Ultimate 2 Week Laos Itinerary for First-Timers: A Journey You'll Never Forget

Why We Chose Laos for Our 2-Week Adventure

On a Southeast Asia trip that would eventually lead us to China, Laos came into our radars thanks to the recently built, state-of-the-art Laos-China railway that takes you across the main part of the country and into China's Yunnan province. Initially, Laos felt like just a stopover point for us to get up to China, but what we discovered in the course of a few weeks in Laos had us wishing we could have stayed longer.

This 2-week Laos itinerary covers the absolute best of the country, from the laid-back charm of Vientiane to the dramatic limestone mountains of Vang Vieng, the UNESCO treasures of Luang Prabang, and the untouched beauty of northern Laos. Whether you're dreaming of waterfalls, Buddhist temples, river adventures, or nightlife, we got you covered with an unforgettable Laos adventure - all through our lenses of almost the exact trip that we did.

Plus, we’ve included essential travel tips, alternative routes, and everything you need to know to make your two weeks in Laos as smooth (and magical) as possible.

Essential Laos Itinerary Travel Tips and Logistics

Best Time to Visit Laos

We traveled during the tail end of the dry season (roughly November to April), and we can confidently say: go during the dry season if you can. The roads are better, the skies clearer, and the waterfalls full but not muddy. March and April get hot, but we didn’t mind the heat much, especially with a BeerLao in hand and views of the Mekong in the background.

Do beware that the burning season kicks off in the later part of the dry season (March and April) where farmers prepare their land for the growing season, so you may experience some polluted days in most populous places. This didn't really bother us too much, but if you face breathing difficulties to begin with, I could see this being a problem.

If you're visiting during the rainy season (May to October), expect sudden downpours and slower travel times. That said, everything is lush, and prices are lower, so if you're not afraid of a little mud, it’s still a great time.

Dry season allows for endless trekking opportunities, like this one in Nong Khiaw.

Visa Requirements and Entry Tips for Laos

Visa on arrival is available at most land borders and international airports — just bring a passport-sized photo and cash. You can pay in USD, Thai Baht, or Lao Kip, but here’s our advice if you are paying in USD: bring clean, crisp U.S. bills. Anything folded, faded, or slightly wrinkled may be turned away, which happened to us.

How to Get Around Laos

Travel in Laos used to be slow but scenic, but thanks to the new Laos-China Railway things have sped up a bit.

Most buses are reliable if a bit worn down and expect road journeys to take longer than Google Maps says — roads are winding, buses make snack stops, and sometimes you just have to wait for a cow to move.

That being said, getting from place to place in this itinerary is quite easy as it utilizes the Laos-China Railway. The last part to Nong Khiaw requires a minivan, but generally we've found that getting around Laos is smooth and seamless these days.

Living our best life...in the back of a tuktuk somewhere in Vientiane.

Budget Expectations and Money

How Much Should I Budget Per Day in Laos?

Laos was one of the most affordable countries we traveled in, and we stretched our kip without skimping on experiences.

Here's roughly what to expect (per person per day):

• Budget travel: $20–30 (hostels, street food, local buses)
• Comfortable mid-range: $40–60 (guesthouses, private rooms, nice meals)
• Splurge: $80+ (boutique hotels, private transport, fancy cocktails)

A good meal can cost $2–4, a beer $1, and a decent guesthouse room around $15–25. Just beware of extra fees in remote areas, especially when it comes to transport or excursions.

Money Situation in Laos (Cash or Card or App?)

Because it is rare to find places that except standard Visa and Mastercard, cash will be your best friend while in Laos. There are ATMs all over the place, but what we don't like is you can usually only take out a maximum of 2 (or maybe 3) million kip per withdrawal, which doesn't go as far as it sounds. Beware: When you use an ATM, the cash comes out first and then your card is ejected. We unfortunately lost one of our important debit cards forgetting this 🤣.

However, the QR code/app scanning digital payment method pioneered by East Asian countries like China is also all over the place. When we lost our debit card, we started using LOCA Pay (the same app for tuktuk and cars) to pay for things as it connects directly to your digital or physical debit card. The only downside is that the fees are higher than just lump withdrawing cash from an ATM, so you this will start to add up.

Language and Cultural Tips for Laos

Most people speak basic English, especially in tourist towns, but learning a few words of Lao goes a long way:

• Sabaidee – Hello
• Khop jai – Thank you (I like to add the lai lai at the end, which means, "thank you very much", as it always makes the locals smile)
• Bor pen nyang – No problem

People in Laos are generally kind, relaxed, and non-confrontational...and that energy rubbed off on us quickly.

Dress modestly, especially in temples, and remove your shoes when entering homes or sacred spaces. Pointing with your feet or touching someone’s head is considered rude.

And smile! It’s the best form of communication here...seriously, it works better than Google Translate half the time.

Our 2-Week Laos Itinerary, Day by Day

Laos Itinerary Notes and Map

Starting Point and How to Navigate this Itinerary

This itinerary kicks off by taking the Friendship Bridge 1 from Nong Khai, Thailand to Laos, which isn’t the most typical route, but if you are flying into Vientiane International Airport, this itinerary is pretty much just as relevant, as we start from Vientiane.

If you are arriving from Chiang Rai, Thailand from boat (there is a popular 2-day, 1-night slow boat), you can basically do this itinerary in reverse starting with Luang Prabang, heading North to Nong Khiaw (and Muang Ngoy) and then back to Luang Prabang and on towards Vang Vieng and Vientiane.

This itinerary is packed with all the must-sees and off-the-beaten-path treasures, but leaves lots of time for you to do your own thing or take rest if you need to. Ideally you will use this as inspiration to plan your trip and not follow it step by step.

The Laos Itinerary Route Map

The route is as below, which starts from Vientiane (in our case Friendship Bridge 1 from Thailand), and goes onto Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Nong Khiaw. As you can see, we do not cover the remote South Laos, as this is a first-timers itinerary, but will go into some alternative options later on if you'd like to expand your horizons.

Day 1–3: Vientiane

Day 1: Arriving, Buddha Park & Night Market

We checked out of the Mut Mee Guesthouse in Nong Khai, Thailand, which had to have been one of our favorite places we’ve stayed while in Northern Thailand (mainly due to the kind staff and character of it, which paired with it being right on the south bank of the Mekong, felt like we were constantly on a yoga retreat).

On the way to the border in our little tuktuk.

We spent the next hour or two crossing over the Friendship Bridge 1, which stretches over the Mekong from Thailand to Laos and was the first of its kind introduced in 1994. Without too many complications (except for them not accepting our relatively crisp 100 USD bill won a few years back in Las Vegas, which forced us to go to an ATM in the area), we were in Laos and ready to begin our adventure.

From the Friendship Bridge, you can take the Bus #14 either towards Vientiane (Vientiane Bus Station) or the opposite way to the Buddha Park. We opted for the second as we were excited and energized to see the country as soon as possible, even with our slightly heavy backpacking bags slung over our shoulders. Either way you decide to go, the bus in both directions is reliable (albeit old), and you just have to shuffle past all the men asking if you want a taxi. There should be buses towards the city on the right and buses towards the Buddha park on the left.

The Buddha Park is a bizarre world of oversized (and I mean super oversized) Buddhist and Hinduist sculptures placed around in seemingly no particular order all by priest-shaman Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat. Sulilat was exiled to Thailand at some point, so he went on to create a very similar one in Nong Khai (where we had just come from). It is worth it to go there for your first taste of Laotian culture and religion.

Larger than life Buddhist and Hinduist statues...sign us up!

After we had our fill of massive Buddhas, we backtracked by taking the same bus in the opposite direction and continuing past the Friendship Bridge towards Vientiane.

After a bit of a walk from the bus station in the brutal afternoon heat, we checked into our hotel, COSI Vientiane Nam Phu and freshened up a bit, which included a nap after the heavy travel morning and afternoon.

Around sunset, we headed back out to the mighty Mekong River and took in the environment as the sun went down. The Vientiane Night Market was already in full force, which was definitely a must-see, but honestly a bit underwhelming compared to some of the other ones we’ve been to in South East Asia. Either way, it was a great place to get in some people watching, some local Laotian dishes, and lots of stimulation before crashing back at our hotel room.

Day 2: Exploring Vientiane's Temples, Sights, Museums & Riverside Drinks

This day made up the bulk of our Vientiane experience, where we mainly focused on seeing the top sights and trying restaurants around the city.

After eating breakfast at our hotel, we hit the streets. First things first, we called a KOKKOK (which we mentioned earlier is a tuktuk app) and was whisked away across town to our first spot of the morning, the Pha That Luang, also known as the "Golden Stuppa". With 66% of Laos being Theravada Buddhists, the Pha That Luang is the national symbol of Laos...and impressive it was. The gold stuppas twinkled against the morning sky and wandering around the grounds felt serene, with very few visitors even in the thick of Laos tourist season. Don’t miss the reclining Buddha off to the side, too.

The twinkling gold of the Pha That Luang

Another KOKKOK tuktuk later, we made it to the impressive Patuxay, once known as the "Victory Gate" (and my favorite of the places to see in the city). It was erected in honor of the Laos soldiers who fought for Laotian independence from France. While it has been compared to the Arc de Triomph in Paris, it is adorned with Buddhism elements. For 30,000 kip, you can climb the 197 steps to the top to get panoramic views of the city. While Vientiane might not sport the world’s most gorgeous skyline, it’s a memorable experience.

After you descend, make sure to take in the atmosphere of Patuxay Park, which includes large boulevards, government buildings and loads of Laotian flags (alongside flags of the hammer and sickle), making it resemblant of the communist design you’ll often feel if you’re roaming around cities in China.

At this point, it was time for lunch, so we veered off the main boulevards for a few minutes to this hidden gem of a restaurant, Kheg Suan Sim, nestled in the courtyard of some other buildings. While modest, the chef whips up some local Laotian dishes that were some of the best we’d had in the country.

After lunch, we took a quick wander down to the gates of the Presidential Palace, which used to house the leaders of Laos and now serves as a guesthouse for those doing official visits to Laos.

After a quick coffee break to fuel our busy day needs, we whisked across the city in another tuktuk to the COPE (Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise) museum. A social enterprise and museum, COPE was created with the tragic memories of the Vietnam War in mind. During the Vietnam War, Laos became the most bombed country to this day, thanks to a cluster bomb campaign by the US that lasted 9 year because of its proximity to Vietnam. Many of these "bombies" remain unexploded around the country and have caused rampant numbers of deaths and amputations since.

COPE was thus created to help citizens, not just victims of so-called ‘bombies’ but also those with various ailments and diseases, who cannot afford orthopedics or prosthetics get the access they need. It is a tragic history lesson that we needed and a reminder that there are plenty of organizations doing good in this world.

The exhibitions inside COPE are a shocking reminder of both the good and bad humans are capable of.

With the late afternoon sun coming in, we decided to go chill somewhere along the river to watch the sunset. The first place we ended up was at LAODI Bar, which serves up homemade rums. While we just had a beer (we honestly have been a bit cautious since the methanol poisoning incidents to try anything else) and some roasted cashews (we highly recommend getting your cashew fill while in Laos), it served up a nice atmosphere from the second floor, which overlooked the marshes and Mekong River.

We continued on west along the river from the bar where a bunch of riverside restaurants and bars appeared, so another BeerLao was absolutely in order. We picked a little café overlooking the marshes that randomly played country music, lounged in their comfy chairs and drank our beers in peace and satisfaction.

Marshy, riverside views from the bars along the Mekong

With a few beers in our system, we decided to keep going and popped by The Office Bar for a nightcap. The bar is a cute place, queer friendly, has every kind of BeerLao imaginable, and is run by a friendly guy and has quite a few friendly tourists to strike up conversations with.

Day 3: Coffee, Lao Art Museum & Train Station

In a bit of a post-one-too-many BeerLao daze (these things definitely leave a bit more of a headache than other beers we are used to), we ate breakfast at the hotel, checked out and then went to one of the local cafés for another essential coffee top up.

Coffee in Laos is quite famous, so make sure you give it a go. Laos coffee, mostly grown on the Bolaven Plateau (in South Laos), is known for its smooth, rich flavor with hints of chocolate. It's often served strong and sweet, either hot or iced, mixed with condensed milk or evaporated milk in the traditional Lao style.

The cafe scene in Vientiane is happening

It was time to leave Vientiane proper and start making our way over to the state-of-the-art Vientiane Railway Station, a strategic build by the Chinese, to head up to our next stop, Vang Vieng.

But first, the brand new (as of 2025) Lao Art Museum. A bit further down the highway from the railway station, we didn’t have the time to backtrack all the way back to Vientiane, so we rented a cab through our hotel that took us first to the Lao Art Museum, waited there for us, and then took us back to the railway station.

The Lao Art Museum is absolutely stunning, with gorgeous traditional Laos sculptures, architecture, and more all over, it is a must-see while in Vientiane. On top of it, the surrounding scenery is utterly breathtaking.

A good two hours later, we found the cab that took us there and backtracked to the Vientiane Railway Station to make our late afternoon journey onward to Vang Vieng.

The brand new interior of the Vientiane Railway Station

Where We Stayed in Vientiane

• COSI Vientiane Nam Phu: Really nice location and the hotel had everything we needed. We particularly liked the rooftop bar.

Our Favorite Places to Eat in Vientiane

Doi Ka Noi, Kheg Suan Sim, PDR - Pizza da Roby

Vientiane Map

Day 3–6: Vang Vieng

Day 3: Scenic Train Into Vang Vieng

The lovely thing about the railway is it is a brand new high-speed rail, made by China, so the trip from Vientiane to Vang Vieng comes in just under 1 hour from station to station. And fortunately, in Vang Vieng, the station is not quite as far from the center as Vientiane’s is.

As soon as you get outside the station in Vang Vieng, you’ll see a few men asking if you’d like to take a shared van to the center. As we didn’t find any taxis (you should be able to use the Loca app), we opted for this and for a very reasonable 40,000 kip a person, we were brought directly to our accommodations.

Upon driving in, you’ll soon discover Vang Vieng itself is quite a dusty little town packed with backpackers from all over the world. But don’t let that dissuade you.

The city made headlines at the end of 2024 because of the methanol poisonings that killed 6 tourists. The town itself has had a reputation for being a party place, but in the last years it’s been looking to reposition itself more as an ecotourism adventure travel destination. And that, combined with the natural beauty outside the town, is definitely what drew us towards Vang Vieng and made its mark on us.

Anyway, this night, we grabbed some early dinner got in a BeerLao or two and turned in early.

First night and taking it very easy in Vang Vieng.

Day 4: Kayaking, Zip Lining, & Sunset Yoga

The amount of outdoor activities you can do in Vang Vieng are endless. You have zip lining, kayaking, tipsy tubing, tubing in caves, lagoon hopping, paragliding, hot air ballooning. Traveling as a westerner you’ll pay far less for adventure activities with likely much better scenery than you would pay in other destinations.

As you can see Vang Vieng has a lot going for it outside partying.

We opted for the zip lining and kayaking in a single package and were picked up from our accommodations bright and early.

A tuktuk with a few other adventurers took us up the river to an absolutely stunning and remote part of Vang Vieng. We were surrounded by enormous limestone karst hills, lush greenery as far as the eye could see, and an emerald green river running back downtown through Vang Vieng.

We started with the zip lining. As it was the first time for Fabio and me, we were admittedly a bit nervous about what was to come, but the guides were professional and took care of us. After a pretty steep hike, we were suddenly flying between the trees on a zip line. The course had a total of eight zip lining sessions and ended with a very unexpected free fall session (it sounds worse than it actually was).

Filled with adrenaline, we went back to the starting point and began the kayak session. Over the course of two hours and following a guide, the scenery of rural Vang Vieng unfolded as we took the river downstream towards town. Along the way there were some slight rapids, but overall it was a peaceful journey.

After all the activity, we took the afternoon to eat a leisurely lunch and rest up because in the late afternoon we would give a yoga session a go.

The sunsets in this part of the world are unforgettable and since Yoga in Vang Vieng offers a sunset yoga session, we were all for it.

We met at the hotel at 4 and registered before being taken back over the river, through a horse farm, and to a little pagoda surrounded by picturesque farmland. The session was a not overly intensive Vinyasa flow which was enhanced by the occasional curious cow trotting by to see what we were doing. Towards the end, the sun started setting and the hot air balloons that Vang Vieng is famous for started floating over as we settled down into shavasana.

Our sunset yoga buddies.

Day 5: Hiking & Hot Air Balloons

Another day in Vang Vieng, another day of outdoor activities. Today would start with exploring some nearby caves and end with the long awaited hot air balloons.

Just about a 20-minute walk south of town, we came across Tham Chang caves, which definitely was off the beaten path. Aside from one or two tourists and a few local kids who wandered around the caves with us, there weren’t many people at all.

The caves required a bit of some stair-climbing before entering into the magnificent rock face. Well lit, but not in a way that took away from the ambiance, we crawled deeper and deeper into the cave. It was surprisingly massive and kept on going for several hundred meters, until we reached a danger sign and had to turn around.

In the depths of the Tham Chang caves.

Back outside the cave and down the stairs, we came across part two, which was a water cave you could actually swim in. For the weary, there are some ropes you can guide yourself along with. Once again, the surroundings were idyllic and the waters were even a turquoise shade of blue this time.

Around five in the afternoon, a tuktuk picked us up from the hotel and took us south of the city to the launching point of the hot air balloons. As motorized paragliders took off and landed on the side, the balloons were inflated one by one and released into the air. With ten people in our balloon basket, not including the operator we took off into the Vang Vieng sky.

Up above the Vang Vieng scenery.

As this was also Fabio and my first time in the balloon, we were definitely terrified as we left the safety of the ground and rose higher and higher, but that fear disappeared just a few minutes into the trip as we let the scenery and yet another gorgeous Laotian sunset take over our senses.

The ride lasted for about 40 minutes, and we landed very close to where the yoga session was. It is something we will remember for the long term.

Day 6: Buggies, Hiking, Blue Lagoons & Transfer

The adventures continued into day 6 as we got up and rented a wild off-roading style buggy to take us to the various viewpoints and lagoons nearby Vang Vieng.

Time to bounce around the Vang Vieng backstreets in this fellow.

All ready to go, we bounced along west down the very few roads that there actually were and started at Blue Lagoon 2. Blue Lagoon 1 is also on the way, but we skipped it as it was allegedly filled with people and not so nice. Blue Lagoon 2 was conversely tranquil and nice to hang out around for a coffee, a beer, and a quick swim. There are a few others as well, including Blue Lagoon 3, which often takes the cake for the most beautiful.

The 'Blue' lagoon is a fitting name based on the color.

Once we had had enough of the lagoons, we changed course and went for a viewpoint hike. There are a few viewpoints, the most famous one being Nam Xay, which has a motorcycle on the very top, which is of course for the dramatic photo effect.

We decided to skip that one and go for a recommendation given to us by the front desk at our guesthouse, the Pha Hon Kham viewpoint. This viewpoint was fantastic. In 45 minutes, up some pretty steep terrain, we had made it to the top only for a little model plane to be there awaiting us to take photos in. How somebody got a model plane up to the top of this viewpoint beats me.

During the hike, There is also the option to fork off about 20 minutes in and go right and that will take you to a view point with another model Pegasus on it. They love their viewpoints with various objects on them.

Could you carry a model plane up a steep cliff face?

After a little relaxation, catching our breath, and soaking in the stunning panoramic views, we descended, got back in our buggy and were on our way back to the buggy depot.

It was time to get ready for our next leg of the high speed train from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Back at our hotel, the tuk tuk picked us up, and we were on our way back to the railway station.

Where We Stayed in Vang Vieng

• Vang Vieng Global Guesthouse: While this wasn't the fanciest of places, the manager, Anna, is the nicest and most helpful person we've come across while traveling in Laos, and she easily was the highlight of our Vang Vieng trip.

Our Favorite Places to Eat in Vang Vieng

Vela Cafe and Restaurant, A.M.D. Restaurant, Il Tavolo Pizzeria, Golden Bamboo Restaurant, Happy Mango Thai Restaurant

Vang Vieng Map

Day 6–10: Luang Prabang

Day 6: First Impressions of Luang Prabang

Another short hour on the high speed train later, and we had arrived. The train station in Luang Prabang is also not far from the center, and more people will ask you if you’d like to join in on a shared taxi for 40,000 kip a person.

We rolled up in our shared van to Luang Prabang and were immediately shocked by the stark difference between the dusty town center of Vang Vieng (and Vientiane) with that of Luang Prabang. It was beautiful, clean, with lots of greenery and restored colonial style buildings. As lovers of aesthetics, we knew this was going to be our vibe.

Tucked between jungle-cloaked mountains and the mighty Mekong, this UNESCO-listed town weaves together saffron-robed monks, French colonial villas, ancient Buddhist temples, and one of the most mesmerizing night markets in Southeast Asia. Once the royal capital of Laos, it still feels like a place where time moves differently...slower, softer, and somehow sacred.

How gorgeous are these streets?!

By this time it was a bit late, and we were exhausted from buggying, the sun, and traveling, so after dinner we crashed.

Don't worry, there will be plenty of time to explore Luang Prabang.

Day 7: Slow Exploring, Cocktails, & True Laotian Food

On Day 7, we got up at a late leisurely hour, had breakfast at our hotel and went out to explore Luang Prabang.

We definitely took it slower this day after all the adventure activities in Vang Vieng. Plus, this is the kind of town that you want to take in slowly. We spent it wandering around corners, stumbling into cafés, trying whatever restaurant caught our eyes, watching river life on the Mekong over a drink.

Aside from the heritage buildings and gorgeous architecture everywhere, you also have the many temples of Luang Prabang often hidden in courtyards. Wat Xiengthong stood out to us as one of the best and is also one of the most important Lao monasteries.

One of the many temples you will come across on a walk through Luang Prabang.

When sunset rolled around, we went over to 525 The Terrace for a cozy view of the Mekong and a very delicious negroni, like the ones you would find at a classy aperitivo bar in Milano. The bar is literally just a small cart where someone makes drinks and a prime spot on the river for views, but executed very well in our opinion.

525 is the perfect place to have sunset cocktails in Luang Prabang.

Now it’s time for dinner. While we don’t usually single out restaurants in our itineraries, we’re making an exception here because this place served the best food we had in all of Laos. More than just a great meal, it gave us a deeper understanding of Laotian cuisine and identity.

Right on the main drag, Little Lao Culture Bar and Restaurant stands out with its commitment to market-to-glass and market-to-dish dining. It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a storytelling experience through food. Until this meal, we had a limited impression of Laotian food, often hearing it described as “similar to Thai.” But this place shattered that notion.

From the first cocktail to the final bite of dessert, every element was thoughtful, bold, and distinctly Laotian. It completely reframed our understanding of the country’s cuisine and set a new bar for what we’d seek out in meals going forward.

Little Lao Culture Bar, a must-try in Luang Prabang

If you still have energy, head upstairs to Sun Song Social for an artisanal cocktail, but not too late as tomorrow is a very early start.

Day 8: Almsgiving, Food Markets & Kuang Si Waterfall

Day 8 was an early one (we're talking 5:30 am) and for a fascinating reason.

When we arrived in Luang Prabang what surprised us from what we had seen in the rest of the country was the number of monks in their orange robes walking around at any hour of the day. As Luang Prabang was once the royal capital of Laos, it has maintained its status over the years as a spiritual sanctuary for Buddhists.

So why the early morning wake up? Well, it was time for the daily Almsgiving. During the Almsgiving, monks walk in lines to receive food offerings from people on the side of the road. Since monks do not earn money, this is their way of getting the food they need for the day.

There are seriously a ton of tourists (and a few locals) and a ton of monks getting in on this action, which is why the practice in Luang Prabang has become quite controversial. The main issue being it has become a pretty heavy tourist attraction and has taken away from the true spirituality of all of it.

There is no denying it that on the main stretch, Almsgiving itself has succumbed to the over tourism I’ve just mentioned. But it is a sight. Just make sure to maintain a faraway distance from the monks out of respect (and don’t get in their faces with a camera).

What improved the experience was going down some side roads, especially towards the Mekong where only locals were giving out alms. Just a short wander off the main thoroughfare and the beauty of this ritual is preserved.

Would you attend an Almsgiving?!

While the sun is still low in the sky, we made our way up Phou Si Hill to watch the remainder of the sunrise from the top. Typically, people tend to do this at sunset, but from our experience another night, there are ridiculous amounts of tourists up there in the evening, and it ruins the ambiance quite a bit. So after your almsgiving experience in the morning, head up there.

Having worked up an appetite at this point, we went back down the hill and discovered a morning market that ignited all the senses. At this market, vendors from all over this part of the country come to sell their fresh bounty picked from the jungles, the Mekong, and from farms. If you’ve are daring enough, you can go for the grilled bee honeycomb with larvae. Still feeling like it was a bit too early for bee larva, we went for some Khao Soi noodles instead in a stand right in center of the market.

All the flavors of the morning market

Sufficiently full of food and stimulating experiences by 9 am, we took it slow for the remainder of the morning, just working from one of the cafés and getting ready for an excursion afternoon.

That afternoon, we decided to venture out of the city to Kuang Si waterfalls. Our friends we met a few days prior picked us up in a negotiated tuktuk. The driver would wait at the falls for us for 150,000 kip per person.

Now onto the waterfalls. If you are getting there by late afternoon before closing the crowds should start to trickle down a bit. This is the time we swooped in. Crowds or not, this place was stunning. Blue water trellises stretching down a hill from a big waterfall. The water is blue from the limestone rocks emitting certain minerals. The highlight was swimming in the crystal blue waters as the sun started to dive deeper in the trees. You can also head up the 600ish stairs on the left side if you want to get on top of the waterfall, but just beware that the view isn't what you'd imagine up there...we preferred it from down below.

No filter needed...the water is actually that blue.

After the place had truly closed and the staff were basically forcing us out, we took the tuktuk back into town and immediately b-lined towards the night market. Both sides of the main stretch become lined with shopping stands and pedestrians can walk down the middle of the road. The place has loads of souvenirs.

The best part is a little further down the road where the food stands begin. Arranged like a hawker stand you might find in Malaysia, we went right for the crispy pork and some Vietnamese summer rolls. Paired with a BeerLao and this was heaven after a busy day.

Day 9: Biking Across the Mekong & Sunset River Cruise

Thanks to a little tip by the boss of the Little Lao Culture Bar, the first part of a day gave us a taste of off-the-beaten-path Luang Prabang by taking us to some places most tourists don’t even hear about.

We rented some bikes for 2 dollars for the day to get out of the little Luang Prabang downtown bubble for a bit. First, we rode across the bridge towards the side of the airport. Immediately after crossing the bridge we got a taste for Luang Prabang life outside the tourist hotspots. It was definitely less developed, but immediately people were friendlier than just on the other side of the river, screaming "hellooo" from their motorbikes, which reminded us of when we were out in other remote places like Songkhla, Thailand.

There’s a cute little place to get tea and some banana bread, aptly called The Tea House Luang Prabang, which gave us some nice fuel for the next part of the excursion.

Back on the bikes, back over the bridge and straight through downtown Luang Prabang, we had made it to the ferry terminal (if you can call it that) on the Mekong. Every few minutes, once the ferries fill up, which they do quickly with cars, scooters, and pedestrians, the ferry whisks you across the Mekong in just about 5 minutes. We took our bikes along and were dropped off in Chomphet district, eons less developed than Luang Prabang. There’s one path that heads north on a little road which is easy to bike and takes you from village to village, temple to temple.

The temples are remote and beautiful (definitely check out Wat Chomphet), with much fewer tourists than the other side, much less restoration, which adds to the beauty and ambiance. You'll also be treated to great views of Luang Prabang and the Mekong.

Wat Chomphet in all its remote glory.

We spent a good few hours biking up and down this path exploring different monasteries and village life. At times, it got a bit rocky and dusty for our bike, so we locked them up, put them to the side of the road, and just walked. Overall, it is well worth it. There aren’t too many restaurants on the other side, so make sure to take that into account when planning your day.

Around 3:30 PM we headed back to the ferry terminal and back over to the other side, only to come back on the Mekong at 4:30 PM for a sunset river cruise. If you haven’t been able to figure it out, sunsets are a big thing in Luang Prabang.

We went with Sasa cruises which is the slightly bougier and longer of the river cruises. If you get there early enough, you can snag one of the lounge chairs on the double-decker boat. A drink and snack is included (of course we went with the BeerLao and some peanuts and banana chips), but you can get a wider variety of drinks and snacks if you pay a bit extra. We then took in our final Luang Prabang sunset on the Mekong. The cruise lasted about 2 hours, and it happened to be our best sunset yet.

Fabio lounging hard on the Sasa cruise loungers.

We are going to miss those Luang Prabang Mekong River sunsets.

Where We Stayed in Luang Prabang

• Chic Stay Hana Luang Prabang: A very nice boutique hotel with just a few rooms, a pool, chic exterior and interior (as the name suggests), and a banging breakfast. The only thing I didn't love about this place was I don't love the location, as it is in a busier part of town (although the hotel itself is set back a bit from all the action).
• Villa Kee Lee Guesthouse: The location for this one is idyllic (at the end of the peninsula in a quieter area) and while the rooms are a bit simpler than the Chic Stay Hotel, it has kind staff and a delicious breakfast.

Our Favorite Places to Eat in Luang Prabang

Little Lao Culture Bar and Restaurant, MITI, Il Tavolo (same as the one in Vang Vieng), Fathima Indian and Malaysian, Ban What Sene Khao Soi Noodles

Luang Prabang Map

Day 10–14: Northern Laos

Day 10: Transfer & Kayaking

Luang Prabang, check.

And now it’s finally time for the last (but certainly not least) locations, Nong Khiaw (and Muang Ngoy). This is the most rural (and least connected) of all the places in this guide and the perfect spot to give it one more last burst of exercise and energy for some treks and hikes, while still taking it easy and enjoying the leisurely lifestyle of the people of northern Laos.

After an only slightly nerve wracking minibus ride (the high speed train unfortunately does not reach here), we backtracked from the Nong Khiaw bus station in a tuktuk to our accommodations, which was just a little outside of town.

The Papaya Guesthouse was the perfect choice for us, as it was all about glamping in wooden bungalows, with panoramic views of Nam Ou River.

Even though it was a bit basic, I got some of the best sleep ever in Papaya's.

We immediately took the kayaks, which are offered free to guests, and made our way out on to the late afternoon river. It was utter gorgeousness. Nong Khiaw had all the serene nature of Vang Vieng and more without the crowds.

After being out for while in the kayaks, we took a much-needed break with a beer from the on site restaurant and sat on our terrace. We ended the night quite early with some dinner from the on-site restaurant.

Glamping with one of the better views out there.

Day 11: Phadeng Peak & Free Time

The morning began quite early with a tuktuk back into town to head right for the Phadeng Peak viewpoint trek, without a doubt one of the more popular hikes in Nong Khiaw. We decided to go not too early in the morning, but also not too late, as we were a little tired by this point but also didn’t want to get the direct afternoon sunshine hitting hard.

As always, Laos delivered with this hike. We passed just a few people coming down while we trekked up and although it got steep quickly it certainly wasn’t unbearable. The nature changed as we ascended with different flora appearing as we got closer to the top of it.

Swings along the very well-marked path up to the viewpoint.

At the top, we had an unobstructed gorgeous view of the surrounding Nong Khiaw valley, with Nong Khiaw valley down below with staggering karst limestone hills overlooking the valley for miles. Not another soul was around, so we used the time for some photographing, of course and eating some snacks to refuel us for the way down. This was bliss.

At the top overlooking the town of Nong Khai

Now time for the descent. Nothing unusual to report here except for the fact we were hungry. Even in the remoteness of Nong Khiaw, you can find restaurants that offer western dishes, particularly French dishes (plenty of places make a good baguette), thanks to their occupation until 1953. Like the other sections, we have a list of our favorites places down below.

To be honest, we came to Nong Khiaw to not just hike and explore, but also to take it easy. So, for the afternoon, we hopped from coffee shop to coffee shop and ultimately back to the Papaya to read and listen to the sounds of nature.

Of course, if you are looking for a bit more adventure given the limited time, you can head to the popular Pha Kuang caves, hike the 100 waterfalls trek, or, if you haven't yet, give a cooking class a go.

Day 12: Boat to Muang Ngoy & Hike to Ban Na

Day 12 was the day we took a boat about an hour up the river to the even smaller town of Muang Ngoy. This isn’t just any boat, it’s a very locally made, wooden skipper boat that is beyond cute, despite feeling a little precarious and fragile. As the last people humanly possible to get a ticket that morning, we got a seat on the long slabs in the back rather than an actual seat up front.

The boat ride up the river is serene and calming. Along the way, you’ll get treated to sites of water buffalo’s frolicking in the river and remote villages with kids also splashing around.

The boat ride up to Muang Ngoy.

Eventually, we made it to the banks of Muang Ngoy. Despite its remoteness, Muang Ngoy is far from being undiscovered, but don’t let that dissuade you. It’s quite small, so it feels a bit touristy, but in reality the tourist numbers are small, plus without very much effort you can be on your own away from the tourist trail.

We started off grabbing some lunch consisting of a fresh French baguette sandwich, which again, may sound crazy since you are in the middle of nowhere Laos, but in reality it’s pretty ubiquitous since they were under French rule. The ambiance was peaceful with a few other tourists filling out postcards and village life just passing us by.

The quaint village life of Muang Ngoy.

Sufficiently filled, it was time for the hike we had read about moments before at the café (yes, we did things a bit spontaneously, so you don't have to) 😂. We would be trekking it over to the even quainter village of Ban Na, which would take us deep into the rice fields of Laos. Having done a lot of vertical viewpoint hikes in Laos thus far, this one would mostly be a horizontal one, so we were grateful for the sake of our calves.

However, a thundercloud soon approached and for the first time on our trip, we were completely lashed with rain. We sought shelter in a nearby Buddhist monastery, as the monks, many of them being kids, seemed to completely ignore the fact that it was pouring and continued to work on construction tasks around the premises. Behind them, I could make out some other kids playing soccer in the lawns behind the complex. The contrast between the monk and the non-monk kids and how they go about life during a rainstorm was fascinating.

The storm passed, and the sun peaked out at the same intensity as usual, and we were back on the now muddy dirt roads towards Ban Na.

While the trek was a long one for us, fortunately, there were not many hills along the way. It was just a pleasure to watch the Laos countryside unfold in front of our eyes. As promised, the rice fields came out and while they probably didn’t look as magical as they do in the wet season, they still over-delivered with plenty of karst hills in the background to provide a striking sight.

The scorched late-March rice fields nearby Ban Na.

Upon arriving to Ban Na, we were met with a little village. As the hike was more about the journey to get there than the actual destination, we popped into a guesthouse for a ginger tea and a relaxing moment on the hammocks before heading back as the sun was just starting to set over the peaks.

We made it back just before dark and stopped by one of the local eateries for some dinner before heading back to our bungalow and calling it a night. As there isn’t much nightlife in this area, you’ll probably end up back at your accommodations playing games and chatting with other travelers or calling it an early night.

Day 13: Boat (or Kayaking) Back to Nong Khiaw & Free Time

The public boats back to Nong Khiaw depart earlier than they should…9 am. So, after breakfast, we packed up and were on our way doing the reverse route of the day before.

Alright, so now that you are back on the ground in Nong Khiaw and with much of the day remaining, you have a few options of what you can do. If you didn't manage to do some of the optional excursions above, you can add those into your afternoon itinerary (Pha Kuang caves, hike the 100 waterfalls trek, or give a cooking class a go. Alternatively, just take it easy as you'll have quite a bit of travel coming up.

Day 14: Wrapping Up Your Laos Journey

As Nong Khiaw is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, you’re going to likely have to get back to the high speed railway to either go back to a bit city like Vientiane (and onward to Bangkok or other parts of Thailand) or the other direction if you’re like us and heading towards China. Alternatively, maybe you’re headed to Vietnam (there are buses in Muang Xay). Whatever your destination, you’re going to have to backtrack a bit.

From Nong Khiaw, you can either take a mini bus back to Luang Prabang or to Muang Xay (Oudomxay) which is one railway station up on the line. We chose the second option as we were taking the railway up to China. Be prepared for the same bumpiness and death defying driving as you likely encountered on your way to Nong Khiaw, but you'll soon be on a smooth railway going onward to your next adventure.

Where We Stayed in Nong Khiaw (and Muang Ngoy)

Nong Khiaw

• Papaya Guesthouse: Rustic little glamping spot! The location is the most beautiful we've come across in Laos. Definitely don't expect a ton of luxury, but you will have a relaxing, leisurely stay.

Muang Ngoy

• Ning Ning Guesthouse: Cozy place with large bungalows and free breakfast right near the Muang Ngoy docks. Again, the accommodations around this part of the country are rustic, but you'll have a comfy stay.

Our Favorite Places to Eat in Nong Khiaw (and Muang Ngoy)

Noi & Ni Restaurant, Couleur Cafe, Ping Moo, Home Cafe and Restaurant, Veranda, Rina Restaurant, Gecko Restaurant

Nong Khiaw (and Muang Ngoy) Map

If You Have More Time: Head South to the 4,000 Islands and the Loop

If your schedule isn’t tight, we highly recommend heading south — where things slow down even more (yes, it’s possible). Rent a motorbike and ride the Bolaven Plateau Loop, stopping at jungle-shrouded coffee farms, remote villages, and countless waterfalls that look like they belong in a dream.

Then make your way to the 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don), where hammocks swing over the Mekong and life unfolds at a pace that feels blissfully unbothered. This part of Laos feels like a well-kept secret...wild, laidback, and full of unexpected magic.

Khop jai lai lai, Laos!