Take a journey through northern Laos with our unforgettable 10-day itinerary. Even though it’s surrounded by popular destinations like Thailand and Vietnam, Laos is still relatively under the radar as a travel destination.
Picture yourself cruising along jungle roads at sunset, surrounded by green paddy fields with hot air balloons floating in the sky above you. Sounds pretty cool, huh? Laos has so much to offer, from charming UNESCO-listed towns to jaw-dropping waterfalls in the jungle. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime…
Discover Laos in 10 Days: A Traveller’s Guide
Laos is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. A 10-day trip provides plenty of time to relax, adventure and explore. However, if you’re short on time, you can cover the highlights in just 7-8 days.
Also, just to note that this itinerary focuses on Northern Laos only. There are some great spots to see in Southern Laos, but if you’ve only got 10 days, we’d recommend sticking to one area, and Northern Laos has more to offer.
Day 1-2: Vientiane – The Laid-Back Capital
Vientiane feels more like a relaxed town than a capital city, with its easily walkable sights and quiet streets. While there’s certainly a charm to its laid-back vibe, don’t spend more than a day or two here. The other stops along our planned route are far more deserving of your time and attention.
How to Get There
Most international flights land at Wattay International Airport, which is a short drive from the city centre. You can easily grab a taxi or arrange a pick-up through your accommodation. Find your flights on Skyscanner for the best deals.
If you’re looking for the most budget option, you can get the shuttle bus from the airport which costs 40,000 kip (around £1.40 or $1.81), and stops at various major hotels in the city centre. Check the official site for full details.
Where to Stay
Choose a place to stay in a central spot, such as the chic Lao Poet Hotel, since it’ll provide you with the best options for venturing out to see the sights.
Top things to do in Vientiane:
- Ho Phrakeo Museum & Wat Sisaket: Dive headfirst into the history and culture of Laos with a visit to these neighbouring sites.
- Vientiane Night Market & Ban Anou Night Market: As the sun sets, head to these vibrant markets. The Vientiane Night Market opens at 6pm daily and has a vast range of clothes and souvenirs.
If you are looking for Laotian food, check out Ban Anou, open from 5pm to 10pm daily. Our favourites include grilled meat skewers with a Jeow dipping sauce!
- Patuxai Victory Gate: Reminiscent of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, the iconic monument is worth a visit. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the city.
For about 5,000 kip (roughly £0.18 or $0.23), you can climb a spiral stairway to the tower’s observation deck for panoramic views of the city.
- Pha That Luang: Roughly 45 minutes away on foot is Pha That Luang, which contains a stunning golden stupa. According to legend, the original stupa built here in the 3rd century BC by Indian Ashokan missionaries is said to house a fragment of Buddha’s breastbone.
Whilst you are here make sure you also walk around Ho Thammasapha which is a temple with beautiful depictions of the story of Buddha.
- Buddha Park: Just outside Vientiane, this surreal sculpture park is home to over 200 religious statues. It’s a bit out of the way, but it’s a fun attraction.
You can get there by tuktuk/taxi, or take the number 14 bus from Khua Din Bus Station which costs 12000 kip (roughly £0.42 or $0.54).
Day 3-6: Vang Vieng – Adventure Time
How to Get There
The roads in Laos are notoriously bad. Fortunately, the country is spending a lot of money to improve them, and they’ve prioritised the stretch of highway running from Vientiane to Vang Vieng. Hop on a bus that’ll take you along this brand new, smooth tarmac for around 2 hours as you enjoy the stunning views of the Lao countryside.
You can book your bus tickets on 12GO Asia here.
Aim for a morning journey to maximise on time!
Where to Stay
Stay central so you’re close to the action. Nana Backpackers Hostel is the most popular (and fun) hostel in town, right in the centre. If you’re after a bit more of a relaxed, luxury vibe, then check out Riverside Boutique Resort – the views from the rooms are unreal!
How to Get Around in Vang Vieng
Hiring a scooter will give you the freedom to follow the itinerary at a cheaper cost, but make sure you have an international licence and follow the local rules for riding them. Scooters cost around 120k kip (roughly £4-5 or $5-6) for the day.
The roads here are dodgy to say the least, so it’s recommended to only ride if you have plenty of experience doing so – otherwise, just stick to tuktuks and taxis.
Best Things to Do in Vang Vieng:
- Sunrise Hot Air Balloon: Book an early morning ride with Above Laos for an unforgettable view of the breathtaking scenery from above.
It’s important to book this in advance for one of your first days in Vang Vieng since it’s possible it could be cancelled due to poor weather, in which case you’ll be glad you have an extra few days in your back pocket to reschedule!
Sadly, ours was cancelled but it was on our last day in Vang Vieng, so we couldn’t reschedule – we did, however, get a full refund.
- Go Paramotoring: Another high-flying activity, but this one’s even more adrenaline-fueled! If you’re searching for an exhilarating experience, look no further than paramotoring. If you’re like us, and the thought of that terrifies you, then stick to the calmer hot air balloon experience!
- Nam Xay Viewpoint: Jump on your scooter or in a tuktuk and head for Nam Xay Viewpoint. It’s got one of the most incredible views, complete with a motorbike cemented to the top with a Lao flag attached to get the perfect shot for your Instagram.
The climb is steep and takes around 30 mins to climb and another 30 to get back down, but it’s absolutely worth it!
It costs 20k kip per person to climb Nam Xay.
- Buggy Adventure: If you’re an adrenaline-junky, then give the buggies a try. It’s very popular, and you’ll see so many of them as you explore the area.
Join as part of a tour or explore on your own for some more freedom, it’s super fun!
- Blue Lagoon 3: What better way to cool off from your climb than by plunging into the refreshing water at Blue Lagoon 3?
It’s easily the best of the lagoons surrounding Vang Vieng! It’s less crowded and surrounded by stunning mountains, and has all the amenities to make it an awesome hangout spot for a few hours; it’s got a rope swing, inflatable rings, platforms to jump from, a restaurant & toilets.
- Night Market: Check out the street market along Walking Street in the evening for food and souvenir shopping.
- Bars: There are plenty of places for an evening drink, and of course the token Irish bar you find in seemingly every place in the world! If you fancy a drink with a nice view at sunset, head to Riverside Boutique Resort – even if you’re not staying there, you can still get a drink!
- Tham Jang/Chang Cave: Explore this famous cave that’s steeped in history. It became the home for migrating people who arrived in the area, as well as once served as a refuge during the country’s civil war, where the entire village moved to sit out the war. Definitely a cool one to check out!
- Tipsy Tubing: Vang Vieng is well-known for its tubing adventures. You’ll see so many tubing adventures advertised throughout town. The premise is simple – you start upstream and float along the Nam Song river in a rubber tube, stopping at riverside bars along the way.
There are, sadly, stories of tourists finding themselves in perilous situations doing this activity, so if you are going to join in then remember to stay safe and don’t drink more than you can handle!
- Pha Ngern View Point: Another great viewpoint hike offering jaw-dropping views of Vang Vieng’s amazing landscape.
- Tham Nam Water Cave & Zipline: Often visited as part of a tour, you can float through this cave on a rubber tube with the roof inches from your helmeted head.
There’s even a zipline here, which is so much fun! You fly right over (and sometimes through) the thick jungle canopy and get some incredible views, it’s well worth it.
It’s common to combine several of these activities into a single tour organised by a local tour company. You’ll find plenty of shops offering a variety of packages and itineraries for both half-day and full-day experiences. Prices are generally similar, so you don’t need to stress about finding the best deal – but feel free to shop around if you’d like to compare options.
Day 7-10: Luang Prabang – Culture & Nature
How to Get There
There’s loads of options to get to Luang Prabang from Vang Vieng, with the most convenient being the brand new high-speed railway.
It takes around 1-1.5 hours and will cost roughly 250-320k kip for a second class ticket, which is about £8.50-£11 ($11-$14.50).
You can get your tickets on 12Go Asia, but you’ll find loads of travel operators selling tickets for the train as well as other modes of transport around town with better prices, so have a look around until you find a cost and departure time you’re happy with.
Be aware: there is security at the train station similar to an airport, with metal detectors and bag checks, as well as strict rules on items you can take on the train. Common items like e-cigarettes and aerosols are banned, so make sure you take a look at the prohibited items list before you go.
Where to Stay
We’d recommend staying somewhere in the Old Quarter to be close to the action – anywhere on the north side of Phousi Hill is ideal!
We stayed at Barn Laos Hostel, which was a super affordable choice right in the centre of the old quarter.
Best Things to Do in Luang Prabang:
- Kuang Si Waterfall: The absolute BEST thing to do in Luang Prabang, hands down. The iconic waterfall is one of the best in South East Asia! You can spend a whole day exploring the waterfalls, climbing to the top for breathtaking views, swimming in the tiered pools… the list goes on.
We’ve written a full guide to visiting Kuang Si Waterfall, including how to get there, what to do, how much it costs, and more, so check make sure to check it out if you plan on visiting!
- Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre: Definitely make time to check out the bear rescue centre located within the park, right next to the waterfalls. This centre rescues and rehabilitates bears affected by the illegal wildlife trade, and is a great opportunity to see animals often not seen by western visitors, such as the Sun Bear.
It’s both educational and heartwarming to see the protected animals, and you can purchase souvenirs to contribute to rehabilitation efforts.
- Temple Hopping – Wat Xiengthong & Haw Phra Bang: There are over 30 temples in Luang Prabang, so take your time and explore as many as you can.
Two of the stand-out temples are Wat Xiengthong and Haw Phra Bang, both found in the Old Quarter and are so stunning. The intricate mosaics and golden façades are unlike anything else you’ve seen!
- Royal Palace Museum: Check out the well-preserved museum for a taste of Lao history. The cost for foreigners is 60,000kip/person.
- Night Market: As evening falls, stroll through the night market just north of Phousi Hill along the main street, famous for its handicrafts and local goods. There’s a huge outdoor food court at the south end of the market, as well as a night food market tucked away down an alleyway opposite where you can find some more delicious local treats.
Connor had a delicious stewed pork leg with rice for only £1.25 here!
- Sai Bat (Morning Alms): Don’t miss participating (or observing) this sacred Buddhist tradition which involves monks collecting alms (donations) from locals and visitors before the sun rises. It’s a really unique experience to witness.
Just remember that this is a religious event, so keep your distance if you’re not participating, and always be respectful.
Ask your hotel/hostel/guesthouse about the recommended time to head down, and where to stand/sit.
- Big Brother Mouse: Spend a few hours here helping Lao children learn English. You’ll be paired up with a young Laotian and you’ll get to ask each other questions and learn about each other’s lives. It’s a super rewarding way to give back and learn more about the local culture.
The staff as well as the students often head around the corner to a delicious restaurant for lunch and invite any visitors to join them to continue the laid back experience – give it a go!
- Sunset @ Phousi Hill: Walk up to Phousi Hill with a couple of beers to enjoy the sunset over Luang Prabang – it’s honestly an unforgettable experience and the views are unreal!
It gets super busy though, so arrive at least 30 minutes (if not more) before the sun actually sets to secure a seat or place to stand with a view.
- Sunset Boat Cruise: End one of your days in Luang Prabang with a sunset cruise on the Mekong River.
Walk along the road running along the northern edge of the Old Quarter and you’ll find plenty of companies offering enticing deals – often involving a free drink or two! – to get you on their boat.
It’s a relaxing way to spend another sunset in Laos.
- Tamarind Cooking Class: Round off your Laos adventure with a cooking class at Tamarind. We had such a brilliant time learning how to make traditional Lao dishes such as Jeow Mak Keua (spicy eggplant dipping sauce) and Oua Si Khai (fragrant lemongrass stuffed with chicken, kaffir lime and coriander) – and we got to FEAST on everything we made at the end.
The chef was brilliant with everyone and was cracking jokes all evening in the easy atmosphere of the open-air kitchen. The whole experience was so worth the money – only $32USD/person.
Travel Tips and Advice
- Scooter Hire: Hiring a scooter is a great way to explore at your own pace. Always wear a helmet and ensure you have an international driving licence. We touched on the dodgy roads in Vang Vieng earlier in this article, but it’s worth mentioning again – only ride a scooter here if you’ve had experience!
- Currency: Laos uses the Lao Kip (LAK). It’s always a good idea to carry some cash, especially in rural areas, as few places will take cards. ATMs are widely available in most towns and cities.
- Language: While Lao is the official language, English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- Safety: Laos is generally safe for travellers, but always keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious when exploring less populated areas.
- How to dress: When visiting temples or other religious places, make sure to dress respectfully and look out for signs on the appropriate dress codes. This usually means covered shoulders for women.
Well, hopefully you’ve gotten something from our 10-day Laos itinerary for your future trip.
We’ve tried to strike the right balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation, ensuring you experience the very best of Laos. This is more-or-less exactly the itinerary we followed for our recent trip to Laos, and we had such an incredible time.
Enjoy your trip and don’t forget to share your experiences with us on our Instagram – we’d love to hear about your travels!
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