Your insider guide to the best bucket list adventures across Laos
We may earn a commission from purchases made through some affiliate links on this website
Tucked between the Southeast Asian giants of Thailand and Vietnam, Laos is a quiet and unassuming country that often gets passed over. But to do so would be a wild injustice. With its mist rolled mountains, languid river bends, monk-filled temples and timeless village rhythms, it’s easily one of Southeast Asia’s most enchanting countries. Travel here feels slower and more intimate. From exploring Luang Prabang’s golden temples to the island dotted waters of the south, this is a collection of the 21 best things to do in Laos, a companion for travellers who want to experience the country to its fullest.
1. Wander the Old Town of Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is, in our opinion, the most elegant town in Southeast Asia. French colonial villas sit beneath swaying coconut palms, and temple roofs curve above you like gilded wings. Spend your mornings wandering the quiet lanes, where bougainvillea spills over balconies and the scent of freshly baked baguettes drifts from tiny cafes. In the evening, explore the night market which winds past temples. Snack on mini coconut pancakes, browse craft stalls and hunt out the famous 10,000kip buffet. For more ideas, read the 10 Best Things to do in Luang Prabang here.
2. Experience the Almsgiving Ceremony
Just before dawn, a soft stillness settles over Luang Prabang. Then, as the first light breaks, lines of monks appear; barefoot, silent, carrying bronze bowls. Locals kneel to offer sticky rice and flowers, otherwise known as ‘alms’ – a sign of respect in a Buddhist tradition that goes back centuries. Symbolic of the deep relationship between monks and locals, as a visitor, you can also take part too. Read more on How to Experience the Monks’ Alms Giving in Luang Prabang here.
3. Visit Wat Xieng Thong
No visit to Laos is complete without stepping inside Wat Xieng Thong, the crown jewel of Luang Prabang. Set at the tip of the peninsula where the Mekong river meets the Nam Khan river, this 16th century monastery has sweeping roofs and shimmering black lacquer walls. Spot the famous and intricate Tree of Life mosaic before exploring the quiet chaps and courtyards. If you only go to one temple in Laos, make it this one.
4. Swim in the Turquoise Pools of Kuang Si Falls
Kuang Si is a spectacular waterfall spilling over terraced limestone pools in shades of milky turquoise. Follow the forest trail upward and take a refreshing dip in the cool pools as sunlight filters through the forest canopy. If you get here early, before the tour buses arrive, you’ll see the falls at their most pristine and peaceful. Birdsong surrounds you and if you’re lucky, butterflies dance in the spray. Truly one of the Laos’ most magnificent natural wonders.
Hand Picked Tours We Love
5. Cruise the Mekong River
Few rivers are as legendary as the mighty Mekong, and nothing quite captures the soul of Laos like drifting down the water on a slow boat. Even short sunset cruises reveal landscapes that have barely changed in centuries, as fishermen tend bamboo traps and children splash in the shallow banks. You might spot water buffalo on the shore, grazing beneath towering cliffs or half submerged in the water. This river is one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, providing 25% of the world’s freshwater fish alone. Despite its size and importance, a cruise along this waterway forces you to slow down, which is exactly the point.
6. Explore the Plain of Jars
In the rolling hills of northern Laos lie thousands of ancient stone jars, scattered across the landscape. Some are tiny, others are taller than a person, but no matter the size, their origins remain a mystery. Pre-historic burial sites, storage vessels or something else entirely? No one knows for sure. The jars lie in an area of Laos still struggling with UXOs, but a few sites are safe to visit and open to the public. If you want to explore these enigmatic stone mysteries, read our Guide to Visiting the Plain of Jars here.
7. Go River Tubing in Vang Vieng
The town of Vang Vieng might be a little calmer than a decade ago, but river tubing is still the name of the game in this outdoor lover’s paradise. Hire an inner tube and float down the river, stopping at bars along the way for one of the most legendary and iconic experiences in Southeast Asia. While you’re here, swim in blue lagoons, kayak through caves and cycle through rice paddies. Read our Ultimate Guide to River Tubing in Vang Vieng here.
8. Climb the Patuxai Monument
Often called Laos’ Arc de Triomphe, the Patuxai Monument is a grand, ornate arch dedicated to those who fought for independence. Built in the 1960s, you’ll find it in the capital of Vientiane, covered in mythological carvings and lotus shaped towers. Climb the staircases to the top for views over the city and the Mekong river.
9. Eat at Vientiane’s Night Markets
Vientiane may be one of the world’s most relaxed capital cities, but its night markets burst with colour and street food. Try smoky chicken skewers brushed with lemongrass, herbal Lao sausage with sticky rice, coconut pancakes and spicy tam mak hoong (Laos’ iconic papaya salad.) Pull up a plastic stool, order a Beerlao and eat like a local while the Mekong drifts lazily past you.
10. Visit Pha That Luang
Pha That Luang is the great golden stupa of Vientiane, and also the country’s most sacred monument. Believed to house a relic of the Buddha, it literally glows at sunset. Wander the complex at golden hour and explore the surrounding temples and quiet courtyards for a peaceful end to the day.
11. Go Waterfall Chasing on the Bolaven Plateau
The Bolaven Plateau is one of Southeast Asia’s hidden gems; a cool, volcanic highland thick with jungle, waterfalls and coffee farms. Tad Yuang and Tad Lo Falls are perfect for a refreshing swim surrounded by idyllic rainforest, while Tad Fane drops in twin ribbons down a stunning 120m chasm. The roads are quiet, the air refreshing and the landscapes profoundly cinematic. Learn more with our Guide to Visiting the Bolaven Plateau here.
12. Sip Coffee at Highlands Plantations
Laos’ best coffee grows in the fertile, volcanic soils of the Bolaven Plateau. Visit small family run plantations to learn the entire process from cherry to cup. Try freshly roasted Arabica and robust, chocolate rich Robusta brewed with traditional Lao filters. Cafés scattered across the highlands offer sweeping views of forested valleys and some offer overnight stays with additional excursions into the wild jungle that surrounds you.
13. Find the Bamboo Bridges of Luang Prabang
The hand made bamboo bridges that cross the Nam Khan River in Luang Prabang are built anew each dry season, only to be washed away by monsoon rains. Crossing them is a simple pleasure, leading to little local neighbourhoods where you can find small craft shops down dusty streets. The small, nominal fee you pay to cross helps the locals re-build these impressive bridges each year.
14. Watch Sunset from Mount Phousi
Mount Phousi is a small mound in the heart of Luang Prabang, with a sacred temple at the summit. Climb the steps in the late afternoon, passing shrines and viewpoints until you reach the top. From here, Luang Prabang stretches out before you, lying between two rivers and framed by blue mountains. As the sun dips below the horizon, the night market comes to life beneath you and longtail boats drift home through apricot light.
15. Ride the Thakhek Loop
For those of you craving some adventure, it doesn’t get more exhilarating than the Thakhek Loop, a 3–4 day motorbike circuit through some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes. Beginning in the quiet town of Thakhek, the route winds past caves dripping with stalactites, emerald rice fields, turquoise swimming holes and villages where time flows as slowly as the Mekong. Highlights include the surreal Kong Lor Cave, a 7.5km subterranean river that you navigate by boat, emerging into a jungle-framed valley that feels almost mythical in scale. Learn more with our full Guide to Riding the Thakhek Loop here.
16. Sail Through the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don)
The deep south of Laos feels worlds away from the more mountainous north. Here, the Mekong splits into a labyrinth of islets where hammocks sway, water buffalo doze and bicycles outnumber cars. Base yourself on Don Khon or Don Det islands to explore the quiet trails, colonial railway bridges, waterfalls, and if you’re lucky, spot the rare Irrawaddy dolphins that call this place home. Immerse yourself in this region fully and read our Guide to Visiting the 4000 Islands here.
17. Visit Khone Phapheng Falls
Khone Phapheng is – by volume – larger than Niagara Falls, plunging into a chaos of rapids that’s 6 miles long. The sheer force of water crashing here is astonishing, making it the widest waterfall system in the world. For centuries, these rapids prevented navigation along the Mekong, and today you can witness this ferocious natural wonder without hoards of tour buses – for now. Learn more with our Guide to Visiting Khone Phapheng falls here.
18. Discover Laotian Cuisine
Laos’ culinary identity is often overshadowed by its neighbours (looking at you Thailand and Vietnam), yet is one of the world’s most herb-rich, soulful cuisines that celebrates the lush, fertile landscape here. Savour Laap salads, tossed with mountain herbs, mint and toasted rice, mok pa steamed in banana leaves or lam, a pepperwood stew unique to Luang Prabang. Meals are shared family-style with sticky rice – cooked in bamboo poles and eaten with your fingers, rolled into little balls.
19. Explore the Pak Ou Caves
Set where the Mekong meets the Nam Ou River, Pak Ou’s sacred caves have been pilgrimage sites for centuries. Thousands of Buddha statues – worn, tiny, and intricately carved – watch over the dim interiors. It’s considered bad luck to discard a Buddha statue, so many have found a home here in the caves, given as offerings by locals. For the full experience, approach the caves by boat, gliding past enormous cliffs covered in wild jungle. For more, read our Guide to Visiting the Pak Ou Caves here.
20. Learn About Traditional Lao Textiles
Laos’ textile traditions are among the most intricate in Asia. In villages along the Mekong and around Luang Prabang, women weave silk using patterns and techniques passed through generations. Visit weaving centres to see natural dyes, traditional looms and delicate ikat patterns being created by hand. Purchasing directly supports these skilled artisans. We highly recommend Ban Xieng Lek and Ban Xang Khong just outside Luang Prabang.
21. Step Back in Time at Wat Phou
Older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia and arguably more atmospheric and impressive, Wat Phou is a Khmer masterpiece set on a hillside overlooking a vast plain. Its moss covered sanctuaries, frangipani-lined pathways and sacred spring make this a deeply spiritual temple complex that’s still used today.
