the west by the Mekong River and to the east by the Annamite Cordillera, which forms the border with Vietnam. The Bolaven Plateau is a fertile, temperate region, ideal for growing high-altitude crops such as coffee. In the extreme south of the country, the Mekong divides into a multitude of arms, forming several hundred islands and a magnificent waterfall.
What's the best time of year to travel to Laos?
The rainy season is often travellers’ greatest concern. As a result, one of the questions we are most frequently asked is: when is the best time to travel to Laos to avoid too much rain disrupting the trip? Here are our answers from Luang Prabang, where some of our longest-standing team members have been based for more than 26 years.
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Older travel guidebooks published over the past 20 years were right to describe a rainy season extending from May to September. Nowadays, however, this “green season” is mainly concentrated between late August and mid-October. It does rain, of course, but certainly not all the time! The weather is generally pleasant during the day, with rain sometimes arriving in the early evening or continuing throughout the night. These are usually thunderstorms accompanied by heavy, intense but short-lived downpours. This is our favourite season for scouting new routes, as the vegetation becomes wonderfully lush.
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During the rest of the year, however, occasional brief showers may still occur at any time.
Here is a simple overview of the seasons to help you choose the best time for your trip to Laos.
From mid-October to November
It is the mild season, though still humid, with pleasant weather and morning temperatures around 15 to 20°C. Afternoons are warmer, with temperatures ranging between 25 and 35°C.
From December to February
It marks the beginning of winter, with an increasingly cool climate, sunny days, and morning temperatures around 10 to 15°C. Afternoons are milder, with temperatures ranging between 20 and 30°C.
From March to May
It is summer, with a dry and hot climate, plenty of sunshine, and morning temperatures around 20 to 25°C. Afternoons are much hotter, with temperatures ranging between 35 and 40°C.
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From April 12 to 16, the Lao New Year takes place a celebration not to be missed if you are traveling during this period. It is a joyful festival where locals combine religious ceremonies in the morning with lively water festivities in the afternoon.
From June to August
It is the most varied season in terms of climate. In some years, the rains arrive quite late, making it a wonderful time to travel in Laos. It is neither too hot, nor too cold, nor too humid, and the occasional showers bring the rice fields back to life. It is also the time of year when farmers are busiest in the fields, and when there are very few tourists. Morning temperatures range between 20 and 25°C, while afternoons can vary from 30 to 40°C.
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We highly recommend this season, as it reveals Laos in all its beauty, colors, and authenticity.
September to mid-October
It is the only true monsoon month nowadays and is best avoided until mid-October.