Laos trip planner

Wander through this historic town, admiring the unique mix of French colonial architecture and traditional Laos wooden houses.

With the site's history stretching to the 5C and the ruins dating to the 11C, it is no wonder the Khmer complex is still fascinating.

Roam the quaint streets that once bustled with imperial life, admire remnants of the French Colonial architecture, and sample local dishes.

Favored by locals and travelers, this three-tiered waterfall is a pleasant outing, featuring lovely turquoise pools for swimming.

Climb up the hill for some wonderful views of the city, visiting along the way the array of Buddhist temples dotting the slopes.

With amazing views of the peaceful Mekong River, this caves are a known pilgrimage site, featuring many Buddha statuettes.

The seat of Laos' royal family until the 1975 revolution, the palace retains a certain charm, featuring exhibits and well-preserved parts.

A fascinating cultural center, serving as a museum and educational hub, dedicated to Laos diverse ethnic minorities and their heritage.

Established in the 16C, the temple complex retains its religious significance, featuring shrines, lovely gardens, and pavilions.

The city's largest temple dates to the 18C, featuring lavish decor, traditional architecture, and a jade Buddha statue.

Erected in the 19C, this lovely temple boasts a variety of colorful murals infusing the decor with a vibrant charm.

A 19C temple with marvelous early-Lao architecture, home to a wealth of gilded Buddha statues and artifacts related to the royal family.

Stroll through the central streets, taking in the tranquility and the inane charm, sampling local dishes, and people-watching.

Uncover the hidden charms of the local populations, hire a bike to explore the area, or stock up on supplies and head into the jungle.

Enjoy a walk through the market, taking in the language and the colorful surroundings, then visit one of the local eateries for a bite.

While the French Colonial architecture is not perfectly preserved, there is still much to explore on these central streets.

Roam the streets exploring the ornamental fronts of the Yunnanese buildings lining the streets, or stop by a local eatery for a meal.

Enjoy the cultural diversity of the local population and the local kitchens, or explore the streets and their bygone French Colonial charm.

Head to the river for some kayaking, visiting a bar to mingle with other travelers, or back your bags and head into the hills.

Roam the streets exploring the local ambiance, head to the market to hunt for souvenirs, or visit any of the gorgeous city temples.

Set within a French Colonial building, the museum follows Laos' historic struggle for independence, exhibiting artifacts and cultural relics.

Dating to the 3C, the Buddhist stupa boasts lovely gilded facade and fine traditional architecture, serving as a notable national monument.

Wander through the central streets, enjoying the quiet of this provincial capital, or head to the market to check out the local energy.

Enjoy some people-watching as you explore the town center, and be sure to purchase some of the local handcrafts as souvenirs.

Head to the bridge that overlooks the winding Nam Ou River, or spend the afternoon roaming the streets and visiting local shops.

Grab a bite to eat in one of the local eateries, or spend the afternoon roaming the streets and enjoying some people-watching.

Sprawling along the Xiangkhoang plateau, this marvelous megalithic archaeological site is strewn with thousands of ancient burial jars.

Amidst the lovely karst landscape of south-east Laos you will find these caves, whose fascinating rock formations are popular with locals.

Once the regional capital, this village boasts a fascinating history, remnants of which can be spotted in its many ruined temples.

Both the village and the waterfall of the same name offer visitors a tranquil setting with nice food and cheap amenities.

Whether you explore this river isle on foot or on a bike, you will discover pastoral villages, diverse wildlife, and lovely local foods.

Experience life as a Lao rice farmer, sample some local dishes, and learn about the local agriculture on this fascinating organic farm.

A little off the beaten path, this waterfall is best visited during the rainy months, when the lush scenery and the natural pools await.

Sprawling beneath a cliff on the banks of Mekong River, these botanical gardens feature the diverse fauna of Laos, from orchids to bamboo.

Be sure to visit the night market, where a wealth of traditional curios, textiles, knickknacks, and more are available cheaply.

Participate in a famed Buddhist ceremony stretching along the central street, but be sure to bring your own offerings and be respectful.

Explore this marvelous system of limestone caves, following the river flowing through it, or heading to the sacred emerald pool.

Accidentally discovered in 2004, this limestone cave is best known for its 200 Buddha statues of unknown origins, and its rock formations.

A small yet diverse local museum tracing the regional history, exhibiting jewelry, textile, photos, documents, and archaeological finds.

This river archipelago is full of rich history, offering scenic landscapes, diverse fauna, and a unique outlook on Laos.

With diverse wildlife and lush vegetation, the forested area is perfect for an array of outdoors activities.

One of the city's largest temples features modern buildings of traditional architecture, as well as murals and lavish ornamentation.

Pakse's oldest temple is best known for its colorful funerary monuments, as well as fine architecture and rich design.

Best visited during sunset, this temple resides atop a hill with spectacular views over the area, and feature a large Buddha statue.

Overlooking the city of Phongsali, this mount can be climbed for some marvelous views of the city and the surroundings.

The largest monastery in the region partially dates to the 16C, featuring a wealth of traditional shrines and architectural curios.

A temple complex dating to the 16C, housing a collection of Buddha images, as well as believed to host a relic of his spine.

Either hire a boat and explore the lovely lake, or spend an afternoon in one of the eateries lining its banks, enjoying a respite.

Once used as a bomb shelter, the cave retains its primal elegance, wonderful rock formations, and a lovely spring in its depths.

A cave system not far from Vang Vieng, famed for its scenic lagoon and featuring clusters of Buddha images throughout its chambers.

Established in the 19C, this temple complex uniquely boasts Thai architecture, featuring a collection of Buddha images and a small museum.

Located on the banks of the Mekong River, this superb sculture garden outside of Vientiane features over 200 statues of Buddhist motifs.

Reminiscent of the famed Arc de Triomphe, this monument boasts traditional Laotian architecture and memorializes fallen soldiers.

Dating to the 16C, this temple is an elegant place of Buddhist worship, featuring images, altars, and fine architecture.

Comprised of several lovely buildings, this temple also features a sculpture garden with impressive images of Buddha.

With history stretching to the 16C, this temple complex now hosts a museum of religious art and retains some of its original architecture.

A black stone stupa located in the city, believed to be inhabited by the sacred Naga, who serves as the city's protector.

Retaining little of its original 16C structure, the temple is home to the city's largest Buddha, fine art, and lavish decorations.

Head up to the gorgeous city stupa to admire its gilded facade, as well as enjoy the spectacular views of the city.

A tiny village populated by Lanten folks, famed for keeping their traditional attire and producing lovely paper out of bamboo pulp.

Surrounded with greenery and limestone formations, this many-tiered waterfall is a great outdoor excursion off-the-beaten-path.

Boasts rivers and waterfalls, the plateau is also dotted with authentic Lavern villages where local handicraft and ambiance persist.

A chain of waterfalls along the Mekong River, creating islands and channels along the way and offering great hiking opportunities.