Fees and Information

Read how your fees are spent or compare our prices with other volunteer organisations.

View our prices in other volunteer locations's or combine your stay in Laos with stays in other locations as part of a combination stay.

What you receive

• Orientation upon arrival
• 24 hour support
• Accommodation
• Laos language classes
• 2 meals a day

Apart from our fees, you must pay for:

• Your travel to Vientiane
• Vaccinations
• Airfares and all transportation to your project location
• Health insurance
• Food (about 2 - 6 Euro's per day) and other personal expenses

Application Process

Our application process typically takes two or three weeks, but can be speeded up if there is a need for that. When we get the "Initial application" from you, we will send you and Application Form.

(1) Complete the Initial Application Form:
The first stage of the application process is to fill out the brief initial application form. Upon receiving this we will send you the full application form.

(2) Complete the Full Application Form:
Fill out the application form. After receiving this we will assess your suitability and place you on one of our programs.

(3) Placement info:
We will return detailed Placement Information and an Invoice. If you accept the placement you should pay the invoice and send us receipt of payment by email or fax.

(4) Program Fee:
The program fee needs to be paid to us at least 2 months before you are due to start your placement. However beware that we have a limited amount of placements, so placements will only be secured when we receive by email or fax a receipt of payment.

(5) Communication:
Once you have made your traveling arrangements you should mail your time of arrival and the means of transportation and we will confirm pickup.

Project Duration

For the majority of our Laos programs, you can join us for any amount of time from 4 week to 6 months. However, some projects have minimum time restrictions.

We recommend a trip of 3-6 months since it offers the best value. Regardless of the length of your stay, you will be able to learn some Laos and you will have time to get to know a new culture, come to know its people, and form relationships that will outlast the duration of your stay.

Dates of arrival

All teaching will start on the Monday after the introduction.

Dates for the Year 2008:
Sat 18 October, Sat 01 November, Sat 15 November, Sat 29 November, Sat 13 December, Sat 27 December

Dates for the Year 2009:
Sat 10 January, Sat 24 January, Sat 07 February, Sat 21 February, Sat 07 March, Sat 21 March, Sat 04 April, Sat 18 April, Sat 02 May, Sat 16 May, Sat 30 May, Sat 13 June, Sat 27 June, Sat 11 July, Sat 25 July, Sat 08 August, Sat 22 August, Sat 05 September, Sat 19 September, Sat 03 October, Sat 17 October, Sat 31 October, Sat 14 November, Sat 28 November, Sat 12 December, Sat 26 December

Getting Here

Travel to Teach will advise and support you with all your travel arrangements. Our FAQ page has some information and links that can be useful when looking for transportation to and within Laos. Purchase your ticket and confirm your date and time of arrival with Travel to Teach. We will then make arrangements for a representative to meet you.

Reception

You will be met upon your arrival to the farm. Because of the largely sporadic nature of internal travel in Laos we cannot meet you at the Vang Vieng bus station. Once you disembark at the Vang Vieng bus station you simply need to hire a tuk-tuk to the farm 4 km away.

Food

There is an organic restaurant on the farm premises from which volunteers will be fed twice daily. The town of Vang Vieng is only a few kilometers away which has many restaurants where meals can be taken. In addition there is a large outdoor market in between the farm and the town where food can be purchased.

Volunteer Work

Volunteers work together to conduct the classes. A typical day consists of 3-5 hours of volunteer work.

Accomodation

Travel to Teach volunteers live in one of the many farmhouses on farm property. Rooms are shared and all include attached bathrooms with western style toilets and hot showers.

Vaccinations

Courses or boosters usually advised: hepatitis A, typhoid; diphtheria; tetanus. Vaccines sometimes advised: Japanese B encephalitis, rabies, tuberculosis, hepatitis B.
Malaria: You cannot be vaccinated against malaria. Malaria precautions are advised in all areas. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin, and sleeping under a mosquito net (nets will be provided by Travel to Teach)

You should tell your doctor that you are likely to go on a jungle trip in Laos. Keep in mind, Vientiane is considered to be an urban area and one need not worry about malaria pills if for staying exclusively in Vientiane. Prophylaxis with Lariam, Malarone, or chloroquine is recommended for all areas except the city of Vientiane.

Also visit the WHO's (World Health Organisation) Travellers health information .

Insurance

Please purchase health and travel insurance independently. You need health insurance that will cover medical treatment and repatriation in case of accident or illness.

Visas

Upon entry to Vientiane Travel to Teach Volunteers should purchase a 14 day tourist visa on arrival. These are between $35 and $42 depending on your nationality. For more information contact the nearest Laos embassy in your country.
List of Laos embassies abroad