A Perfect Itinerary For Laos: 3 Amazing Recommendations For Luang Prabang

Laos is a wonderful country filled with afun atmosphere, interesting culture and long history and is best experienced in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. It is easy to see why the small city; located at the merging of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, attracts so many visitors each year.

If you need a little inspiration or help planning what to do in Luang Prabang, then we have planned 3 amazing itineraries ranging from 2-7 days!

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If you are travelling on a strict schedule then two days will be enough time to tick off the best things to do in Luang Prabang.

Day 1 - Explore The UNESCO Old Town, Phousi Hill for Sunset, Dinner at the Night Market

There is no better way than to start your day getting a feel for Luang Prabang. The town was given UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1994 due to its’ Golden Temples, traditional wooden dwellings, colonial houses, and picturesque natural environment. Taking in all of this should be part of your morning.

For lunch we recommend grabbing a quick baguette from one of the many street vendors, they cost next to nothing and are fresh and delicious. A fresh fruit smoothie will also help refresh you from the Laos heat.

In the afternoon you will carry on walking and make sure to check off many sights such as Temples, the Royal Palace and the Mekong River. Although you do not have time to explore them more, taking in the grandness of the Temples and Palace plus the simple beauty of the Mekong is a must.

Around 4:30pm Head to Phousi Hill to get a spot ready to watch the sunset from the highest point in Luang Prabang. This will be a great time to eat an on-the-go snack like Khao Nom Kok, a Steamed Coconut Custard Cake.

Once you have taken in the changing colours sprawled across the sky then head down towards the fairy lights that line the Night Market located in the centre of the town.

Here you should walk around admiring the one of a kind souvenirs like handmade notebooks, jewellery and many more unique offerings. After this grab your dinner from the food square section of the night market; there are many food vendors all selling something unique from Laos to other South East Asian food and all the way to Western.

Day 2 - Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls, Cross the Bamboo Bridge, Laos Dinner

To start your second and final day in Laos, pack a picnic and head to Kuang Si Waterfalls, located about 29 kilometers southwest of Luang Prabang. Spend time at the falls, where you can swim in the turquoise pools or simply relax in the stunning natural surroundings. Explore the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, located inside the grounds, to see rescued Asiatic black bears.

In the afternoon after returning to Luang Prabang, we recommend that you cross the Bamboo Bridge, a bamboo structure built by locals every year to connect both sides of the river. During the wet season the water rises too high and wipes the bridge away meaning this is only accessible in the dry season. Once on the other side you can explore the village with a few cafes and stores. If visiting during the wet season, you can take a boat ride instead.

For your final dinner in Laos you should visit a traditional restaurant serving authentic Lao cuisine, like Larb: Minced Meat Salad or Tam Mak Hoong: Green Papaya Salad.

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Spending 5 days in Luang Prabang is our recommended itinerary for this beautiful little town. With a few more days you will have time to enjoy more of Luang Prabang.

Day 1 - Explore The UNESCO Old Town, Dinner at the Night Market

Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at a local café or your accommodation and then straight away head to the heart of Luang Prabang to explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Stroll through its charming streets, lined with well-preserved French colonial architecture and traditional Lao houses.

This would also be a great time to visit the Royal Palace, Haw Kham, to learn about the history of the city and royal family and give you a wider understanding of Luang Prabang and Laos.

For lunch you can enjoy a traditional Lao meal at a local restaurant in the Old Town.

In the afternoon you should venture a little further through the town taking in some more of the wonderful historical sights.

As the sun sets, head to the Night Market located on Sisavangvong Road. Browse the stalls offering handmade crafts, textiles, and delicious street food. Enjoy a tasty dinner at one of the market’s food stalls, trying out local delicacies like grilled fish, papaya salad, and delicious fruit shakes.

Day 2 - Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls and Go Bowling

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Kuang Si Waterfalls.

Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon and allow yourself time to shower off and enjoy dinner; either from a restaurant or night market.

For a fun and unique evening activity, go bowling at the Luang Prabang Bowling Alley, a popular spot for locals and travelers alike. As Luang Prabang is a small traditional town this is the only place that remains open later at night.

Day 3 - Go Wat Hopping, Phousi Hill for Sunset

Begin your day with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong for a detailed exploration of the Temple grounds. This large Temple is a symbol of great historic importance in Luang Prabang with characteristics of 16th-century Lao architecture.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the Old Town and continue your ‘Wat Hopping’ adventure by visiting other temples such as Wat Sene, Wat Aham, and Wat Pa Phon Phao.

Around 4:30pm Climb Phousi Hill to enjoy panoramic views of Luang Prabang and the surrounding countryside. This is an excellent spot to watch the sunset.

After descending from Phousi Hill, have dinner at a restaurant with a view of the Mekong River, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

Day 4 - Watch the Alms Giving Ceremony, Walk along the Mekong, Cross the Bamboo Bridge

Wake up early to witness the daily Alms Giving Ceremony. To do this, head to the main street and observe the daily ceremony of locals giving food or gifts to the local monks. Remember to observe the ceremony respectfully and keep a distance.

To follow, enjoy a traditional Lao breakfast at a local café and try some Lao coffee too which may have been produced locally in the North of Laos.

Allow yourself time to rest and when you are ready stroll along the Mekong River. This river is wide and deep and overall magnificent, it gives life to over a million people and is the main way of travel through Laos. In order to understand Laos you must appreciate the Mekong.

In the afternoon we recommend that you cross the Bamboo Bridge, a bamboo structure built by locals every year to connect both sides of the river. During the wet season the water rises too high and wipes the bridge away meaning this is only accessible in the dry season. Once on the other side you can explore the village with a few cafes and stores. If visiting during the wet season, you can take a boat ride instead.

Return to the Old Town for dinner at a restaurant of your choice.

Day 5 - Pak Ou Caves

After breakfast, take a boat trip on the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves, which are famous for housing thousands of Buddha statues. Make sure to explore both the Tham Ting and Tham Theung caves, taking your time to admire the various Buddha images.

And enjoy a riverside lunch at one of the restaurants near the caves.

Take the boat back to Luang Prabang and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Mekong River on your return journey.

Spend your last evening in Luang Prabang exploring the Night Market one last time and purchasing any more souvenirs to take home with you.

If you are lucky enough to spend an entire week in Luang Prabang then you can slow down and take in everything this town has to offer.

Day 1 - Explore UNESCO Old Town, Dinner at Night Market

The first thing you should do when arriving in Luang Prabang is explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Stroll through its charming streets, lined with well-preserved French colonial architecture and traditional Lao houses.

Taking an entire day to explore Luang Prabang will give you a deep and meaningful insight into Lao culture and history.

In the evening you should walk around the Night Market, located in the centre of town. Start by admiring the one of a kind souvenirs like handmade notebooks, jewellery and many more unique offerings. After this grab your dinner from the food square section of the night market and we highly recommend you choose a traditional Lao dish for your first night.

Day 2 - Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls, Go Bowling

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Kuang Si Waterfalls.

Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon and allow yourself time to shower off and enjoy dinner; either from a restaurant or the night market again.

For a fun and unique evening activity, go bowling at the Luang Prabang Bowling Alley, a popular spot for locals and travelers alike.

Butterflies and Bears:

Kuang Si Waterfalls also house a Butterfly Park, a sanctuary for a variety of colorful butterflies and exotic plants. And near to the entrance of the falls is Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, where Asiatic black bears are cared for and observed in their natural habitat. These additional attractions add a unique wildlife and educational aspect to your visit.

Make sure to pack these essentials when visiting –

Swimming costumes and towel: the best way to enjoy these waterfalls is by dipping in and swimming in the blue pools.
A camera: don’t miss the opportunity of taking some pictures of this awe-inspiring landscape
Mosquito repellant: the falls are set in thick tropical forest with many mosquitoes
Suitable shoes: flip-flops and sliders will not be great for walking all the way to the top of the falls

Kuang Si Waterfalls, with its serene beauty and natural allure, represents the essence of Laos’ unspoiled wonders. Whether you’re swimming in the azure pools, trekking to higher tiers, or simply reveling in the tranquility of the forested setting, Kuang Si invites you to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Southeast Asian nature.

We hope you enjoyed our guide on the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Check out the rest of our Laos posts HERE!

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A Perfect Itinerary For Laos: 3 Amazing Recommendations For Luang Prabang