Looking for tours in Laos?
-- Great, you've come to the right place!
Laos is one of my favorite backpacking destinations because it's calmer than the rest of Southeast Asia. Yet, it offers travelers a wide variety of things to see!
Great trekking options where you can wander off to waterfalls and caves, French colonial architecture and mouth watering Lao food are just some of the few things you can experience in Laos.
The tours below are carefully selected. If you want you can even tailor the tours -- whatever suits your needs and wants :-)
Here's our selection of tours:
If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact us. We'll be glad to help you :-)
Hope you find something you like!
Tours in Laos
Akha is a hill tribe in Laos, who believe in animism. They believe in a world filled with spirits, whether it's humans, animals, plants or stones.
Day 1: The first day starts with a trek from That Xieng Tueng to Nam Keo Noi waterfall where you can enjoy a traditional Akha lunch prepared by the villagers of Lao Khao.
Then you'll continue trekking through the lush landscape and join your guide in activities such as birds watching, collecting bamboo shoots or medicinal plants.
Today's trek ends in Ban Lao Khao Village where you can spend the evening listening to Akha music, observing the courting rituals of the Akha youth.
Finish the day with a traditional massage after dinner.
Day 2: On your second day, you will be trekking to several Akha villages, including Ban Phou Yae, Ban Houeinagang and Ban Eu La.
At these villages, you can join the villagers in activities such as cotton spinning, buffalo riding and rice pounding. After that you'll have lunch with your host family.
During the evening, you'll be arriving in Ban Tamee for your homestay, where dinner is waiting for you.
Day 3: On your last day you'll continue trekking, with a rest stop in Ban Nam Hoo and lunch at the village of Ban Mona or Ban Piyer.
Along the way, you'll pass through fields with villagers at work and enjoy the panoramic views of Muang Sing.
In Ban Piyer there's a handicraft shop, where you can watch original handicraft.
Finally, a van transfer brings you back to Muang Sing where you will have the opportunity of exploring the town and visiting the tribal museum.
Tours in Laos
Do you want some luxury involved in your tour? Why not try Luang Prabang Style?
Day 1: Your first day starts with a special Baci ceremony where you receive blessings of good luck for your journey in Luang Prabang where you'll spend the night.
If you are interested to watch a traditional Lao performance, you will be guided to the Royal Ballet Theater. Then have dinner at L'Elephant, one of the city's top restaurants.
Day 2: You'll start off your second day with a guided tour of Luang Prabang's most important temple sites.
In the afternoon you can select one from three options: an electric-bike ride through hidden parts of the city, a hands-on textile and weaving workshop or a visit to the Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Late on the afternoon, you're going on a river cruise aboard the Nava Mekong riverboat with a gourmet Lao dinner served on board.
Day 3: If you want you can observe or join the local residents along the streets to offer alms to the monks.
Then return to your hotel for breakfast. Depending on your onward schedule, there may be time to visit the Heritage Information Center, where you can learn more about the heritage and culture of Luang Prabang.
Tours in Laos
Caving is one of the specialties of Laos. I've been caving myself in Vang Vieng, and it was awesome. Read more about limestone caves here (opens in a new window).
Day 1: Vientiane - Thakek - Ban Napouar - Sala Hinboun
In the morning your guide and private car will meet you at your hotel and drive you from Vientiane about 3 hours on route 13 then route 8 to, the gateway to Kong Lor Caves.
Lunch is served in a local restaurant before reaching Ban Napouar pier, 16 km further, where depending on weather conditions, you will embark on a local slow boat or continue driving to Sala Hinboun (1 or 2 hours).
Arrive in Sala Hinboun in the afternoon. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Day 2: Your second day will be a full day with a boat excursion through limestone caves and underground rivers of Kong Lor.
Kong Lor Cave is a 7.5 km-long limestone cave that was formed by the Hinboun River which flows through the cave year-round and that is reachable with a boat ride right through the main cavern, up to 90 meters wide and 100 meters high.
You will make stops on the way to observe stalactites and other limestone formations. The cave is still used by local villagers as an access route to the region beyond.
Enjoy a picnic lunch along the riverside on the other side of the cave. Then you will visit the surroundings or swim in the Hinboun River. Return to Sala Hinboun late afternoon, where you'll spend the night.
Day 3: On the last day you'll be transferred by local slow boat or minivan to Ban Napouar Pier then back to Vientiane in A/C minivan. Lunch en route in a local restaurant.
You'll be arriving in Vientiane in the afternoon
Tours in Laos
Are you traveling with your family?
Then this tour is perfect for you! :-)
Day 1: The first day starts in Luang Prabang where you can attend a Lao dance performance, and then you'll be exploring the night market.
Day 2: The next day you will be joining local Lao families as they participate in the morning alms ritual, making offerings to monks as they walk down the streets.
After this you'll head to the Kuang Si waterfalls to spend the morning swimming and hiking through the surroundings and enjoying a picnic lunch.
Here's more information about Kuang Si waterfalls (opens in a new window)
You'll be returning to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, and visit the ethnology center where you can participate in a serene baci ceremony.
Day 3: In the morning you will be cruising on the Mekong River, on your way to the Pak Ou Caves and onwards to Kamu Lodge, where you'll be spending the night.
For the kids there are activities like rice planting, gold panning, fishing and trekking.
Day 4: The next day you'll be taking the boat back to Luang Prabang.
Tours in Laos
Are you on a short time line and want to discover north Laos? Then I recommend this tour.
The itinerary is laid out like this: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou - Kuang Si - Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Day 1: On your first day you'll be taken to La Residence Phou Vao.
Then pay a visit to a local art exhibition and participate in a Lao tea-testing ceremony.
At sunset, ascend the 328 steps to the top of Phou Si Mountain that offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding rivers and cityscape before wandering through the Hill tribe Market for traditional textiles and handicrafts.
Day 2: The second day starts with a cruise along the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, where you will discover gold-lacquered Buddha statues of all shapes and sizes nestled deep in the limestone caverns.
Next stop is Royal Palace, then National Muesum, before exploring the gilded temples such as Wat Mai, Wat Sensoukarahm and Wat Xieng Thong.
If you are interested in entertainment, you can catch a performance at the Royal Ballet Theatre.
Day 3: If you're an early riser, you will have the option to observe the monks receiving alms from the locals at around 6.00 am.
After breakfast you'll be visiting Wat Visoun, Watermelon Stupa and Wat Aham. Then onto Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Day 4: On your way to Vang Vieng, you'll be stopping by Kasi and enjoy some of the local fruit produce.
When arriving in Vang Vieng you can either watch the sun setting, or trek and explore the numerous caverns.
Day 5: Start off your 5th day with a trip to Nam Ngum Lake and the mountainous surroundings.
Then you'll cruise slowly on the lake and observe fishermen in their daily activities. Gain further insights into local livelihoods at Ban Kheune's salt mine and local marke.
Day 6: Start the day with a visit to Wat Sisaket with hundreds of Buddha statues nestled in the temple walls and Vat Ho Phra Keo, the temple that once housed the sacred "Emerald Buddha".
Continue your journey onto Presidential Palace, the popular Wat Simuang.
In the afternoon, ascend the steps up to Patuxai, Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe for a spectacular view over a city.
Day 7: After breakfast, spend the morning leisurely before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.
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