Why Travel to Laos
When it comes to Laos, what comes to our mind may be the scene of the range-robed monks walking along the streets of the Luang Prabang to collect alms from the local residents. Yeah, this alms-giving ritual at dawn is the main reason for most travelers. But, beyond Luang Prabang, landlocked Laos has more beauty. Small but enchanting cities, golden Buddhist temples, incredible mountain sceneries, untouched hill-tribe villages, peaceful local lifestyles, and stunning beaches, all together prove utterly charming for those who looking for a laid-back experience on a rural escape.
Capital
Vientiane
Currency
Lao Kip
Best Time
NOV - MAR
Language
Lao
Laos Private Tours
Explore our recommended itineraries to Laos and gather ideas for designing your own adventure.Submit an inquiry and receive a complimentary quote within 24 hours.
4 Days
6 Days
10 Days
Laos Vacation – 10 Days
Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, Vientiane, Pakse, Khong Island
4 Days
6 Days
10 Days
Laos Vacation – 10 Days
Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, Vientiane, Pakse, Khong Island
Southeast Asia Tours Including Laos
Interested in a Laos tour taking in parts of Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam? Get inspired by browsing through some of our most popular multi-country trips below. Then your personal travel expert will help you plan a lifetime journey.
12 Days
Thailand and Laos Tour – 12 Days
Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong;
Laos: Pakbeng, Luang Prabang, Vientiane
14 Days
Vietnam and Laos Tour – 14 Days
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Halong Bay, Hanoi;
Laos: Luang Prabang
18 Days
Vietnam Cambodia Laos Tour – 18 Days
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang;
Cambodia: Siem Reap;
Laos: Luang Prabang
12 Days
Thailand and Laos Tour – 12 Days
Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong;
Laos: Pakbeng, Luang Prabang, Vientiane
14 Days
Vietnam and Laos Tour – 14 Days
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Halong Bay, Hanoi;
Laos: Luang Prabang
18 Days
Vietnam Cambodia Laos Tour – 18 Days
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang;
Cambodia: Siem Reap;
Laos: Luang Prabang
Laos Travel FAQs
A trip with Royalairtrip allows you to have a tour with freedom and flexibility. You decide where to visit, when to see, what to eat and where to stay.
What type of traveler is this destination best suited for?
This enchanting destination suits slow travelers, culture seekers, and nature lovers far more than party tourists or luxury chasers. Backpackers thrive here thanks to ultra-affordable guesthouses, street food, and easily accessible jungle treks. Spiritual seekers find deep fulfillment visiting ancient wats, meditating in monastery gardens, and witnessing authentic Buddhist daily life up close. Photographers are rewarded endlessly by misty mountain mornings, golden temple reflections, and vibrant ethnic minority markets. Families enjoy safe, friendly environments with genuinely welcoming locals everywhere. Adventure enthusiasts find kayaking, caving, and ziplining readily available. Simply put, Laos offers something profoundly meaningful for every type of curious, open-minded traveler.
What are the most historically significant sites worth visiting Laos ?
History runs extraordinarily deep across this destination, offering layers of ancient, colonial, and wartime heritage waiting to be discovered. Vat Phou, a pre-Angkor Khmer temple complex in Champasak, predates Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat and delivers equally awe-inspiring spiritual energy. The royal palace museum in Luang Prabang preserves royal artifacts, ceremonial thrones, and Buddha statues spanning several dynasties beautifully. The COPE Visitor Centre in Vientiane tells the powerful, sobering story of unexploded ordnance left from wartime bombing campaigns still affecting communities today. The ancient capital of Muang Khoun contains crumbling temple ruins frozen in time. Exploring Laos historically means confronting both breathtaking civilization and deeply moving human resilience simultaneously.
What role does the Mekong River play in daily life and tourism Laos?
Few geographical features shape a destination's identity as profoundly as this mighty river shapes everything here. Local fishermen cast nets from wooden boats at dawn, supplying fresh fish that forms the backbone of daily cuisine across riverside communities. Villages built along its banks have organized their entire cultural calendars, farming cycles, and trade routes around seasonal river patterns for centuries. For tourists, sunset cruises offer magical golden-hour views over forested hills reflected perfectly in calm waters. Border crossings by river ferry connect neighboring countries effortlessly. The slow boat journey down the Mekong through northern Laos remains one of Southeast Asia's most celebrated and soul-stirring travel experiences available today.
How sustainable and eco-friendly is tourism currently in this destination?
Sustainability is increasingly central to how this destination manages its growing tourism industry thoughtfully. Community-based tourism initiatives across rural provinces allow travelers to stay in village homestays, eat locally grown food, and contribute income directly to ethnic minority families. Several protected national biodiversity areas, including Nam Et-Phou Louey, offer wildlife tracking experiences led entirely by local guides trained in conservation practices. Elephant sanctuaries have largely shifted away from riding toward ethical observation and rescue programs. Responsible tour operators actively promote leave-no-trace jungle trekking and river tourism. Choosing eco-conscious travel options when visiting Laos ensures that its extraordinary natural beauty and cultural heritage remain preserved for future generations worldwide.
What makes the street food scene here truly stand out from neighboring countries?
The street food culture here is humble, hyperlocal, and absolutely bursting with bold, distinctive flavors unlike anything found across neighboring borders. Morning markets called "Talat Sao" overflow with vendors selling steaming bowls of rice noodle soup, grilled skewers, and sticky rice packed into woven bamboo baskets. Unlike Thai street food, flavors lean earthier, less sweet, and heavily herb-forward, using ingredients like dill, lemongrass, and padaek fermented fish paste generously. Roadside grills serve freshly caught river fish wrapped in banana leaves with aromatic stuffing. Evening food stalls near the Mekong buzz with locals and travelers sharing tables. Street eating in Laos is genuinely one of the most affordable and culturally immersive experiences any visitor can enjoy.
Best Places to Visit in Laos
Laos Travel Guide
Discover the tranquil beauty of Laos, where misty mountains, golden temples, and timeless traditions create peaceful adventures. Admire waterfalls near Luang Prabang, explore vibrant markets in Vientiane, and float through dramatic landscapes along Nam Ou River. Our expert guides share travel tips, cultural insights, and authentic experiences.
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Kuang Si Falls: The One Experience in Laos That Will Leave You Completely Speechless
Is Kuang Si Falls really as stunning as everyone says? Short answer — yes. From swimming in glowing turquoise pools and hiking to the top...
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Why Luang Prabang is the Best Place to Visit in Asia in 2025
Luang Prabang has been crowned the #1 best place to visit in Asia by Lonely Planet in 2025. From golden temples and sacred monks' ceremonies...
