The perfect Laos travel itinerary for an unforgettable 14 days
We may earn a commission from purchases made through some affiliate links on this website
Laos sits quietly in Southeast Asia, bordered by the giants of Thailand, Vietnam and China. Landlocked and shaped by the Mekong River, it’s developed at a different tempo to its neighbours, with slow travel at the heart of a trip here. Explore remote natural wonders, wander the bougenvalia-lined streets of Luang Prabang and soak up the atmosphere as monks drift silently past at 6am on a misty morning. This curated 2 week itinerary for Laos guides you through one of the most soulful countries in Southeast Asia, as you follow the country, and the Mekong, south.
Days 1–3: Luang Prabang & Kuang Si Falls
Day 1
Begin in Luang Prabang, reached by airplane. You can fly directly from major Asian cities such as Hanoi or Bangkok, or via Singapore if you’re arriving from Europe or the US. For the more adventurous, you can take the slow boat from northern Thailand. The boat takes two days with an overnight stop in Pakbeng; a beautiful and immediate immersion into the languid pace of life in Laos.
Settle into your hotel before spending the afternoon walking along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers to get a sense of the town’s layout. The tree-lined streets are winding and full of boutique shops and cafes, perfect to stop and soak up the atmosphere of Luang Prabang. In the evening, visit the famous night market for an introduction to Lao food and artisan crafts from the local villages. As far as Southeast Asian night markets go, Luang Prabang’s is easily one of the most authentic and least chaotic to wander through.
Day 2
Spend your second morning exploring Luang Prabang on foot. Wake up early to witness the famous Alms Giving ceremony. Monks silently walk the streets collecting alms from locals. Read our Guide to Experiencing the Alms Ceremony here. Afterwards, head for a coffee at the French inspired Le Banneton Cafe, enjoying a buttery pastry with a coffee as you watch the world pass by. Visit the most iconic temple in town, the 16th century masterpiece of Wat Xieng Thong. Walk the quiet courtyard and admire the incredible mosaics on the wall. In the late afternoon, climb Mount Phousifor some of the most spectacular views over the city, with the Mekong River and the Nam Khan river snaking into the mountains. Undoubtedly the best sunset spot you can find.
Day 3
Leave early on your third morning for a trip to Kuang Si Falls. Milky turquoise waters plunge 200ft through the jungle canopy, cascading over limestone pools that are perfect for a (very) refreshing swim. Bring snacks and a book to soak up the atmosphere of this otherworldly place, heading higher up the falls to find some peace and quiet from the tour buses that eventually arrive. Visit the nearby Bear Sanctuary before you leave, and see the amazing work that the centre does in re-habilitating sunbears.
For your final night in Luang Prabang, head to the famous L’Elephant, one of the best restaurants in town to dine on fusion Lao and French cuisine.
Day 4-5: Adventure in Vang Vieng
Day 4
Take the high speed train and travel south to Vang Vieng, watching the landscape flatten and then rise again into huge limestone formations that rise out of the green rice fields, piercing the sky. Check into your accommodation and walk around the town, stopping by at the several tour operators that line the streets. There’s everything from river tubing and caving to abseiling and jungle treks – pick your adventure and get something booked in for the next day. In the afternoon, head to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxed afternoon swimming and splashing in a natural turquoise lagoon, tucked away in the jungle. By evening, grab a spot at one of the bars that line the river and watch the sunset turn the limestone cliffs golden. For some more ideas, read our 10 Best Things to do in Vang Vieng here.
Day 5
Spend the day getting your adrenaline pumping. There’s an almost endless list of things to do in Vang Vieng; a stark contrast to the serenity of Luang Prabang. Perhaps you’ll spend the day tubing down the Nam Song river – an iconic activity that the town became famous for. Try your hand at rock climbing, or for something more relaxing, hire a bike and explore the winding lanes and paths that lace around the countryside. End your final night in Vang Vieng with a sunset hot air balloon ride, one of the only ways you’ll really get to grasp the wonder and beauty of the landscape you’ve been exploring for the past 24 hours.
Day 6-7: Explore Vientiane
Day 6
Travel south via train to Vientiane, where the capital spreads out along the banks of the mighty Mekong river. After checking in, spend the afternoon walking between some of the most iconic sights the city has to offer. Wat Sisaketis a beautiful temple, home to the most Buddha statues in the country. Climb the towers of the magnificent Patuxai monument, built to commemorate Laos gaining independence from the French occupation and resembling the Arc du Triomphe in Paris. As evening falls, stroll along the riverfront as it comes to life with the night market.
Day 7
Vientiane is a good place to slow down, so take today easy after a busy week travelling south through the country. Spend the morning in one of the city’s many cafes, most of which serve coffee grown in southern Laos. Our favourite is Le Trio Coffee, serving single origin Laotian coffee with passionate, expert baristas. In the afternoon, head to the COPE Visitor Centrefor a sobering but essential understanding of the country’s recent history. Due to America’s secret war, Laos is the most bombed country per capita in the world.
Days 8–10: Bolaven Plateau
Day 8
Leave behind the hustle of the city and take a flight from Vientiane to Pakse, taking a private car into the remote and untouched Bolaven Plateau. World’s away from the rest of Laos, this is a lush, fertile region, where you’ll find mist-covered jungle hiding magnificent waterfalls, local coffee plantations and isolated hill tribes. Settle into Kingfisher Eco Lodge, where you can watch the sunset from your own overwater stilted bungalow. Take a canoe out onto the nearby lake and spend the evening soaking in this untouched corner of Laos.
Day 9
Hire a scooter or a private driver, and spend today discovering some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Southeast Asia. Tad Fane and Tad Yuang are the most accessible, both of them with thundering cascades that spill out onto the jungle below. Near the base of Tad Yuang, the rapids spread out and you can take a dip in the cool waters. The appeal lies as much in the drive between them: red earth roads, small villages, roadside coffee stalls… take your time exploring this area, tasting locally grown coffee and eating at family run roadside restaurants. In the afternoon, head to Mystic Mountain Coffeefor a tour of their organic coffee plantation, experiencing the journey of the bean from plant to your cup. If you have time, see if you can hop on a jeep tour to take you deeper into the land surrounding the farm.
Day 10
Say goodbye to the Bolaven Plateau and return via car to Pakse. Drop your bags at a guesthouse in town and make your way to the enigmatic Wat Phou Temple. Pre-dating the famous Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia and yet with less than half the visitors, this is a special, mysterious place that flies under the radar of most tourists. Unfolding over a series of terraces, including a walkway lined with fragrant frangipani trees, the site resembles an ancient mandala. Spend the day here feeling like Indiana Jones, as you explore crumbling ruins, hidden corners and shrines still used by local people today. Head back to Pakse for an evening spent on the shores of the Mekong.
Days 11–14: 4,000 Islands
From Pakse, make your way south to your final stop of the trip – the 4000 Islands – otherwise known as Si Phan Don. At this southern edge of Laos, the Mekong widens, fragments and finally loosens its grip as an archipelago of islands opens. The 4000 Islands region is less about sightseeing and more about surrendering to the flow of river life. Days stretch and plans dissolve.
Check into a bungalow near the water on the island of Don Det or Don Khoneand see where the afternoon takes you. Walk along the riverbank, watch fishermen navigate narrow channels and feel the scale of the Mekong as it flows past. Relax by the water and find a riverside eatery for some homecooked Laotian cuisine as you watch the sunset turn the river golden. For more ideas, read our Travel Guide to the 4000 Islands here.
Day 12
For a final day of sightseeing, head out to find the roaring Khone Phaphang falls. Larger than Niagara falls by volume and stretching for miles, these rapids carve a deep channel through the desolate, rocky landscape. Awe-inspiring and thunderous, they are still untouched by mass tourism. Afterwards, spend the afternoon exploring the winding lanes and dusty roads by bicycle, waving to local kids and stopping for a quiet swing in a hammock as you sip on a beer lao.
Day 13-14
Spend your final day in Laos at your leisure, soaking in everything you’ve experienced. You’ve explored the country from top to bottom, from the bustling streets of Vientiane to the incense filled temples of Luang Prabang, from the adrenaline rush of Vang Vieng to the slow and rhythmic life along the 4000 Islands. Make your way back to Pakse and onward to your home destination.
