Itinerary for 9 days in Laos

Day 1: Luang Prabang
At least 2 days in Luang Prabang is a must whenever you intend to visit the country of a million elephants. The ancient town of Luang Prabang is the old Capital and a UNESCO World Heritage City. Luang Prabang is considered the heart of Laotian culture, where the tourists will be amazed when seeing traditional wooden houses and hints of European architecture, royal structures, several Buddhist shrines, and several places of entertainment.
In the morning – Visit Wat Xieng Thong and Royal Palace Museum

Wat Xieng Thong
Wat Xieng Thong is the best-known monastery that was built in 1560 by King Setthathirath and among the biggest Buddhist temples (vat or wat) in Luang Prabang. A symbol of great historic importance, its structure has features of 16th-century Lao architecture, with a stunning ‘tree of life’ mosaic set on its western exterior wall, rare Buddhist deities, and a 12-meter-tall memorial carriage.

Royal Palace Museum
It takes about 1 kilometer far from Wat Xieng Thong to the Royal Palace Museum where King Sisavang used to be as a place for relaxing with his family. This palace is now displayed many valuable items of the royal family, the ancient treasured paintings, and status from thousands of years ago.

In the afternoon – Cruise through the Mekong River to visit Pak Ou Caves
Transfering about 25 km from Luang Prabang, tourists can reach Pak Ou Caves. This Cave houses over 4000 Buddha icons which are considered the most respected holy destination in this country. Joining a leisure cruise to visit Pak Ou and enjoy the charming scenery along the bank of the Mekong river, feel the mysterious caves with thousands of Buddha statues in different shapes and sizes will be an unforgettable experience.

In the evening – Visit Luang Prabang Night Market
This is the biggest night market in Laos. Luang Prabang is also the cleanest city in Laos so that you can feel free to wander around, buy some souvenirs, take some photos and try some tasty street food or dishes at restaurants in this night market.
 

Day 2: Luang Prabang

In the morning – take an excursion to Mount Phou Si
Located in the ancient town center and this is where you have an eye-bird view of the whole area of Luang Prabang from the top.  The trail that leads to the peak of Phou Si is a terraced 355 steps winding zig zag. On the way to the hill is Wat Tham Phousi temple which includes a statue of Maitreya Buddha inlaid with cliffs and a reclining Buddha. There’s also a golden temple named Wat Chomsi on the top of the hill contributed since 1804. Standing on top of Phou Si, looking to the left is the Nam Khan stream, and on the right is the peaceful Luang Prabang. At the foot of the mountain is the Royal Palace of Laos with a regal campus, now it is the Royal Museum. Looking far away you can see the great Mekong with the mountains Phou Nang and Phou Thao. The most beautiful moment atop Phousi is when the sunset is dyed red in both the ancient capital of Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. 

In the afternoon – Proceed to Kuang Si Waterfall
Located 32 kilometers from Luang Prabang, the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall will provide you an interesting relaxing swim to refresh yourselves or hiking along the forest trails. It captivates visitors by the beautiful natural swimming pool, with stone steps stratified, crystal clear emerald green water bottom, hidden between the wild and majestic jungle. The complex with many large and small waterfalls is one of the most attractive natural landscapes in the ancient capital of the country.

 

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Day 3: Luang Prabang to Vientiane

In the morning – Transfer to Vientiane
Praised as the most relaxed capital city in Southeast Asia, Vientiane is well-known for its French colonial architecture and impressive religious buildings. Even during rush hour, you still can experience life at a leisurely speed in Vientiane!

In the afternoon – Visit Buddha Park
Buddha's Garden is a sculpture park that is 25 km southeast of Vientiane, Laos. Although this is not a temple, the park has many images that are directly related to religion, with the meaning of being "Soul City". This Buddha Garden has over 200 Hindu and Buddhist statues, which is considered a sightseeing site for tourists and a public park.

In the evening – Hang around and have dinner at Vientiane Night Market
Vientiane Night Market (open every day) set on the bank of Mekong River is one of the sites that you should not miss whenever put your feet on Vientiene. Tourists can buy various kinds of souvenirs, clothes, and handicrafts in this market, but do not forget to bargain as the first prices are always extravagant. However, this market does not have street food then in case you would like to try some specialties of Vientiane, let go to the opposite side of the market where many restaurants and shops are located.

Day 4: Vientiane to Vang Vieng

In the morning – Visit the famous That Luang Stupa and Patuxay Monument – Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe
That Luang Stupa
That Luang Stupa is one of the most important symbols of Laos and a national monument. That Luang Stupa, the Golden Stupa of the Great Tower of Compassion built in the third century BC, Asoka missionaries built a temple here to honor the relics of the Buddha. Wat Ho Phra Keo, Wat Si Muang, Wat Si Saket, and Wat Mai are also these famous places that you should not pass by.

Patuxai Monument – Vientiane own Arc de Triomphe
This spot is located on the most wonderful road in the capital. This is also the best place to welcome the dawn and admire the sunset in the city. Patuxai, with its meaning of “Victory Gate” is a huge concrete monument with a wide avenue leading to it similar in style to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.
Its architecture represents the five Buddhist principles of “thoughtful amiability, honest, flexibility, honor, and prosperity.” This is a must-visit place that will make you get super busy with your camera on your 9 days in Laos.

In the afternoon – transfer to Vang Vieng
Located just a few hours from Vientiane, the lovely Vang Vieng with the stunning river will be a remarkable destination for discovery. Vang Vieng has the ideal topography -with the back of the mountain facing the river, a peaceful countryside by the Nam Song river. The wilderness here makes many visitors surprised, after many years this town has not lost its inherent peaceful beauty. After stopping in Vang Vieng, visitors can relax in grass huts built right on the water, leisurely on the buoys to enjoy the fresh air, or go kayaking and relax and watch the sky and clouds. country… After hours of active sports activities, you can leisurely ride along the river, fish quietly, or read books on hammocks hanging on swaying coconut canopy, watching the sun slowly fall at the end of the horizon. When sunset falls, the small, peaceful Vang Vieng becomes bustling, busy with the West Quarter. Visitors can buy all kinds of goods, souvenirs, or any service here at reasonable prices and explore the culture of the indigenous people through rustic dishes. Vang Vieng is full of tourists but still keeps something peaceful and familiar and gives visitors a feeling of indescribable fatigue.
City highlights: Lagoon, Water Cave (Tham Nam), Elephant Cave (Tham Chang), and Kaeng Nyui Waterfall are the most famous site that tourists can not miss.

Day 5: Vang Vieng

In the morning – Hike Pha Phong Kham Cliff Viewpoint
This spot has some mutual view directions with Nam Xay Viewpoint but less crowded. It offers a panoramic viewpoint of faraway farms and limestone karsts, each breath-taking and cool-air blast through your skin, and comfortably cozy sunlight on your face on sunny days. We know this sounds a little bit challenging but it’s so worth trying!

In the afternoon – Tube in Nam Song River
There is a small river that is very common with tourists because of its striking karst stone shapes flowing through the town of Vang Vieng. You can enjoy seeing the Laotian countryside Flowing down the river in the inner tube of a tractor tire or in a kayak to admire the rural views of Laos is a wonderful experience.

In the evening – Explore dinner serving in hotpot at Vang Vieng Night Market
If you are a fan of hotpot (or steamboat, a Chinese cooking method, prepared with a simmering pot of soup and food with deep sauce), you should not miss a chance to have a hotpot dinner at Vang Vieng night market. You will have several choices to decide on here, but the most popular and flavorful must be the hotpot with raw meat slices and greens with dark sauce.
But what is so special about this dish? The answer may surprise you a little bit: here in this very market, you have to cook a hotpot meal by yourself. What an amazing experience on your 9 days in Laos!

 

Day 6: Vang Vieng

In the morning – Admire Kaeng Nyui Waterfall
This is a 30-meter waterfall located on the eastern side of Vang Vieng town. In the wet season, the water flows very powerful but can change to a dribble in the driest months of April and May. It is recommended to hire a local tour guide or book a tour from an experienced tour operator to enjoy the best of Kaeng Nyui Waterfall.

In the afternoon – ride to Blue Lagoon 3
The turquoise-colored waters here are provided by a native stream that disembogues from a contiguous karst limestone peak and it is more gently calm than the name reflected.
Tubes and kayak boats are available for hire, there is a small zip line crossing the lagoon which is requiring you to drop off into the water. Apart from that, there are numerous chill-out huts which is one of the advantages for this spot, and a small stall where you can grab some food.

Day 7: Vang Vieng

In the morning – Stopover at Mor Village – a fishing village and enjoy lunch at Nam Ngum Lake area
Nam Ngum Lake is a large reservoir that was created after the dam on the Nam Ngum River was built in 1968. In the dry season, this place will appear long sandy beach creating scenery like a small coast. With tourists who do not visit in the dry season, they can camp for the night, experience the fisherman's lifestyle, or simply shop for the local produce of the fishermen on the island. The early spring trip to Nam Ngum Lake, enjoying the traditional dishes of the fishermen will be a new source of energy for a successful new year.
In the afternoon – Visit Tham Nam Water Cave
Located about 6km north of Vang Vien town - Laos, Tham Nam cave is the most ideal destination for tourists to visit during the summer. To explore Tham Nam cave, visitors are required to rent a float, flashlight, life jacket plus waterproof bag to hold valuable items that you carry. And the way to visit Tham Nam cave is that visitors will sit on the floats they rent and use their hands to pull the rope that is attached to the cave wall. The best time to explore the beauty of Tham Nam cave is at the end of the dry season. Now the water level is neither too high nor too low, which is very convenient for you to explore.

 

Day 8: Vang Vieng to Pakse

In the morning – Transfer to Pakse
Pakse is a town of Champasack province, located at the confluence of two rivers Xedone and Mekong, a quiet town where life runs along the banks of the Mekong River. This entire area was heavily influenced by French colonialism, as well as the nearby city of Savannakhet. This is not the only land with many interesting tourist attractions, but also a place that hides a lot of cultural and distinctive culinary...Attractions in Pakse are mainly French colonial architecture near the Xe Don River and pristine Buddhist temples such as Wat Phabad, Wat Phousalao, and Wat Luang or the Champasak Provincial Museum, Pakse Market, Xe Don Bridge.
In the afternoon – Discover wonderful waterfalls, stunning mountains, and colorful ethnic villages in Bolaven Plateau Area
Coming to this lush Bolaven plateau, you will surely be attracted to the eyes of traditional houses on stilts with walls and roofs made of hay or forest leaves. Many international tourists have exclaimed in amazement at the rare peacefulness in the Bolaven plateau located in southern Laos, this is a wildland, fresh air, making people feel relaxed. relax from the very first moments of meeting. Bolaven is famous not only for its quality coffee beans production and development but also for its stunning landscape and diverse ethnic culture - is one of the best road travel destinations in the region. Southeast Asia. Endowed with a temperate climate, frequent rainfall, and soil fertility, the Bolaven Plateau is truly a utopian promised land for coffee growers.
In the evening – Overnight on a cruise to Khong Island
Despite being the largest island, Don Khong is the place with the fewest visitors. Hence, if you are looking for absolute peace this is not a bad idea. It will be a wonderful experience when cruising on the water to enjoy the gentle countryside view on the fragrant rice fields with the cows and buffalos are grazing on the roadside and taste the delicious cuisine of the locals...

Day 9: Pakse

In the morning – Cruise to Si Phan Don & Visit the ruins of Wat Phou Temple Complex
 

Si Phan Don
Not only possessing majestic and pristine scenery, but Si Phan Don also attracts tourists thanks to its strange location. Si Phan Don is located at the 1km stretch of Mekong River, 14km long, flowing through Pakse, Champasak province with 4,000 big and small islands. Among 4,000 islands, Don Khone and Don Det are the 2 largest islands and gather the most tourists because there are many services of accommodation, food, and services. The most interesting thing is that you are immersed in nature, experience unique activities when coming to Si Phan Don.

Wat Phou
If you join a Si Phan Don cruise, you should visit Wat Phou, an old relic that was built in the 10th century. This site owns many beautiful waterfalls with the most famous is Tad Fane. Almost all tourists who have been there having been conquested by the stunning scenery of Wat Phou.