Back in 2015, Paige backpacked through Southeast Asia while I was back at home, working in retail. After seeing a bunch of photos from her time in Laos, I found myself wanting to visit Laos as well someday. Luckily, I was able to do so this past fall, and it was so much fun! If you love mountains, waterfalls, and cool places to hang out, Laos needs to be on your list. If preceding sentence didn’t convince you, check out the pictures below and feel the Laos wanderlust!
Taking the slow boat to Laos meant catching insanely beautiful views all along the Mekong
Paige and I entered Laos from Northern Thailand and took the slow boat along the Mekong River until we arrived in Luang Prabang. The 2 days on the slow boat were just supposed to be transportation days for us, but they ended up being some of my favorite days because of the incredible views along the journey.
Favorites around Luang Prabang
We spent most of our time in Luang Prabang because we loved it so much there and didn’t want to leave. It was so much fun to see temples (both old and new), catch a sunset on top of Mount Phousi, enjoy some amazing food, and even learn yoga on the mountainside.
One of the oldest stupas in Luang Prabang
Utopia overlooking the Nam Kahn River
Luang Prabang Yoga’s Class at Utopia
Basking in all the beautiful angles of Mount Phousi
Nam Kahn River Views
Temple beauty Around Luang Prabang
Early Morning at Kuang Si Falls
For anyone who doesn’t know me, I love waterfalls. The morning we went to Kuang Si Falls was a great day the best day ever. Kuang Si Falls is by far the coolest waterfall I’ve ever been to. There are so different waterfalls, and they are all different. The big one at the top is totally breathtaking. I could ramble for hours about this place, but nobody wants to read that, so here are some photos I took!
Sunset on Mount Phousi
Like I mentioned earlier, one of my favorite things about Laos was catching a sunset on Mount Phousi. If you’re in Luang Prabang, it’s so easy to do because it’s right there in the middle of town and the ticket to access the top is quite affordable as well.
Mountain Views in Vang Vieng
The mountains in Vang Vieng are a lot different than those around Luang Prabang. The Vang Vieng mountains are a lot more jagged and uniquely shaped, and they really are quite nice to look at as you watch Friends at the local restaurants.
I hope these photos gave you Laos wanderlust! Let me know which photo inspired you the most in the comments.
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27 Comments
mytravelbugbite
March 10, 2018 at 1:03 pmThis is beautiful. Amazing photos.
Paige Wunder
March 21, 2018 at 3:15 pmThank you very much!
jasonlikestotravel
March 14, 2018 at 7:59 amGreat photos, particularly enjoyed the waterfall shots 🙂
Paige Wunder
March 21, 2018 at 3:15 pmThank you. Those were some of my favorites too!
Indian Eagle
March 16, 2018 at 4:49 amWow pictures are amazing !!! Nice post
Paige Wunder
March 21, 2018 at 3:16 pmThank you very much!
Danik
March 17, 2018 at 3:06 pmOK I am sold! Those mountains and waterfalls look amazing and that is my type of scenery. Now I want to go to Laos!
Paige Wunder
March 21, 2018 at 3:17 pmYou’ll definitely have too. It’s so magical and completely full of natural beauty!
Rhonda Albom
March 17, 2018 at 7:49 pmLooks like an easy country to fall in love with. That Kuang Si Falls are amazing. I see why that is the best day ever. I also love the mist over the mountains. I really hope to get to Laos someday.
Paige Wunder
March 21, 2018 at 3:18 pmIt definitely is that. It’s just so full of natural beauty. I hope you get there too!
Aleah
March 17, 2018 at 10:17 pmYour photos are very dreamy. I like those houses by the river and doing yoga in Utopia. So tranquil! There are no people in the waterfalls though. Is no one allowed to swim there?
Paige Wunder
March 21, 2018 at 3:20 pmThank you so much. You’re allowed to swim there, but we were allowed in there before it actually opened, so no one was in the photos, which worked out well for us!
Eva
March 18, 2018 at 2:23 amYour photos are amazing! I always say that a picture often says more than a thousand words. Your photos capture atmosphere and one can imagine to be there. Well done!
I really want to go to this Utopia place now to do Yoga at the river and also see the sunset at Mount Phousi. Very inspiring!
Medha Verma
March 18, 2018 at 6:34 amAs if I needed any more inspiration! Your pictures are superb, especially of the Kuang Si Falls and that place is on the top of my list for when I visit Laos. By the way, I absolutely love those bean bags overlooking the Nam Kahn River. What a relaxing place to sit and enjoy the view!
Danila Caputo
March 18, 2018 at 6:59 amWhat an incredible place! I’m fascinated with their culture, and from your pictures it looks like I wouldn’t be disappointed! We’d definitely love to explore the Kuang Si Falls, as we’re also always chasing waterfalls!
Marvi
March 18, 2018 at 9:25 amOMG.. Laos looks so serene and very relaxing.. I love how untouched everything is and how green every corner seemed to be.. Your waterfalls’ photos are incredible and the sunset photos on Mount Phousi looks like they’re painted on canvas! Lovely photos!
Chris Bloomfield
March 18, 2018 at 11:36 amIt looks humid, but beautiful there. I also love waterfalls and Kuang Si Falls look wonderful. I don’t know which photo inspired me the most because they are all so great. I definitely have Laos wanderlust now!
Kathleen C
March 18, 2018 at 9:05 pmWhat a beautiful place. I had no idea. The waterfalls are breathtaking. I can see why you loved them so much. I love finding places that I never want to leave, even if I have to leave someday.
Archana Singh
March 19, 2018 at 12:36 pmLaos is like a retreat in the lap of nature. Those houses by the river, waterfalls and people doing yoga in a natural surrounding are so dreamy. i would any day give city life for that kind of an environment.
Sam Sparrow
March 19, 2018 at 2:14 pmWhat incredible photography you have here! Those views all along the Mekong are just outstanding, so blissful. I’d love to to that trip. I also love the photo wth the mist rising. So atmospheric.
Indrani
March 20, 2018 at 4:27 amLove the series! Such scenic locations! The little houses against the forest background is so cute. Kuang Si Falls is indeed mesmerizing!
carrieemann
March 20, 2018 at 6:26 amGorgeous photos! I spent a month in Laos six years ago and I still have the worst Laos wanderlust — it was one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. Vang Vieng sure looks like it’s changed a lot. I totally missed Kuang Si Falls when I was there, but it looks amazing!
Debra Schroeder
March 20, 2018 at 8:45 amYour photos of Laos really inspire wanderlust. With shots like yours coming in via the Mekong is so worth it despite taking longer. The Nam Kahn River looks so peaceful.The Kuang Si Falls look AMAZING!
Carol Perehudoff
March 20, 2018 at 11:07 amMy gosh you got some great photos of Luang Prabang and elsewhere in Laos. When I was there I didn’t even take a camera. Duh. This brings back great memories of the temples, the caves, the people and the waterfalls. So much to see there.
Nisha
March 20, 2018 at 11:45 amI am sold! I have not seen better picture story on Laos than this. Especially the photos of waterfalls are quite something. How lucky that you were able to stay in those cottages !
Nancy
March 20, 2018 at 2:46 pmLaos is gorgeous – we visited the country two years ago. Floating down the Mekong River, wandering through Luang Prabang, and Kuang Si Falls were highlights for us. Unfortunately, we visited Kuang Si Falls in the afternoon and it was busy. Early morning looks like a much better time to visit!
Sandy N Vyjay
March 20, 2018 at 10:05 pmThese twenty five photos bring alive the natural beauty and magic of Laos like never before. Looking at these photos one is tempted to head out to this lovely paradise immediately. The call of Laos seems irresistible.