One of the least developed countries in the whole of Southeast Asia, Laos is a popular backpacker destination and this is a great place to visit over Christmas. Blessed with a sultry tropical climate, this is the perfect place to warm chilled bones and explore.

Laos is famed for its untouched nature and minority villages, and there are no end of places to explore here. However, those who are considering embarking on a backpacking trip around Laos will want to take the time to arrange backpacking insurance first, which can be done online in just a few minutes.

Backpacking insurance is specially designed for those who want to spend between 31 days and 18 months backpacking around Laos and the rest of Southeast Asia. Impressively low rates are available for those who are aged between 18 and 39 and a wide range of things are covered in the policy, including medical bills and lost property such as passports.

Those with a love for history and culture will have fun exploring the numerous temples of Luang Prabang, which is situated on the banks of the Mekong River. A large number of colonial buildings can be seen here and the city is known for its excellent international cuisine. It is also worth taking a trip to the ruins of Wat Phu near the city of Champasak.

Luang Prabang is surrounded by intense natural beauty and nature lovers will want to embark on a hike to the Kuang Si Falls. A large number of reasonably priced hiking and trekking tours are offered in Laos, which can last for up to two weeks and are an excellent way to see all that the country has to offer. One of the most interesting places to explore is the scenic Mekong River area of Si Phon Don, which features plenty of budget places to stay.

Nestled in the mountains, the charming village of Vang Vieng is also popular with backpackers as there is plenty of cheap accommodation to be found here. Visitors can follow trails leading through paddy fields to cool caves, and this is a great place to use as a base for those who enjoy exploring independently.

With so much to see and do in Laos, many backpackers end up extending their stay and while a standard 15-day visa is offered at the airport, it is possible to apply for a 30 day visa in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city.

Although the tourism industry of Laos is still in its infancy, a wide range of adventure activities are available here. One of the most popular options is tubing down the river, while thrill seekers will want to go on a white water rafting trip. Of course, all of these activities have a certain risk factor, making arranging backpacking insurance a must for those who want the peace of mind of knowing that they will be taken care of if things should go wrong.