Laos

Laos, in a few days

From the temples of Luang Prabang to the karst peaks of Vang Vieng and on to quiet Vientiane, day by day: the map, what is worth booking, everything that costs nothing, and where to sleep at three budgets.

Day by day

1

Luang Prabang

Days 1-3

The old royal capital, UNESCO-listed since 1995, where gilded temples line a peninsula between the Mekong and the Nam Khan. At dawn, monks walk the streets to collect alms.

🎟️ Worth booking

• The morning alms round and market2h · from €9
  The tak bat at first light, when monks in saffron robes file past to receive sticky rice, followed by the morning market. Watch in silence and from a respectful distance.
• Kuang Si falls and the bear rescue centreHalf day · from €20
  Turquoise pools stepping down a forested hillside, with a rescue centre for moon and sun bears at the entrance.

✦ Free to visit

• Wat Xieng Thong
• Mount Phousi at sunset
• The night market

📲 Book things to do in Luang Prabang on GetYourGuide

2

Vang Vieng

Days 4-5 · 🚐 Minivan 4h

A small town ringed by limestone peaks, blue lagoons and the Nam Song river. At sunrise, hot-air balloons rise over the rice fields.

🎟️ Worth booking

• Hot-air balloon over the karst1h · from €110
  An early flight over the limestone peaks, the river and the rice fields as the mist lifts.
• Tubing and the blue lagoonsHalf day · from €20
  Floating down the Nam Song on an inner tube, then a swim in one of the clear blue lagoons below the cliffs.

✦ Free to visit

• The Blue Lagoon
• The limestone caves
• Nam Xay viewpoint
• Cycling through the rice fields

📲 Book things to do in Vang Vieng on GetYourGuide

3

Vientiane

Days 6-7 · 🚐 Minivan 3h30

One of the calmest capitals in Asia, spread along the Mekong, with the golden stupa of Pha That Luang and the concrete statues of Buddha Park.

🎟️ Worth booking

• Buddha Park and the city, guidedHalf day · from €20
  A riverside garden of more than two hundred Hindu and Buddhist concrete statues made from 1958 onwards, then a tour of the capital.
• Lao cooking class3h · from €25
  Three hours to learn laap, sticky rice and green papaya salad, the three pillars of the Lao table.

✦ Free to visit

• Pha That Luang
• Patuxai, the victory gate
• The morning market
• The Mekong riverfront at sunset

📲 Book things to do in Vientiane on GetYourGuide

Worth sorting before you go

The Laos-China railway · Since 2021 a fast train has linked Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, cutting a day on the road to about two hours. Book seats ahead in high season; minivans fill the gaps.

📶 eSIM data
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly

🛡️ Travel insurance
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta

🚗 Car hire
Compare the agencies before you land.
Compare · Booking

💳 Fee-free card
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut

🚐 Airport transfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer

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Flavours & local habits

🍽️ Worth tasting

• Laap: minced meat or fish tossed with lime, toasted rice and fresh herbs, the national dish.
• Khao niaw: sticky rice, served in a small basket and rolled into balls with the fingers.
• Tam mak hoong: green papaya salad pounded with chilli, lime and fermented fish sauce.
• Khao piak sen: a thick rice noodle soup, the breakfast of the whole country.
• Lao coffee from the Bolaven plateau, and a cold Beerlao at sunset.

⚠️ Best avoided

• Cover shoulders and knees in temples, and take off your shoes before going inside.
• At the alms round, stay silent, keep your distance and never use a flash on the monks.
• Agree the tuk-tuk fare before you get in.
• Drink bottled water only, and accept that nothing here runs to a strict timetable.

Words that help

English ↔ Lao

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The practical page

Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/laos

Packing checklist

Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.