2 Weeks In Laos Itinerary: BEST Route North To South

Luang Prabang (Day 1- 3)

Welcome to the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang! This is the perfect place to start backpacking ventures around Laos.

It is an extremely popular destination, very well set up with awesome things to see, comfortable accommodation options, and some epic restaurants.

Kuang Si Falls is a must, and is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen, with bright turquoise waters. Of course, there is the main mainfall at the top, which is the showstopper, but you also have a bunch of little ones flowing into pools that are perfect to swim in.

Just be aware that during the wet season, the falls turn into brown, murky rapids. It’s not exactly what you signed up for if you were expecting the turquoise waters.

Basically, everywhere in Luang Prabang offers tours to the falls, so you do not have to search far.

There is also an epic night market each evening in the center. There is a wide variety of bits for sale, including clothing, art, streetfood and souvenirs.

The first experience was a rice farming tour, so we were able to know about all the steps that goes into the rice process.

Then, the following day, we weaved scarves with a local lady in her home.

Best Places To Stay In Luang Prabang

In Luang Prabang, you can find everything from 5* resorts, historic hotels, simple hostels, and locally owned guesthouses.

That said, I will say the cost of accommodations here in Laos is a tiny bit more expensive than the bordering Northern Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Obviously, you’ll want to know where to stay location-wise. Well, I always like to make sure I stay somewhere central, just down by the Mekong River. That way, it’s easy enough to head there to enjoy a sunset and then over to the market for dinner.

During our recent visit, we stayed on a quaint little side street minutes from the center and the Mekong River, and I fell in love with this little spot.

There are a few budget guesthouses, as well as nicer hotel-style accommodations available down this street.

Check out Villa Pumalin, which has an indoor pool and beautiful wooden rooms starting at $30.00 per night.

There are also some great hostels in Luang Prabang, which are well worth checking out if you are on a budget.

How To Get To Luang Prabang

There are multiple ways that you can begin your itinerary starting in Luang Prabang.

But this is really dependent upon which route you are taking and if Laos is your first destination in Southeast Asia.

When you travel from your home country to Laos, the easiest way will be flying through Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

An option I have always done to enter Laos has been crossing from Northern Thailand.

This is certainly for the more adventurous and will involve a 2-day slow boat journey down the Mekong River, so you will need to make sure you have enough time to complete this.

The slow boat ride is not as bad as it sounds, and I will provide further details about this adventure towards the end of this post.

You could also be coming from Vietnam, for which I highly recommend flying instead of going overland. Luang Prabang from Hanoi is a notorious route, known as the 36-hour bus ride from hell.

Just buy a flight to avoid torturing yourself.

If you are coming from Cambodia, I recommend doing this itinerary in reverse. Alternatively, there are direct flights on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from Siem Reap to Luang Prabang.

Vang Vieng (Day 3- 5)

The once-popular party hangout of Vang Vieng has a much different vibe these days. Predominately filled with Korean and Chinese tourists, the days of the massive river parties are now long gone.

Nevertheless, I personally find Vang Vieng still worth a visit as it is quickly becoming a town with plenty of adventure activities for those keen to get their heart pumping.

This is the perfect place to hire your own wheels and explore on your own. Vang Vieng has some incredible Blue Lagoons (my favorite is Blue Lagoon 3), awesome caves, and mind-blowing viewpoints.

This town is a nature lover’s dream, so in my opinion, it is still well worth the visit.

Also, you can go river tubing, it is just a much more relaxing journey. There are occasional restaurants and bars that the kayakers stop in as well.

Where To Stay In Vang Vieng

The main area in Vang Vieng is down one long street and a few side streets. Since things are petty close toegether it’s easy enough to get around on foot.

High-end hotels are seemingly popping up out of nowhere with demand from Korean and Chinese tourists instead of the ol’ backpackers on a budget.

Nonetheless, there are still plenty of affordable options available.

On my most recent visit, we stayed at Vang Vieng Galaxy Guesthouse. A few lovely young ladies run it and is in a great location.

Starting from $20.00 per night for a hotel-quality double room, we found it great value for money. Just be aware that it is about a short 5 minute walk from the main tourist area.

Oh, and they let us use the pool at a neighboring property, which was a great way to cool off!

There are also plenty of decent backpacker hostels around, but if you are a party love check out Nana Backpackers Hostel. They have excellent facilities, including a gym and a pool, with prices starting from $5.00 per night!

How To Get To Vang Vieng From Luang Prabang

The road from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng easiest the funiest with plenty of curves and hills. If you get motion sick, definitely take medication!

There are plenty of buses and minivans that you can book online at 12.Go Asia. The journey itself takes AT LEAST 5 hours (it will be longer on a bus), which includes 1 bathroom stop along the way.

When in Laos, I personally always use minivans to get around as they are usually a more reliable form of transport. Buses here can be a bit hit or miss.

The newest and definitely fanciest option is taking the train. The travel time is 3 hours, including transfers. Since it is a high-speed train, the ride is a lot faster than other options.

It is a little bit more pricey, with tickets starting at $25.00, but it is definitely worth splurging and booking this. You can book your tickets online with 12.Go Asia.

Before heading further south to Vang Vieng, if you have time, you could also visit the Plain of Jars in Phonsavan.

Vientiane (Day 5- 6)

Our next stop in Laos is Vientiane, and if I’m to be completely honest, this place isn’t anything exciting.

Essentially, it’s your standard Asian city with a constant hustle and bustle of cars, tuk-tuks, and people. Though personally, it is my least favorite place here.

Nonetheless, it is still well worth the visit, and there are some cool places to check out.

Patuxai is a popular landmark and might even remind you of a certain attraction in Paris.

You also cannot come here without checking out some of the gorgeous temples. There are plenty around, and exploring them is one of the best things to do in Vientiane!

Also, if you do have a little extra time to spend in Vientiane, I have heard that Buddha Park makes an excellent day trip.

Interestingly enough, Laos still holds the title of the most bombed country on earth. As you can imagine, this had a major effect on the local people and resulted in many lost limbs. The organization COPE in Vientiane was set up to assist them.

Providing artificial limbs, wheelchairs, and physical rehabilitation. Visiting the COPE center is well worth it and an extremely educational experience.

Best Way To Get To Vientiane From Vang Vieng

Now, you basically have two main options to travel to Vientiane, which is either the minivan or train.

Again, I do recommend taking a minivan over a bus due to the comfort factor. However, that is ultimately up to you whether you want to save those couple of dollars or not.

The transport can either be booked at one of the many travel agencies in Vang Vieng, your hotel, or in advance from 12.Go Asia.

There is also the train, which is super fast, taking about 1 hour to an hour and a half, including transfers. Prices start at $25.00, and you can book your tickets online with 12.Go Asia. Booking in advance is definitely a must!

Kong Lor (Day 6- 8)

Time to get away from the cities and right off the beaten track to Kong Lor!

This hidden spot is a must and one of my favorite places in the country. Now this will take you away from the cities and into a remote village surrounded by nature.

A highlight here in Kong Lor, and why many people travel here, is to visit Kong Lor Cave (Tham Kong Lo).

This wonder of Southeast Asia features stalactites, stalagmites, limestone mountains, rivers, and even a crazy 300 foot high ceiling.

The best way to see the cave is by taking a boat tour the 7 kilometers. Also, depending on the water levels, you might need to get out of the boat during some portions so the bottom doesn’t drag.

The cost of the boat tour is $5.00 / 100,000 LAK. This can be split among the 3 people (or fewer) the boat holds.

There is also a $0.10 / 2,000 LAK per person fee to enter the National Park and a $0.50 / 10,000 LAK entrance fee for the cave.

Kong Lor itself is such a quaint, lovely little village.

There is not too much happening here, but with a couple of guesthouses, a small selection of restaurants, stunning nature, and incredible views, you couldn’t really want anything more.

Where To Stay In Kong Lor

There isn’t a whole heap of accommodation choices here in Kong Lor, as it is quite a small village. However, there are still a handful of decent options.

I stayed in Thongdam Bungalows and had a wonderful time. It is a beautiful location, and the rooms are perfect. I highly recommend them if you don’t need air conditioning to sleep.

They are also the only place in Kong Lor that offers dorm rooms, perfect for travelers on a budget.

Another good option is SpringRiver Resort. Starting at $15.00 for a double room, the property is completely tucked away in nature and offers plenty of things to do. Seriously it is in the most amazing location!

How To Get To Kong Lor From Vientiane

There is a daily bus from Vientiane which will take you all the way to Kong Lor.

Tickets can be purchased from nearly all tour agencies and guesthouses around Vientiane. That is the only direct option, so you do not have much of a choice regarding transport.

It will be a local bus, and as this is not a common route, there will not be many other tourists, but you will be able to find others once you get to Kong Lor.

This daily bus should cost around $5.00 / 100,000 LAK, including a minivan transfer to the bus station, and it takes about 6 hours.

If, for some reason, this is not an option for you, there is one other option. You can take a bus to Thakhek, but ask the bus driver to let you off in a town called Vieng Kham.

This is about halfway to Thakhek and is where there is a turnoff to Kong Lor. Obviously, you will need to keep an eye on your location with GPS on your phone to make sure the driver pulls over to let you off.

Depending on the time, you can stay there the night or get a songthaew to take you the remainder of the way to Kong Lor.

Thakhek (Day 8- 9)

Thakhek is the perfect place to spend a night to break up the journey between here and Pakse.

This isn’t an overly touristy town, though it’s a great stop right along the Mekong River. On the other side, you can even see Thailand!

Thakhek has an authentic French colonial influence all over the place. These lovely buildings are lined up all along the street and contain some great restaurants and cafes.

My favorite place to grab a meal is Inthira Restaurant with lovely local and Western food for pretty reasonable prices!

Where To Stay In Thakhek

There is a mixture of accommodations available in Thakhek. Though honestly, they are a bit pricey for what is on offer.

We stayed one night at The Mekong Hotel, but I cannot say I would recommend it.

There were a few other tourists there, but it seemed to have a sort of seedy vibe about it. The rooms are relatively cheap, starting at $18.00 per night, and mine was massive.

The problem is that the rooms are extremely dated, air con barely worked, and ants were crawling around.

Another option, which I have heard is good, is the hotel run by the same restaurant I mentioned before, called Inthira Thakhek.

It is a bit pricier, starting at $26.00 per night. However, you’ll get to enjoy modern air-conditioned rooms, and the price includes breakfast.

How To Get To Thakhek From Kong Lor

Around 6.30 am, a songthaew-style local bus begins in Kong Lor and will take you all the way to Thakhek, arriving around midday.

The cost is $3.60 / 75,000 LAK, and prepare to get a numb bum on the wooden seat!

You can also choose to continue traveling directly to Pakse by heading to the bus station once in Thakhek. Usually, there are a couple of afternoon departures that will get you into Pakse around 8 pm.

If you happen to miss the direct Songthaew from Kong Lor to Thakhek, there is another that leaves at 7.30 am to Nahin Lak.

From there, you will need to change to a different Songthaew, which will take you to Thakhek. This is the same price as the first option.

Pakse (Day 9- 11)

Pakse is a rather large city and the international gateway to Southern Laos. From here, there are direct flights to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

It is another town founded by French colonialists during the 1900s and is the meeting point of the Mekong River and Xe Don River.

Pakse has many great things that you can do since it is the gateway to the Bolaven Plateau region. You will find many impressive waterfalls, like the Tad Yuang Waterfall, and cooler temperatures.

You can book organized tours to the waterfalls, or if you are into adventure, you can rent a motorbike and do it yourself.

Make sure to try some of the delish coffee as well!

If you are a temple lover, make sure to check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phou. It is located a little bit out of the main town, and is a Khmer Temple which was the former capital of the Khmer Kingdom before Angkor Wat.

And, don’t forget to go to The Pakse Hotel & Restaurant during happy hour between 5 pm – 7 pm. You will have a good view of the sunset, and the drinks are really strong!

Where To Stay In Pakse

Being back in a fairly large city, you can breathe a sigh of relief as you now have heaps of accommodation options to choose from.

Most hostels here seem to start around $14.00 for a shared dorm room. However, I will say they are higher quality rooms than elsewhere in Laos, with privacy curtains and personal reading lights.

If this sounds like you, have a look at You Empire Hostel & Bar or Chato Hostel, which are both great options.

If you are looking to splash out, you certainly can in Pakse, though there are some good mid-priced rooms as well.

We stayed at The Pakse Hotel, which is a bit pricey, starting at $50.00 per night, but if you are looking for a bit of comfort, this is the place.

How To Travel To Pakse From Thakhek

Thakhek to Pakse is a busy route where you’ll have no problem hopping on any of the many buses traveling this road daily. The journey takes quite some time – about 7 hours, so make sure you bring some snacks!

As Southern Laos is not as popular as the north, you will basically only have the option of a local bus, rather than a minivan. It may not be the most comfortable journey. Just be patient, and you will eventually get there.

Tickets can be purchased through one of the travel agencies in Thakhek, or your hotel should be able to do this as well.

Don Det (Day 11- 14)

After all this traveling, I think it’s time for some relaxation. Well, you can either do that or party, as here in Don Det, part of the 4000 islands, caters to both.

This lush riverside island is a backpacker’s paradise, and where you will find 90% of tourists who are traveling to Southern Laos.

Life is slower here on Don Det, and there are no extreme activities.

Soak in the riverside vibes from your hammock, swing by the nearby Little Eden pool to hang out with other travelers, or grab a Lao Beer. The best way to end this trip is to take a sunset cruise down the river.

You can even set out to find the Irrawaddy Dolphins.

Though I have heard mixed reports on the likelihood of actually seeing them, supposedly, there was only a handful left around Don Det when I was there.

Either way, Don Det is the ideal place to relax and simply enjoy the slower pace of Laos. It is a town / village / island perfectly set up for tourism. Though with none of the stress or crowds.

Where To Stay In Don Det

There is no better option for accommodation in Don Det than in one of the many riverside guesthouses. Just keep in mind, they might be a bit simpler in terms of amenities.

Though, all you need here is a bed, a fan, and a good hammock where you can appreciate the views from.

A couple of options include Champa Mekong Bungalows and Riverside Bungalow. These offer basic fan-cooled rooms with private bathrooms. Prices start from $25.00 per night, including breakfast.

Though if you would like something a little higher quality, check out Souksan Sunset Bungalows. They have air-conditioned rooms starting at around $37.00, including breakfast.

How To Travel To Don Det From Pakse

Don Det and Pakse are actually relatively close together, so there is no need to worry about any more horribly long bus journeys.

The total travel time, including a transfer on a ferry and then another boat to the island, will take between 3- 4 hours.

You can buy tickets from travel agencies, guesthouses, and even restaurants in Pakse.

If you want to book in advance, you can check out 12.Go Asia for a couple of options. The ticket price should be around $10.00.

You will also need to check whether the boat from Nakasang to Don Det is included in the price. If not, it is an additional $0.70 / 15,000 LAK.

Where To Travel From Don Det

That was no doubt a whirlwind trip from the North to the South. From tourist hotspots to off-the-beaten-track, there’s no doubt you have seen some of the best sights.

From Don Det, the best way to get out of Laos is to head back to Pakse and the International Airport there.

Even though you are so incredibly close to the Cambodia / Laos border, no one really goes this way to Siem Reap.

Trust me, I have done this journey. The border crossing was nearly abandoned, and the border agents were the ONLY people there. However, if you must do the 11-hour journey, 12.Go Asia has this service.

Pakse Airport has direct flights to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Thanks to affordable airlines in Southeast Asia, they will not put a big dent in your budget.

Extend Your 2 Weeks In Laos

Maybe you want to make the most out of your tourist Visa in Laos and spend the entire 30 days here!

Laos is a great country, and there is so much more you can do to turn this 2 week itinerary into a longer adventure.

Slow Boat From Northern Thailand

The slow boat journey is one that I have done a few times now, and I can say it is not as bad as many people online say it is!

If you are in Northern Thailand around Chiang Mai, it is easy enough to get a minivan to Chiang Khong or Huay Xai at the border and do it yourself.

It is a 2-day trip with an overnight stop in the small town of Pakbeng. The times are never as long as they say (it was only around 6 hours each day), and the car seats make for very comfortable chairs.

Seriously, traveling from Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang on the slow boat is an experience in itself and an excellent way to begin your adventures in Laos.

Bolaven Plateau Loop

The Bolavan Plateau loop outside of Pakse is one of the best ways to see the many waterfalls that lie in this region.

Personally, I haven’t done this myself, though it’s on my bucket list. The best way to do the loop is by hiring a motorbike in Pakse and exploring at your own pace.

There are 2 different itineraries you can do of the Bolaven Plateau, depending on how much free time you have

• 3 days / Short Loop
• 5 days / Big Loop

Wrap Up: The Ultimate 2 Weeks In Laos Itinerary

Laos is an amazing country and definitely needs to be on your travel list.

In just a quick 2 weeks, you’ll be able to see so much of the underrated country, traveling all the way from North to South.

I fell in love with Laos even more during my travels, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love too!