A Perfect 2 Week Laos Itinerary for Backpackers + Solo Travel in Laos

Sharing is caring!

Curious how to create a perfect Laos travel itinerary? This guide breaks down the best way to spend 2 weeks in Laos, and my experience as a solo traveler in this beautiful country.

Laos is one of the greenest, lushest countries I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. It’s a calm and quiet SE Asia destination and offers an escape from the other much busier and more touristy countries in the region. Not only that, but it’s a hub for exciting adventure that you can do at your own pace.

Admittedly, I arrived in Laos knowing little about it, and unexpectedly fell in love with the hiking, food, scooter routes, and friendly people of Laos. So if you’re planning a trip to Laos, I recommend coming prepared with a comprehensive Laos itinerary to ensure you see everything worth seeing.

↠ Read More: 16 Laos Travel Tips for Backpackers

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!

2 Weeks in Laos Itinerary Overview: Best Places to Visit in Laos

Luang Prabang – 3 Days
Nong Khiaw – 2 Days
Vang Vieng – 4 Days
Overnight Sleeper Bus to Pakse – 1 Night
Pakse – 1 Day
Bolaven Plateau – 3 Days
Overnight Sleeper Bus to Vientienne – 1 Night
Vientiane – 1 Day

Laos Visa Requirements

When traveling to Laos, you’ll need to get a tourist visa to enter the country and for most countries, the visa is good for a 30-day visit. There are currently two Laos tourist visa options: visa on arrival and an e-visa.

Laos Visa On Arrival

For the Laos tourist visa on arrival, you pick it up once you arrive at the airport in Laos. You’ll disembark from the plane and be escorted to the visa on arrival line where you’ll need to pay the fee ranging from $30 – $42 depending on your country ($35 for the US and UK) as well as a $2 procesing fee. You’ll also need to provide 1-2 passport photos. Depending on when you visit and when you arrive, this line can be super long.

Things to Bring for Laos Tourist Visa on Arrival

For a smooth entrance through the airport, don’t forget to bring these necessary essentials for your Laos tourist visa on arrival.

• At least 2 passport photos
• At least $45 in cash, US dollars preferred
• A passport that is valid for 6 months past travel dates and has at least 2 full pages, the visa will take up an entire page

Laos e-Visa

As of the summer of 2019, Laos now offers a 30-day e-visa that travelers can pick up before arriving in the country. You can enter any of these five airports with the e-visa; Vientiane (Wattay and Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I), Luang Prabang, Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II, and Pakse. The e-visa costs $50 for most nationalities making it more expensive than the visa on arrival option, but potentially a faster option allowing you to skip the visa on arrival lines.

You’ll need to fill out the form and application online via the Laos e-visa government website. You’ll also need to upload a passport photo no larger than 2mb and your bio page of your passport. It should take three working days to hear back about your application and they’ll send you an official e-visa approval letter that you’ll need to print off and bring with you to the airport. Once you have the letter, it’s valid for 60 days.

Getting to Laos: Slow Boat from Thailand

Most people visit Laos in tandem with a South East Asia backpacking trip and sandwich it between their visit to Thailand or Cambodia. If you’re not flying directly into Laos and curious how to best get there, one option that’s great for your budget and a fun experience too is to take the slow boat from Thailand to Laos.

Most people take the route that departs from Chiang Rai in Thailand to Luang Prabang. Be sure to do your research before departing!

Best Time to Visit Laos

The best time to visit Laos is during the dry season which is November – April. Laos will be predominantly dry and hot. The rainy season in Laos runs from May to October and the country sees a lot of rainfall during this period.

However, I traveled to Laos during rainy season and actually didn’t have much issue. It definitely rained, but when it did it was a downpour for a few hours but then the sun would usually come out with blue skies shortly after.

I got to enjoy fewer crowds and cheaper pricing because of it – but make sure you come prepared with a rain jacket if you’re planning on doing the same!

Solo Travel in Laos: Is Laos Safe for Women?

Yes yes yes! My solo travels in Laos were so much fun and I never once felt unsafe. Laos is a great place to meet other fellow backpackers and I really never was alone. I met some nice people everywhere I went. So if you’re wondering – is Laos safe for women? 100% percent.

If you’re a woman who wants to travel solo in Laos, check out my tips for solo female travel as well as my ultimate guide to solo female travel in Asia for everything you need to know for peace of mind on your adventures.

A Perfect 2 Week Laos Itinerary Packed with Exciting Adventure

3 Nights in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is the sleepy ancient capital of Laos where the ancient royal family once ruled supreme. Home to 30 Buddhist temples and the Instagram famous Kuang Si Waterfalls, Luang Prabang is a can’t miss destination for any Laos trip.

It’s also a small city where many of the local companies have devoted themselves to sustainable tourism to support the local culture, economy, and environment. I really appreciated that side to Luang Prabang and recommend companies like Orange Robe Tours, Saffron Coffee, and others.

I recommend 3 nights out of your 14 days in Laos, but if you only wanted to spend 2, that should still be enough to see the best of Luang Prabang. I’ve actually put together a specific three day Luang Prabang itinerary for more information.

Best Things to Do in Luang Prabang 

• Kuang Si Falls
• Alms Giving Ceremony
• National Museum + Royal Palace
• Mt. Phousi
• Night Market
• Temple Hopping / Tours: Wat May Souvannapoumaram, Wat Xiengthong, Wat Aham, and the Royal Temple. 
• Mekong River Cruise
• Pak Ou Caves
• Saffron Coffee Cafe
• Chang Movie Viewing at Victoria Hotel

Laos Hostels: Where to Stay in Luang Prabang

Great Social Hostel: Downtown Backpackers Hostel #2

For my social but budget-conscious friends, DownTown Backpackers Hostel is for you. This is actually where I stayed during my visit to Luang Prabang and it got the job done – clean, comfortable, privacy curtains and a good location right next to the morning market. The rate comes with free breakfast and they offer a lot of other booking services that I found to be surprisingly decently priced. 

Flashpacker Hotel: Queen’s House

The Queen’s House is a great option for couples or flashpackers looking for quality accommodation that won’t break the bank. It boasts a high rating on Booking.com for stay and location, and is housed in a stunning old colonial home. A highly rated fresh breakfast is included and the place is very clean.

Luxurious: Satri House Secret Retreats 

For travelers seeking a bit of luxury, the Satri House is stunning. This colonial-style building has two pools and a spa on site. This is the place I would’ve loved to stay if I hadn’t been on a budget! It’s extremely expensive, but if you have the coinage, I think it has the potential to make your visit to Luang Prabang magical.

2 Nights in Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw actually hadn’t even been on my radar initially while I was planning my two week Laos itinerary. It was recommended to me by a fellow traveler I met in Luang Prabang, and I’m so glad I took his advice because Nong Khiaw ended up being one of my favorite experiences in Laos! 

A small little village 3 hours north of Luang Prabang, not many tourists or travelers make it up to Nong Khiaw. You can’t really book anything online in advance because it’s a pretty rural place compared to the other major places to visit in Laos – the entire village is essentially one main street that you can walk in 15 minutes!

Don’t let that dissuade you from visiting this beautiful hidden gem though, it’s a gorgeous destination. The best things to do in Nong Khiaw involve a bit of hiking and a lot of relaxing.

Best Things to Do in Nong Khiaw

• Pha Deng Peak Hike
• 100 Waterfalls Trek
• Pha Thok Cave Hike 
• Homestay Treks 
• One Day Treks / Tours
• Chill in a Hammock 

Where to Stay in Nong Khiaw

Accommodation for Nong Khiaw is best booked once you arrive. I did manage to find a few places listed online, (AVOID DELILAH’S CAFE HOSTEL LIKE THE PLAGUE –  I had a terrible experience when I tried booking there), but you’re actually better off arriving and wandering the small little town, checking out the guesthouses in person. 

This way you can get the best price (it’s cheaper when you book in person), and you can choose a room with the best view of the Nam Ou River. Make sure you get a room that has a balcony and hammock for the best experience!

I ended up staying in Meexai Guesthouse, which was one of the cheapest places I found but it didn’t have the best river views. Rest assured if you come in person without booking in advance, you’ll find somewhere great to stay in Nong Khiaw.

3 Nights in Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a hopping social city that’s popular with young backpackers looking to let off some steam. It also has some of the best things to do in Laos and a lot of beautiful nature. As an ‘older backpacker’ (aka someone who isn’t 18), I didn’t absolutely love Vang Vieng, but it’s definitely a must-visit destination in Laos.

Best Things to Do in Vang Vieng

• Nam Xay Viewpoint
• Tham Poukham Cave
• Phraeng Viewpoint 
• Jang Caves 
• Scooter the Countryside
• Vang Villa: famous insta spot rice terraces 
• Rent a Buggy
• Pha Tang Bridge
• Blue lagoons 3 + 1*
• Tubing* 
• Party* 

*Vang Vieng is often travelers favorite place to visit in Laos and I met so many travelers who spent 5+ days in Vang Vieng for these three attractions. I honestly found them pretty overrated.

The Blue Lagoons are glorified swimming pools and tubing is limited to about 15 minutes total in the river with two bar stops. No shade to anyone who wants to do these things, but just know they are super touristy and in my opinion, overrated compared to the other things to do in Laos.

If you’re planning to travel in Laos solo and prefer more beautiful nature and less party, consider staying another day in the north and subtract a day from Vang Vieng. You could easily do the best things to do in Vang Vieng in two or three days, weather and rain depending. 

Where to Stay in Vang Vieng

Best Party Hostel: Nana Backpackers Hostel

Nana Backpackers is the party hostel in Vang Vieng. The beds are simple and a lot of the lockers are broken, and it’s definitely dirty, but if you want to have a good time it’s here! Beware of loud and young travelers.

Flashpacker Vibes with Privates Only: Jasmine Vangvieng Hotel 

As one of the only accommodations in Vang Vieng with an over 9 rating on Booking.com, Jasmine Vang Vieng is an affordable hotel option for flashpackers. They have a pool, great beds, and awesome mountain views.

Luxury with Killer Nature Views: Inthira Vang Vieng

Inthira VangVieng is a stunning hotel with amazing views of the beautiful nature surrounding Vang Vieng. This is where I would’ve loved to stay had I had the budget to splurge. They have private rooms, swimming pools, and a very good breakfast.

1 Night: Sleeper bus to Pakse

From Vang Vieng, you’ll need to take a minivan to Vientiane and then a sleeper bus to Pakse for your Bolaven Plateau scooter ride. I paid 180,000 kips / $20 at a stand in the city for my trip including both legs.

It was expensive – I hope you can find cheaper. Avoid booking transportation at your hostel at all costs! I always found that the hostels jacked up the prices and be sure to shop around first.

1 Night in Pakse

There’s really not much to do in Pakse, it’s more of a jumping-off point for the Bolaven Plateau scooter loop, but it does offer a nice place to chill before scooting off for the next couple of days.

I met a nice gal in my hostel in Vang Vieng and together we arrived around 7am after a night on a sleeper bus from Vang Vieng. We had fun eating and indulging in some pampering with rooftop cocktails, a massage and a day at the pool.

Best Things to Do in Pakse in 24 Hours

• La Boulange Cafe 
• Pakse Hotel Rooftop / Sunset Drinks (great city views!) 
• Cheap Laos Massage 
• Temples 
• Saibadee Restaurant
• Bike Around the River /  City 
• Athena Hotel Swimming Pool 
• Golden Buddha 

Where to Stay in Pakse

The Best All-Around: 1819’s Hostel

I loved my stay at 1819’s Hostel – it’s honestly one of the best hostels I stayed at. It was clean, with a super cute interior, a mega helpful staff, curtains and lockers, a chill but friendly vibe and free breakfast. What more could you ask for?

The Best Hotel: Pakse Hotel

Located in the heart of Pakse, Pakse Hotel is a great place to chill for the night if you’re looking for a decent hotel. They have a nice restaurant and bar on their rooftops with cool views of the city below.

2-3 Nights Bolaven Scooter Loop

There are actually two loops you can do in Laos, the Bolaven Scooter Loop (waterfalls and coffee plantations) and the Thakhek Loop (mountains and caves). People love and rave about both, so you’ll want to look into which one is best for you! The Thakhek Loop actually starts north of Pakse in Thakhek.

I chose to do the Bolaven Scooter Loop because I actually didn’t even know about Thakhek until after! Sad. But I had a really great time scooting around to see some amazing waterfalls and landscapes and enjoying the local coffee scene at the plantations.

Before you embark on your Bolaven Scooter Loop tour, you’re going to need to rent a scooter in Paske. Miss Noy’s is a scooter shop that everyone (and now me included), recommend as a great starting point.

They rent out scooters, helmets and give you a very detailed map with their phone number in case of emergency. They hold a briefing at their shop every night to go over everything you could possibly need to know before you take off – from scooter safety (watch out for theft!), where to stay, what the best attractions are, etc.

Best Things to Do in the Bolaven Plateau 

• Tad Fane Waterfall
• Tad Yuang Waterfall
• Tad Champi Waterfall Hike 
• CPC Coffe Plantation / Lak 40 Cafe 
• Mr. Coffee / Jhai Cafe 
• Tad Lo Village (great place to sleep)
• Tad Lo, Hang and Suong Waterfalls 
• Mr. Vieng Coffee Plantation 
• Tad Pad Sa Mu Waterfall
• Wat Phou – Temple complex built by the same people of Angkor Wat
• Rice Fields Walk 

1 Night: Sleeper bus to Vientiane

I found a sleeper bus from Pakse to Vientiane for about 150,000 kip / $17 USD. Transportation in Laos is by far the most expensive I’ve ever encountered in SE Asia. Prepare for that!

1 Night in Vientiane

Laos’ capital city has a reputation for not having much to do, and it’s kinda true. While there are definitely some cool bucket list-worthy things to do in Vientiane, you don’t really need to allocate too much time to this sleepy capital in your 2 week Laos itinerary. Instead, save your visit for the 24ish hours before you leave Laos assuming you’re flying out from Vientiane. 

Best Things to Do in Vientiane

• Night Market 
• Buddha Statue Park 
• Pha That Luang Temple
• Patuxai Monument 
• Common Ground Cafe 
• Her Works Souvenir Shop 
• Joma Cafe and Bakery 

Where to Stay in Vientiane

Cute and Cozy Hostel: Barn 1920s Hostel 

Barn 1920’s Hostel is a hip and cozy little place that has its own awesome drip coffee bar, which tbh is totally why I chose it! The location was decent and the price was budget-friendly.

Booker Favorite: Sailomyen Hostel

Calling all flashpackers! Sailomyen is a booker favorite and I’m not surprised. The building is gorgeous and modern and the beds are clean and comfy. It’s a hip place to stay with a good breakfast and a 9.0-star rating.

Luxury Stay: Lao Poet Hotel

If I ever return to Vientiane when I’m rich and famous (lol), I’d stay here. The price is actually pretty decent for such a stylish and quality hotel. They have a rooftop with an awesome view of the city and an outdoor swimming pool. The rooms are all colorfully decorated and they are stunning!

There you have it! My ultimate Laos itinerary. Of course, there are a million ways to plan a 14 day trip to Laos, but I hope you find this outline a good starting point for your planning

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, if you click my links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. Learn more on my disclosure page. Thank you for your support!