General Terms and Conditions of Sale

Introduction

Except in the event of a written agreement, Asia Safari Laos and its Client, whether an individual or a professional, agree to apply these general terms and conditions of sale to all services provided by Asia Safari Laos to the Client. All services booked for individual or group trips are governed by the General Terms and Conditions of Sale set out below. These General Terms and Conditions of Sale are valid regardless of the form of the contract, written or verbal, between Asia Safari Laos and its Client.

Article 1: Validity

All our prices provided to the Client are net and stated in US dollars. They are valid according to the dates specified in the programmes and/or proposals provided to the Client. Asia Safari Travel guarantees that the prices and/or rates provided to the Client are valid at the time the proposal is prepared and written and/or invoiced.

Article 2: Booking and Confirmation

All bookings must be made directly with our office in Vientiane. Any confirmation of a booking requires payment of a deposit of 30% (thirty percent) of the trip amount. The balance of the total trip file amount must be paid at least 30 days (thirty days) before the start date of the services to be provided to the Client. If this clause is not complied with, Asia Safari Travel reserves the right to cancel all bookings without refund of the deposit and sums paid by the Client.

Article 3: Price

The price includes all services according to the conditions stated in the programme, namely: accommodation in a half double room, land, sea and river transport according to the itinerary indications as mentioned in the programme.

The price also includes visits and excursions, with or without a local French- or English-speaking guide, as mentioned in the programme terms. Not included are airport taxes (unless mentioned), visa and passport fees, tipping costs, all personal expenses, and baggage, cancellation and assistance insurance.

Article 4: Payment

Except in the event of a written agreement from Asia Safari Laos, the Client’s payment must be made by bank transfer directly to our bank account in Laos.
Currency conversion and transfer fees are at your expense.

Article 5: Cancellation

Cancellation by the Client of their registration will result in cancellation fees according to the following general conditions:

For all trips outside the year-end period:

• Up to 60 days before departure, 10% of the total trip amount will be retained.
• From 59 to 30 days before departure, 30% of the total trip amount will be retained.
• From 29 to 16 days before departure, 60% of the total trip amount will be retained.
• Less than 15 days before departure, 100% of the total trip amount will be retained.

For trips taking place between 10 December and 15 January:

• Up to 60 days before departure, 10% of the total trip amount will be retained.
• From 59 to 45 days before departure, 50% of the total trip amount will be retained.
• Less than 45 days before departure, 100% of the total trip amount will be retained.

If the balance of the trip has not been received one month before departure, Asia Safari Travel reserves the right to cancel the booking without compensation. If Asia Safari Travel is obliged to cancel a departure for any reason whatsoever, participants will be fully refunded.

Article 6: Change or Modification of Trips

Less than 30 days before departure, any modification will be considered a cancellation and will result in application of the scale of deductions shown in the “cancellation” section above.

Article 7: Responsibilities

Asia Safari Travel undertakes to do everything possible to satisfy the Client and to provide the services confirmed in the programme. Asia Safari Travel cannot be held liable to the Client in the event of failure or dissatisfaction with services provided by a third party, and consequently for any compensation or wrongdoing or anything else, for any loss, injury, damage, delay, schedule change, and any other irregularity beyond its control and/or suffered as a result of an act or omission by a natural or legal person providing services to Clients. Any additional expense resulting from these irregularities beyond our control, such as delays, weather conditions, accidents, fatigue, natural disasters, political events—non-exhaustive list—shall be borne by the Clients. Additional costs caused by programme changes initiated by the Client shall be borne by the latter. Participation in the trip implies the Clients’ full acceptance of these conditions.

Article 8: Formalities

Prior to the conclusion of the contract, the seller informs the Client of the various administrative and/or health formalities necessary for the execution of their trip (such as passport, visas, vaccinations, etc.). Their completion and the resulting costs are the sole responsibility of the Client.

Article 9: Hotels

International hotel regulations require Clients to vacate their room before noon. New room allocations are made from 2:00 PM.

Article 10: Security measures at boarding

EC Regulation 1546/2006 specifies prohibited items in the aircraft cabin. The list of items can be provided to you upon simple request to our agency.

Article 11: Complaints and Claims

All complaints and disputes related to the services will primarily be resolved through negotiation and mutual understanding. In the event of persistent disagreement that cannot be resolved amicably, the dispute will be submitted to arbitration by the competent local authorities. Any complaint must be submitted in writing within 30 days following the end date of the services. After this date, no partial or full refund may be considered.

Article 12: Travel Insurance

Asia Safari Laos recommends that its Clients take out appropriate travel insurance before departure.

Why choose Asia Safari for your trip to Laos?

Asia Safari is not a generalist tour operator based in France. We have been on site, in Vientiane, for over 25 years. Our guides are Lao, our accommodations are hand-picked, and each itinerary is tailor-made. The result: a vibrant, fair trip, without unnecessary frills.

• Local French-speaking agency: we speak your language and know the country from the inside
• Zero intermediaries: you deal directly with the local team
• Truly tailor-made: no fixed catalog — each trip is unique
• 25+ years of experience: founded in 2002, Asia Safari assists hundreds of French-speaking travelers every year

How does our tailor-made service work?

1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
2. We build a proposal within 48 hours — day-by-day itinerary, accommodations, all-inclusive price
3. You refine it with us until the trip is perfect
4. We manage everything on site: guides, transport, hotels, activities

When to visit Laos?

The best period is October to April — dry season, pleasant temperatures. The rainy season (May to September) is also possible: lush landscapes and fewer tourists, but some roads can be difficult. Asia Safari advises you according to the region and type of trip.

Laos, the heart of your Indochina tour

Laos is often the surprise of a trip: uncrowded, authentic, with a quiet beauty. Asia Safari makes Laos much more than a stopover — we make it the central experience of your stay, before or after Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.

Our most requested Indochina combinations

Laos + Cambodia: A classic — temples of Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat, Mekong and Tonlé Sap. 15 days minimum recommended.
Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
Northern Laos + Yunnan: For travelers seeking originality — travel from Yunnan to Laos via the Laos-China railway (inaugurated 2021).
Grand Indochina Tour (40 days): Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand — a memorable trip for life.

Tips for preparing your multi-country tour

Visas: each country has its own rules — Asia Safari guides you through all procedures.
Ideal duration: allow a minimum of 12 to 15 days for a 2-country combination.
Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
Budget: prices vary greatly by country. Laos is cheaper than Vietnam or Thailand.

Our Story

Jean-Paul Duvergé arrived in Laos at the turn of the 2000s, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari with a simple idea: to offer French-speaking travelers direct access to authentic Lao life, without the filter of large Parisian agencies. Since then, the agency has assisted thousands of travelers, built a network of trusted guides and partners, and refined its philosophy: rigorous tailor-made travel, serving authenticity.

What sets us apart

We are on site: Our team works from Vientiane. We know the roads, seasons, accommodations, guides — and what changed last week. No outdated brochures.
We speak your language: Asia Safari is a 100% French-speaking agency. All our communications, proposals, and guides speak French.
Zero intermediaries: You work directly with us. No central purchasing, no Parisian subcontractors. Fairer prices and higher service quality.
Tailor-made as our only model: We do not have standardized tours. Each trip is designed from scratch, according to your dates, budget, desires, and traveler profile.

Our commitment

Asia Safari actively supports responsible tourism in Laos: prioritizing local accommodations, tours that benefit village communities, respect for cultural and natural sites.

Laos in figures

Area: 236,800 km² | Population: approximately 7.9 million inhabitants | Capital: Vientiane | Official language: Lao | Religion: Theravada Buddhism (65% of the population) | Currency: Lao Kip (LAK) | Time zone: UTC+7

Laos must-sees

Luang Prabang: Former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its golden temples, French colonial houses, and gentle way of life make it an undeniable favorite.
Vientiane: The human-sized capital — That Luang, Patuxai, and the banks of the Mekong are worth a visit.
Vang Vieng: Surrounded by limestone karsts, ideal for kayaking, caving, and hiking.
Southern Laos and 4000 Islands: Champassak, the Vat Phou temples (UNESCO), the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong islands.

Lao culture

Theravada Buddhism permeates all of Lao life. The alms giving (offerings to monks at dawn) in Luang Prabang is a daily ritual of great beauty. Lao festivals — Boun Pi Mai (Lao New Year in April), Boun Ok Phansa (Festival of Lights) — are exceptional times to travel.

Nature and biodiversity

Laos is 70% covered by forests. Its protected areas are home to rare species: Asian elephants, gibbons, sun bears. The rivers and plateaus offer natural settings of rare purity in Asia.