Laos Roundup

Laos is one of those countries that just sticks with you. It’s such a varied country filled with natural sites and cultural heritage. Although our time in Laos was spent differently than we had intended because my arm was broken, but we still had loads of adventures. Check out how we spent our 22 days in Laos.

QUICK LAOS ROUNDUP

Days Spent in Laos: 22
Cities Visited: Pak Beng, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng + Vientiane
Average Daily Cost: $67.72 ($33.86 per person) – this is way higher than it would’ve been had I not broken my arm. We had to take tuk-tuk rides where we would’ve normally walked, we splurged on a lot of delicious food in Luang Prabang and opted to stay in nicer places because I was resting a whole lot more.
Places Stayed In: Eight: one hotel and seven guesthouses
Preferred Method of Travel: I really loved the slow boat because of the incredible views and it’s something to break up the endless road-travel that you often get when backpacking Southeast Asia. It was not luxurious by any means, but it was definitely an experience.

MY TOP 5 FAVORITE EXPERIENCES IN LAOS

KUANG SI FALLS

This is most beautiful waterfall I’ve ever seen. Matt and I got up before the sun to be sure we could capture Kuang Si Falls in the best light. We arrived about 20 minutes before the park actually opened. However, we got lucky because they allowed us to purchase our ticket and enter before opening hours. Because of this we had the whole park to ourselves for at least 30 minutes until a British couple showed up at the falls with us. They were staying at a luxury villa in Luang Prabang and their hotel sent them with a breakfast fit for royalty. They very generously invited us to have an impromptu picnic with them with the falls roaring close behind. It was one of those beautiful moments that you can only share when you’re traveling.

MOUNT PHOUSI

Mount Phousi is one of the most iconic spots in all of Laos, but especially in Luang Prabang. Climbing to the top is a must for any visit to Luang Prabang. I highly recommend going up the back side, enjoying a gorgeous sunset and then heading down the front where you will step right into the night market. It makes a perfect end to any day in Luang Prabang. Be sure to get to the top somewhat early so you can have a view.

TAKING THE SLOW BOAT TO LUANG PRABANG

Taking the slow boat was a new experience for me. One I wish I had been able to physically enjoy more. I had just broken my arm less than 48 hours before embarking on this 2-day journey from the Thai/Lao border to Luang Prabang. I can totally acknowledge that my negative experience was the unusual circumstance I had found myself in. Luckily, I was still also able to acknowledge the pure beauty that’s found along the Mekong River. Matt always looks back on this experience with wonder and joy, so you should definitely take the slow boat and enjoy it for the adventure that it is.

SAFFRON COFFEE TOUR

I’m a coffee-lover, so I was really excited to get to partner with Saffron Coffee. We took their tour which starts at the cafe with your choice of coffee drink to take with you out to their processing plant near Kuang Si Falls. Here, we saw a sample plot to understand how the cherries are grown and harvested. It was amazing to see how time-consuming it is to produce their coffee because they do almost everything by hand with rigorous control checks. This is amazing because it not only ensures quality, but it also employs more locals! Then, after watching them roast the beans, we drove back to the cafe for a tasting of different coffees and treats that are served in Luang Prabang at the cafe. It was so wonderful!

KAENG NYUI WATERFALL

The owner of Amigos in LPB + Vang Vieng told us about this waterfall, and I was really excited to explore Kaeng Nyui Waterfall because I hadn’t ever been here before. It was 100% new to me and we got to get out and hike, which was a lot of fun. We walked 9 miles round trip from the heart of Vang Vieng, which wore us out, but it was incredible because in addition to the stunning waterfalls, we got to walk past and through many local villages and farms with some seriously spectacular views. It was all part of the experience.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Luang Prabang Yoga – This probably would’ve been a favorite had I been able to participate more. Unfortunately, my broken arm limited me.
Eating – Words cannot describe how much I fell in love with eating in Luang Prabang. I came across some truly incredible food around town and indulged in all of it! In addition to local delicacies, we gave into all our Western cravings.

MY THREE FAVORITE PLACES WE STAYED IN LAOS

CHITDARA 2 MEKONG – This was my favorite place we stayed in Luang Prabang. It had the best location of all the places we stayed. It sits just off the Mekong River and in the heart of Old Town. It’s so easy to walk to all of the Luang Prabang city highlights from this place. It’s exceptionally affordable – especially for a couple. We had a private room/bathroom with a river view for just over $30. Not bad for a prime location! Plus, it was incredibly clean and comfortable.

VILLA MAHASOK – This is my second favorite place we stayed in Luang Prabang. It’s about $10-12 cheaper than Chitdara 2, but you have to walk a bit more. The lounge/breakfast area (breakfast is included) really stood out to me because it sits over a really cool pond with lotus flowers blooming in it. The rooms are super comfy and you’ll be treated well here.

MAYLAY GUESTHOUSE – This was my favorite place to stay in Vang Vieng. The views were decent if you were on one of the top two floors and most importantly, the bed was super comfy. They also had breakfast included and great wifi!

Honorable Mention: Nice View Guesthouse in Vang Vieng.

LAOS QUICK TIPS

Treat buddhism + monks with respect – Thai culture is very much tied up in Buddhism. I think in the Western world the Buddha has almost become a piece of pop art. In Laos the Buddha + monks are regarded very highly Don’t touch monks, don’t stand taller than monks/Buddha statues and (I can’t believe this needs to be said) don’t pull down your pants in temples or climb on Buddha figures. This goes for the almsgiving in Luang Prabang too. Don’t know how to do this respectfully? Ask a local. Just remember to keep your distance, don’t follow the procession and if you’re going to participate buy rice/food from the morning market, not people along the street (this is often old rice and has made monks sick).

Don’t forget to get outside – Laos has unforgettable natural beauty. From karst mountains to waterfalls, get out and explore as much of it as you can. Also, look into getting travel insurance. Trust me, I broke my arm hiking in Thailand + was so happy that I was covered.

Take the slow boat while you can – The two day journey to Luang Prabang from the Thai border is one of those love it or hate it things. (I think it depends on the boat-mates that you have). However, I would highly recommend taking the slow boat, just for the experience. Plus, it will soon no longer be an option because of upcoming dam projects.

Don’t forget you animal ethics – Many places advertise elephant experiences throughout Laos. Just be sure you know whether or not it’s truly a sanctuary and be informed about the practices that go into these animal experiences.

WANT MORE TIPS ABOUT THIS REGION? Check out these 52 quick tips for Southeast Asia!

Laos is a country full of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. It’s sometimes overlooked when people plan their route through Southeast Asia, but don’t make that mistake. Laos has something for everyone and I can’t wait to see what future trips to Laos have in store for us.

Start Planning Your Own Trip to Laos!

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