Laos in October is ideal time to start a new journey, when the rainy season gradually ends, nature becomes fresh and full of vitality. Waterfalls, rice fields and a vibrant festival atmosphere will bring visitors unforgettable experiences. This is also the ideal time to enjoy the wild beauty and explore the unique culture of the land of a million elephants.
What’s special about Laos weather in October?
October is the transition period from the rainy season (May – September) to the cool dry season (November – February). This is one of the most pleasant times of the year to travel to Laos.
Temperature
Friendly Laos weather in October generally experiences daytime temperatures between 25-30 degrees and nighttime temperatures ranging from 18-22 degrees. While it can still be cooler in the north, like Luang Prabang, generally in the south like Pakse and Champasak, you will experience heat and humidity.
Humidity
Humidity is still quite high from 70% to 90%, but given the ideal temperatures, the overall feeling in Laos in October is far more comfortable than in the peak of the rainy season.
Precipitation
As the end of the rainy season, the precipitation in October is quite a bit lower than September, ranging form 32 to 117mm, as now you would only expect a few short showers the later part of the afternoon or night. Based on annual averages, you can expect on average 8-12 days of rain in the month.
Laos weather in October
Thanks to all of the rainfall in the months before, the nature of Laos in October is now colorful and lush and green, rivers and streams are plentiful, and there are a number of grand and magnificent waterfalls.
>>> Refer to Laos Weather: When is the Best Time to Visit Laos? for more detailed information about the weather by month in Laos.
Best Activities to Enjoy Laos in October
Enjoy the lush green landscape
In October, Laos’s nature becomes brilliant with cool green. In the North, Kuang Si (Luang Prabang) is a popular place that features a three-tiered emerald green waterfall. Tad Sae Waterfall is also a very good list option to see the waterfall along with taking part in kayaking. In the south, Bolaven Plateau (near Pakse, Champasak) is extraordinary with waterfalls such as Tad fane, Tad Yuang, and Tad Lo. If you like mountain scenery, you can also go to Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi where you have great views to the Nam Ou River.
Kuang Si – Three-tiered emerald waterfall – Laos
Take in the Mekong River Cruise
October is the flood season and a great time to take a boat trip on the Mekong River. You can possibly take a boat trip from Luang Prabang to Pakbeng, then on to Huay Xai, or you can take a boat trip in Vientiane or Savannakhet to take in the beautiful sunset on the Mekong.
Journey on Mekong River
Experience trekking and adventure tourism
With the roads being less muddy now that the rainy season is over, it is a great opportunity to go on trekking trips. Luang Namtha is the main trekking destination, and you can trek through jungles and the Nam Ha Nature Reserve, and visit some of the ethnic minority villages. If you enjoyed visiting the limestone mountains, you can also consider traveling to the Phong Nha – Hin Namno area close to the Vietnam border. In addition, the Bolaven Plateau has many great trekking trips through mountains and waterfalls and coffee fields.
Trekking in Nam Ha Nature Reserve – Laos
>>> Check out Essentials of Indochina in 14 days: Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia if you are planning a trip to explore the must-see destinations of Southeast Asia.
Immerse in cultural festivals
October is the bustling festival season throughout Laos. Visitors can participate in Boun Ok Phansa – the end of the Buddhist Lent, with many solemn rituals at pagodas across the country. One of my most memorable experiences was attending the Boun Lai Heua Fai Festival (Floating Lantern Festival), where hundreds of bamboo and paper boats decorated with sparkling lanterns are set adrift on the river. In addition, the Lao Craft Fair in Vientiane also takes place this month, a great opportunity to shop for silk, brocade and traditional handicrafts from all over the country.
Festival of Floating Lanterns – Laos
Visit historical and spiritual sites
The weather in Laos in October is very suitable for exploring religious buildings and world heritage sites. The old town of Luang Prabang with temples such as Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Mai is a must-see stop. In the capital Vientiane, That Luang Tower – the national symbol – and Patuxai (Arc de Triomphe) are popular check-in spots. In the south, there is Vat Phou (Champasak), an ancient Khmer temple complex that is not any less than Angkor.
Wat Xieng Thong – Laos
Experience cuisine and coffee
October also coincides with autumn or coffee in the Bolaven plateau, famous for its delicious Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, visitors can visit the farms, learn about the processing process and enjoy coffee right in the garden. In addition, Lao street food is also very attractive: Larb (spicy meat salad), Nam Khao (Crispy Rice Salad) – one of the best Asia’s Street foods or grilled Mekong fish are all dishes not to be missed. Markets night in Luang Prabang and Vientiane is both a culinary paradise and an interesting place to shop for souvenirs.
Laos Cuisine
Enjoy the slow pace of life
If you are a lover of peaceful holidays, October is the best time to travel to Laos with countless resort options in the Si Phan Don archipelago – the land of 4000 islands, especially Don Det and Don Khone islands, where you can cycle to see the scenery, visit Khone Phapheng waterfall – the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, or simply lie down in a hammock on the banks of the Mekong to enjoy the slow pace of life.
Laos travel Guide in October for a hassle-free trip
Prepare for the weather
The weather in Laos in October is cool, pleasant, and a lot less rainy than the summer, although there can be sudden rain showers so it best to have a light, rain jacket or a small umbrella just in case. Daytime temperatures can be warm, but I recall visiting Luang Prabang in mid-October and the evenings getting chilly (around 18 degrees) so a thin jacket was very handy.
Bring neat luggage
A useful Laos travel guide is to prepare your luggage neatly, wrap it in light, easy-to-dry clothes for easy movement. In addition, you need to bring sports shoes or sandals with good grip for trekking activities, along with mosquito repellent and insect repellent because mosquitoes often thrive after the rainy season.
Prioritize Cash
In major cities of Laos, you can use US Dollars or Thai Baht in some restaurants, hotels and large stores. However, for the most convenience, you should still exchange to Kip when shopping or spending at night markets, small shops and in rural areas because ATMs are almost non-existent in rural areas of Laos.
Prioritize exchanging and carrying small denominations for convenient payment at local markets and stores. When shopping at night markets, you can bargain gently but should maintain a friendly attitude.
Respect cultural belief
Laos is a Buddhist country, so when visiting temples such as Wat Xieng Thong or That Luang, you should wear modest clothes, covering your shoulders and knees. Also, remember to take off your shoes before entering temples, private homes or some stores. You can ask local people before doing something you are not sure about to avoid affecting the beliefs and religions of this country. In addition, in some places, you should ask and ask for permission before taking pictures of the scenery and people, especially monks. Avoid touching religious objects, monks or the elderly. Lao culture does not encourage emotional behavior in public, so please be moderate to suit the customs.
>>> If you are someone who has never set foot in Laos, and still have many questions about the land of a thousand elephants, please see 7 Essential Things to Know Before Visiting Laos: A Guide for Every Traveler to get an overview of a worry-free trip to Laos.
October is a great time to explore Laos, when the climate starts to cool, the rainfall gradually decreases and nature becomes green. In addition, this is a lively festival season full of unique cultural experiences. While there may still be short bursts of rain, generally speaking the weather in Laos in October is great for sightseeing, having fun, and soaking in all of the beauty of the land of 1 million elephants.
If you are looking for a tour with fresh air and rich in cultural experiences in Asia, contact us to get the best in Laos travel guides.
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