If you are planning your Laos travel and not sure where to start, you are on the right place.
I created this 10-day itinerary to cover all the popular Laos tourist spots. You will start in capital city Vientiane and make your way through tourist favorites like Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. The journey will end in Nhong Khiaw, a remote town in the north with no ATM machines and untouched jungles. The perfect curtain call for one big adventure.
It’s time to begin your 10-day Laos itinerary. Buckle up.
Laos Travel: Everything You Need to Know
Before beginning your Laos travel, it’s best to know some facts about this hidden gem of Asia. Laos is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordering Vietnam to the northeast, Cambodia to the south, Thailand to the west, and Myanmar to the northwest.
There are various methods to get to Laos:
🚤 By slow boat – Take a 2-day scenic ride down the Mekong River from northern Thailand — a favorite among adventurous backpackers
🚌 By land – Crossings available from Thailand, Vietnam, or Cambodia Most popular: the 24-hour overnight bus from Hanoi
🛬 By air – Fly into Vientiane or Luang Prabang, both with international airports
Best Time to Visit Laos
Weather conditions can make or break your Laos travel. So it’s worth taking note that the country has two seasons: dry and wet.
- Dry season starts in November and ends in April, offering the best conditions for hiking and exploring
- Wet season starts in May and ends in October. Daytime temperatures average around 29°C in the lowlands and 23°C in the mountain valleys
For this 10-day Laos itinerary, the best time to visit is from November to February when the weather is pleasantly cool. This season is ideal for running along the Mekong Delta in Vientiane, biking and walking around Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, and hiking in Nhong Khiaw. The refreshing breeze and comfortable temperatures make outdoor activities and visiting Laos tourist spots more enjoyable.
How to Travel Around Laos?
Laos is not the first country you’ll think of visiting when traveling in Southeast Asia. Yet, the country is a popular destination for backpackers due to affordability, calmness, and natural beauty. It’s easy to get around during your Laos travel, with options to take buses, mini vans, and trains when traveling from one town to another.
Transportation Option#1: Mini Van
You will travel on a lot of mini vans whilst traveling around Laos. They are popular among tourists and locals due to their accessibility and affordability. You can use mini vans to travel from Vientiane to Vang Vieng, Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, and Luang Prabang to Nhong Khiaw. The most exciting part? You can sometimes be seated next to chickens. Don’t worry, they are a good travel buddy.
Another important thing to remember for traveling in mini vans. The road from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang is not for the chicken heart – literally. About 19% of the road is rugged and you gotta get those vomit bags ready.
Duration & Cost of Mini Vans for Laos Travel
Transportation Option #2: Bus
Unlike mini vans that pick you up directly from your hostel/hotel, you will need to get to the bus station if you decide to take a bus during your Laos travel. There are times that stations are located far from your accommodation, adding a slight inconvenience and cost.
Nevertheless, buses are still a great option, and here is how you can cross your 10-day Laos itinerary using buses.
Duration & Cost of Buses for Laos Travel
Transportation Option#3: Train
Many travelers I met who traveled by trains on the Laos–China Railway had great things to say about the experience. It is fast, convenient, although slightly costlier than buses or mini vans.
It is also recommended to book your tickets in advance to make sure you don’t miss a seat that can disrupt your travel while going from one Laos tourist spot to another.
Duration & Cost of Buses for Laos Travel
Summary of Your 10-Day Laos Itinerary
In this 10-day Laos itinerary, you will start in the capital, Vientiane, which has a vibe of a of a slow Sunday. This gives you time to get settled and get to know the history of the country which will set a good tone for your Laos travel. Often, travelers hate visiting capitals because they want to skip the chaos and traffic. But trust me when I say that Vientiane is actually the most unhurried capital I have been.
From there, the Laos backpacking route just gets better. You will visit a lot of Laos tourist spots, including crowd favorite Vang Vieng, and spend time chasing lagoons and waterfalls. After some time in nature, it’s time to see the UNESCO World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang, for some architectural experience. You can also participate in the monks alms giving here.
Nhong Khiaw is the trip-ender for your Laos travel. In this remote town, you can do multi-day jungle treks and visit Hmong tribes. After all these, you’re ready to ready get out of Laos and hitchhike to Northern Thailand.
Day 1 – 2: Explore Vientiane
Your Laos travel officially starts in the capital, Vientiane, the most perfect spot to get to know local culture.
Start your day with a morning run along the Mekong Delta and watch locals as they harvest river algae called kaipen. It’s such a sight seeing them do the work, and if you are brave enough to talk them out to include you, then it will be a fun learning experience.
In the afternoon, start exploring Laos tourist spots and see the COPE Visitor Center to learn about Laos’ on-going crisis with leftover explosive weapons, also known as UXO or bombies, from the war. Then you can walk all the way to Phat That Luang, popularly known as the golden temple, then go back to the center and see the Patuxai monument.
You can do a walking tour to visit these three must-see attractions in Laos or take a bike for faster transport. Don’t forget to take in a bag of mango on random fruit stands because they are the best – huge, crispy, fresh!
In the evening, get some local food along street stalls in the main town center. There’s no McDonald’s or KFC in this country, but their sticky rice is the best!
Checklist for Vientiane:
Where to stay in Vientiane?
If you plan to stay on hostels during your Laos travel, I highly recommend Sailomyen Cafe & Hostel for your Vientiane stay. They are reasonably priced, close to the main tourist scene, beds are comfortable, and showers are clean.
Day 3 – 5: Explore Vang Vieng
Traveling to Vang Vieng is a comfortable two-hour ride in a minivan from Vientiane. If you have your travel dates already set, it’s best to book them in advance because Vang Vieng is an absolute favorite among backpackers and seats sell out.
There are a lot of fun activities you can do while in Vang Vieng. But just a reminder, you should have active awareness while visiting Laos tourist spots. I arrived in Laos on Christmas Eve and stayed at Nana Backpackers which was then the most popular hostel in town. Two of the staff are from the Philippines which was initially a great experience. However, I lost some US Dollar bills in this hostel despite keeping them in the secret pocket of my backpack (my fault, I should have used a lock).
Anyway, it’s best to be aware but don’t let that sour the mood of your Laos travel. While in Vang Vieng, rent a bike or join an organized tour to see the town’s three popular lagoons. I and my friend Marie whom I met on the minivan from Vientiane rented our mountain bikes and braved our way through the rugged roads.
While biking is not the most comfortable way to explore this town, this is the most scenic and rewarding route to take, with the road overlooking vast rice fields and limestone hills. You will cross out a handful of caves while visiting the lagoons, so it’s hitting many birds in one stone, really.
While in town, you can also book a Hot Air Balloon ride for sunrise or sunset. It is one of the most affordable spots in the world where you can do this type of activity.
Checklist for Vang Vieng
Where to stay in Vang Vieng?
There are a lot of affordable guesthouses in Vang Vieng. I and travel companion shared the room cost and stayed at Ban Lao Bungalows, located in a quiet location with a relaxing nature view.
Day 6 – 7: Check Out Luang Prabang
No Laos itinerary is complete without taking the journey to Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Town known for having distinct Lao and French colonial architecture.
The best way to start a day in Luang Prabang is taking part in the Sai Bat or morning alms where you can make an offering to monks while they are doing their morning procession. According to the Tourism Luang Prabang, the morning alms giving starts at early morning around 05:30 to 06:30 am in March to October and 06:00 to 07:00 am in November to February.
After breakfast, you can take a walking tour and visit temples near the main tourist street. In the afternoon, you can check out the The Royal Palace Museum and learn about the town’s history. There is a unique depiction of Lao folklore through a series of paintings hung on the museum’s wall.
To end the day, visit the Luang Prabang night market and try a variety of Lao street foods. There’s so many good things to try, and Lao sausages complemented by a Beer Lao will surely leave you with a good impression.
Checklist for Luang Prabang
Where to stay in Luang Prabang?
Being a tourist favorite, there are a lot of hostels and hotels in Luang Prabang. We stayed at Sunrise Riverside Pool Hostel. This was perfect because we stayed during the New Year’s celebrations and the place has a spacious common area where you can meet other travelers and attend night gatherings + games.
Day 8 – 10: Nhong Khiaw Completes Laos Travel
The best way to end your 10-day Laos travel is Nhong Khiaw. Many skip going to this remote town without realizing they are missing out on so much. If you have a limited time, it’s likely that you’ll cross out the possibility of doing multi-day treks on jungles. Yet if you do, I highly recommend booking one, with the untouched beauty that Nhong Khiaw has.
Visit the Pha Daeng Peak to get the most beautiful 360 view of the town and the Nam Ou river. There are other peaks you can visit, but this one has the popular Lao flag that you can swish for a scenic photo. After seeing as many peaks as you can, you can also book a day trip to the 100 Waterfalls, where the boat will take you to a local village to start the tour.
Checklist for Nhong Khiaw
Where to stay in Nhong Khiaw?
Due to a remote location, you don’t have a lot of accommodation options in Nhong Khiaw. It’s best to check in advance while planning your Laos itinerary. I stayed at Delilah’s Cafe and Hostel which has a great selection of cakes but the beds & toilets are rundown.
Budget-friendly Laos Itinerary: Cost Breakdown
Here is a simple breakdown of my Laos itinerary if you’re looking to keep your travel costs in check.
Accommodation:
Average hostel cost is $10 per night x 9 nights = $90
Food:
$10 per day (I often skip breakfast and go heavy on lunch) x 10 days = $100
Transport:
Taxi in Vientiane and inter-town minivans = $60
Activities:
Includes bike rentals, entrances, and day trip to Kuang Si and 100 waterfalls = $60
My total spending for my 10-Day Laos Itinerary: $310 or 17,700 Philippine pesos. This does not include souvenirs I bought for friends and family and a gift I bought when I got invited for a wedding.
I also did not have to spend for a visa since Filipinos can stay in Laos visa-free for a maximum of 30 days.
Laos Travel: Ending the Journey
I created this 10-day Laos travel itinerary for those looking to explore the country with limited time. If you have time to spare, definitely extend the journey and don’t miss out on the Thakhek Loop in the South.
From Nhong Khiaw, I hitchhiked my way to Pak Mong and took a bus that goes to Chiang Rai, Thailand. Travelers usually go back to Luang Prabang and take a two-day slow boat to Thailand. Luang Prabang is also convenient if you’re planning to fly to other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam.
See you in Laos!
