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North Laos Itinerary: Vientiane, Vang Vieng & Luang Prabang

Laos is an underrated country in Southeast Asia, offering various landscapes, rich culture, and adventure. If you’re planning a week-long trip, this itinerary will help you make the most of your time, covering the north of Laos with Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang. You can easily adjust it to make it slightly shorter or longer depending how relaxed you want to be.

1. Day 1: Arrival in Laos, Vientiane – Temples & Landmarks
2. Day 2: Vientiane to Vang Vieng – Scenic Journey & Relaxation
3. Day 3: Adventure in Vang Vieng – Kayaking, Caves & Blue Lagoons
4. Day 4: Hike & Travel to Luang Prabang
5. Day 5: Explore Luang Prabang – Temples & Waterfalls
6. Day 6: Cultural Immersion & Return to Vientiane
7. Final Thoughts

Want to know more details about Laos, check my post dedicated to Discover Laos.

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Day 1: Arrival in Laos, Vientiane – Temples & Landmarks

After landing in Vientiane, we took it slow—soaking in the tropical heat, exploring the city, and adjusting to Laos’ relaxed pace. This first day was a taste of local life in the capital.

• Flight Arrival: Early afternoon in Vientiane. Stepped off the plane and immediately got hit by a wall of hot, sticky air. Ah yes, hello Laos!
• Afternoon: Strolled around the city, visited Patuxai (arc de triomphe), Wat Sisaket,the old town, and took it easy to fight the jet lag.
• Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoyed a riverside walk to soak in the atmosphere.

💡Tips: 

• Bring around $45 in USD for your visa on arrival. The bills don’t need to be fresh from the mint, but they do need to be the new bills (latest design) —Laos doesn’t do vintage when it comes to cash.
• At the airport, you’ll find an easy and budget-friendly bus for about $3 to take you straight to your hotel or the city center.

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Day 2: Vientiane to Vang Vieng – Scenic Journey & Relaxation

• Morning: We finished our exploration of Vientiane by visiting Pha That Luang as we didn’t have the time the day before.
• Afternoon: Transport to Vang Vieng: we decided to take a mini bus as no train ticket were available last minute (💡Tip: book couple days in advance the train to secure your seat)
  • Mini-bus: 4 hours, ~11$/pax – last minute price
  • Train: 1 hour, ~10$ – Faster and more comfortable
• Evening: Stroll in the village along the Nam Song River, caught the sunset over the mountain,  and got a much-needed massage to prepare for the next day’s adventures.

💡Tip: if you arrange everything in advance you could easily combine day 1 and 2. 

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Day 3: Adventure in Vang Vieng – Kayaking, Caves & Blue Lagoons

With its limestone cliffs and winding rivers, Vang Vieng is an adventure lover’s paradise. We spent the day paddling, exploring caves, and embracing the thrill of the outdoors.

We booked an organised tour, they will propose you a full list of different activities you can pick and choose (day trip cost us ~50$ USD/pax).

• Morning : Picked up from the hotel and kayaked down the Nam Song River. We picked Ziplining as fun activities (overall safety was better than imagined).
• Afternoon: Explored Tham Chang Cave in a tub, Kayaking again (we didn’t get bored of the view of the karstic mountain around). Then we took a dip in Blue Lagoon 3. The turquoise water was perfect for a refreshing swim after the heat.
• Evening: They dropped us back at our hotel. Then we relaxed by the river, enjoying the cool evening breeze with a Lao beer in hand.

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Day 4: Hike & Travel to Luang Prabang

We took our last look at the karst before saying goodbye to , Vang Vieng! Then, we hopped on one of the fast train rides build by China, heading north to the cultural heart of the country—Luang Prabang.

• Morning: early hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint, officially it is a 30-minute steep climb but it was 44 Celsius degrees so we took our time to sweat. View point is 360 degrees and quite impressive. Please note there is a “motorbike” attached to the rock to take a picture. We overhead a local guide warning people that accidents happen regularly …so be carful ! (entry ~1$). Then we catch a train to Luang Prabang (1 hour ~9$/pax).
• Afternoon : we started our exploration of Luang Prabang Old town wandering through its charming colonial streets.
• Evening: we treat ourselves for a nice dinner at Manda de Laos – famous for Laotian fusion dishes (~80$ for 2) the set up is very charming with a view on the pond and beautiful nenuphars. We came back on daylight to take more pictures!

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Day 5: Explore Luang Prabang – Temples & Waterfalls

Monks in saffron robes, golden temples, and French-colonial charm—Luang Prabang is a dream. We spent couple days soaking up its beauty and rich history. It is also the start point to chase waterfalls! Kuang Si Falls was the highlight of the trip—cascading turquoise pools, jungle trails, and a chance to take a dip in paradise.

• Morning: Temple-hopping time! We followed the main street from east to west, visiting one stunning temple after another. My favorite? Wat Xieng Thong—an absolute must-see!
• Afternoon: Off to Kuang Si Falls! This place is pure paradise, with crystal-clear pools perfect for a refreshing dip after exploring the jungle trails.
• Evening: Night Market –f you’re after delicious Laotian street food, you can’t go wrong here (~$2.50 per meal). Cheap, tasty, and full of local flavors! Want something more relaxed? Lost in Baan! This is my all-time favorite in Luang Prabang. Think modern Laotian food, gorgeous décor, and the friendliest staff (~$50 for 2). Worth every kip!

Day 6: Cultural Immersion & Return to Vientiane

• Early morning: We woke up at 5:30 AM (yes, it was tough, but worth it!) to quietly observe the alms-giving ceremony. Watching locals and tourists offer sticky rice to the monks was a peaceful and humbling experience. After that? A much-needed nap and a lazy breakfast at our hotel.
• Morning: Time to stretch our legs with a short hike up Mount Phousi. The climb is quick, and the panoramic view over Luang Prabang makes it totally worth it!
• Afternoon: One last massage (because why not end on a high note?), then we hopped on the train to Vientiane—a smooth 2-hour ride for ~$18 per person.

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Final Thoughts

North Laos offers an good blend of culture, adventure, and natural beauty, making it the perfect destination for those seeking a little bit of everything. From the tranquil temples of Vientiane to the thrilling outdoor activities in Vang Vieng, and the enchanting beauty of Luang Prabang, this 6-day itinerary ensures you’ll experience the highlights of this underrated country in Southeast Asia. Whether you’re exploring limestone caves, kayaking through crystal-clear lagoons, or immersing yourself in the spiritual traditions of Luang Prabang, Laos will captivate your heart with its authentic charm and warmth.

💡 Final word: Avoid April! It gets brutally hot—we reached a feels-like temperature of 49°C! Definitely not recommended unless you enjoy melting.

Have extra time? Head south and check out my Southern Laos itinerary. And for a full overview of Laos, check out my blog post Is Laos worth visiting? My honest take!

Happy travels!