As one of the worlds least developed countries Laos offers fantastic gap year volunteer work opportunities. Take a gap year Laos and have the adventure of your life

Ecoteer’s gap year volunteers have the chance to help offer a level of education unavailable to most people within Laos whilst living and integrating into a culture that is still relatively untouched by modern Western ways. Lao people are extremely friendly and gap year volunteers will find their students are well behaved and incredibly respectful with a strong desire to learn.

Laos has been part of the backpackers circuit linking Cambodia and Thailand for a number of years and has now began to emerge as a tourist destination in its own right.

Enjoy taking a gap year in laos and the many volunteer work opportunities in Laos and leave as one of the Lao community.

Recommended gap year volunteer work opportunities in Laos

Gap year volunteer in Laos and become part of the community

Cost - GBP100 per week

Our gap year volunteer project focuses on community-based voluntourism in the Northern region of Laos. We help 7 villages to organize and run their own tourist products. We believe responsible tourism is the only way to reduce poverty in this region and we are succeeding! Gap year volunteers live like a villager in Northern Laos and take part in everyday tasks. Gap year volunteers teach English and assist the community. Gp year volunteering in Laos is a great way to experience what Thailand was like pre- mass tourism.

Highly recommended.

Volunteer and immerse yourself in Laos culture

Gap year volunteer with textiles in Laos

Cost - GBP50 per week

This gap year volunteer project in laos is dedicated to Lao cultural preservation through the promotion of Lao textile arts. It is our goal to economically and socially benefit Lao rural mountain artisans and thereby contribute to the wider community especially to women.

Unique aspects are that our new gap year volunteers do not come into an existing role rather they co-steer the process of building up the future work with their commitment with the local people. A small team is in place to supervise and the founder of the Foundation can guide through various ideas connected to the projects aims.

Volunteer in Laos now

Climate

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate, with a pronounced rainy season from May through October, a cool dry season from November through February, and a hot dry season in March and April. Generally, monsoons occur at the same time across the country, although that time may vary significantly from one year to the next. Rainfall also varies regionally, with the highest amounts-- 3,700 millimeters annually--recorded on the Bolovens Plateau in Champasak Province. City rainfall stations have recorded that Savannakhèt averages 1,440 millimeters of rain annually; Vientiane receives about 1,700 millimeters, and Louangphrabang (Luang Prabang) receives about 1,360 millimeters. Rainfall is not always adequate for rice cultivation, however, and the relatively high average precipitation conceals years where rainfall may be only half or less of the norm, causing significant declines in rice yields. Such droughts often are regional, leaving production in other parts of the country unaffected. Temperatures range from highs around 40°C along the Mekong in March and April to lows of 5°C or less in the uplands of Xiangkhoang and Phôngsali in January.

Visa

All visitors require a visa for the duration of their stay. Tourist visas are available from your local Laos Embassy, Vientiane Airport, Luang Prubang Airport, Friendship Bridge or Savannakhet. Tourist visas are valid for 15 days and cost approximately USD30, multiple entry visas are available from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All further visa or immigration related enquiries should be directed towards your local Laos Embassy or consulate.