What to Do in Laos?

Among the destinations to visit in Asia, Laos is known for its mountainous landscapes and Buddhist temples. During your stay, you'll find plenty to do in Laos: visiting temples, exploring the capital, or taking a cruise on the Mekong... Here's my top 15 must-see activities in Laos in this article!

Located in the south of the country, the Si Phan Don archipelago is undoubtedly one of the most famous and visited places in Laos. Literally translated as 'Four Thousand Islands', Si Phan Don consists of small islets, most of which are uninhabited. You can mainly enjoy the three largest islands: Don Khong, Don Det, and Don Khon ️

Don Det is the most developed island, while the others are marked by a more traditional way of life. It's the perfect place to rent kayaks and paddle along the Mekong, visit the islands, or explore the waterfalls.

Your trip is approaching, and you still don't know what to do in Laos? Don't panic! You'll find all the answers in this article. Between visiting Buddhist temples, discovering Laotian cities, or exploring nature reserves alongside Asian elephants... you won't have time to be bored. To have a perfect stay in Laos, I strongly recommend booking your activities before you leave to make sure you don't miss anything!

Next, I'll take you to Vientiane, the capital of Laos! It's a must-see during your stay in the country. Located in the northern half of the country, Vientiane is the most populous city in Laos.

Bordered by the Mekong, you'll find religious and traditional monuments such as Pha That Luang, which is said to house a relic of Buddha, and also sanctuaries like Vat Simuang. To catch all the must-see sites in the capital, I recommend joining this guided city tour for €87 per person

The Kuang Si Falls are among the most visited sites in Laos. Located 30 km south of Luang Prabang (which I'll discuss later ), these falls are accessible via a small hiking trail. There is an entrance fee to help maintain the paths and walkways, but it will cost you less than €1.

Most of the pools created by the waterfalls are open for swimming. You can relax in the shallow turquoise water pools surrounded by lush forest . To visit the site peacefully, I recommend this excursion to the Kuang Si Falls, which also includes a visit to a traditional Hmong village. Expect to pay €15 per person for this excursion!

The Mekong River is one of the largest rivers in Asia. It flows through several countries in the region, such as Thailand, Cambodia, and of course, Laos. It's therefore the perfect place to take a boat tour and discover the villages along the river. For this, I suggest a half-day cruise on the Mekong or, for the more adventurous, a full day of kayaking on the Mekong! ‍♂️

Located in Champassak Province, the Bolaven Plateau is a site still relatively untouched by tourism. Here you'll discover beautiful landscapes with many waterfalls like Pha Suam and Tad Pha. These waterfalls are surrounded by plantations tended by the local Laven people. You will see coffee, cassava, and rice fields.

Situated in the northern part of the country, the city of Luang Prabang is the former capital of Laos. Bordered by the Mekong, this predominantly port city has retained a typical look with traditional architecture .

It also offers beautiful landscapes with the mountains surrounding it. Luang Prabang is especially known for its many Buddhist temples, with around thirty in total. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is an essential stop if you're wondering what to do in Laos! To make the most of your visit and benefit from the expertise of a local guide, I recommend joining this guided tour of Luang Prabang for about €31 per person.

At the southern tip of Laos, the city of Champassak is also a site to see during your visit to the country. It is located about 40 km from Pakse, which I'll discuss in more detail below. Champassak is quite a small town, but it's renowned for the famous Vat Phou temple .

Today a Buddhist temple, Vat Phou is an example of traditional Khmer architecture. You'll find many statues and religious monuments there. A museum dedicated to the site also opened in 2018 if you want to learn more about this unique place.

If you're looking for spectacular scenery, I recommend heading to Vang Vieng. This town in Vang Vieng Province is known for its caves and waterfalls. It's the perfect place for water activities like tubing, kayaking, or just a boat ride .

Among the most well-known sites in the region, you can admire Tham Norn Cave (also known as the Sleeping Cave) and Nang Far Cave (the Cave of Angels) as well as Tham Nam Cave. To not miss out on these must-sees, you can join this one-day cave excursion that includes a kayaking ride for about €23.

If you're still wondering what to do in Laos, the visit to the Buddha Park is a must. This unusual site is located about 25 km from the capital. This Buddha Park consists of around 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues .

To get to the park, the easiest way is to join a guided tour of Vientiane with entry to the park. For about €45, you'll tour the capital before heading to the Buddha Park.

Laos is a country known for its elephant population. During the Khmer Empire, it was even referred to as the Kingdom of a Million Elephants. The elephant has a symbolic place in Buddhism, representing strength, wisdom, and patience .

The best place to see Laos' elephants is undoubtedly in Sayaboury. The Elephant Conservation Center located there is dedicated to the protection of elephants. You can visit to see the animals in their natural environment while supporting an ethical organization!

Another remarkable site to see during your visit to Laos is the Plain of Jars. Located in Xieng Khouang province in the northeast of the country, this site unveils amazing jars from an ancient civilization. Their use remains a mystery today, although researchers speculate they may have served as funerary monuments or containers for storing food.

On this plateau, perched at about 1,200 m above sea level, three sites are open to visitors. At the first site, you can visit a cave where the jars are thought to have been made. Afterwards, you can stroll through the other sites to examine the 250 jars scattered across the landscape .

For a taste of a typical village in a calm setting, head to Nong Khiaw by the Nam Ou River. This village is surrounded by mountain ranges and forest. It's the ideal spot for trekking and hiking enthusiasts. I especially recommend the Hundred Waterfalls hike, during which you'll see about ten waterfalls and swimming sites .

If you're unsure about what to do in Laos, the city of Paksé is waiting for you! Founded in 1905 by the French, this city blends traditional charm with colonial-era buildings. You can stroll around the city, visit Buddhist temples, tour local markets, or even take a cruise on the Mekong from Paksé .

To discover the rich biodiversity present in the forests of Laos, you need to visit the Bokeo Nature Reserve. This protected area spans over 1,000 km² of tropical forest and mountains. The park was established in the 1990s to protect black gibbons that were once thought to be extinct. You can also find other residents of the reserve like elephants, buffalos, bears, and even tigers .

To respect the tranquility of the animals and conserve this space, a conservation project has been created to allow visitors to observe the gibbons. Therefore, you can see them in their natural habitat through treehouses. There is also an option for trekking enthusiasts with a 3-hour hike into the heart of the reserve.

To finish, I recommend discovering the Konglor caves. This exceptional site located in Khammouane Province consists of limestone caves traversed by the underground Hin Bun River .

This site is famous for the natural pool with emerald green water that has formed over the years. Visiting these caves is possible by local boats led by experienced guides.

I have concluded this article; I hope I've helped you find what to do in Laos! If other Asian countries interest you, feel free to read my other articles to find out what to do in Phuket or where to stay in Phnom Penh.