Going Offbeat in Laos- One of my best trips

Laos, a tiny pocket-sized southeast Asian country, which has an incredible, timeless, rustic charm about itself. You will find high peaked mountains all covered in aromatic tea leaves and the beautiful rice paddies that enhance the beauty of this Laotian land are beyond picturesque. If you are an adventure junky, then river caves over here have the calling for you, exploring them and relaxing over here will give you a spa-like experience. 

 

So, here I am going to tell you about an offbeat journey of an offbeat traveler in an offbeat country. Well, talking about ‘offbeat’, as we all know Laos as a destination is pretty much offbeat in itself. A few years back, I went to this place and I got to know that this place has so much in store for us and we all are just missing it. Very few travelers go on to explore this place. But I would definitely recommend visiting this place to experience something different. 

 

Above all, you’ll get the fastest visa on arrival ever. The fee is around $40 for Indians and people of other developing countries but cheaper ($30) for some of the developed countries like the USA and UAE.

 

How to travel around?

 

You can even get a motorbike on rent in Laos. Some of the good brands like Honda, Suzuki, TVS are also available here. And yes you have read it right, I mentioned TVS! Our own Chennai company has a good presence in Laos.

 

What you can do here?

• Experience the wonderful Mekong Waterfront

You can watch a sparkling sunset in the Mekong River. No matter what season it is, the view here is always beautiful.

• Hiking Don Chan

If you’re fond of exploring rural areas, then just head on to Don Chan Island. It is just a few steps away from the city center. I went to this place on Day 2 of the trip and the views here were commendable.

• Jet Skiing

I am someone who loves to do new things always, so I tried jet skiing here. If riding a jet ski screaming across the surface of Mother of waters sounds appealing to you also, then what are waiting for? Add this to your bucket list!

• Experience the amazing food options at exotic locations like Vientiane New World Walking street, Champa garden and restaurant, Ban Anou Night Market, and many more. My favorite is the Nam Ngum floating restaurant and Ngeum View Art Garden which are there at a 30-40 minutes drive from the city center.

• Do Visit some lesser-known Temples and Cultural Sites

Although Buddhist temples rule here, some of the Vietnamese temples have also left their mark. You cannot miss out on the bang Long temple and the Phat Tich temple.

• Visit a Lao “Cultural Park”

I wanted to have some chill-out time for myself, so I also went out for some adventure with my friends to the Inpeng CulturePark. It has one of the best waterslides and a poolside bar. 

 

Where to stay?

 

Laos has got a ton of lodging options than you might even think. If you want a budget-friendly stay then head on to the BARN1920S Hostel. It is a retro hostel in a historic building which will offer you great facilities. For a mid-range option, you can try Sailomyen Hostel and for a much better experience go on to the Loa Poet Hotel. Their rooftop pool is an add-on.

 

So, don’t wait to plan out your offbeat trip to offbeat Laos. Trust me! You will enjoy it for sure.