The Best of Cambodia & Laos

Prabang and Vientiane are geared more for
adults. Some of the river excursions from
Luang Prabang might amuse them for an
afternoon, and elephant rides should
really get them going. A combined vacation
to Thailand and Laos together can
work, with a flight directly up to Luang
Prabang from Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
There is also a lack of adequate medical
facilities.
Inner Journey Expeditions (P.O. Box
2467, Parap, Darwin, Northern Territory,
0804, Australia; & +61 400/806 039;
www.ije.com.au) offers specifically tailored
family expeditions for families with
older children.
WOMEN TRAVELERS
There are no particular safety concerns for
women that don’t affect men as well. What
trouble there might be is nondiscriminatory.
Being out late at night on your own
is not actually particularly dangerous in
Laos, but it remains unwise.
It is unusual for a Lao woman to travel
on her own, but given your obviously foreign
status, all allowances will generally be
made for your choice to do so.
The main thing to remember is that
Laos is a very conservative country. Anyone
who behaves in a loutish or uncouth
way, especially if intoxicated, will cause
deep shock, worry, and offense. This is
doubly true for women. Another thing
you will notice is how modestly Lao
women dress. No one will stop you from
wearing skimpy clothes, but it is likely to
embarrass them even if they don’t say anything.
When bathing or swimming, Lao
women remain covered. You don’t have
to do the same, but if you do wear a
T-shirt or even a sarong while bathing in
the river, particularly in Vang Vieng, your
consideration will likely be noted by local
people.
TRAVELERS WITH
DISABILITIES
Laos poses severe challenges to travelers
with disabilities. Apart from one or two
top-end hotels, there is virtually no concept
of wheelchair access. Sidewalks are
uneven and full of potholes. Local transport
is difficult and chaotic. Luang Prabang
with its almost pedestrianized nature
is easier to navigate than most places once
you are there, but realistically any trip to
Laos if in a wheelchair would need a lot of
planning. The best way to navigate the
country is to charter a private minibus or
car for the duration of your trip. That way
you are not subjected to the fairly hectic
restraints of public transport, you can stop
when you want, and you can take your
time.
Online resources with general information
for travelers with disabilities include
Access-Able (www.access-able.com),
Mobility International (& 541/343-
1284; www.miusa.org), Society for Accessible
Travel and Hospitality (& 212/
447-7284; www.sath.org), and Royal
Association for Disability and Rehabilitation
(& 020/7250-3222; www.radar.
org.uk). Tour operators catering specifically
to the needs of travelers with disabilities
include Directions Unlimited (& 800/
533-5343 or 914/241-1700) and Accessible
Journeys (& 610/521-0339; www.
disabilitytravel.com).
STUDENT TRAVEL
For students who lack funds, Laos is cheap
and spectacular. Since the mid-’90s, this
has meant that Laos has become very
popular among budget travelers. There is
also a whole network of services catering to
their needs. Although their footprint tends
to be environmentally small, their cultural
footprint can be very destructive indeed.
This is certainly the case in Vang Vieng,
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PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO LAOS 10
SPECIALIZED TRAVEL RESOURCES