Laos Itinerary: suggestions for 10 days, 14 days and multi-country stays

A divine destination for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences and cultural immersion — and for nature lovers who are looking to enjoy jungle treks and river trips — Laos  can be tricky to get around. navigate. As a result, it can also be tricky to curate your ideal Laos itinerary. To help you navigate your way through the trip planning process, here we share some expert-curated Laos itineraries, along with a couple of incredible multi-country trip plans. 

Recommended Laos itineraries

Covering stacks of the best places to visit in Laos — from cultural towns and ancient temples to waterfalls, caves, and adventures in the epic outdoors — the following Laos itinerary encompasses Luang Prabang, the northern mountains, and the southern Mekong region to serve an immersive, well-rounded experience. 

Short on time? We also share a great way to condense a two-week trip into ten days, and share ideas for how to curate multi-country trips covering Laos and Cambodia, and Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Enjoy!

Laos itinerary 14 days

From UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang, to the fabulous 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don), here’s how to enjoy Laos in 14 days.

Day 1: Arrive in Luang Prabang

Known for its colonial architecture and glorious Buddhist temples, this UNESCO-designated city invites cultural immersion at pretty much every turn.

There are also lots of ways to enjoy a green stay in Luang Prabang, making it a richly rewarding place to start your Laos adventure.

After arriving and settling in (why not read up on the best Laos accommodation?), stroll the lively illuminated night market and enjoy a riverside dinner.

Day 2: Enjoy Luang Prabang’s temples and cultural highlights

Day two is devoted to experiencing some of the city’s cultural highlights. For example, you could take part in a traditional alms-giving ceremony in the early morning before visiting Wat Xieng Thong and the Royal Palace.

Come dusk, head to Mount Phousi to soak up a sublime sunset.

Day 3: Visit Kuang Si Falls 

On day three, we suggest taking a half-day trip to Kuang Si Falls (about 30km south of the town) to swim in turquoise pools, and marvel at the multi-tiered cascades.

Many tours also offer the chance to visit a bear rescue center, and stop at a local village on the return journey.

Day 4: Mekong cruise to Pak Ou caves

Day four brings a blend of adventure and culture, thanks to enjoying a cruise on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves.

By river, the trip to Pak Ou Caves takes around two hours from Luang Prabang — either book via a reputable tour agency, or buy a ticket from the boat dock 

After a scenic river ride, the caves reveal thousands of Buddha statues, adding up to a magical experience.

Day 5: Travel to Nong Khiaw

We suggest shifting locations to Nong Khiaw in the far north on day five. 

Nestled on the Nam Ou River, surrounded by some of Indochina’s most dramatic scenery, it’s 3-4 hours by road from Luang Prabang, and worth making the journey for an overnight stay in a riverside bungalow.

Day 6: Hike and experience village life 

On day 6, rise early and either take a boat and trek to Muang Ngoi, or else hike to the Pha Daeng viewpoint. 

Both options serve sublime scenery, so you might want to pick your trip and guide according to whether they offer the chance to make stops at remote villages.

Day 7: Return to Luang Prabang to rest or sightsee

Next, return to return to Luang Prabang for a rest day or more sightseeing and cultural experiences ahead of taking an internal flight on day eight.

For example, you could visit the textile village of Ban Xang Khong (around ten minutes from town), or enjoy a traditional Lao massage.

Day 8: Fly to Vientiane

Take a short flight to Laos’ laid-back capital, Vientiane.

If you arrive early enough, visit That Luang, Laos’ most sacred religious monument — its golden spire is especially striking as the sun sets — before strolling the Mekong River promenade after the golden hour has done its thing.

Day 9: Culture and chilling in Vientiane

On day 9, head out to see the Patuxai Victory Monument, visit Wat Sisaket — Vientiane’s oldest temple, no less, — and check out Wat Simuang, which is where locals tend to worship. 

Given its laidback vibe, take advance of Vientiane’s cafés. You could even consider a booking a cooking class or spa treatment.

Day 10: Travel to Thakhek

Day ten heralds a transfer to Thakhek, an appealingly quiet town on the Mekong that serves as the gateway to cave and karst adventures. You can either drive or take a bus or train.

Day 11: Day trip to Kong Lor Cave

Take an unforgettable guided day trip to Kong Lor Cave. After being surrounded by majestic karst landscapes, you’ll travel through a 7km-long limestone cave by boat.

Day 12: Travel to Si Phan Don

On day 12, head to the far south of Laos to explore Si Phan Don AKA 4000 Islands. 

The journey involves a combination of bus or minivan and boat, and typically takes 8-10 hours, depending on connections and your final island destination (e.g., Don Det or Don Khon).

It’s worth the journey — these Mekong islands invite slow travel while offering riverfront charm, river adventures (like tubing and kayaying), and some very special wildlife experiences.

Day 13: Explore Si Phan Don

Depending on your interests and energy levels, there are plenty of ways to enjoy spend day 13.

Flat, traffic-free paths make it easy to explore the islands by bike — picture yourself gliding by rice fields, traditional villages, water buffalo, and scenic riverbanks.

We really recommend taking a longtail boat tour to spot the rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, and visiting Li Phi Falls and Khone Phapheng Falls — two of the most dramatic waterfalls in Southeast Asia. 

Day 14: Depart Laos via Pakse

On day 14, it’s time to travel to Pakse for your return flight. 

Alternatively, why not consider extending your trip and continuing Cambodia? We share multi-country itinerary ideas a little later. 

Laos itinerary 10 days 

If you're limited to 10 days in Laos, we suggest focussing your attention on a few locations in the north (Luang Prabang and Nong Khiaw), and then doing the same in the south, focusing on Si Phan Don, and enjoying some special day trips.

Here's how to make the most of ten days in Laos.

Days 1–5: Luang Prabang and Nong Khiaw

Follow the original itinerary for days 1–7, but skip the return to Luang Prabang on day 7 by taking an evening transfer instead.

Days 6–10: Fly to Pakse and explore Si Phan Don

• Day 6: Fly to Pakse (bypassing Vientiane and Thakhek)
• Day 7: Transfer to Si Phan Don.
• Day 8: Explore Don Det or Don Khon
• Day 9: Enjoy an optional strip to Bolaven Plateau or waterfalls near Pakse
• Day 10: Depart from Pakse.

Combined Laos itineraries

While we’ve just shown the kinds of experiences that can be enjoyed through following a 14-day or 10-day Laos itinerary, keep reading for a few ideas that might just tempt you to expand your horizon by also heading to Cambodia and Vietnam.

If you’ve gone to all the effort of getting to Laos, these options are really worth considering.  

Laos and Cambodia itinerary

First up, a suggestion for how to split a 14-night trip across Laos and Cambodia. If you’re thinking of taking a family vacation, visiting Cambodia with kids can be a wonderful experience.

Days 1–7: Laos

Day 1: Arrive in Luang Prabang, explore the night market and riverside.
Day 2: Visit temples and the Royal Palace, and watch the sun set from Mount Phousi.
Day 3: Day trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls
Day 4: Cruise to Pak Ou Caves and visit local villages.
Day 5: Travel to Nong Khiaw, relax with mountain views.
Day 6: Hike to the Pha Daeng viewpoint or visit remote villages.
Day 7: Return to Luang Prabang and fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Days 8–14: Cambodia 

Day 8: Arrive in Siem Reap, explore the Old Market and riverside.
Day 9: Full-day tour of Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm temples.
Day 10: Visit Banteay Srei and the Cambodian Landmine Museum.
Day 11: Travel to Phnom Penh by flight or bus.
Day 12: Explore Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng Museum, and Killing Fields, which are among the best things to do in Phnom Penh.
Day 13: Optional Mekong cruise or Silk Island day trip.
Day 14: Depart Phnom Penh or extend to Kampot or the coast.

Keen to visit Cambodia? Dive into our guide to how to plan a trip to Cambodia, and take inspiration from our Cambodia itineraries.

Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary

If you can extend your trip to three weeks, why not spend your last week exploring Vietnam from north to south?

You can fly from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City in around 1–1.5 hours. As with Cambodia, visiting Vietnam with kids can also be an amazing experience.

Vietnam in 7 days

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, explore Ben Thanh Market and the historic Post Office.
Day 2: Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about Vietnam War history.
Day 3: Take a Mekong Delta day trip with boat rides and local food.
Day 4: Fly to Hoi An; stroll the lantern-lit Old Town and riverside.
Day 5: Visit My Son ruins or relax at An Bang Beach.
Day 6: Fly to Hanoi; explore the Old Quarter and sample street food.
Day 7: Day trip or overnight cruise in Halong Bay, then depart Vietnam.

Fancy visiting Vietnam? Check out our inspirational Vietnam itineraries, and wise up with our guide to how to plan a trip to Vietnam. 

How to plan your Laos travel itinerary

As revealed in our full guide to how to plan a trip to Laos, starting early is key. That way, you’ll be in better position to do research that’ll help you craft your ideal itinerary, having wised up on the likes of getting around Laos.

While we cover some trip-planning topics below, here’s a handy checklist to help you navigate the planning process. While planning your trip, you might also want to arm yourself with our Laos travel advice.