r/laos • u/jackikiki • 7d ago

Laos next week

I’m visiting Northern Laos from August 30th till September 8th.

I’m planning on doing the typical turist adventures such as hot air balloons, hikes and the mountain camping in Nong Khiaw.

My route will be Luang Prabang > Nong Khiaw > Vang Vieng.

My questions is, if the weather will close some of the activities I’m going for??

I don’t mind rain and am looking forward to the green scenery during this season, but I’m unsure how to set my expectations when it comes to the outdoor activities I want to experience ☔️

Thanks in advance 🫶🏼

1 Upvotes

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5

u/JamJarre 7d ago

When it rains it'll rain like crazy. I wouldn't want to be in a hot air balloon or on the top of a mountain during a wet season downpour. Roads will also be even more garbage than usual during those months

However it won't rain constantly. Probably every day but not necessarily all day. 

3

u/LouQuacious 7d ago

They weren’t flying in rainy season when I was there.

Also camping this time of year is not going to be pleasant.

1

u/jackikiki 7d ago

Noted.
Do you have any recommendations on other activities to do instead?

1

u/Nearby-Spirit7130 7d ago

Been here for a week and no rain yet !

3

u/Fantastic-Ad9158 7d ago

The track up the mountains are usually very steep and its dirt or rock I wouldn't like to get down thoses paths if it's raining heavily.

2

u/Virtual-Match6831 7d ago

The weather has been amazing for the last 10 days. Must be El Nino. I've never seen such nice weather for so long in the rainy season.

3

u/knowerofexpatthings 7d ago

Depends where you are. It was absolutely pissing down last week in the south near the Vietnamese border.

2

u/Virtual-Match6831 7d ago

True. I saw that on the news. But for Northern Laos this has to be unusually dry for mid to late August. I don't think I've ever seen day after day of blue sky and zero rain in August. Don't you agree?

3

u/knowerofexpatthings 7d ago

It's not uncommon to get a bit of a dry spell in August. But it has been unusually long. I'm sure there will be a massive storm soon.

2

u/Jean-L 7d ago

Bring proper shoes for mountain hiking. Tracks are extremely slippery, you need good grip. I tried last year to climb one of the spots in Vang Vieng with flip flops and gave up after 50m. Didn't feel like breaking an ankle that day.

1

u/peggysuedog 7d ago

I’ll be there then too! Looks like it’s raining a lot over the next week in Luang Prabang but hopefully then eases off

1

u/FuturaFree99 7d ago

It has not rained since 2/3 days.

1

u/sealofdestiny 7d ago

Been here for a week with no major issues just a few down pours, while it’s flooded in other areas