The 10 Best Things to Do in Laos

Travel into the heart of Southeast Asia in Laos. The small, landlocked country is less traveled than neighboring countries, partly because it only opened to foreign visitors in the 1990s. With relatively few international flights landing here, a deep Buddhist spirituality, traditional culture, and pristine nature remain. 

Discover historic and contemporary artistic traditions, connect with local people over home-cooked meals and learn about their way of life, visit UNESCO-designated cities, or rumble across the Bolaven Plateau in an off-road jeep. However you want to experience this culturally rich country, the 10 best things to do in Laos, chosen by Extraordinary Journeys’ Southeast Asia destination experts, will stoke your wanderlust. 

Things to Do in Laos

Meditate With the Monks of Luang Prabang
Paddle Down the Song River
Wander Through a Spiritual Sculpture Park
Go On an Off-Roading Adventure
Get on Island Time
Sail Past Timeless Villages on the Mekong River
Learn the Art of Lao Cuisine
Hike to a Mystical Jungle Waterfall
Connect With Khmu Animist Traditions
Dive Deep in Lao Culture

1. Meditate With the Monks of Luang Prabang 

Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of it’s well-preserved traditional Laos and European colonial architecture. The ancient capital city was also the center of Buddhism and remains the country’s main religious hub, where monks clad in saffron robes can be spotted drifting down silent backstreets. On an exclusive excursion, visit a hidden temple within the city to take part in a rare encounter with resident monks and learn the fundamentals of meditation essential to Theravada Buddhism.  

2. Paddle Down the Song River  

The charming riverside town of Vang Vieng is surrounded by forested mountains. The Nam Song, or Song River, carves through the emerald landscape and you can paddle down it in a kayak to reach Tham None, one of the largest caves in the region, learning about the area’s natural and cultural history along the way. Once inside the 500-meter-long cave, you’ll be greeted by an underground river (a tributary of the Song), which you can wade through or float down in an inner tube depending on water levels.  

3. Wander Through a Spiritual Sculpture Park 

Just outside the city of Vientiane, enter the world of artist and mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat. Created in 1958, the Xieng Khuan, or “Spirit City”, Buddha Park is filled with the artist’s sculptures, which blend Hindu and Buddhist iconography. Wander through the green grounds fringed by shaggy palm trees and contemplate his desire to unite these two world religions, meditating on his surrealist interpretations of traditional motifs. 

4. Go On an Off-Roading Adventure  

While there are plenty of places to slow your mind and connect with nature, Laos also caters to adventurous spirits. Hop in a jeep to rumble across the crumpled dirt roads of the Bolaven Plateau in the country’s southern reaches, taking in views of mountains and highlands formed by a supervolcano. The plateau’s elevated, fertile ground is perfect for growing coffee, an industry that was established in French colonial times. Stop at Mystic Mountain Coffee, a coffee plantation that has been owned by Mr. Kham for 17 years, who will lead a tour and tasting. On the drive back, make a pit stop to take a dip in the clear, refreshing water at the secluded Tad Moun waterfall before enjoying a picnic lunch of authentic Lao food. 

5. Get on Island Time 

In the dry season, a constellation of islets appears on the surface of the Mekong River in southern Laos. Si Phan Don, which translates to ‘4000 Islands’, is a beautiful place to slow down for a few days if you want to get the feeling of a beach getaway in land-locked Laos. Hop on a bike and travel along rice paddies, skirting small villages and organic gardens, and visit the old narrow-gauge railway that was built by the French colonists. Wind down the day with a cold beer in hand and watch the sunset while cruising down the river. 

6. Sail Past Timeless Villages on the Mekong River  

Spend three nights winding your way along the Mekong River on a peaceful private boat to see a side of Laos that few travelers experience. The Gypsy has room for only four passengers, making this perfect for a family or couple who wants to splurge on a celebratory experience. The two beautifully appointed rooms come with their own terraces and sunbeds, from where you can watch the riverside jungle go by. Float between sleepy rural villages that are inaccessible by car, catching a glimpse of slow rural life in Laos. In the evenings, indulge in regional specialties and classic cocktails in the dining room and bar, and stargaze set to the murmur of the waterway.  

7. Learn the Art of Lao Cuisine 

Forgo the kitschy cooking school and book a private cooking class in the home of a local family. You’ll travel along the Mekong River to arrive at a small village outside of Luang Prabang, taking in karst landscapes and local markets along the way. In the village, a family has graciously opened their home for a hyper-local immersion in regional flavors and cooking styles. Help them pick fresh, seasonal vegetables right in their backyard, washing, chopping, and preparing a seasonal, traditional dish such as laab, a meat salad made with fresh herbs and veggies such as mint, basil, cilantro, chilies, and lime. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the people of Laos and support community-based tourism. 

8. Hike to a Mystical Jungle Waterfall 

In northern Laos, the tiered Kuang Si Waterfall cascades down limestone through lush jungle, creating a series of natural pools. The waterfall’s stunning setting and vibrant turquoise water have made it a popular spot, but you’ll visit quieter, lesser-known pools and then tuck into a Lao-style picnic lunch in a hidden location. Escape the crowds on your hike to reach the falls, trekking along back country roads that weave through rice paddies, orchards, and small rural villages, finally entering the emerald forest. Along the way, you’ll explore a cave used as a bomb shelter by locals during the Second Indochina War and learn about the area’s natural and cultural history. 

9. Connect With Khmu Animist Traditions  

While Laos is steeped in centuries of Buddhist beliefs, there is also a strong tradition of animism in the country. Learning about this belief system deepens any exploration of spirituality in Laos and offers an opportunity to connect with local people. From the riverside town of Vang Vieng, you’ll head north to a Khmu village, one of Laos’ ethnic minorities, where you’ll share a traditional lunch with a local family in their garden—including a taste of the local rice wine, or ‘Lao Hai’. The family will share insights into their local animist spiritual traditions and the importance of agriculture in the region.  

10. Dive Deep in Lao Culture 

An expertly led visit to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang is a must if you’re looking to fully appreciate the nuances and history of Lao culture. The learning center helps to celebrate and preserve the country’s diverse ethnic cultures through permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as hands-on workshops. You’ll enjoy an exclusive tour led by the director of the center, which will give you an in-depth, insider look at the history, traditions, and customs of Laos. You can also stop by the center’s fair trade handicraft shop, which supports Lao artisans and the preservation and evolution of their traditional handicrafts.  

Explore Laos On a Map