• Passport with minimum 6-month validity left (VERY IMPORTANT!!)
• A good backpack (good quality)
• Good Travel insurance (most policies cover Laos, but check)
• A second photo ID other than your passport
• Driver's license if you wish to go on the road or rent a bike or a car
• Important scans and documents on hardcopy and on Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.
• Blood donor/type card in case of...
• Prescriptions for any medication you require. (Note: Most Lao chemists will sell medicine without a script, but if you are searched by immigration, it's good to be able to show you need the medicine you carry.)
• Credit cards—not all in the same bag, please, and not all of them in your day-to-day wallet
• Light sleeping bag or blanket for cleanliness if you hang out at backpacker places; other than that, only for trips around October till February
• Sun protection, a hat, mosquito spray, and sunscreen (enough of it)
• Small towel and swimsuit, maybe a light outdoor towel—the waterfalls are inviting!
• Good walking shoes and trekking sandals for activities and flip-flops
• First aid kit for outdoor activities if you plan such activities (we take first aid kits on our tours)
• Earplugs for sleeping and boat trips!
• Padlock to prevent unwanted searching of your bags
• An easy-to-wash set of long and short clothes for outdoor use and string or hooks
• Rain protection, as our tours are held rain or shine (especially in June–October)
• Basic toiletries and toilet paper, although these can easily be purchased at local stores and supermarkets
• Games and a good book for on the bus or a quiet night
• Small knife, binoculars, head torch, or flashlight and extra batteries
• Chargers and power banks (some villages have no power)
• Candles and lighters make sense, but not in hand luggage. 
• Hygiene kit with soap, tissues, toothbrush, tampons, etc.
• School supplies, pens, notebooks, toothbrushes, and toothpaste to donate to local villages with your guide. (Note: These can be bought in Luang Prabang, and your guide will give them to the school or village.)
• A small donation to your guide goes a long way toward supporting their family and community

• Language
  • The national language is Lao, but English is commonly used in major tourist centers.
  • Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai are also widely understood.
  • French, German, Russian, and several other European languages are spoken by many educated Lao due to higher education in Europe during the 1970s-1990s.
• Weather
  • Laos generally enjoys a mild tropical climate, but it can get quite chilly during the cool season.
  • Temperatures range from 10 to 40 degrees Celsius in the Mekong Valley.
• Currency
  • The official currency of the Lao PDR is the Kip.
  • Banknotes in circulation include 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 Kip.
  • The best currencies for exchanging money are US Dollars, Euros, and Thai Baht.
  • Currency exchange is possible at banks, airports, and foreign currency exchange offices.
• Travel with Children
  • Laos is a safe and peaceful country, suitable for both adults and children.
  • Lao people are fond of kids, and children provide opportunities for positive interactions with locals.
  • Credit Cards
  • Visa, Master Card, and American Express are accepted mainly in larger hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops in major cities like Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Champasack.
• Internet
  • Internet access is available in many hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in urban areas.
  • Internet cafes are also present in provincial capitals, but rural areas might have limited connectivity.
• Healthcare
  • Laos offers basic healthcare services.
  • Precautionary measures such as consuming well-cooked food, drinking bottled water, staying hydrated, avoiding mosquito bites, and wearing protective clothing can prevent common ailments.
• Hospital Information
  • Google Maps can help you locate hospitals in Laos.

On request.