Visit Laos, 1 Week Itinerary & Travel Guide

Laos is often looked over by tourists when they visit South East Asia due to them favouring the likes of Vietnam and Thailand. However, we believe that you are truly missing out by not visiting one of the most beautiful and undiscovered countries, filled with an abundance of adventure and culture. In 2023, we visited Laos for 12 days which definitely wasn't enough time but we were able to get a really good taste of what this beautiful country has to offer. During our first week in Laos we explored the popular towns of Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and the capital, Vientiane which we will detail further in this blog. For the extra 5 days, we went to the town of Thakhek to complete the thrilling Thakhek loop which you can read all about it here. So, without further ado, let's begin our journey through the beauty of Laos!

Itinerary Overview:

Luang Prabang - 3 nights

Vang Vieng - 3 nights

Vientiane - 1 night

Day 1-3 - Luang Prabang

For us, our adventure started in Luang Prabang but if you are beginning in the capital city of Vientiane then simply reverse this route :)

How to get to Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang does have it's own international airport so depending where you are flying from, that would be your best bet. If you are coming from Thailand into Laos, we actually have a blog posted about how we travelled via bus from Chiang Mai/Rai to Luang Prabang. We go in depth on our experience as well as list a few other options you can take if your journey takes the same path. Click here to read more!

Where to Stay

The town of Luang Prabang is quite small so as long as you aren't staying in the far outskirts then, the location isn’t too big of a factor to consider. We opted to stay at hotel with a private room at the Elephant Boutique Hotel which included a complementary breakfast. If your looking for a slightly cheaper option, our friends stayed at Sakura Wood House and they said it was a really nice accommodation as well!

Day 1 - Arrival and Exploration

On your first day in a new country, you might not feel like doing much, but we have a relaxing activity to recommend. Near the town, there's a place called the 'Garden of Eden' where you can design and create your very own jewelry piece. You start by choosing the type of jewelry you want to make, such as a ring, bracelet, necklace, or earrings, from the examples displayed in their shop. Once you've made your choice, you can sit down in the craft area, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding area, while an employee is available to assist you if needed. You also get complimentary water and fruit which is really nice! The price for this experience depends on the class and the item of jewelry you choose, but overall, it's a fun and rewarding way to acquire your very own souvenir from Laos.

Day 2 - Adventure Activities

Does gliding through a jungle sound like fun to you? If so, we highly recommend booking a tour to visit Nahm Dong Park where you'll have the opportunity to do this and much more!

At the park you have the flexibility to choose from various packages offering one or more activities. For us, we opted for for the 2 activity multi pass for $30USD which allows you to choose 2 activities from the given list. We decided to try the zipline course and the Hmong embroidery class, both of which were absolutely amazing. The zipline course features six stations, each over 800 meters in length. While gliding through the sky, you'll be treated to breathtaking forest views, stunning scenery, and even glimpses of waterfalls. It was an incredibly enjoyable experience and offered fantastic value for money!

Afterwards, we then participated in the embroidery class, which initially presented some challenges. However, the supportive staff were readily available to assist us, and eventually, we all mastered the art and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

Day 3 - Sun Bear Sanctuary & Buffalo Farm

A popular tour to do from Luang Prabang is visiting the Sun & Moon bear sanctuary. To add to the day's activities, we also recommend visiting the Buffalo Farm along the way. Most tour operators and hostels offer these places as a package with included transport, but the price can be rather expensive then if yoiu organising your own way there. We suggest asking around the town for ute drivers who offer to drive you to your desired destinations for a negotiated price. Unfortunately, we can't recall the exact amount we paid, but as a group of 4, the total cost for all of us was the same price per person as the tour. Essentially, shopping around saved us 75% off the tour price.

First up is the Sun Bear Sanctuary which is a non for profit charity where they have helped rescue over 1,000 bears of the world's most vulnerable bear species and provide ongoing care to hundreds of rescued sun bears and moon bears across all their sanctuary's. Visiting the sanctuary is free, but they highly encourage donations, as all profits go directly towards the well-being of the bears. Consider picking up some cool souvenirs, like a T-shirt, as every purchase contributes to supporting the bears. Once you've had the chance to see the bears and learn from the informational cards, you can take a short walk to the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfall. Describing the beauty of these falls is truly challenging; they are a sight that you absolutely can't afford to miss!

Afterwards you'll be heading to Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm where you will have the opportunity to tour around the farm, learning everything from milking buffalos to even getting the chance to feed them! The farm provides a variety of tours for you to select from, with the most affordable option priced at just $9 USD. Feel free to check out their website to determine which tour best suits your preferences. If none of the tours appeal to you, consider visiting their cafe and indulging in some delicious buffalo milk ice cream and cheese, both of which are absolutely delightful!

Day 4-6 - Vang Vieng

How to get to Vang Vieng

When traveling from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, you have two transportation options available. The first option is to take a train from the station, which is about a 20-minute drive away from the city. To reach the train station, you can easily catch a Tuk Tuk, and it's not too expensive. The train ride to Vang Vieng takes approximately 50-75 minutes and offers a super comfortable journey. The ticket price for the train varies depending on the time of travel, ranging from $10 to $24 USD.

The other option is to book in a shuttle where almost all options includes hotel pickup which is one extra stress not to worry about. The cost for this journey is around $19 USD ($30 AUD) and takes about 4-6 hours.

Out of the two, we would recommend booking the train due to the faster commute time and depending which one you choose it is also the cheaper option. Throughout Laos we used 12go to book all our transport tickets and they are really reliable so we would recommend you check them out!

Where to stay in Vang Vieng

The town of Vang Vieng is quite small so anywhere you choose in the area you will be in a great spot! As backpackers, we opted to stay at Golden Dragon House Vang Vieng. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there, the staff we super kind and friendly, there was a free breakfast included and a pool for use as well! We opted to stay in the 6 bed room which is a little on the small side but there is private options if your wanting your own space!

Day 4 - Arrival, good food and good vibes

Once you arrived in Vang Vieng there isn't unfortunately too much to do in the town itself that is worth mentioning as most of the main attractions are further out. However, this gives you the opportunity to plan and book activities in advance, which we will discuss in the coming days. If you prefer to have everything arranged before your arrival, we recommend booking through GetYourGuide  for excellent deals on popular activities.

We do want to mention a few great places to eat and to enjoy the vibe. The first was the most incredible Banh Mi Bree and I have ever had. It is basically a street vendor so unfortunately they don't have google presence but I have pinned the approximate location here.

Day 5 - Mountain hikes and relaxing Lagoons

Vang Vieng is widely recognised as the adventure town of Laos, offering an abundance of exciting activities for visitors to enjoy. We would personally recommend hiring a motorbike for 2 days and driving to a few spots nearby.

NOTE: It's important to note that the majority of roads in Laos are not properly paved. If you are considering renting a motorbike for the first time, we would suggest opting for a guided tour instead, or if you choose to drive, please be cautious :)

To start your adventure, head east towards the Nam Xay Viewpoint, where you can embark on a hike to reach the top and enjoy some breathtaking views. When you arrive, there is a car park in which you can leave your bike for a small fee or alternatively you can park across the road for free!

The hike is famous for the fact that at the top there is a motorbike in which you can sit on and wave the Laos flag which makes for an awesome photo. I would recommend you plan to do it on a clear day as we personally encountered rain at the top, which made the terrain quite slippery to the point we were pretty much sliding all the way down to the bottom!

Next, I would recommend heading to one of the many lagoons that are in the nearby area. They are all easily labelled as lagoon 1, lagoon 2 etc. For us, we personally went to lagoon 1 as it offered a really cool diving board and nearby there is Phu Kham Cave which you can explore as well. The entrance to the lagoon and cave is free but we would recommend renting a head lamp for the cave as it is really dark and your phones flashlight won't do the trick! It was quite cool but lowkey kinda scary so maybe don't travel too far in! Whatever you are felling though, you will sure have a great time at lagoon 1!

Day 6 - Adventure Activity

As I mentioned before, Vang Vieng offers a wide range of adrenaline styleactivities that are a must-try when visiting. These include thrilling experiences like hot air balloon rides, kayaking, ziplining, cave tubing, and the especially unique paramotor flying. You can easily book any of these activities through tour agencies in Vang Vieng while exploring the area, or in advance online using platforms like  GetYourGuide and Viator.

Vientiane - Day 7

How to get to Vientiane

When traveling from Vang Vieng to Vientiane, you have two options to choose from. The first option is to take a train from the station, which is conveniently located just a 12-minute drive from the center of town. Finding a Tuk Tuk driver to take you there is the easiest way to reach the station. The train journey typically takes about 50-80 minutes, depending on the time you catch the train, with prices ranging from $10 to $17 USD.

Alternatively, you can book a shuttle for this journey, which usually includes hotel pickup, eliminating the extra stress of arranging transportation. The cost for the shuttle is approximately $12 AUD, and the journey takes about 2 hours.

Out of the two, we would recommend booking the shuttle due to the convenience of hotel pickup. Throughout Laos, we used 12go to book all our transport tickets, and they have proven to be very reliable. We highly recommend checking them out!

Where to stay in Vientiane

Even though Vientiane may not be the largest capital city, we highly recommend staying in its historic city centre. As backpackers, we chose to stay at the Vientiane Ruby Riverside Hotel. We had a fantastic experience during our stay there; the staff was incredibly kind and friendly, and there was a great complimentary breakfast included plus access to a pool. We decided to stay in the 16-bed room, which is a bit cozy, but there are also private options available if you prefer more space.

What to do

Vientiane is the capital of Laos and is likely to be your starting point. As the capital city, it's definitely worth a visit, but we believe one day is plenty of time as there isn't too much to do.

One thing we would recommend is visiting the night markets, which serve amazing and affordable local food. There are two night markets we would suggest: one located near the waterfront and another a little further in town. If you're looking for more activities or sightseeing, a tour to the Buddha Park would be the most popular option.

Summary

All in all Laos is an incredible and still quite an untouched hidden gem of a country! We hope our experience and advice on what to do and where to go has inspired you to start planning your own Laos adventure!

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If you have any questions at all or want more information, please fill free to leave us a comment below or contact us via email.

Aiden & Bree :)