Leave Thailand and Vietnam! Visit this paradise of clouds and waterfalls in a budget of Rs 50 thousand; Complete travel guide for Indians to this beautiful country full of easy visas, luxury resorts and natural sights.

When it comes to traveling abroad during holidays, the first name that comes to the mind of most Indian tourists is Thailand, Vietnam or Bali. Over the past few years, the huge influx of Indian tourists to these countries has led to overcrowding, expensive hotels and commercialism in popular cities like Phuket, Pattaya, Hanoi and Da Nang. If you want magical blue-green waterfalls, dense tropical rainforests, UNESCO World Heritage cities, centuries-old Buddhist monastic culture and serene peace in your next international trip, then the hidden gem of South-East Asia, ‘Laos’ is the perfect choice for you. Situated right between Thailand and Vietnam, this landlocked country is now emerging as the trendiest and budget-friendly destination among global travelers. The slow and peaceful lifestyle here, the villages situated in the lap of Mekong River and the French colonial architecture fascinate everyone.

The most attractive aspect of traveling to Laos is that it is incredibly cheap. The official currency of Laos is ‘Lao Kip’ (LAK). In the international currency market, the value of the Indian Rupee against the Lao Kip is so strong that 1 Indian Rupee is approximately equal to 250 to 260 Lao Kip. This simply means that if you exchange just ₹10,000 in cash from India, you get more than 25 lakh Lao Kip there. Due to this large currency difference, a luxury or boutique hotel room in Laos can easily be found for ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per night in Indian currency. Delicious local noodles or soups available on the roadside cost around ₹100 to ₹150, while for ₹500 to ₹800, two people can have a hearty meal at a swanky riverfront café. From budget backpackers to couples and family trips, an all-inclusive 5 to 7 days in Laos costs just under ₹45,000 to ₹60,000 (including flight tickets) per person.

Traveling to Laos is extremely simple and hassle-free for Indian passport holders. The Government of Laos provides both types of tourism facilities to Indian citizens:

• E-Visa: You can apply for an e-Visa online by visiting the official portal of Laos (laoevisa.gov.in) before travelling. It requires a passport valid for 6 months, return flight ticket and passport size photograph. The electronic visa approval letter arrives by email within 3 working days of application.

• Visa on Arrival: If you haven’t already obtained a visa, you can get a ‘visa on arrival’ valid for 30 days upon landing at international airports in Laos—such as Vientiane’s Vattay International Airport and Luang Prabang Airport. For this, a visa fee of approximately US$ 40 and 2 recent photographs have to be paid.

A trip to Laos is not limited to just one city, but different parts of the country are adorned with diverse colors of nature and history:

• 1. Luang Prabang: This city, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the cultural heart of Laos. Here, the ‘Tak Bat Ceremony’ of Buddhist monks, which takes place at 5 in the morning, the ancient Golden Temple (Wat Xieng Thong) and the French café built at the confluence of Nam Khan and Mekong rivers provide wonderful relaxation.

• 2. Kuang Si Falls: Located about 30 kilometers from Luang Prabang, this waterfall is counted among the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. The milky and turquoise blue water falling from the terraced limestone rocks is so clear that you will completely forget your tiredness while swimming in it.

• 3. Vang Vieng: Vang Vieng is a paradise for nature and adventure lovers. Surrounded by towering green karst (limestone) hills all around, hot air balloon rides, kayaking in the Nam Song River, tubing and diving in the ‘Blue Lagoon’ feel like scenes from a Hollywood movie.

• 4. Vientiane (Vientiane – the capital): Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is one of the most peaceful capitals in the world. Here the main attractions worth seeing are the ‘Patuxai’ monument built on the lines of the Arc de Triomphe of Paris, the golden pagoda ‘Pha That Luang’ and the ‘Buddha Park’ (Xieng Khuan) decorated with hundreds of huge statues of Buddhist and Hindu gods and goddesses.

To make the right decision about your travel, a direct comparison of the three popular South-East Asian countries can be understood as follows:

The journey to Laos is no longer as tiring and inaccessible as it used to be. With the opening of the state-of-the-art ‘Laos-China High-Speed ​​Railway’ (LCR), traveling from one city to another within the country has become extremely fast and comfortable. Whereas earlier one had to travel 8 to 10 hours by arduous bus journey on winding mountain roads from the capital Vientiane to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, now the modern air-conditioned bullet train covers this distance in just 1 to 2 hours. The views of lush green mountains, tunnels and rivers visible from the train’s large glass windows make this journey an experience similar to a European train journey.

Traditional food in Laos is based on freshness and herbs. The national dish ‘Laap’ (minced meat/tofu salad) and sticky rice are very popular. Even if you are a pure vegetarian, there is no need to panic. Being a Buddhist majority country, tofu, fresh green vegetables, mushroom noodles and veg spring rolls are easily available in every local restaurant. Additionally, cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang are home to a number of authentic Indian restaurants serving dal-roti, paneer and South Indian dosa-sambar. Sitting on the banks of the Mekong River in the evening and enjoying Laos’ famous herbal tea or fresh fruit smoothie is a unique experience in itself.

It is important to keep the weather in mind when planning a trip to Laos:

• Best time to visit: The months from October to March are the most suitable months to visit Laos. During this period the weather remains pleasant, dry and cool. The pleasure of waterfalls and trekking is doubled due to mild sunshine during the day and slight coolness at night.

• Flights and Connectivity: There are convenient connecting flights from India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai) to Laos via Bangkok (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) or Hanoi (Vietnam). The total air journey from Delhi to Vientiane or Luang Prabang via Bangkok takes about 6 to 7 hours.

If you are tired of the clichéd reel locations of social media and want a blend of true nature, relaxation and budget-friendly luxury in your vacation, then pack your bags and set out on an unforgettable trip to ‘Laos’, the magical neighbor country of Thailand and Vietnam.