• By Anna

Overview

Laos is cultural diversity due to over 49 ethnic groups considered a hidden treasure of the Southeast Asian region among neighbouring nations such as China, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. As a result, it influences the country's customs, arts, cuisine, and events.

Laos is a new top tourist attraction famous for its wild jungle, stunning landscapes, and sacred temples where the elephants stroll freely and the monks live. The best trip to Laos is that you can interact with the locals and discover its nature’s beauty while tasting the traditional food such as Kaipen (Fried Seaweed) or Khao Jee (Baguette) and breathing within the natural scent or having a meal under the Pha Pheng waterfall which is the biggest in Southeast Asia.

Festival in Laos

Furthermore, don't miss the chance to visit the historical sites, especially the Wat Phou Complex and Luang Prabang town, which are recognized by UNESCO.

Weather

Lao has two main seasons, including the dry season from October to late April, whereas the rainy season from May to September. However, it is a landlocked country, so there is no impact from the coastline to this country, so tourists can come here any time during the year. 

We recommend you the best time to visit Laos is from November to February due to the typical climate of average temperatures, much sunshine, and rare rainfall. At that time, many attractions welcome visitors, such as parks, animal conversation parks, and temples, in different ways, namely by plane, car, or cruise ship. Book the Laos river cruise, plan your sightseeing in Laos and stop by several top attractions at the best time of the year.

Play under the waterfall

During the dry season, Vietnam tours and Myanmar tours can be another choice for a trip to Southeast Asia to experience the activities such as scuba diving, swimming, and boating on the crystal sea water.

Top places to visit in Laos

Coming to Laos, you do not need to worry about Laos things to do with many places to visit in Laos as it offers various choices to different kinds of tourists.

1. For nature lovers

Kuang Si Caves & Waterfalls

If you are fond of adventuring and immersing in nature simultaneously, taking a trip to Kuang Si Caves & Waterfalls is the best choice as it runs down three tiers to a 50m drop to a wide range of pools for swimming. You can bring clothes and take a break here or picnic with the jungle's natural scent and fresh water. 

Kuang Si Caves Waterfalls

Pak Ou natural caves, which overlook the Mekong River, are the next stop, consisting of two main caves, Tham Ting and Tham Theung- the home for many Buddha figures as a present during centuries. The trip will be more enjoyable when having a Laos tour guide instruct and introduce to you all the exciting stories around these sites.

Pha Pheng Waterfall

The Pha Pheng Waterfall, also known as Khone Falls, is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. It is a breathtaking experience to stand at the culmination of the waterfall when the sound of the Mekong River's water coming together from many different places is a sensory experience that will always remind you of southern Laos. The waterfall is located in a little park in Champasak Province.

Pha Pheng waterfall

There are walking paths that let you see the falling water from different angles. Even though there's not much to do in the park besides looking at the water, it's so beautiful that you'll spend a lot of time walking around the area and immersing yourself in nature. You might even see some local fishermen in the slower water areas, where they are trying to catch food for the day. This is one of the best places to visit in Laos.

Sinouk Coffee Tour

As you travel through Laos, you will quickly become aware of Sinouk Coffee. It is a well-known coffee supplier that offers some of the freshest coffee you will ever taste. A visit to the Sinouk Coffee farm in southern Laos, along the Bolaven Plateau, is an unforgettable experience. While strolling around the beautiful gardens, take a tour to learn about planting and roasting.

Sinouk Coffee

On the Sinouk plantation, beans are still dried on big tarps in the sun the old-fashioned way. The plantation is organically certified. True coffee enthusiasts can stay on-site at the Sinouk Coffee Resort and wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed Lao Arabica coffee wafting through the gardens. Allow time to enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack on the terrace outside the plantation's modest shop during your stay.

Vientiane City Tour

With the various ethnic groups that contribute to the population of Laos, having a trip around the capital city named Vientiane, is the ideal way to discover the history and culture of this nation. Some key stops you should not miss along the road, such as the Patuxay Monument, Buddha Park, Wat Si Saket, and Wat Phra Keo. 

Extreme sport in Laos

If you have time, the COPE Visitor Center in Vientiane is worth a visit. Visitors are educated about the vital work of providing disability services and prosthetic limbs to persons affected by unexploded military explosives at the institution. The Vientiane night market is a must-see in Laos for everyone visiting the area.

4000 Islands

To explore this destination, take a ferry to the islands and have nights in the local houses. During the trip, Laos offers the tourist many wonderful experiences, such as a deepening understanding of its customs, the Mekong River’s views, and local food with fresh ingredients over the centuries.

Start the excursion in Pakse, and they will provide the plan and transportation for you from here.

Kong Lor Caves

The Kong Lor Caves, with a river cave system that spans more than 7.4 kilometres- one of the longest in the world are located in central Laos, under the Phou Hin Boun National Protected Area.

Temple in Laos

You can take a boat tour into the caves with a guide who will point out the incredible geological formations. The caves are rather dark; if water is dripping from the ceilings, you can get wet.

After you've navigated the meandering underground waters, additional popular activities include walking through the little rural village of Kong Lor and participating in some of the national park's other outdoor activities. It is recommended to stay in Vientiane and take a bus to the caverns. The Kong Lor caves are roughly five hours from Vientiane, so plan an overnight excursion.

The Living Land Company

Address: Kuangsi Waterfall Road, Ban Pongvang, Luang Prabang

The Living Soil Company's organic farm not only grows crops in Luang Prabang but also allows guests to experience the land like locals. In the countryside, you can put on a conical hat and learn how to harvest a rice patty, plough a field with livestock, and thresh in a true agricultural environment.

Be aware that the experience is genuine and requires strenuous manual labour. If you don't want to get your hands filthy, you can simply witness the natives going about their everyday lives in the fields.

Laos monks

Viewpoint Nong Khiaw

Address: Wat Ban Sop Houn 50, Nong Khiaw, Laos

The Viewpoint at Nong Khiaw in Laos offers one of the best visual viewpoints of the country's natural surroundings. If you are willing to do the 1.5-hour climb from the small town of Nong Khiaw to the summit of the mountain, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the rushing Nam Ou River.

A famous picture of a little Laotian hamlet surrounded by mountains is also evident. Because this is a natural setting, plan your round trips to the top carefully because you will be going through the forest and will require a flashlight as the sun sets. There is no place to buy water along the trail, so bring enough drinks and suitable shoes. Boat tours along the river are offered if you want to see the scenery from below.

2. For religious lovers

Laos is the home of many temples and restores several Buddha figures offering tourists a view of religion here with welcome and friendliness from the monks, novices, and nuns. 

Wat Phu

Wat Phu, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Laos, is an archaeological phenomenon maintained in a mountain. The temple is one of the country's oldest worship locations, located at the foot of the Phu Kao mountain, which is regarded as a holy mountain. Wat Phu is a Buddhist temple, yet there are remnants of its Hindu past.

Wat Phu in Laos

If you continue your stroll beyond Wat Phu to the mountain pathways, you will come upon numerous tiny temples, many of which have crumbled over time. This place has historical significance in Laos. The flowing Mekong River in the background enhances the atmosphere.

Luang Prabang Temples

Luang Prabang, in northern Laos, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Buddhist temples. Discovering the 33 temples in the historic town allows you to gain a better knowledge of the Laotians. There are pathways specifically created for tourists that head to numerous temples, making it a simple activity to do at your own speed. A guided tour of the most important temples and Buddhist monasteries in this historic town is also available.

Luang Prabang Temples

Pha That Luang

This temple is one of the most wonderful and famous temples in Laos, considered the national symbol and embodied on Lao's official seal. It witnessed the ups and downs of the country during the war with Siamese and was renovated under the rule of France. 

This worship hall is built as a fortress with three floors, one for each stage of Buddhist enlightenment. Furthermore, walking through the cloisters, you will notice several Buddha pictures, small windows, figures of Naga snakes guarding the steps, and statues of King Jayavarman VII, who brought about a significant transformation in Laotian religion.

Pha That Luang

If you travel to Pha That Luang during the right season, you can attend the famed Theravada Buddhist Festival, also known as the Pha That Luang Festival, which is held annually for three days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. More than ten temples are waiting for you to explore in Laos.

Apart from walking or travelling by land road, take a Laos cruise through the natural tourist attractions or a Laos Mekong river cruise for a long journey. Some famous routes are Luang Prabang tours to Huay Xai, Vientiane tours to Huay Xai, and Vientiane attractions to Luang Prabang.

3. For animal lovers

Elephant Village Sanctuary

Address: Ban Xieng Lom, Luang Prabang

This place is an educational centre aiming to rehabilitate and protect Laotian Asian elephants. 

An Elephant Village day excursion allows you to interact with the enormous animals. You can try your hand at being a mahout with an experience that allows you to ride an elephant and learn how to care for and bathe it. This is one of the most extensive, hands-on experiences in the nation and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be closer to these wonderful animals.

MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary Luang Prabang

Spot Irrawaddy Dolphins

Sail down the Mekong to see some of Laos' most endangered animals called the Irrawaddy dolphins. The Irrawaddy dolphins have a shorter beak than the more well-known bottlenose and spinner dolphins. There are only a few pods left in the river, and the Laotians regard it as a sacred animal. 

Irrawaddy Dolphins

Watch Clouded Leopards

Spy the Lao's most wonderful and endangered animals while trekking through Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area. Tourists have a chance to see gibbons, clouded leopards, and tigers. All the funds from treks are used for conversation activities.

4. For the foodies

Kaipen

While travelling on the river, a light meal with dried river weed served a beer or two will be the best at sunset time. Kaipen is directly dried on the river’s bank before cooking and mixing with sesame seeds, tamarind water, and tomatoes for decoration with the taste salty, crunchy and a bit oily. It is a speciality during the Luang Prabang trip, but you also find it in other places.

Kaipen

Tam mak hoong

This classic Laotian recipe combines green papaya, aubergine, the peel of mak kawk (Laos olives), and cherry tomatoes with a sauce of lime juice, garlic, chilli, fish sauce and a dash of Mekong shrimp paste - the ideal combination of tastes. It comes with sticky rice and raw cabbage, which can be used as a handy cup as well as a cooling agent if needed.

Tam mak hoong

Be wary of asking for too much spice; if you're eating at a small restaurant, the mortar in which your dish will be formed is likely to contain the remains of every amount that has already been served. If you can't handle the spice, request a 'nit noi hot' salad (not too spicy).

In addition, Laos offers various dishes such as Kua pak bong, Nem Luang, and Khao soi Luang Prabang. A picture is worth a thousand words, so come to Laos and try the best food ever.

5. Laos Cruise

The Mekong River, which runs through Southeast Asian countries, including Laos, is one of the world's largest rivers. It is not only an important aspect of local life, but it also makes for superb river cruising, bringing unforgettable journeys to natural wonders and indigenous life closer together.

You may also spice up your journey with a Laos adventure to the Golden Triangle, which includes stops in Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. They travel through the stunning jungle landscape, which is a tourist attraction in Luang Prabang Laos, having a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a vibrant night market and Buddhist pagodas. As a result, the things to do in Luang Prabang are diverse, attracting millions of visitors to Laos each year.

Laos cruise

The cruise ship will stop at various points along the way to allow passengers to appreciate the area's beauty.

Accommodation

There are a variety of accommodation choices for tourists, from luxury types to average kinds, with good facilities and the best services.

Some famous luxury hotels:

Rosewood Luang Prabang. Address: Luang Prabang, Laos

Boutique Resort Vang Vieng. Address: Ban Viengkeo, Vang Vieng, Laos

Sofitel Luang Prabang Hotel. Address: Ban Mano, Luang Prabang, Laos

Apart from the above accommodations, people can stay in guesthouses or campgrounds to experience the local lifestyle and immerse themselves in nature.

Homestay in Laos

Transportation

You won't have to worry about transportation in Laos because they have various means of transportation, such as airlines and motorways.

Besides cars, planes, bikes, and scooters, tourists will be impressed when travelling on cruise ships, passing the Mekong river and some must-see destinations. 

Are you ready to explore the hidden gem with Laos river cruises and take a look at things to do in Laos?