Laos geography and climate

Laos is a country enriched with beautiful natural landscapes and has become more popular with world-wide tourists for adventurous journeys and interesting discoveries. Mountains and dense primitive forests are the main terrains of the country which are great conditions for developing eco-tourism. Nowadays, lots of places in Laos still own the sleeping beauty and wait for tourists’ exploration. The mighty Mekong River running throughout the country ‘s territory fertile soil on which deltas are built up and located charming little towns where unique cultures and traditions flourished.

The famous attractions for visitors include special cuisine and ancient religious sites in the capital Vientiane; Buddhist religion and colonial buildings in Luang Prabang; hitchhiking in Vang Vieng; ancient-modern culture and painful history in The Plain of Jars and its surroundings; trekking and having local interaction with people from ethnic groups in some remote areas including Phongsaly and Luang Namtha; spotting wildlife and rare species in Nam Et-Phou Louey; exploring majestic caves and spectacular waterfalls near Thakhek; entertaining with the intelligent Irrawaddy dolphin and relaxing at Khone Phapheng Falls at Si Phan Don (the Four Thousand Islands); admiring the sacred Wat Phu, a splendid Khmer temple complex; soaking up in the breathtaking waterfalls and tasting unforgettable coffee at the Bolaven Plateau.

The weather in Laos is quite pleasant and a bit humid during summer. Winter in the low land is still comfortable and it gets colder when going up the high mountain. Therefore, you can plan a trip to Laos any time in the year.

Geography and topography

Laos is an isolated country that is surrounded by China (in the north), Myanmar (in the west), Vietnam (in the east), Thailand, and Cambodia (in the south). The country spreads on a total area of 235,000 kilometers square and accounting for 70% is highlands, mountains, and plateau mostly covered by forest. Therefore, it is considered a general home to numerous rare flora and more than 1,200 wildlife species.

Situated to the west of the Annam Highlands an average height of 1,200 meters, the regions of Southern and central Laos have naturally divided the Indianize and Sinitic civilizations of the area for such a long time.

The country's highest peaks are Northeastern Laos ranges at 2,820m and the Annamite ranges’ southern end at 2,600m. The central area of the Annamites are Bolaven and Khammouanne plateaus.

Most of the rivers and streams in Laos finally merge into the mighty Mekong via one of its 15 branches. Though the average amount of rainfall ranging from 1360mm (in Luang Prabang) to 3700mm (on the Boloven Plateau) during the months from June to October, the country still often has to face the lack of water in the low-land like the Mekong Delta. This issue can create bad effects on the crops and other planting activities that account for around 80% of the country's agricultural land.

Climate

The tropical climate in Laos is divided into 2 main seasons including the dry and rainy seasons. The dry season falls in the months from October to April while the rainy season lasts from May to September. During the monsoon season, heavy rain happens but for just a short period. The annual temperature on average is estimated at 28 degrees Celsius, but it is lower (10 to 15 degrees Celsius) during the winter, and it sometimes freezes in the Plain of Jars region.

From October to February: The temperatures are estimated from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. In the northern regions and Luang Prabang surroundings, the weather is quite cool except in the afternoon. Tourists traveling between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang on the waterway should bring along at least a long-sleeved shirt or a wind-proofing jacket.

From March to June: The average temperatures are around 35 degrees Celsius.

From May to October: During this rainy season, the low-land regions’ average temperature reaches 30 degrees Celsius, while the mountainous areas are still cool. Although these months are in the wet season, the rain is expected to happen for just 1 or 2 hours instead of all-day downpours.