Day Trips from Laos
The best excursions and trips you can do in a day
Full-Day Trips
Worth dedicating a whole day to explore.
Kuang Si Falls from Luang Prabang
$15-25 (including transport and entry)Turquoise pools spill through jungle, carving natural swimming holes that stay cool even when Luang Prabang burns. Morning light turns the water electric blue, and butterflies drift between wild orchids near the upper falls.
Pak Ou Caves from Luang Prabang
$20-30 (boat trip with stops)Thousands of Buddha statues pack two river caves where the Mekong meets the Nam Ou. Fishermen still throw nets from longtail boats while you climb past centuries-old offerings left by river traders.
Plain of Jars from Phonsavan
$25-35 (transport + guide recommended)Stone jars scattered across grassy plains create a landscape that still puzzles archaeologists. Morning mist rising from bomb craters sharpens the eerie mood.
Bolaven Plateau from Pakse
$30-40 (motorbike rental + fuel + lunch)Highland coffee plantations, misty waterfalls, and cooler air offer respite from southern Laos heat. The air carries ripe coffee cherries and damp earth as you pass ethnic villages.
Vang Vieng to Tham Phu Kham Cave and Blue Lagoon
$10-15 (bike rental + entry fees)A gold-painted reclining Buddha rests deep in a limestone cave, reached by climbing through cavernous chambers. The blue lagoon below delivers perfect post-hike swimming with rope swings and tree jumps.
Buddha Park from Vientiane
$5-10 (transport + entry)Concrete sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist deities form an open-air gallery on the Mekong's banks. The 40-meter reclining Buddha dominates, while smaller demons and gods lurk in the grass.
Half-Day Options
Shorter excursions when time is limited.
Mount Phousi Sunset
$2-3 (temple donation)Climb 328 steps for 360-degree views over Luang Prabang's temple rooftops and the Mekong's silver ribbon. The setting sun bronzes the river while temple drums roll across the valley.
Prabang Plates Food Tour
$45Morning food walking tour with 15+ tastings uncovers Luang Prabang's hidden breakfast culture, from steaming bowls of khao soi to fermented sausage stalls locals swear by.
Evening Bamboo Weaving & Cooking Class
$47Learn to weave bamboo baskets while preparing traditional dishes like laap and sticky rice. The class ends with dinner under string lights in a garden setting.
Pony Riding in Luang Prabang
$59Ride Hmong horses through rice paddies and teak forests outside Luang Prabang. The slow pace lets you spot water buffalo and chat with farmers working their fields.
Day Trip Tips
Make the most of your excursions.
- ✓ Book transport the evening before, drivers in Laos knock off early and options vanish after 7pm
- ✓ Pack light rain gear year-round; sudden afternoon storms can soak you regardless of season
- ✓ Bring small bills for village noodle shops, they rarely break anything over 20,000 kip
- ✓ Download offline maps before leaving towns, cell coverage dies once you hit mountain roads
- ✓ Start early, most day trips kick off 6:30-7:30am to dodge heat and crowds
- ✓ Carry snacks and water, roadside vendors thin out on the approaches to most attractions
- ✓ If taking motorbikes, fill up in town, village petrol is often watered down and twice the price
- ✓ Check if your destination demands modest dress, many temples and caves ban shorts and tank tops
Book These Day Trips
Top-rated excursions you can book now.
Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide
Enjoy your private tour with our English speaking tour guide in air-conditioned Minivan. Itinerary can be customised to include coffee break or some shopping. We will suggest to you local lunch but y
Luang Prabang: Craft Your Own Aroma Candle in Heritage Home
- Escape the ordinary and join us in a heritage house for experiencing aroma candle making workshop - Create your own scent that reflects your personality with a self-love concept - Learn candle maki
Prabang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings
For food, Luang Prabang is often overlooked - and that's exactly why it's so special. Hidden in plain sight, its breakfast scene is one of Southeast Asia's best-kept secrets. Each morning, market stal
Private Tour: Vientiane City Tour Full Day with Buddha Park
Discover Wat Si Saket, Ho Pra Keo or Wat Ho Phakeo and Buddha Park on this Vientiane City Tour. Leave the city behind you and travel by air-conditioned car to Wat Si Saket. Visit Ho Pra Keo or Wat Ho
Vientiane Half-Day City Tour
Enjoy a half-day guided tour to find the hidden charms of Vientiane meaning the "city of sandal wood". Vientiane is one of the quietest capital cities in the world, far away from the bustle and hustle
Pony Riding in Luang Prabang
Find the Lao countryside by horseback riding and meet a noble and majestic animal that is the Hmong horse, a pure breed of Laos. We are dedicated to promoting free riding, sensible riding, and riding
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