As far as adventure goes, Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s last unspoiled destinations; unspoiled in the sense that it’s yet to be turned into a mass tourism venue, and it still retains much of its backwater character. Indeed, this landlocked, communist-run country of only five million offers one of the last remaining corners of the region yet to be significantly westernized.

Independent travelers have been stomping through Laos for about 10 years now - long enough to ensure it has some sort of infrastructure, but visitors will still get a sense that they are experiencing a country before it’s ‘too late’. With iTrek you have an opportunity to see Laos at its least sophisticated in comfort, as we have combined the best of its wilderness with suitable travel facilities.

The mountainous north of Laos (pronounced ‘Lao’) offers excellent trekking and has become the new focus of those seeking unexplored territory. Here you will find remote hill tribe villages that are reachable by boat and footpath only, with no electricity. You’re also likely to be some of the few outsiders/foreigners the locals have encountered. This can mean some roughing it, and the risk of being quite far from civilization in the event of a health problem.

On the other hand, popular centers such as Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane have become popular and notable destinations, where you can enjoy the comforts of boutique guesthouses and lodges, as well as decent medical attention. But you would also expect to run into quite a few backpackers. Fortunately it’s all low-key.

Laos suffered terribly during the Vietnam conflict, earning the unenviable moniker as the ‘most bombed country in history’. The country has always been at the mercy of larger neighbors and their problems, and attempts by the US military to stop the flow of arms along the Ho Chi Minh trail through eastern Laos resulted in massive bombing.

While the safest and fastest way to get about Laos long distance is by plane, cancellations of flights are common due to inclement weather in the north, and therefore reconfirming flights is a must. Flying into Luang Prabang, the charming World Heritage-listed former Laotian capital, is the best way to reach the trekking areas of the north. A decent, but mountainous, road connects it with Vientiane, the new capital, which is reachable with an hour-long flight from Bangkok, or six hours overland through Thailand. However, the rest of the country has poor roads and reaching the trekking points sometimes means bumpy, long rides on winding hillside roads. This is what keeps the rest of the tourists at bay. In other instances, we arrange boat transfers up the rivers.

You will not need any exotic vaccinations to enter Laos yet it is wise to keep tetanus and polio boosters up-to-date, as well as hepatitis B. Dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, tuberculosis and malaria are also present in Laos in some areas. Talk to your doctor several weeks before you leave with regard to malaria prevention and side effects. In addition, some waterways contain leptospirosis disease, so keep your head above water when swimming in fresh water. We will advise you if your trekking area is malaria-prone.

Tap water in Laos is not potable and bottled water should be used, even for brushing your teeth. It is cheap and available everywhere. Food eaten at hawker stalls is among the tastiest in the country, but ensure it is piping hot and freshly cooked before consuming. Be particularly wary of eating spicy papaya salad, which is uncooked and can easily cause an upset stomach.

Health care in Laos is quite primitive, especially outside Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and for anything serious we would recommend jumping on a plane to Chiang Mai or Bangkok in Thailand. Pharmacies can be found in the larger towns of Laos and, if you become sick in Vientiane, there is the 24-hour Mahosot Hospital.

Travel insurance is a must and you should ensure that it covers you for all medical eventualities, including repatriation. This last part is important in case you need to be moved to a superior hospital in neighboring Thailand. Also ensure that any adventure activities you plan to take part in are also covered because it is rare for an insurance company to cover such things as standard.

Being fit enough to tackle some of the trekking in Laos is also important as the terrain, coupled with a sapping humidity, can seriously hamper movement. Training at home for several weeks, or months, before you travel is a good idea, along with planning suitable clothing and footwear.

Laotians are generally passive and most visitors will not have any hassles. The country is impoverished and crime can occasionally be a problem between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. However, when staying in guesthouses, one should keep valuables locked in a safe and exercise care and apply common sense by avoiding walking around with large amounts of cash or flashy jewelry when out in public.