Laos is a land of natural beauty and cultural heritage and is friendly which makes it a place to go and people are looking for something adventurous and relaxing at the same time. From the astonishing beauty of the ancient temples located at the UNESCO world heritage site of Luang Prabang, to the beautiful sceneries on top of the Bolaven Plateau, each geolocation in the country is rich in activities and places inviting different kinds of tourism.
The busy markets of Vientiane, the calmness of the 4,000 islands of the Mekong River or the adventurous activities in Vang Vieng are some of the attractions that every tourist will find waiting for them. While doing so, it is clear that Laos considers the Southeast Asian region and everything it has to offer is not that very much commercialized which can be a plus in terms of interaction with the people and cultures. Leaving aside that, absorbing everything about Laos does not only guarantee great memories but also encourages one to appreciate all the different cultures and places that make up this great country.
Budgeting for travelers Visit the best places in Laos:
| Destination | Accommodation (per night) | Food (per day) | Transportation (per day) | Activities (per day) | Total Daily Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vang Vieng | $15 – $40 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $10 – $30 | $40 – $100 |
| Vientiane | $15 – $50 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $10 – $20 | $40 – $100 |
| Elephant Village | $20 – $50 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $15 – $30 | $50 – $110 |
| Kong Lor Cave | $15 – $30 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $10 – $20 | $40 – $80 |
| Plain of Jars | $10 – $30 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $10 – $20 | $35 – $80 |
| Luang Prabang | $15 – $50 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $15 – $25 | $45 – $105 |
| Si Phan Don Islands | $15 – $40 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $10 – $20 | $40 – $90 |
| Kuang Si Waterfall | $10 – $30 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $10 – $15 | $35 – $75 |
| Bokeo Nature Reserve | $20 – $50 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $15 – $25 | $50 – $105 |
| Pakse | $15 – $50 | $10 – $20 | $5 – $10 | $10 – $20 | $40 – $100 |
1. Vang vieng
Vang vieng is a beautiful tourist resort south of louang prabang and is a geographical marvel with its rugged limestone hills and paddy fields to offer amazing activities. These are the places that can’t be omitted from the vacation list of any traveler.
Vang Vieng has recently changed from being an active party centre to a lively centre of numerous outdoor activities. Be prepared to enjoy numerous ground land adventures which will take you to the alluring ginger forests of the region with adorable local classical houses. Don’t forget those striking blue rice fields leaving tranquil turquoise color all around. Indeed, Vang vieng is full of warm hospitality, action and beauty and is designed to make a lasting impression on any journey from any angle.
2. Vientiane
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is filled with famous historical and cultural spots. You can visit the sights at the Patuxai Monument and the nearby temples. However, Vientiane is not just places of worship; the city has a plethora of such places which have not been covered yet and are waiting to be unveiled to adventurers.
Participate with the citizens in the fun-filled night markets where you can experience the hustle and bustle of a market place, taste the street food on offer and shop for some local artifacts and products. For a more serious and yet interesting visit, go to the COPE Visitor Center. It contains an impactful exhibition about the unexploded bombs in the Sixties that are left over in Laos even today, and their imprint over the country’s civilization.
3. Elephant Village
At Luang Prabang’s Elephant Village, elephants are treated with dignity, made the centerpiece of experiences, and cared for. Elephants that have been rescued can call this place their home, and all efforts are directed to their needs, particularly allowing them enough movement and socialization.
Here, one is able to take part in numerous activities with the elephants including but not limited to bathing, feeding or even trekking. Although they no longer provide rides for the visitors due to ethical reasons, Elephant Village focuses more on teaching about elephants as the animals rather than exploiting them for rides. If one does goo to an elephant center, they should look for those that rehabilitate orphan elephants rather than ride on them.
4. Kong Lor Cave
A visit to Kong Lor Cave tops the list of places you will want to see in Laos. This is an underground river and stretches for about four miles inside a cave, this should be on your to-do list if you do like adventure tourism in this Southeast Asian country. You can rent a boat trip to the enigmatic Kong Lor where you will admire beautiful limestone creations like icicles, and ice crystals, along with caves carved from hundreds of years worth of limestone.
For the more adventurist souls, involving trekking through parts of the cave is permitted however this must be done with very knowledgeable guides who understand the risks associated while exploring a cave.
5. plain of jars
Located on Xiang Khouang Plateau, Plain of Jars is an intriguing site which ‘magnetizes’ all visitors with its enigma. Comprising of thousands of stone jars, this archaic site is something that has ever been found placed on heighted valleys and the lower plains and each of these jars speak of a long-forgotten history. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage site, you will understand the purpose of those huge monuments.
Stone jars lying scattered on the ground have invited the attention of anthropologists and historians for many years. You have the opportunity to solve the ancient mystery at the site and see the items that have once perplexed the thinks. It’s a place where history practice is alive and active and where one could help advance the search for such answers. If you’re looking for escapism to faraway places, indulging in delicious food and culture.
6. Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is a gorgeous town situated in the northern part of Laos as well. More than that, it provides deep insight into Lao culture. As a place on the UNESCO World Heritage, it has Heritage buildings, revered temples, bountiful markets & cultural heritage harmoniously interspersed within them.
This interesting place is visited because of the attractive sites such as Mount Phousi from which visitors can get a good overview of the area as well as the Pak Ou Caves where many wooden and stone carvings of Buddhas can be found. To fully understand the involved rituals, consider the experience or take part in the alms giving, which is usually done in the morning hours. This magnificent ritual is observed everyday in which the people make an offering to the monks, and is an enlightening aspect of the Lao people and their way of life.
7. Si Phan Don Islands
Si Phan Don, sometimes known as 4,000 Islands, is the other exotic place that you can tour when in laos. This group of islands located on the Mekong River in the southern part of Laos contains corals, isles and river banks that give an insight to the southern Lao culture in its original form.
There are three islands including Don Det, Don Khon and Don Sam which are the most recommended for all tourists and are noteworthy, as each has stunning surroundings and a lot of places to visit. Also, tubing and kayaking in the splendid Mekong River adds even more fun to such an experience, making it an ever-memorable one. These islands would make you forget everything you left behind as you bask in the peaceful atmosphere and picturesque views of the scenery.
8. Kuang Si Waterfall
Kuang Si Waterfall phases and water slide is known to be the most beautiful in all of Laos. Picture bright blue green water flowing over the edges of steep minerals looking rocks covered all over with verdant plants. At the bottom of this waterfall is a clean blue pool where you can bathe or cool off, or lie on the shore and enjoy the view.
The then traces of the excess water will sprinkle around and on you feeling the cool fresh damp air enveloping Kuang Si Waterfall also making everything around it wet. Make wonderful memories and relish the beauty surrounding this beautiful waterfall as time permits because it is worth every second you spend there.
9. Bokeo Nature Reserve
Although there are several options available when picking a destination that has the ideal priority of green travel, Bokeo Nature Reserve is the perfect one. The emphasis is on encouraging rural tourism and protecting ecosystems. Due to its location in the northwestern part of Laos, this place guarantees an ecotourism experience that is like no other.
Before setting off to the Bokeo Nature Reserve let us tell you that rest ere you will have an attention invoked on the planning that focuses towards the observation and the attention of the curiously indulging Lao gibbon, a small apes indigenous to the region and possesses a high degree of vocalization and agility. Home to numerous species of flora and wildlife and a tourist destination like none, Bac Kao Nature reserve has cornered its way to being a center stage of rainforest and wildlife conservation where the scope of sustainable tourism fairs with the people and nature.
10. Pakse
Pakse is a very nice small city in Laos, the confluence of the Sedone and Mekong Rivers. Built by French colonists in 1905, the city was quick to become the capital of Laos. The city is rich in natural as well as manmade attractions.
The bustling night market is at your disposal as well as a spectacular ride along the circling Pakse Loop with its captivating countryside or simply to sit by the rivers and observe the boats passing by. Pakse has so many secrets and incredible experiences in store for you.
Conclusion
Laos is a parcel of land that is endowed with natural beauty and cultural as well as historical richness that is hard to find in any other part of the world. The experience may vary from the vibrant activities and places in Vientiane City to the magnetic ranges of Vang Vieng, the beauty of Luang Prabang and the laid back islands of Si Phan Don, every place owns a different beauty of its own without losing the essence of Laos.
Visiting the Elephant Village extends provides insight in the tourism value of the regions, especially that of Kong lor cave and the dearest sceneries, while exploring the history in the plain of jars and experiencing biodiversity in Bokeo nature reserve are some of the characteristics Lao peoples’ culture. Overstate Laos’ diverse heritage, as fewer authors fortunately do. Hydrophiles will really appreciate the greenery of the Kuang Si Waterfall and the quietness of the Pakse landscapes. Together, all these ten destinations tell the same story except that they bring out the beauty of Laos.
