Should we use a tour operator to see Laos?

My wife and I are planning a trip to Laos in March. What is the best way to see the country - we will have about a week. Do we need to use a tour operator and if so who is recommended?

We need to book urgently!

Should we use a tour operator to see Laos?

I don%26#39;t know if you%26#39;ll have time to see ';the country';, but a week will afford you a couple days in Vientiane and the rest in Luang Prabang. Definitely plan on flying otherwise you will be spending 2 full days on a bus. The Lonely Planet has a good guidebook that can help you plan your itinerary. No need to go through an agency- the aforementioned cities are small enough to figure out/navigate on your own.

Should we use a tour operator to see Laos?

My friend has 6 days %26amp; wants to trek in the hill tribes of N Laos %26amp; spend 2 nights in Luang Prabang...

When you have a few days, it%26#39;s kinda scary to just show up %26amp; hope that some local travel agent will not rip you off or send you on some touristy wild goose chase.

That is why I%26#39;ve been asking for advice for an inexperienced (in Asia) female friend of mine who wants to go trekking... and see Luang Prabang... If she were experienced or had more time, I could see just winging it, but I think for inexperience %26amp; 6 days, she needs to prebook %26amp; IMO I think an Laotian travel agent would give a better price...

I just need a recommendation for one. I%26#39;ve read that the LONELY PLANET guide is rather outdated.

I bought their Thailand one last August, hot off the press %26amp; found it inaccurate, biased against mid-level/moderate travel, biased towards hostels, backpacking %26amp; street food... and not everyone wants to travel like that... the inference was, if you want to eat in a restaurant %26amp; stay in a hotel w/ a private toilet, then you are somehow %26#39;less of a traveler%26#39;... so I%26#39;m not a fan of Lonely Planets, I find the posters here far more informed %26amp; open minded.

Posters on Thorn Tree and Travelfish are far more knowledgeable than most posters on this site, though some, eg Maneki, do post on all.

Two tour operators I have experience with are: Exotissimo. Expensive, but highly reliable and very helpful.

Green Discovery. My experiences with them have not been happy, though many people swear by them.

';When you have a few days, it%26#39;s kinda scary to just show up %26amp; hope that some local travel agent will not rip you off or send you on some touristy wild goose chase.';

My dear Oksana, let me tell you the number of times I have heard reports of tourists getting to their destination, with a pre-booked tour/excursion/hotel whatever, only to be completely disappointed %26amp;/or ripped off. And if you have paid for everything in advance, the chances of you being able to get your money back are very, very slim.

Anyhow, it%26#39;s up to you. The only tour operators I know operate out of Vientiane, but of course you can book through them for excursions in LP, etc.

Here%26#39;s MY list-

Phoenix Voyages

http://phoenixvoyages.com

Diethelm Travel Laos

diethelmtravel.com

Exotissimo

laosales@exotissimo.com

Inter-Lao Tourism

www.interlao.laopdr.com

Did a totally DIY trip to Vientiane and LP last year. Booked flights on line and also the hotels by email.

Did our own thing on arrival,either through hotel or through guide books and everything ran so,so smoothly for our short 7 day trip.

One of the best trips we have done in recent years only beaten by a magical couple of weeks in Burma over New Year.

Methinks if I was doing 4 center rather than just the two towns I might have used Agents.

Laos is a big country with lots to see so a tour operator could be useful if you don%26#39;t want to waste time as you only have a week. Depends what kind of holiday you want and on your budget!

A good company that I know are:

http://www.experiencesoutheastasia.com

They specialise in the area so seem to know it very well and aren%26#39;t too pushy.

Have a good holiday!