Mr. Eric’s Opinion On His Laos Family Trip 2 Weeks And Travel Tips
Hello everyone, we've just returned from a 2 weeks trip to Laos, and we can't wait to share our itinerary with you! It was also our first time visiting this country, so we wanted to explore it thoroughly, from North to South. In this blog, we’ll break down our 2 weeks / 14 days itinerary in Laos, including must-see sites, exciting activities, and useful tips to help you make the most of this beautiful country!
Table of Contents
I. Why travel to Laos for 2 weeks?
In addition to Vietnam and Thailand, 2 Southeast Asian countries we had already explored, our family wanted a more special trip this time. We wanted to admire breathtaking natural landscapes while immersing ourselves in Buddhist culture by visiting major temples. Laos naturally emerged as the perfect destination for our 14-day itinerary.
Of course, these 2 weeks in Laos were not limited to famous tourist sites like Vientiane and Luang Prabang but also included Vang Vieng, Paksé, Champasak, and Si Phan Don. This country, known as the "Land of a Million Elephants", offers a perfect blend of wild nature, peaceful villages, friendly locals, and cultural activities that allow visitors to fully appreciate its landscapes. For all these reasons, we chose the 2 weeks family trip in Laos, organized by Autour Asia, a Laos tour agency.
II. Travel tips for a 2 weeks family trip to Laos
1. When to visit Laos?
We traveled to Laos in January, right after the rainy season had ended. This allowed us to enjoy a pleasant climate — neither too hot like in summer nor rainy. The dry weather made it easier to follow our 14-day itinerary in Laos.
2. How to get around in Laos?
For a family trip, we primarily used tuk-tuks and minivans for intercity travel, except for our final flight from Paksé to Vientiane. As some mountain roads can be bumpy and rough, long journeys can be tiring.
Our tip: Try to sleep during the trip to arrive well-rested at your next destination!
Within cities, we had private drivers with a car, which saved us valuable time and allowed us to make the most of each stop along the way.
III. Best 2 weeks itinerary in Laos
Day 1 - 3: Luang Prabang
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang - Luang Prabang Night Market
- Day 2: Royal Palace Museum - Wat Xieng Thong Temple - Mount Phousi
- Day 3: Kuang Si Waterfalls - Bang Xang Hai Handicraft Village
After a long flight with 2 stops in Doha and Bangkok, we finally arrived in Luang Prabang at 5 PM. Tired from the journey, we spent our first evening strolling through the night market in town. It was the perfect opportunity to try some local specialties, and our favorite dish was Laap, a flavorful minced meat dish seasoned with fish sauce and aromatic herbs. Simple yet delicious!
On the second day, we officially began our 2-week itinerary in Laos with a visit to sacred temples and museums that showcase the country’s fascinating history. After lunch, we enjoyed a cup of coffee on a terrace while admiring the colonial architecture in the historic center, before hiking up Mount Phousi for a panoramic sunset view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.
Our third day was dedicated to visiting the Kuang Si Waterfalls, one of the must-visit spots during a 2-week trip to Laos. These breathtaking falls, with their turquoise pools, offer a truly stunning landscape.
Day 4 - 6: Vang Vieng
Itinerary:
- Day 4: Vang Vieng - Kayaking on the Nam Song River
- Day 5: Blue Lagoon - Tham Phu Cave
- Day 6: Nam Xay Viewpoint - Ziplining at Phar None Cliff
That morning, we set off early for Vang Vieng, a journey of around 4 hours, arriving around noon. Vang Vieng is a popular spot among international travelers, so many locals here speak some English.
We particularly loved the outdoor activities that this region has to offer. Besides hiking through villages and mulberry farms, we enjoyed kayaking down the river, swimming in the Blue Lagoon, exploring caves, and trying out ziplining with a breathtaking view of Vang Vieng’s lush forests.
Thus ended our 3-day adventure in Vang Vieng, as part of our 2 weeks itinerary in Laos.
Day 7 - 8: Vientiane
Itinerary:
- Day 7: Minibus to Vientiane - Tuk-tuk tour - Patuxay - Pha That Luang
Day 8: Wat Sisaket - COPE Visitor Center
One of the unique aspects of our 2-week trip to Laos was that we only reached the capital, Vientiane, by the end of the second week. Unlike the usual hustle and bustle of big cities, Vientiane is rather peaceful, and home to many iconic monuments and temples.
During our 2 days in Vientiane, we mainly explored Buddhist culture, visiting Pha That Luang, the famous golden stupa, and Wat Sisaket, known for its numerous Buddha statues.
Vientiane doesn’t offer a vast array of tourist activities, but in return, we found that the local cuisine was much better than in Vang Vieng.
Day 9 - 11: Paksé and Champasak
Itinerary:
- Day 9: Paksé - Bolaven Plateau - Tad Fane Waterfall
- Day 10: Champasak - Vat Phou Temple
- Day 11: Wat Luang - Dao Heuang Market
On day 9 of our 2-week journey in Laos, after a bus ride to Paksé, we immediately set off on a motorbike road trip across the Bolaven Plateau, where we had the chance to admire some of Laos' most breathtaking waterfalls, including Tad Fane.
We then visited Wat Phou Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was fascinating to learn that this temple was once the capital of the ancient Khmer kingdom.
For our last day in Paksé, we made a stop at Wat Luang before heading to Dao Heuang Market to pick up some souvenirs from Laos.
Day 12 - 13: Si Phan Don and Mekong River
Itinerary:
- Day 12: Si Phan Don / 4000 Islands - Don Det - Li Phi Waterfalls
- Day 13: Return to Paksé - Flight to Vientiane
After a three-hour bus ride, we arrived at Si Phan Don, also known as the 4000 Islands, the final destination of our 2-week adventure in Laos.
We dedicated these 2 days mainly to relaxation in this stunning southern region of Laos. Aside from visiting Don Det and the spectacular Li Phi Waterfalls, we took our time to unwind and enjoy the slow-paced life of Si Phan Don, before flying back to Vientiane in the evening.
Day 14: Vientiane - Departure
We packed our bags, bid farewell to this beautiful country, and concluded our 2 weeks itinerary in Laos. We hope our travel experience provides you with useful insights to plan your adventure in Laos!
Laos is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia. However, follow basic precautions:
- Be aware of motorbike scams in tourist areas.
- Avoid unmarked paths in rural areas due to unexploded ordnance (UXO).
- Carry cash, as ATMs may be limited in remote regions.
- Respect local customs, especially in temples.
Restaurants Luang Prabang offers a diverse culinary scene, blending Lao flavors.
- For authentic local dishes, visit Dyen Sabai Restaurant or Manda de Laos, where you can try specialties like laap (minced meat salad) and mok pa (steamed fish in banana leaves).
- Morning Market is perfect for street food lovers, offering khao soi (spicy noodle soup) and grilled meats. For French-inspired cuisine, La Belle Epoque at The Luang Say Residence serves excellent pastries and coffee.
- Satri House Restaurants provides a relaxed riverside setting for international dishes.
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