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Backpacking is a way of travelling with a low budget. Laos has a slow pace of life and scenic hidden gems, so it is especially popular for backpackers. However, there are many mistakes of backpackers that may be an obstacle to having a fulfilling trip. Come with Asia King Travel to see what these mistakes are and how to avoid them, as well as more Laos travel tips.
Overpacking is usually the main mistake of backpackers when they tend to travel to Laos, as well as other Southeast Asian countries. Many people try to put as many things as possible, thinking like “I may need this later”. However, the truth is you won’t need half as much luggage as you think. Even worse, a large bag may make you feel unpleasant along the way, or even cause back pain.
We recommend that you minimize them as much as possible. The weather in Laos is usually hot and humid, so you should bring clothes that are light, breathable and can be worn in layers, as well as a pair of shoes or trekking sandals for dirt roads and mountain paths. If you need more than you packed, you can easily get more in local stores at an affordable price, as Laos is generally inexpensive and you can find most essentials there.
Try not to overpack before visiting Laos
But saying not to overpack doesn’t mean you have to leave everything at home. You can consider preparing skincare products that you are already used to, especially when you have sensitive skin. If you are not afraid of being irritated, you can buy anything locally. However, there are some specific items that are hard to find in Laos like certain medicines or specialized outdoor gear, so you should prepare these before your trip.
One of the things not to do in Laos is to visit during its burning season. The burning season in Laos refers to the time between February and May, even June, when local farmers burn their agricultural fields to prepare for a new planting season. During this time, smog and haze cover a large area, and the air quality drops significantly. In some areas in the North, the situation is even worse, which may block the sun and your visibility.
Travelling in the burning season significantly affects your experience
It is still possible to travel to Laos during this season, but you should be aware that the smoky air may badly affect your experience as well as your health, especially for people with breathing problems. So if you can, try to plan your journey outside these burning months.
Laos is like a paradise where everything from food to services is so cheap that it can make you splurge your money on. Because of this, many travellers pay too much on luxuries they don’t really need, such as pricey hotels, fancy cocktails, etc. They might be cheap separately, but when summed, the price may be shocking to lots of people. Especially for backpackers who usually travel on a fair budget, this might be a nightmare.
It is easy to overspend in Laos, so try to use your money wisely
For a carefree experience when wandering along the country, you need to know how to avoid overspending. Also, you should be aware of additional charges. One of those that is often neglected is ATM surcharges. The ATM fees in Laos may cost up to USD 2 per transaction, which is equal to a meal. We know that you don’t want to waste too much money each time, so it’s better to withdraw a larger amount of cash each time.
But what to do with that much cash? Keep your money in multiple positions, maybe some in your pocket, some in your wallet and leave the rest at the hotel. By doing this, you won’t be out of money too quickly, even if you are pickpocketed.
Suggested for you: Off the beaten track tours in Laos
We know that Laos has a lot to see, but trying to plan too much into a short time might make the trip become rushed, even exhausting. You have to visit too many places in one day and move to another one before you can even fully see them, plus you also have to carry a heavy backpack along the way. Not only are you tired, but you may also miss the chance to discover the whole beauty of those wonders.
In contrast, some backpackers would love to be flexible and free at all times, and this leads to their underplanning, especially with solo travellers. Many rural areas have little reliable public transport or accommodation options, as well as limited internet connection, and without any prior preparation, you may have to deal with some tricky problems. These include getting lost, culture shock or even emergency cases.
Having a flexible plan will make your journey more enjoyable
So, what are the solutions? Before you travel to Laos on your own, make sure that you will get there with everything prepared. Make an overall plan so that you know what to do, where to visit and how to get to each destination. But you need to accept the fact that you won’t be able to see everything in a limited amount of time. Just plan the main activities like the must-visit destinations, and then you can leave space for some other additional discoveries.
Last but not least, a critical Laos travel mistake to avoid is not to find out about local customs and etiquette before visiting. You may know that Laos is a land that is deeply rich in culture and also a Buddhist country, which means it has a variety of customs and traditions to follow. For instance, touching someone’s head is considered rude, even though it may be a sign of intimacy of deep affection in Western countries.
Laos has plenty of customs and traditions to learn
To make the trip safer and more enjoyable, try to learn about local customs. In addition, this is an opportunity to learn a bit deeper about the place you are visiting. One of the best ways to do this is to see how locals interact, dress, and what they do in different situations, so that you can follow them later. In addition, reading some travel blogs or watching videos about Lao culture beforehand could also be helpful.
If you also want to have some better interaction with locals, you can learn basic phrases such as Sabaidee (Hello) and Khob chai (Thanks), which are fairly easy. After that, you can try to learn some more specific customs, but remember to stick to gestures and dress codes, because they are related to how locals would react to you.
Backpacking is a favourable way of travelling, especially with individuals. But there are some mistakes of backpackers and these can interrupt their experiences. In case you need a planned trip, Asia King Travel provides a variety of tours in Laos that you can choose based on your preference.
Suggested for you: Laos Cycling Tours
