Laos


Our first visits into Laos began more than ten years ago, but our operations stepped up significantly when we acquired bases in the village of Na Som and on the banks of the Mekong River in Luang Prabang. We now employ eighteen full-time staff in Laos.
 


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    Come With Nothing: The Mekong Expedition

    Cost: $3,895
    Length: 25 Days
    Service: 96 Hours
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    Elephants and Amazing Luang Prabang

    Cost: $1,695
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 12 Hours
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    Frontier Photography

    Cost: $3,295
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: None
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    Jewels of Indochina

    Cost: $4,995
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: None
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    Mystical Caves and Shamans

    Cost: $1,095
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 32 Hours
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    Sticky Rice Service Adventure

    Cost: $1,495
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 18 Hours
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    The Lao Overland Service Adventure

    Cost: $2,495
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 48 Hours
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    Tribal Issues: A Study of Marginalized Teenagers in SE Asia

    Cost: $3,895
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 64 Hours
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    Yoga, Meditation, and Service

    Cost: $1,695
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 15 Hours
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Fact File

Population
6.8 million people
Capital City
Vientiane
Currency
Kip: 1 USD buys about 7,855 LAK (as of August 2012)
Language
Lao is the official language, although there are also dozens of languages spoken
by the country's many ethnic minorities.
Attractions
Luang Prabang, That Luang, Khone Falls

Local Lingo

ສະບາຍດີ (Sába̖ai-di̖i) Hello.
ເຈົ້າປາກພາສາລາວໄດ້ບໍ່? (Jâo páak pháasaa láo dâi baw?) Can you speak Lao?
ບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ (Baw khào jai) I don't understand.

Did You Know?

  • Laos is home to the largest waterfall in all of Southeast Asia, the Khone Papeng.
  • More Lao people live outside Laos than in the country.
  • The first Lao Olympic Team competed in the Moscow Summer Olympics of 1980.

Contact Us: For more information about Laos you can email us at laos@rusticpathways.com.

“One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy.”

Richard Burton

Packing List

 

To Help You Come Prepared...

All of us here in Laos are looking forward to welcoming you. The packing lists below are designed to help you prepare for your trip and to ensure you bring the stuff you need, and that you don't bring a bunch of stuff you don't need.

Laos is warm, tropical and sunny where days will be in the high-80s to mid-90s.

You may want to bring one suitcase for the things you will wear and use yourself, and another for any gifts, recycled clothing, or other donations you will be making to the service projects. Then use that extra bag to take home all the cool gifts, clothing, and crafts that you buy here.

On some programs you will need to pack additional items that are not on this general packing list. Please make sure you read the notes for every program you are participating in which can be found on each specific program’s webpage. Students who are participating in multiple programs should pack the contents of the general Laos packing list, plus any special items listed for their specific programs.

Bring with you any medications that you will need while you are away. You will need to tell staff what medications you have brought during your orientation period. This is done privately, but it is essential that you disclose to your staff all medications you are carrying.

Pack lightly for your journey! Airlines in Southeast Asia will not allow a checked bag weighing more than 15 kilos, so please pack accordingly. You must also be able to carry and load your own luggage, and space in the vehicles is limited.

Carry-On Luggage

A small backpack is the best carry-on bag and will be useful on your program day-trips.

  • Passport - you can not get on the plane without this!
  • Airline tickets - you can not get on the plane without these either!
  • Wallet - with about $100 emergency money
  • 2 Photo copies of your Passport - 2 additional copies should be kept in your checked luggage.
  • Sunglasses
  • Toothpaste (under 3 oz.)
  • Toothbrush
  • Medications - Must alert staff, but keep these in your carry-on in case of lost luggage!
  • Journal and pens
  • Refillable, durable - but empty - water bottle. Fill up at the gate and stay hydrated on the plane!
  • Snacks
  • Books - Suggested reading: One Foot in Laos by Dervia Murphy and Another Quiet American by Brett Dakin
  • Cameras - Don't forget to bring your chargers, batteries and memory cards! You can also bring your USB cords for downloading pics for emails.

Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry-on regulations of the TSA.

Checked Luggage

A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.

Please bring at least a few outfits that can get dirty or destroyed for service work or adventure activities.

CLOTHING ITEMS

  • Long Pants (1-2, something lightweight)
  • Underwear (7-10)
  • Socks (7)
  • Swimsuit
  • T-Shirts with sleeves (7-10)
  • Tank Tops (2-3)
  • Long Sleeve T-shirt (1-2)
  • Lightweight, waterproof rain jacket
  • Shorts (3-4) - not too short or tight, as this is offensive in Lao culture.
  • Pajamas (1)
  • Tennis Shoes (1)
  • Sandals that are strapped (Chacos or Tevas are recommended) - Laotians live in sandals
  • Flip-Flops (1) - really cheap, lightweight ones you can slip on and off easily

TOILETRIES
Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bag

  • Soap or body wash
  • Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Contact lenses and solution, in a plastic bag
  • Sunscreen (lots of strong Sunscreen) - we suggest that you bring two completely different types. alternate between them to avoid having any allergic reactions.
  • Lipbalm - with sunscreen in it.
  • Sunburn cream or aloe
  • Insect Repellant - bring one that is heavy in DEET and one that is natural Citronella - 2 cans or bottles minimum. Remember that the mosquito is your enemy wherever you travel in the world.
  • Hand Sanitizer (1-2 small bottles per week) - Always keep this with you!
  • Wet-wipes or towelettes - also good for cleaning hands when there is no water readily available
  • Small packs of Kleenex Tissues - public toilets in most of Asia do not supply toilet paper - you are meant to bring your own.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

  • Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries (to read at night or in the case of power outages)
  • Watch or Clock with an Alarm
  • Heavy-duty garbage bags (2) - for packing wet and dirty clothes/shoes
  • Large (one gallon) Ziplock© Freezer Bags (4)
  • Small Personal First Aid Kit (our guides will have comprehensive first aid kits on hand, but having a personal kit is always helpful)
    • Band-aids
    • Triple Antibiotic Ointment
    • Anti-itch Cream (1 Benadryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
    • Medical Tape
    • Moleskin or preferred blister care
    • Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
    • Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
    • 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
    • 2 Gauze dressing
    • 5-8 Sterile wipes

OPTIONAL ITEMS

  • Lao phrasebook
  • Deck of cards, or other easily explained games.
  • Pictures of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, pet rock, etc. Laotians love to see what your life back home looks like!
  • Frisbee, Aerobee, hacky sack, football, soccer ball or other things that are fun and easy to carry!

PLEASE NOTE - Rustic Pathways will not be responsible for ANY lost or stolen items. During travel it is common for items to be lost or stolen so please bring only items you are prepared to part with.