One Week in Laos: Create Your Own Custom Adventure Itinerary
Trying to plan the perfect 1-week Laos itinerary? With so many incredible destinations to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to decide what to see in just 7 days.
After spending a month traveling through Laos – navigating its landscapes, transport, and unique culture – we’ve curated three different 7-day itineraries to help you make the most of your trip.
Whether you’re drawn to cultural highlights, outdoor adventures, or a more relaxed pace, these routes cover the very best of Laos while keeping travel days realistic.
Keep reading to find the Laos itinerary that matches your travel style – and start planning a week you’ll never forget.
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A Laos Itinerary Covering the Main Attractions
Ideal for travelers who want to see the main tourist places in Laos. There’s a good mix of culture, adventure, and nightlife with this itinerary.
Luang Prabang –> Vang Vieng –> Vientiane
- Day 1 Luang Prabang
- Day 2 Luang Prabang
- Day 3 Luang Prabang
- Day 4 Vang Vieng
- Day 5 Vang Vieng
- Day 6 Vientiane
- Day 7 Vientiane
Day 1-3 in Luang Prabang
Start off your one week in Laos in the beautiful city of Luang Prabang. We found the city to be the perfect mix of culture and adventure.
Where to Stay in Luang Prabang
Funny Riverside Backpackers – this is still one of our favorite hostels we’ve ever stayed in. It is the perfect mix of chilled and social. The owners are incredible and super funny, making it an enjoyable stay for everyone.
🇱🇦 Looking for more budget options? Or want to splurge on a resort? These are our top accommodation picks in Luang Prabang for every budget.
Things to Do in Luang Prabang
Spend your first day exploring Luang Prabang’s beautiful temples. Wander through ornate wats, soaking in the serene atmosphere – Vat Visounnalath and Haw Pha Bang were our favorites.
Wrap up the day with drinks at a riverside sunset bar. If the night is still young, go tenpin bowling with your fellow backpackers!
On day two, go on a day trip to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls. Swim in the turquoise pools, hike the trails, and visit the nearby bear sanctuary. End the evening with a traditional performance showcasing Lao culture.
Start your final morning early to witness the alms-giving ceremony, a moving tradition where locals offer food to lines of chanting monks. Afterwards, relax at one of Luang Prabang’s charming cafes before hopping on the train to Vang Vieng.
👉 Follow our Luang Prabang itinerary for more things to do.
Where to Eat in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang Night Market – we ate here most nights, trying a different stall each night. It’s always super busy so be prepared to wait for a seat. We recommend a garlic pork dish from one of the stalls.
Day 4-5 in Vang Vieng
Get off the train in “The Adventure Capital of Laos” – Vang Vieng! There’s plenty of activities to choose from and it’s the ideal spot if you’re looking for a big night out.
Where to Stay in Vang Vieng
Dok Champa Resort – Dok Champa Resort is an absolute bargain for the service you receive.
Clean rooms with mountain views, a fantastic breakfast included in the room price, and a super central, but still quiet location is as much as you could ask for.
🌄 Vang Vieng can be a bit noisy. These are our top 8 hostel & hotel recs that are quiet with the best views.
Things to Do in Vang Vieng
There are some stand out activities you should definitely do in Vang Vieng.
Firstly, wake up early for a sunrise hot air balloon ride with Above Laos. Next, spend the afternoon at the blue lagoons outside of town, floating in the natural waters. There’s lagoons 1, 2 and 3 – we recommend 3.
On your second day in Vang Vieng, you can choose another adventure activity such as paragliding or boozy tubing on the river.
Spend your last evening in Vang Vieng watching the sunset from Nam Xay Viewpoint. In the morning, take another train down to Vientiane.
Where to Eat in Vang Vieng
Peeping Som’s – order the Korean BBQ for a unique experience.
🛑🍹 If you go out to party in Vang Vieng (or anywhere you travel, really) make sure you only order sealed drinks. Read more about this plus other mistakes to avoid in Laos here.
Day 6-7 in Vientiane
Your last stop is the capital! Spend a couple of days ticking off the main attractions.
Where to Stay in Vientiane
House of Jars Hostel – we highly recommend staying at this new hostel. It’s clean and the breakfast is good. Staff helped us with our onward travel too.
Things to Do in Vientiane
On your first night in Vientiane, sample an array of local cuisine at the night market. Look out for the stand selling drinks with pudding on top – a decadent way to end your evening.
Spend your second day being a tourist. Be sure to visit the COPE Center to learn more about the effects of the war and actions the government and the charity are taking to help those who suffered.
Afterwards, take a short tuk tuk or a taxi ride over to Pha That Luang. The Buddhist temple is one of the most sacred monuments in Laos. Whilst you’re in the area you can visit Wat That Luang Tai to see the sleeping Buddha.
Vientiane is the most connected city in Laos to catch a flight, bus, or train to your next destination.
Where to Eat in Vientiane
China Soup Chanmaly – located across the street from House of Jars hostel. The service is fast and the prices are super cheap.
One Week Exploring Northern Laos
Ideal for travelers who love hiking and climbing for amazing views across contrasting landscapes. This itinerary gives you an insight into how locals live in Laos.
Luang Namtha –> Nong Khiaw –> Luang Prabang
- Day 1 Luang Namtha
- Day 2 Luang Namtha
- Day 3 Luang Namtha
- Day 4 Nong Khiaw
- Day 5 Nong Khiaw
- Day 6 Luang Prabang
- Day 7 Luang Prabang
Day 1-3 in Luang Namtha
Start your one week in Laos with a bang! Luang Namtha is home to the best jungle treks in the country.
Where to Stay in Luang Namtha
Phou lu III Bungalows – enjoy a made-to-order breakfast amongst this jungle setting. One of the workers speaks perfect English and will help you book a trek through him if he has availability (he was busy when we stayed there).
Things to Do in Luang Namtha
Your first evening in Luang Namtha will involve choosing which company you want to do a jungle trek with. Take a walk down the main street and talk to different tour agencies to see which experiences they offer.
We chose a 2-Day Jungle Trek with a Homestay in an Ethnic Minority Village. Once you’ve decided which tour company to trek with, spend the rest of your evening preparing for your adventure.
On day two, head out early to start your trek. It will likely involve 8+ hours of hiking before you arrive at the village where you’ll eat, dance and rest.
On your final day in Luang Namtha, make your way over and around the valleys back into town. Once you’re back, treat your muscles to a herbal sauna with the locals at Phon Herbal Sauna.
👉 Read more about our jungle trekking experience in Luang Namtha 👈
Where to Eat in Luang Namtha
Night Market – take your pick of food options. You can try anything from crepes to khao soi to chicken feet.
Day 4-5 in Nong Khiaw
Take the bus to Nong Khiaw, and prepare to be blown away by the natural beauty of this small Laotian town.
Where to Stay in Nong Khiaw
Bamboo Guesthouse – we didn’t book this place in advance. If you’d like a better option where you can prebook, stay at Eco Farm Stay and Hostel.
Things to Do in Nong Khiaw
When we arrived in Nong Khiaw on the bus from Luang Namtha, we were blown away by the dramatic mountains that surrounded us. Spend your first night hiking up to a viewpoint – we went to Som Nang Viewpoint.
Day two in Nong Khiaw can go in multiple directions. If you want to take a day trip, consider the small village of Muang Ngoi, or head out on another jungle trek if your legs will manage it.
If you want a more chilled day in paradise, do what we did. We walked 3-4 km to Ban Pha Toke Community Museum. The museum focuses on how the area was directly impacted by the Vietnam War.
After the museum, go have a massage and get your hair washed! For $4 USD we had a Lao massage and a 40 minute intense hair wash, scalp scrub, and blow dry.
👉 Read our full list of things to do in Nong Khiaw 👈
Where to Eat in Nong Khiaw
Mama Alex’s – be sure to try the Lao sausage with a delicious eggplant dip.
Day 6-7 in Luang Prabang
The bus from Nong Khiaw is an easy ride by Laos standards. After a 2.5 hour ride, you get to spend the rest of your week in Laos meandering around beautiful Luang Prabang.
Where to Stay in Luang Prabang
Funny Riverside Backpackers – the hostel is great for shorter stays in as it is within walking distance of lots of restaurants. The common space is right on the river, so you can enjoy a view with a Beer Lao whilst reflecting on your week in Laos.
Things to Do in Luang Prabang
Once you arrive in Luang Prabang, spend your afternoon Wat hopping (Vat Visounnalath and Haw Pha Bang were our favorites). Finish the day with drinks at a riverside sunset bar, as the Mekong shimmers in the golden evening light.
Start your final morning early to witness the alms-giving ceremony, a tradition where locals offer food to lines of monks.
Later, head out on a late morning trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Take a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools, explore the scenic trails, and stop by the nearby bear sanctuary.
End your last evening in Laos with a traditional performance showcasing Lao culture by Garavek Storytelling.
Where to Eat in Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang Night Market – the night market is within walking distance of Funny Riverside Backpackers so you can meander over each evening and sample a different local dish.
One Week Laos Itinerary Taking You Off-The-Beaten-Path
Ideal for travelers who want to go to the hard to reach places that others choose to skip. You’ll get memorable adventures and natural wonders with this itinerary.
Vientiane –> Kong Lor –> Pakse
- Day 1 Vientiane
- Day 2 Kong Lor
- Day 3 Kong Lor
- Day 4 Kong Lor
- Day 5 Pakse
- Day 6 Pakse
- Day 7 Pakse
Day 1 in Vientiane
With this itinerary, you’ll have less time in Vientiane but that won’t stop you ticking off the best bits of the city.
Where to Stay in Vientiane
House of Jars Hostel – the hostel is central but still provides a quiet escape from the city noise. After a solid breakfast, the staff will help you with bus travel to Kong Lor – make sure you arrange this the night before.
Things to Do in Vientiane
You’ll only have one day in the city with this itinerary. Visit the COPE Center to learn about the war’s impact and the efforts of the government and charity to support those affected.
Spend your only night in Vientiane at the night market. Try a variety of local dishes and don’t miss the drink stand serving beverages topped with pudding – we went back every night!
Where to Eat in Vientiane
China Soup Chanmaly – located across the street from House of Jars hostel. The service is fast and the prices are super cheap.
Day 2-4 in Kong Lor
It’s a huge time commitment, but we highly recommend hitting this hidden gem. Take the bus from Vientiane on day 2, do the boat tour the next day, then leave the morning after.
Where to Stay in Kong Lor
Konglor Eco Lodge – the bus from Vientiane stops right outside here and the owner is ready and waiting to check you into your bungalow. We enjoyed some delicious meals here with views of the cascading mountains around us.
Things to Do in Kong Lor
You’ll arrive in Kong Lor village pretty late so take the time to chill and enjoy the scenery over a nice meal.
Day two in Kong Lor takes you into the mesmerising cave. Walk from your accommodation to the cave entrance to buy your tickets for the boat tour.
After the tour, relax on the beach by the river before going for a sunset dinner. You’ll be leaving the village at 6am the next morning, so get some rest!
👉 Read more about our time at Kong Lor Cave here 👈
Where to Eat in Kong Lor
Konglor Eco Lodge – the guesthouse offers basic but tasty dishes. The draw to eating here is the magnificent views around you.
Day 5-7 in Pakse
You’ll arrive in Pakse on the evening of day 4, meaning from day 5-7 you will close off your one week in Laos with this epic motorbike loop.
Where to Stay in Pakse
1918’s Hostel – the hostel was clean and peaceful, with a huge open common space to chill out in. If this hostel is fully booked, stay at Sanga Hostel.
Things to Do in Pakse
After a long travel day from Kong Lor to Pakse, all you need to do this evening is arrange your motorbike hire with Miss Noy.
The next three days of this Laos itinerary are just you, a motorbike and the open road. The Bolaven Loop was one of our favorite experiences in Laos.
Along the way you’ll visit a coffee plantation, waterfalls, coffee shops and stay in homestays.
We recommend staying at Sipasert Guesthouse on the first night, and Somphone Homestay on the second night.
You’ll arrive back in Pakse on day three, and move onto your next destination or start your journey home.
👉 Read our 3-day motorbike itinerary for a full breakdown of the Bolaven Loop 👈
Where to Eat in Pakse
Meiling Restaurant – order the crispy pork noodle soup.
How to Get to Laos: Popular Entry Points
There are lots of routes to choose from to enter Laos, but these are the most popular overland choices.
Chiang Rai to Luang Namtha
From Chiang Rai, take the bus across the border to Huay Xai, then take a bus to Luang Namtha the following day.
Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang
As a right of passage, many backpackers take the slowboat to Luang Prabang. Full disclosure: We did not fancy two days on an uncomfortable long boat!
This tour is a great alternative to the slow boat if you’d like to follow this route but do it with a little more luxury.
If time is precious you can fly into Laos from most major cities. The main airports in Laos are Vientiane, Luang Prabang or Pakse.
Where to Go after One Week in Laos
If you’re backpacking around Southeast Asia you have many choices on where to travel next. Laos is well connected to its neighbours.
These are popular routes for overland travel:
Pakse to Siem Reap
We recommend you travel with Asia Van Transfer for this journey. We used them from Don Det to Siem Reap and were really pleased with our experience.
👉 Book tickets with Asia Van Transfer 👈
Vientiane to Bangkok
For as little as $9 USD, you can take the 13 hour train journey from Vientiane to Bangkok. Of course, it will cost you extra if you book a sleeper carriage.
Alternatively you can fly from Luang Prabang, Vientiane or Pakse, to most major cities in Southeast Asia.
How to Get Around in Laos
There are two main modes of public transport in Laos – the bus and the train.
The buses are uncomfortable but memorable. There is an extensive bus network around Laos though, so you soon get used to the small seats once you’ve traveled a couple of times!
Take advantage of the Laos-China rail (LCR) that runs through many popular destinations in Laos. You can take the fast train from Luang Namtha in the north, through to Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane.
In some cases, you may find yourself traveling for long distances on a songthaew – Laos’s version of a tuk tuk. We spent an extended period in a songthaew during our journey from Kong Lor to Pakse and lived to tell the tale!
When is the Best Time to Visit Laos?
The best time to visit Laos is November to April, during the dry season. More places are open, activities run smoothly, and the heat is manageable.
While the rainy season (May to October) cools things down, it brings high humidity, flooding risks, and many guesthouses close outside tourist hubs.
During March and April, farmers practice slash and burn to prepare their fields for the next crop harvest which can affect air quality in rural parts of Laos.
Is One Week in Laos Enough?
Yes, one week in Laos is enough time to see all the main attractions, or to explore less traveled regions. Two weeks in Laos is the optimal amount so you don’t feel too rushed.
If you have the time, we recommend staying up to 30 days in Laos to allow you to see the vast landscapes in the north and south, and fully immerse yourself in the amazing culture and delicious food on offer.
