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The tour starts in Vientiane and ends in Luang Prabang. 

Most nationalities, including UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, need a visa to visit Laos. You can get a single-entry visa valid for 30 days upon arrival at airports or land borders (around $40 USD, bring cash and passport photos). Multiple-entry visas require advance application.  

You are responsible for obtaining the visas you require for the countries you are travelling in. Visa requirements vary depending on where you're coming from and where you are going, so we recommend that you contact the appropriate embassy in your country of origin to determine what you need. 

You must have a travel insurance policy to cover you for the entire time you are travelling with us in Asia. You don't have to purchase travel insurance before booking your tour, but you will be asked to provide your policy details prior to starting travel. 

Travellers are from all over the world and are mainly aged between 20-45. Stray travellers are energetic, adventurous and excited to embrace the natural beauty, culture and amazing experience Laos offers. People join our tours solo and with friends or partners, so don't be shy to join a tour alone! 

The accommodation is carefully selected 4-star hotels and boutique bungalows. Your accommodation will be twin share, so if you're travelling solo, we'll room you with another person of the same gender. If you'd like a private room, you can select this as an add-on when booking your tour.  

Lao cuisine is a vibrant explosion of flavours, relying heavily on fresh ingredients and a touch of spice. Laotians are known for their love of chillis, but the heat is usually balanced with refreshing herbs like mint and lemongrass.  

Sticky rice, the national staple, is present at almost every meal, acting as both a utensil and a base for flavourful dishes. Salads, like the ever-popular papaya salad (tam makhoong), are a refreshing and healthy option. For something more substantial, Larb, the national dish, is a minced meat salad (pork, beef, or even fish) bursting with flavor. Fermented ingredients like fish sauce and sausage add a unique depth to many Lao dishes.  

French influence is also present, particularly in Vientiane, where baguettes and French-style cafes can be found alongside traditional Lao fare

Laos is generally considered a very tourist-friendly country. The people are known for their hospitality and friendliness, and the country is relatively safe and easy to get around - especially on a Stray tour! Laos is a developing country and infrastructure isn't always up to Western standards, but your Stray tour is designed to keep you safe, comfortable and experiencing an authentic Laos adventure without any risky business!  

The official language of Laos is Lao, which includes multiple dialects spoken across different regions. It's a member of the Tai language family, which is related to Thai and other languages spoken in Southeast Asia. Don't worry, most Laotians who work with tourists can speak English, and your Stray tour guides are locals and will translate when needed! 

Most travellers on our tours are aged between 20 and 50 although we have no maximum age because we believe age doesn't matter - it's all about attitude!

You should bring a backpack or small/medium suitcase (up to 15kg) filled with…

• Your clothes with at least one warm jumper and a pair of trousers.
• Swimsuit / Towel
• Bug repellent
• Reef Safe Sunblock / Hat
• Day pack
• Water bottle
• Waterproof jacket (shell)
• Walking shoes/trainers
• Sarong/shawl

In Asia between Nov - Mar it can also get pretty cold in Laos and you will need a warm jumper and trousers.

You won’t be needing…

• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Blankets or sheets