Laos, a gem situated in Southeast Asia lures a lot of visitors because of its natural beauty, unmatched culture, and offbeat track experiences. The population is not very high, which means that a major part of this beautiful destination is untouched by humans. This means it is great for adventurers and outdoor lovers.
Tourists find a lot of historical treasures and beautiful temples welcoming them to this wonderful location. There are a lot of Laos tour packages available on the internet that fulfills all your requirements.
In this blog we have listed some of the most visited spots of Laos. Let's dive in!
Must Visit Places in Laos
Luang Namtha
Luang Namtha is situated in the North of Laos and is the perfect spot for adventure activities. Tourists can try trekking, kayaking, rafting, bicycling and other activities easily.
The town’s main drag is lined with trekking agencies that offer everything from daily group tours to custom-made options.
A major attraction here is the Nam Ha National Protected Area. It is a zone of forest, rivers, and mountains spread across 220,000 hectares which is about 10% of the country’s total land. It is home to a diverse array of ethnic minorities that hosts a fascinating melange of nature and traditions.
The jungle survival course goes for 7 days in which you will learn how to use bamboo to make everything from shelter to your dinner plates and utensils. The experience extends to searching food from the forest to a more culturally immersing homestay experience in the traditional ethnic villages of Akha or Khmu. You can reach there by bicycle or boat.
Vang Vieng
If you want to enjoy the world of Karst, this is the best location for you. Vang Vieng is one of Southeast Asia’s most stunning natural wonderlands. Here you can see hundreds of soaring limestone Karst peaks rising above the gorgeous Nam Song River. You cannot miss the Vang Vieng adventures.
The scenic backdrop has endless dirt roads for bicycle rides, viewpoints to clamber up to, hidden caves to explore and freshwater swimming holes to dive into. Other exciting places to visit in Vang Vieng include challenging rock-climbing routes on the Karst towers. You can also get a chance to float above the magical landscape in hot-air balloons.
Vang Vieng used to be a backpacker haunt accessible only by a bumpy road from Vientiane. However, after introduction of a high-speed train it is easily accessible. New boutiques and hotels have made this area a getaway destination from Vientiane or Laung Prabang.
Plain of Jars
This is the best destination for archaeology enthusiasts. Situated at a height of 1100m next to Phonsavan town. This lovely UNSECO world heritage site is a must visit destination if you are looking for Laos tour packages.
The never-ending mystical landscape hosts hundreds of megalithic cylindrical stone jars dating back to 600-1200 BCE. No one knows the origin or the purpose of these sculptures. Some archaeologists did research that indicated they were used for some sort of funerary rites, either as storage for bodies during decomposition process or as urns after cremation.
According to some local tradition, they served as giant storage vessels for rice wine. Some jars are made of limestone and some of sandstone and every site has significant differences.
Phongsali
Forget about high-speed trains and the well-travelled Banana Pancake trail; if you want to conquer this beautiful spot you will have to work your way up. But the rewards are worth it. At the height of 1500m, the temperatures are very cold. You will feel like you are walking among the clouds any time of the year.
This is an epic spot for trekking which offers a unique chance to encounter some of Laos’ traditional and ethnic tribes. Some 10 different types of Akha live here, along with Phu Noi, Lolo and Tai Dam who still wear traditional dress and keep their customs alive.
You can also take a walk through Phongsali’s abundant tea plantations. You will also find delicious Yunnanese cuisine in the restaurants.
Luang Prabang
This mesmerising destination is meant for people who love temples, architecture and boutique stays. It is the most famous town and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town hosts a blend of traditional Buddhist and French Lao architecture. Luang Prabang Temples are one of the major attractions of this destination.
Its charming historical core lies on a tiny peninsula bordered by the Mekong and Nam Khan River surrounded by jungle-clad hills all around.
While you are at this wonderful location don’t miss out the Wat Xieng Thong monastery. It features a glided ordination hall along with a unique reclining Buddha. You should also visit the Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham which is the largest Monastery in town.
The Mekong River
The mighty Mekong winds its way through almost all of Laos in the direction of the South China Sea. The best way to enjoy its beautiful bends is by a slow boat that travels from either Luang Prabang or Huay Xai. You cannot miss this Mekong River cruise.
This journey will take two days, and you can stop for a sleep break in Pak Beng. You can also linger around for a day to check out Lao elephants in their natural habitat at Mekong Elephant Park.
The slow boats will stop at dozens of locations along the way. This is a great way of experiencing the journey of travelling in Laos. However, you must make sure that you arrive there an hour early so you can get the seats in the front row. During the tourist season the ride even gets fancier.
Vieng Xai
This is the best place to learn about Laos’ wartime history. The mind-blowing Vieng Xai Caves has lots to offer. Situated on Laos’s remote northeast side on the border with Vietnam, Houaphanh province had some 2 million tons of explosives dropped on it by US during the ‘Secret War’. At this time, the Pathet Lao revolutionary movement discovered 480 caves in the jungle around Vieng Xai.
The caves have been preserved since then and are now open to the public. Travelling around on a bicycle with an English speaking guide and an audio device, will give you ample knowledge about the extraordinary effort needed to survive here.
Visit This Amazing Destination with Unify Holidays
Knowing so much about Laos must have triggered the traveler inside you. Do not worry!
Unify holidays have planned it for you.
Unify Holidays is a tour and travel agency that has fulfilled the travelling dreams of many with their lucrative and budget-friendly packages. We have itineraries set for all sorts of tourists. We make sure that you do not miss any of Laos cultural experiences.
If you want to explore any particular destination, we will design your itinerary around it.
We make all the travel and accommodation bookings beforehand so you can have a hassle-free vacation experience. All you have to do is pack our bags and create loads of memories on your trip.