Vientiane and Luang Prabang Itinerary

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Are you planning a visit to South-East Asia and contemplating visiting Laos (in all probability mixed with a visit to Thailand or Vietnam)? Don’t fear, we’ve acquired you lined. On this article, I’ll share our itinerary for five days in Laos, visiting Vientiane and Luang Prabang!

In fact, you want at the least a few weeks to see all Laos has to supply. However realistically, until you’re backpacking in South-East Asia or are working remotely with a really relaxed schedule, you gained’t be capable of spend weeks in every nation. When you solely have 25 days of annual go away, simply as we do, it’s important to be savvy, mix a number of nations in a single journey, and attempt to see a few of the major highlights inside a really restricted timeframe.

Right here’s a really temporary overview of our itinerary for five days in Laos:

Day 1: Attending to Vientiane and exploring town, an evening at S2 Fashionable Boutique Resort

Day 2: Flying or taking a prepare to Luang Prabang, 2 nights at The Belle Rive Resort

Days 3-4: Having fun with Luang Prabang, a day journey to the waterfalls & rice farm

Day 5: Exploring the remainder of Luang Prabang, flying again 

Earlier than we begin with the detailed itinerary, listed below are some continuously requested questions on Laos.

Issues to know earlier than travelling to Laos

Is Laos secure? How secure is it to journey round Laos?

When you’re questioning whether or not Laos is secure, I’d say that probably the most touristy cities and cities are secure! At no level throughout our journey did we really feel unsafe or really feel that there was a must lie about the place we stay or go away branded purses on the resort (that occurs in lots of locations, together with Jose’s hometown, Mexico Metropolis).

Folks have been additionally very pleasant, and at no level, anybody tried to rip-off us and even inflate costs! All people was useful as properly. Travelling round Laos was a beautiful expertise and we hope to return sometime. 

Methods to get to Laos?

Laos doesn’t have one of the best transport connections on the planet, and it isn’t straightforward to fly there straight from Europe or the Americas. That’s why most individuals mix visiting Laos with Vietnam or Thailand, as each Vietnam and Thailand have good flight connections with Laos. Flight costs aren’t low cost, although. You may verify the costs and availability right here >

There may be additionally a velocity prepare from China, nonetheless, it may be tough to journey to China proper now (I’m wondering if they’ve resumed issuing journey visas). 

Some individuals journey to Laos by ferry – there are excursions from Thailand, nonetheless, we don’t know a lot about this manner of travelling to Laos. 

Are you able to pay by card in Laos? Are US {dollars} accepted?

One other continuously requested query about Laos is whether or not you possibly can pay by card in Laos or pay by US {dollars}. Playing cards aren’t extensively accepted in Laos – just a few resorts and only a few eating places settle for playing cards, each in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Nonetheless, there are ATMs you’ll find in main airports and in addition throughout Luang Prabang city centre (there are just a few, however the city centre just isn’t too massive, both). 

As for the US {dollars}, some distributors might select to just accept them, however some gained’t take them. It’s at all times good to go away a sum in {dollars} and the remaining commerce to the native forex; within the case of Laos, it’s kip.

Methods to journey inside Laos? Travelling between Vientiane and Luang Prabang

Lastly, many individuals are questioning methods to journey between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The space by land is sort of giant – until you’re on a really strict finances, I don’t suggest travelling by bus. There’s a velocity prepare that China constructed just lately and common flights between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The prepare station is sort of removed from Vientiane; getting there takes 45-60 minutes. As of the start of 2023, shopping for prepare tickets on-line was not possible. A ticket workplace within the centre of Vientiane didn’t settle for money or card, only a native cost app you possibly can’t set up as a foreigner. Some individuals ask locals to purchase them tickets and provides them cash in money as an alternative. We additionally learn that some resorts should purchase prepare tickets for you as properly.

The issue is that the gross sales of prepare tickets begin solely 3 days prematurely and get offered out fairly shortly! 

That’s why we opted for an inner flight. It’s the most costly choice (2 occasions dearer than the prepare), however at the least you should purchase tickets prematurely and it’s additionally quicker if you happen to solely have a number of days in Laos. The prepare takes round 4 hours, whereas the flight is round 45 minutes. The airport in Vientiane is tiny, so that you don’t want to come back hours prematurely, 1 hour 10 minutes earlier than the flight is greater than sufficient.

We didn’t purchase return tickets as Luang Prabang additionally has worldwide flights. We flew from Hanoi to Vientiane and had a return flight from Luang Prabang again to Hanoi. 

Learn our 7-day itinerary for Vietnam on this submit >>>

Okay, with out additional ado, let’s begin with the 5-day itinerary for Laos: Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Our itinerary for Laos: Vientiane and Luang Prabang in 5 days

Day 1: Exploring Vientiane

Vientiane, the capital metropolis of Laos, is thought for its quiet and relaxed ambiance with little site visitors, in contrast to the bustling and vibrant metropolis of Hanoi in Vietnam (town we had flown to Laos from). 

The place to remain in Vientiane

For our in a single day keep, we opted for the S2 Fashionable Boutique Resort, which was moderately priced however situated fairly removed from most points of interest. However, because of the metropolis’s appreciable distances between locations, it’s essential to depend on taxis no matter the place you’re staying. 

Alternatively, these two resorts are nonetheless removed from the principle points of interest, however are nearer to town centre with a number of eating places and the evening market close by: Lao Orchid Resort or Le Charme Vientiane Resort.

Issues to do in Vientiane in someday: 

Vientiane, in contrast to Luang Prabang, doesn’t have that many points of interest. It’s not a really touristy metropolis and plenty of guests overlook Vientiane in favour of Luang Prabang. Nonetheless, I feel Vientiane is fascinating, and we wished to see multiple place in Laos.

Listed below are a few of the greatest issues you are able to do in Vientiane in simply someday (properly, someday might be sufficient to see most of Vientiane anyway).

1. Pha That Luang: crucial nationwide monument in Laos and a logo of the nation’s Buddhist religion. It’s a shocking golden stupa and it’s believed to include a relic of the Buddha.
2. Patuxai – a monument in-built honour of those that fought for independence from France and satirically, it appears to be like a bit just like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It’s attainable to climb to the highest for beautiful metropolis views.
3. Wat Si Saket: a ravishing temple, which is without doubt one of the oldest in Vientiane and includes a beautiful courtyard stuffed with hundreds of Buddha statues.
4. Buddha Park – an element that’s house to greater than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues, together with a large reclining Buddha. 

Additionally, the evening market within the coronary heart of the previous city, proper subsequent to Mekong is an thrilling market to go to, nonetheless, there isn’t a lot to purchase there until you’re in search of very inexpensive pretend branded garments with misspelled logos. There are many locations to eat close by, in order that may be a bit extra fascinating!

Days 2-5: Luang Prabang

On the morning of the following day, we took a brief inner flight to Luang Prabang. I defined our causes for taking a airplane reasonably than the prepare earlier on this article, however lengthy story quick, flight tickets have been the one tickets we might purchase prematurely and subsequently assured our journey for this present day. 

The place to remain in Luang Prabang?

We stayed on the Bel Air Resort with beautiful river views, nonetheless, the situation wasn’t ultimate as a result of each time we would have liked to go to the city centre, we needed to cross a bridge that was in shambles and on the verge of collapsing (The Outdated French Bridge). 

As an alternative, I like to recommend staying on the following locations:

Luxurious choice: 3 Nagas

Mid-range resort: The Belle Rive

Reasonably priced lodging: Villa Ouis

The most effective issues to do in Luang Prabang in 4 days: (properly, 3.5 days)

Whereas 4 days in Luang Prabang (which is just a bit greater than a village) appears like loads of time, it’s truly not! There are such a lot of issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang. If you wish to see the whole record, I wrote this text in regards to the 18+ superb issues to do in Luang Prabang >>

Right here, on this article, I’ll give attention to the actions and issues we’ve got loved probably the most in Luang Prabang:

Go to the Unesco-protected Outdated City of Luang Prabang & evening market on Sisavangvong Highway

Luang Prabang grew to become a UNESCO world heritage web site in 1994. Probably the greatest issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang is to put on comfy footwear and head for a stroll or a motorcycle experience across the Outdated City – there are many stunning picturesque streets with beautiful outlets, stalls and eating places. 

Sisavangvong Highway is probably the most well-known, busy and fashionable road in Luang Prabang. It will get particularly crowded within the night, round 6pm, when the evening market opens. The evening market in Luang Prabang has loads of stalls promoting garments, souvenirs and artwork. It’s primarily geared toward vacationers, but it surely’s a must-visit attraction anyway.

You may as well strive native road meals there (proper initially of the Evening Market, there’s a everlasting road meals market. The preferred dish in Laos is Laap – a meat or fish salad, which is scrumptious however very spicy. Most dishes in Laos are very, very spicy!).

Sundown cruise alongside the Mekong River 

A Mekong sundown cruise is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Luang Prabang. Head to Khem Khong Avenue and also you’ll discover many boat house owners providing their companies. We simply discovered a flyer for a $5.5 per individual sundown cruise from Svan Mekong Cruises and booked it! 

We have been so fortunate that there have been no different vacationers apart from us that day, and we ended up having a non-public cruise!

If you would like a fancier expertise, you possibly can e book a dinner cruise with a 3-course dinner right here >>

Go to the Kuang Si waterfall

Kuang Si waterfall is without doubt one of the major points of interest of Luang Prabang, 45 minutes away from the city. You may both get there by motorcycle, purchase a tour or rent a taxi that may look ahead to you there for 3-4 hours for $20 for a day. Alternatively, you may get there by boat if you happen to purchase a tour.

It’s excellent to your third day in Laos, when you might have a full day in Luang Prabang! You may as well mix it with visiting the buffalo farm or the rice farm – each of them are on the best way again to Luang Prabang!

Stroll the bamboo bridge throughout Nam Khan River 

The bamboo bridge is barely open 6 months a 12 months and will get rebuilt yearly because it will get destroyed as soon as the water ranges rise. You must pay 10,000 kip ($0.6) per individual to cross the bridge, but it surely’s completely value it.

Climb the Mount Phou Si 

Climb Mount Phou Si – there are many stairs to climb, nonetheless, the views from there are properly value it. The ticket to enter the higher a part of Mount Phou Si prices circa $1 per individual. 

Go to the gorgeous temples in Luang Prabang

See probably the most stunning temples in Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang has so many beautiful temples, monasteries and stupas. Essentially the most stunning is undoubtedly Haw Pha Bang, situated proper on the backside of Mount Phou Si. 

Observe the Alm Giving ceremony with the Buddhist monks 

When you’re an early fowl and wish to observe a singular, stunning ceremony essential to locals, head to the Outdated City round 5:30am. It’s a ceremony the place native Buddhists supply the monks alms (home made sticky rice). Nonetheless, until you’re a Buddhist, you must chorus from taking part; as an alternative, you possibly can quietly observe the ceremony. You may as well take images (with out a flash), however ensure you’re not in the best way and never obstructing anybody.

Calm down and revel in Luang Prabang

Although there are such a lot of issues to do in Luang Prabang, it’s a excellent vacation spot for enjoyable. It’s quiet, the distances are small, and nobody is speeding anyplace.

Many resorts and resorts have swimming swimming pools, the place you possibly can spend a number of hours on a lounger suntanning and studying a e book. 

After virtually 4 days in Luang Prabang, I hope you’ll really feel properly rested and prepared for an extended journey house. 

Abstract: 5 days in Vientiane: the itinerary for Luang Prabang and Vientiane 

I hope you loved this itinerary for 5 days in Laos, visiting one of the best of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Each Vientiane and Luang Prabang have issues to see and do and I like to recommend visiting each of those locations as they’re very totally different. Luang Prabang, nonetheless, is undoubtedly extra spectacular than Vientiane!

I hope you loved this submit and will you might have any questions, ship me a message on Instagram @lizatripsget!

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