Landlocked, but moving to the aquatic rhythm of mighty rivers such as the Mekong, Laos is a country full of dramatic scenery and adventure. The itineraries below differ due to budget, and range from 14 to 17 days in length. Click for Luxury, Mid-range or Budget.
Here’s your Laos itinerary:
| Luxury |  |
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| 1 | ✈To Pakse (Book >) 🚕Pakse to Champasak taxi |
Dep: Morning | 🏨 In flight! | ||
| 2 | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨The River Resort (Book >) | All hotels > | ||
| If you’re travelling from Cambodia then you can fly from Siem Reap, departing and arriving in the afternoon | |||||
| 3 | Take a day trip to the Bolaven Plateau, which can be arranged by your hotel. Relax in the evening with a stroll around the resort grounds and relaxing by the infinity pools | Anyone not from Japan or the ASEAN countries will need a visa for Laos | |||
| 4 | Journey to the beautiful 4000 Islands area (which can also be arranged by your hotel) | Save the environment by using a good filter water bottle | |||
| 5 | 🚕Champasak to Pakse taxi ✈Pakse to Luang Prabang flight (Book >) |
Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Evening | 🏨Hotel Sofitel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Arrive in Luang Prabang in time for sunset by the Mekong river. | Dress conservatively when visiting temples | ||||
| 6-8 | So much to see over the next couple of days! Start with the early morning alms-giving (which starts at 05:30 in summer and 06:30 in winter) on Sisavangvong Road. Visit the Royal Palace and the Golden Buddha Phra Bang within. The top of Mount Phousi is a wonderful place from which to watch sunset. Wat Mai palace, Wat Visoun and Xieng Thong are also worth some of your time. Pick up some souvenirs from the morning market (06:30-10:00). Take a tuk tuk to Kuang Si Falls. | This blog post offers guidance on how to behave respectfully at the alms-giving. | |||
| 9 | ⛴️Luang Prabang to Pakbeng ferry (Book >) | Dep: 07:00 | Arr: 17:00 | 🏨Luang Say Lodge | |
| Embark on your tour up the mighty Mekong. Today you’ll visit Pak Ou cave and a hill tribe village. | Pack plenty of sunscreen – the sun is especially strong on the river | ||||
| 10 | ⛴️Pakbeng to Huay Xai ferry | Dep: 08:00 | Arr: 17:00 | 🏨Nakaraj Princess (Book >) | All hotels > |
| You’ll make more stops today including, after lunch, a visit to a traditional Laotian village of Ban Gon Dturn, before arriving in Huay Xai on the border with Thailand. | The border closes at 18:00 and cruise staff on both sides of the border can help with travel to Chiang Rai. | ||||
| 11 | 🚕Huay Xai to Luang Nam Tha taxi | Dep: 10:00 | Arr: 13:00 | 🏨The Boat Landing (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Once you’ve arrived in Luang Nam Tha take a look at the Golden Stupa and enjoy dinner at the bustling night market. | Be aware of pick pockets in busy market areas. | ||||
| 12 | Book a one-day trek in the verdant, magnificent Nam Ha National Protected Area, where you’ll taste some local food as well as visit a Khmu village. | Trekking here is mildly challenging – bring insect repellant. | |||
| 13 | ✈Luang Nam Tha to Vientiane flight (Book >) | Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Evening | 🏨Crowne Plaza (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Relax in a traditional herbal sauna before flying to the capital. | Luang Nam Tha is close to the Chinese border, should you wish to add to your Laos itinerary. | ||||
| 14-15 | ✈Vientiane to home (Book >) | Dep: Evening | Arr: Morning (next day) | Connect this Laos itinerary with the Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & Borneo or Cambodia itinerary | |
| Spend the morning chilling in the roof garden infinity pool before heading to the airport. | |||||
| Mid-range |  |
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| 1 | ✈To Pakse (Book >) | Dep: Morning | 🏨 In flight! | ||
| 2 | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨Athena Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > | ||
| If you’re travelling from Cambodia then you can fly from Siem Reap, departing and arriving in the afternoon. | |||||
| 3 | Your hotel can help arrange a taxi to tour around the Bolevan Plateau – a superb day trip from Pakse. | Anyone not from Japan or the ASEAN countries will need a visa for Laos | |||
| 4 | Today you’ll go on a day trip to the 4000 Islands (book here), departing Pakse at 08:00 and returning at 14:00. Spend the rest of your day visiting pretty Wat Luang. | Save the environment by using a good filter water bottle | |||
| 5 | ✈Pakse to Luang Prabang flight (Book >) | Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Evening | 🏨Mekong Riverview (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Arrive in Luang Prabang in time for sunset by the Mekong river. | Dress conservatively when visiting temples | ||||
| 6-8 | So much to see over the next couple of days! Start with the early morning alms-giving (which starts at 05:30 in summer and 06:30 in winter) on Sisavangvong Road. Visit the Royal Palace and the Golden Buddha Phra Bang within. The top of Mount Phousi is a wonderful place from which to watch sunset. Wat Mai palace, Wat Visoun and Xieng Thong are also worth some of your time. Pick up some souvenirs from the morning market (06:30-10:00). Take a tuk tuk to Kuang Si Falls | This blog post offers guidance on how to behave respectfully at the alms-giving | |||
| 9 | 🚐Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw minibus | Dep: 09:30 | Arr: 14:00 | 🏨Mandala Ou Resort (Book >) | All hotels > |
| There are many hikes around Nong Khiaw, including to the nearby Phatok Caves. If you prefer to get on the water then go on a kayaking trip along the Nam Ou, or maybe hire a bike and visit the Khmu and Hmong villages in the area. | Ask your hotel for help with booking a minivan to Nong Khiaw | ||||
| 10 | 🚌Nong Khiaw to Oudomsay bus | Dep: 11:00 | Arr: 15:00 | 🏨Namkat Yorla Pa (Book >) | All hotels > |
| A couple more hours to enjoy the countryside around Nong Khiaw before taking the bus to Oudomsay. When you arrive you can walk up to the stupa and admire the views from the top, or hire a motorbike and visit Nam Kad Waterfall. | Oudomsay is also known as Muang Xay and Udom Xai (many places in Laos have multiple names) | ||||
| 11 | The tourism office offers a 1-day tour to Ban Chom Ong village and the Chom Ong cave – the largest in Laos and a breathtaking sight to behold. | Remember to bring insect repellant and sunscreen | |||
| 12 | ✈Oudomsay to Vientiane flight (Book >) | Dep: Afternoon | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨Crowne Plaza (Book >) | All hotels > |
| In Vientiane you may have time to visit the That Luang stupa. In the evening head to the Mekong riverfront for a memorable sunset. | From Oudomsay you can also travel by bus to China or Thailand via Luang Nam Tha, should you wish to add to your Laos itinerary. | ||||
| 13-14 | ✈Vientiane to home (Book >) | Dep: Evening | Arr: Morning (next day) | Connect this Laos itinerary with the Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & Borneo or Cambodia itinerary | |
| Spend the morning chilling in the roof garden infinity pool before heading to the airport. | |||||
| Budget |  |
||||
| 1 | ✈To Pakse (Book >) | Dep: Morning | 🏨 In flight! | ||
| 2 | Arr: Afternoon | 🏨Chato Hostel (Book >) | All hotels > | ||
| If you’re travelling from Cambodia then you can take a bus from Siem Reap at 08:00, arriving into Pakse by 18:00 | |||||
| 3 | Your hostel can help arrange a tour around the Bolevan Plateau – a superb day trip from Pakse | Anyone not from Japan or the ASEAN countries will need a visa for Laos | |||
| 4 | 🚌Pakse to Vientiane bus (Book >) | Dep: 20:30 | 🏨Bus | ||
| Today you’ll go on a day trip to the 4000 Islands (book here), departing Pakse at 08:00 and returning at 14:00. Spend the rest of your day visiting pretty Wat Luang before your night bus to Vientiane | It’s also possible (and considerably faster, but more expensive) to fly to Vientiane | ||||
| 5 | 🚌Pakse to Vientiane bus 🚐Vientiane to Vang Vieng minibus (Book >) |
Dep: 10:00 | Arr: 06:30 Arr: 14:00 |
🏨Jasmine Vang Vieng Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| While Vang Vieng is known to be a party town, it’s also an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding countryside. After you’ve arrived hire a bicycle and visit the Blue Lagoon | Save the environment by using a good filter water bottle | ||||
| 6 | Beat the crowds and go on a tubing trip earlier in the day. If you like to be more active then kayaking is also available | This Wikitravel page offers some advice on unscrupulous practises in Vang Vieng. | |||
| 7 | 🚌Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang bus (Book >) | Dep: 09:00 | Arr: 15:00 | 🏨Mad Monkey (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Arrive in time for sunset from the top of Mount Phousi | Dress conservatively when visiting temples | ||||
| 8-9 | So much to see over the next couple of days! Start with the early morning alms-giving (which starts at 05:30 in summer and 06:30 in winter) on Sisavangvong Road. Visit the Royal Palace and the Golden Buddha Phra Bang within. Wat Mai palace, Wat Visoun and Xieng Thong are also worth some of your time. Pick up some souvenirs from the morning market (06:30-10:00). Take a tuk tuk to Kuang Si Falls | This blog post offers guidance on how to behave respectfully at the alms-giving | |||
| 10 | 🚐Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw minibus | Dep: 09:30 | Arr: 14:00 | 🏨Pho Sai River View (Book >) | All hotels > |
| There are many hikes around Nong Khiaw, including to the nearby Phatok Caves. If you prefer to get on the water then go on a kayaking trip along the Nam Ou, or maybe hire a bike and visit the Khmu and Hmong villages in the area. | Ask your hostel for help with booking a minivan to Nong Khiaw | ||||
| 11 | 🚌Nong Khiaw to Oudomsay | Dep: 11:00 | Arr: 15:00 | 🏨Amphon Hotel (Book >) | All hotels > |
| A couple more hours to enjoy the countryside around Nong Khiaw before taking the bus to Oudomsay. When you arrive you can walk up to the stupa and admire the views from the top, or hire a motorbike and visit Nam Kad Waterfall | Oudomsay is also known as Muang Xay and Udom Xai (many places in Laos have multiple names) | ||||
| 12 | The tourism office offers a 1-day tour to Ban Chom Ong village and the Chom Ong cave – the largest in Laos and a breathtaking sight to behold | Remember to bring insect repellant and sunscreen | |||
| 13 | 🚐Oudomsay to Luang Nam Tha minibus (Info >) | Dep: 11:30 | Arr: 14:30 | 🏨Zuela Guesthouse (Book >) | All hotels > |
| Once you’ve arrived in Luang Nam Tha take a look at the Golden Stupa and enjoy dinner at the bustling night market | Be aware of pick pockets in busy market areas | ||||
| 14 | Book a one-day trek in the verdant, magnificent Nam Ha National Protected Area, where you’ll taste some local food as well as visit a Khmu village | Trekking here is mildly challenging – bring good walking boots | |||
| 15 | 🚌Luang Nam Tha to Huay Xai bus (Info >) 🚌Huay Xai to Chiang Rai bus (Info >) |
Dep: 09:00 Dep: 16:00 |
Arr: 13:00 Arr: 19:00 |
🏨Na-Rak-O Resort (Book >) | All hostels > |
| Once you’ve arrived in Chiang Rai (Thailand) you’ll have time in the evening to visit the night bazaar. | Luang Nam Tha is close to the Chinese border, should you wish to add to your Laos itinerary. | ||||
| 16-17 | ✈Chiang Rai to home (Book >) | Dep: Evening | Arr: Morning (next day) | Connect this Laos itinerary with the Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia & Borneo or Cambodia itinerary | |
| Take a trip to Wat Rong Khun and the Black House before heading to the airport. | |||||
A Plan To Go 