From the remote river towns of the north to the adventurous Thahkek loop in the south this is the ultimate 2 week Laos itinerary.
Once overlooked by its popular neighbours Vietnam and Thailand, Laos is on the rise in popularity as it boosts some incredible nature, from jungles, river deltas and blue lagoons. With so much to offer every type of traveller, here is your ultimate 2 week Laos itinerary.
In this blog, I will go through the perfect 2 week Laos itinerary that I recently did myself from north to south, with recommendations for how long to spend in each location and what activities are on offer.
Each type of traveller is different so use this as a guide and match it to your own pace and style. Feel free to add extra days to places you are enjoying and leave places that don’t interest you.
This post is all about how to plan your 2 week Laos itinerary.
Ultimate 2 Week Laos Itinerary:
Day 1-2: Luang Prabang
Unless you’re like us and choose to take the adventurous path of arriving in Laos from a very remote border in northern Vietnam, then Luang Prabang likely will be your starting point.
Luang Prabang is located in northern Laos on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan Rivers. According to legend, this city’s origins are steeped in myth, including tales of Buddha gracing it with a smile during his travels, foretelling its future as a prosperous and influential metropolis.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this city offers a mix of nature, culture, and food to immerse yourself in.
Kuang Si Falls
The most popular tourist attraction is the Kuang Si Falls. This cascading three-tiered waterfall flows with gorgeous turquoise blue water to pools beneath, which you can swim in. The cost to enter the falls is about 25,000 kip per person.
To get to the blue pools, you have two options: you can hire a scooter or go on a tour. Opting for scooter rental, as we did, offers flexibility and independence, though it’s essential to vet rental companies thoroughly to avoid potential scams. There are many tours available that can take you to the falls; inquire at your accommodation or in the city centre.
Top tips: Go early to the falls to beat the crowds. We went around 9 am, and for the first hour, we had the place almost to ourselves. Also, be aware if you are visiting in the wet season, the water can turn a murky colour.
Night Markets
The night markets in Luang Prabang are an absolute must-visit. Held in the heart of the city each evening, you’ll find an array of local cuisine to try. But it’s not just about the food – these markets offer a selection of clothing, art, and souvenirs that reflect Laos.
Traditional Lao stories
For legends, myths, folktales and something unique to do in Luang Prabang, check out Garavek. They are a small company that does 1 hour of traditional Lao stories for a small audience. Also, the stories are told in English with live musical accompaniment of the khene.
Morning Alms
Lastly, observing the Morning Alms. In Laos Buddhist culture, Sai Bat, or Morning Alms, is a cherished tradition. Every morning in Luang Prabang, locals faithfully offer food to monks as part of this age-old custom. We decided to skip this on our visit as we had heard the popularity of tourists watching had changed the authenticity and meaning behind the event. However, I have heard other travellers say it’s still beautiful to witness.
Day 3-5: Muang Ngoi
When researching for a 2 week Laos itinerary, I found no mention of this town in northern Laos and only stumbled upon it later. Accessible by a one-hour boat ride on the Nam Ou River from nearby Nong Khiaw. This boat trip takes you down a valley of lush green mountains. Arriving in Muang Ngoi, you will be greeted by locals offering you accommodation for the night. We chose to follow a lady to the far side of town to bungalows that overlooked the water. The accommodation was basic but the view was incredible. This is the perfect town to relax by the water, try the local dish called Suzi, and explore the surrounding nature.
Phanoi Viewpoint
This town is surrounded by mountains on either side, but to fully take in your surroundings, I would recommend hiking to the Phanoi View Point. You can find the viewpoint on the right-hand side of town while facing the river. The entrance cost is 20,000 kip per person, which includes a visit to a cave.
Tad Mook
Tad Mook is a beautiful swimmable waterfall that you can reach by either a 10 km hike or a kayak down the river.
We chose to kayak down the river and then continue the hike to the waterfall from a nearby village. The hike to the waterfall itself is stunning, you will pass local villages and farmland all with the mountains as the backdrop. On the way, you pass the Yensabai organic farm, where you can stop for a drink and check out the hundreds of caterpillars. The waterfall is a wonderful reward and a refreshing swim after a hot walk.
Afterwards, we decided to walk the 10 km back to the village of Muang Ngoi, which passes through more local villages and offers occasional viewpoints of the river.
Days 6 -8: Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a paradise of activities, from ziplining to kayaking, hot air ballooning, and hiking. A definite must-see for those adrenaline junkies during your 2 week Laos itinerary.
When you arrive in Vang Vieng town, you might be overwhelmed with a choice of bars for a night out (this town does have a party reputation) and adventures to book. These are the activities we chose to do and would recommend.
Hot air ballooning
For my boyfriend’s birthday, I surprised him with a sunrise hot air ballooning trip over Vang Vieng. It was incredible watching the sunrise from that high in the air and seeing the town below. The Hot Air balloon trip can be a bit pricey starting from about 100 USD and upwards, but is supposed to be the cheapest place in the world to do it.
Explore the blue Lagoons
Vang Vieng is known for its blue lagoons, which are essentially swimming holes with rope swings and diving platforms. They are all a beautiful chalky blue colour. Officially on Google, there are six blue lagoons, but only 4 are popular among tourists. To reach the blue lagoons, you can either pay for a tuk-tuk to take you to some or hire a scooter and see them at your own pace.
Nam Xay Viewpoint
If you want to see Vang Vieng from another vantage point and feel like getting a sweat in at the same time then check out Nam Xay Viewpoint. Ultimately popular because of its inestimable viewpoint that has a motorbike perched on top for you to take a photo with. The hike is steep but relatively short, and the views are panoramic.
Days 9 – 10: Vientiane
As the capital city of Laos, Vientiane stands at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, bordered by the enchanting Thailand. Our travel style often takes us off the well-trodden path, so we typically choose less urban destinations. But if you want to explore this city, here’s what we recommend.
Temples
Vientiane boasts an array of stunning temples, showcasing exquisite architecture and centuries-old traditions. A visit to Buddha Park is a good day excursion opportunity for those with an interest in going deeper into Laos’s cultural landscape.
COPE
What is worth a visit is COPE. Despite the Vietnam War ending over 40 years ago, Laos remains the most heavily bombed country on earth, with unexploded ordnance (UXO) still posing a threat. COPE (Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise) plays a crucial role in providing artificial limbs and mobility aids in Laos. Their Visitor Centre, part of the National Rehabilitation Centre, offers insightful multimedia exhibits on prosthetics and the ongoing UXO issue.
Days 11-14: Thahkek Loop
This 4-day motorbike trip is the perfect adventure to get off the beaten path during your 2 week Laos itinerary. Although its popularity is growing with backpackers, it still offers a remote and authentic experience. In the town of Thakhek, you can rent a motorbike for yourself for around 90,000 kips per day.
Day 1: Caves
The initial day of the Thakhek Loop adventure is dedicated to exploring a fascinating array of caves, ranging from sacred caverns to those offering opportunities for swimming or leisurely boat rides extending for kilometres. It’s worth noting that this day often requires more time than anticipated, so it’s wise to prioritise which caves to visit to avoid driving in darkness.
Day 2: Nakai Plateau
Exploring the Nakai Plateau offers a truly unique and captivating experience. This landscape is characterised by dead trees standing tall in the various lakes, creating a scene unlike any other in the region. If you find yourself with some free time, consider taking advantage of the opportunity to explore this area further by embarking on a boat trip along its numerous waterways. Additionally, don’t forget to check out the cool pool and explore some of the towns you pass through.
Day 3:Konglor cave
Today you will explore the wonders of Kong Lor Cave. A local guide will ferry you on a traditional long wooden sampan through 7.5 kilometres of an underground river. A few stops along the way to see the cave’s illuminated stalactites, stalagmites, and other captivating formations. I would recommend a dry bag for your belongings.
On the other side of the cave is the village of Ban Natane. A rural village where you can stop for a snack or some lunch.
Day 4: Back to Thahkek
When it comes to returning to Thakhek, there are three potential routes. However, we ultimately opted for the one we deemed safest. The first involves loading your bike onto a narrow boat and navigating through the Konglor Cave. While some have successfully taken this route, we’ve also heard concerning tales of bikes tumbling into the water. Therefore, it’s crucial to assess your comfort level.
Alternatively, you could opt to travel via the main highway, completing the loop by road. However, we dismissed this option due to concerns about heavy traffic, including large trucks and lorries. Our choice was to go back the same route we came, this felt the safest option for us.
Our exploration of Laos has been a mixture of adventure, culture, and natural beauty. From the allure of Luang Prabang to the vibrant Vang Vieng, we wished we had more time to explore this beautiful country. If you have been to Laos let us know in the comments what your favourite place was and what else you would recommend for a 2 week Laos itinerary.
This post aims to help you plan your 2 week Laos itinerary. This way you can get the best out of your Laos trip.