Backpacking Laos is a significant part of the ultimate South East Asian journey, and everyone needs to visit this country at least once in their life. From aqua lagoons to muddy roads and friendly locals to crazy wildlife, this country is a rogue experience.
Moreover, this Laos travel guide offers the best backpacking route for a 2-week itinerary. The guide includes maps, travel tips, costs, visa information and so much more.
Don’t forget to take notes for some of the places mentioned below as they are absolutely worth a visit and will make up an incredible part of your time in Laos!
Backpacking Laos
Where is Laos?
Laos is a landlocked country located in South East Asia. Moreover, it’s one of the lesser visited countries in the region and is notably the most underdeveloped.
You can find Laos sandwiched between Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and China. Not to mention, the location of Laos makes it a great place to explore one of the bordering countries, and travellers usually like to explore this country for a couple of weeks along their South East Asian journey.
Is Laos Good for Backpackers?
Laos is a fantastic country for backpackers and first-time travellers. Firstly, it’s cheap to eat and stay in the country and there are loads of nature-based activities to enjoy in the country.
I visited Laos as a solo female traveller and loved every minute of it! Not to mention, I felt very safe travelling by myself and found it very easy to get around.
How Many Days Do You Need in Laos?
I spent about ten days backpacking Laos and found that was the perfect amount for the places I visited. However, I would highly recommend enjoying this country within two weeks.
I added in a couple of things that I missed out on that I wouldn’t want anyone else to miss! Besides, I found it easiest to keep the travelling to the north as it can be a tricky country to travel around.
Finally, to get the most out of your two weeks in Laos, be sure to follow my insider’s guide and make use of all my travel tips!
What Is the Best Way to Get around the Country?
Recently, there has been a major development of a new railway put into the country to help connect the cities. However, it is quite expensive and a lengthy process to take the train. Tickets cost 180,000 Kip and will take you on a one-hour ride to the next city. For a developing country, that’s quite a high price.
Another typical way to get around the country is via minivan or bus. Moreover, this offers a truly authentic experience as you will constantly make stops and watch more locals pile onto the bus. Not to mention, this is one of the cheaper ways to get around the country.
However, if you plan to travel by minibus, be sure to take some snacks with you in case the vehicle breaks down. And, don’t be surprised if you get launched out of your seat by the terrible potholes in the road. Oh well, it’s all for the experience, right?
How Much Money Do I Need per Day in Laos?
For the most part, you will need no more than $50 AUD per day for backpacking in Laos. Not to mention, there are some days I got away with spending as little as $20 AUD.
To give you an idea, meals are very cheap and can range anywhere from $1-$5 AUD. And, alcohol is also cheap!
Hostels tend to sit anywhere from $9 – $13 AUD per night. However, there aren’t many hostels throughout the country, and sometimes there may only be one option. Sometimes, you just have to go for what’s available! Nonetheless, these prices are still extremely affordable.
For the most part, I found the most expensive part was traveling between cities or towns. Typically, this would set me back about $18 AUD per trip. However, this is the only way you can get around, and if you only move around a few times, it’s not so bad!
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Laos?
For the most part, the best time of year to visit Laos is anywhere from October to April. Moreover, this is when the weather is dryest and at the most comfortable temperature. The rainy season tends to run from May to October.
Local Language and Currency
There are a couple of things that you of course need to know about Laos before stepping foot into the country. From currency and local language, it’s nice to have a brief understanding so that you are aware of the money and know how to speak a few Laotian words.
The currency in Laos is the Laotian Kip. Moreover, this is in denominations of paper notes including 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, and 100000. Additionally, there are a few coins in circulation, though you’ll rarely come across these.
In terms of currency conversions, it’s best to look online to see the current conversion rate as this will change frequently for each nation. However, a few currency conversions to the Australian dollar are:
5,000 LAK: $0.43 AUD
10,000 LAK: $0.86 AUD
50,000 LAK: $4.31 AUD
100,000 LAK: $8.62 AUD
In terms of the local language, you don’t really need to know a whole heap. Surprisingly enough, many people know how to speak English, however, it’s mostly broken. Nonetheless, they do an excellent job of making tourists feel welcome and do their best to communicate.
A few translations worth noting include:
Hello: Sabaidee
Thank You: Khob Chai
Please: Kaluna
Where is the bathroom?: Hong Nam Yu Sai?
Yes / No: Doi / Men
Visa Information
Obtaining a visa in Laos is a reasonably easy process, and I had no issue getting my visa on arrival when crossing the border from Thailand. Moreover, I actually used Thai Baht to pay for my visa into the country and could use my baht for the first taxi to reach Huay Xai.
For the most part, the Laos visa will set you back around 30-35 USD. It’s quite a pricey visa, but it’s worth the experience in Laos. Furthermore, this will grant you a 30-day tourist visa.
Travel tip: Carry some USD with you throughout your travel as this is a great way to pay for visas and in case you need to get out of any sticky situations. The USD is widely accepted all over the world.
Laos 2-Week Backpacking Itinerary
Let’s get started on the ultimate Laos 2-week backpacking itinerary. Furthermore, I’ve highlighted some of the best activities and places to stay in the country.
Note: You can complete this trip at whatever is the closest starting point to your entry into the country. Personally, I began my travels in Huay Xai, but feel free to do it in reverse if that’s what works for you, the timeframes will still be the same!
Day 1 & 2: Huay Xai
Huay Xai is a great spot to cross the border from Thailand, specifically from Chiang Mai or Chiang Khong.
For the most part, there is very little to do in Huay Xai, however, this is a great chance to get yourself sorted with some Laotian kip and to get some buses or minivans sorted to travel north to Luang Namtha.
Hostel recommendation: Little Hostel
Day 2, 3, 4 & 5: Luang Namtha
On day two of your arrival in Laos, pack your bags and head north to Luang Namtha. Moreover, this bus ride will take you roughly 4 hours to reach the town.
For the most part, there isn’t a whole lot to do in Luang Namtha, but I do advise that you check out the Nam Ha National Protected Area. It’s a massive national park and is absolutely fantastic.
Moreover, the best way you can explore this national park is via a tour. I strongly recommend booking a 2-day hike where you will trek into the jungle, stay for a night in a rural village and then kayak down the Nam Ha river to end the trip.
This experience was absolutely life-changing, and I got the chance to see what life is like in an incredible off-the-grid village. Besides, it’s eye-opening to see how some people live in certain parts of the world.
Day 5, 6 & 7: Nong Khiaw
Nong Khiaw is a gorgeous and idyllic little town in the north of Laos. And, this is the perfect spot to kick back for a couple of days after a big trek through the jungle.
With some time to enjoy in Nong Khiaw, I highly recommend checking out Pha Kuang Cave. Besides, it’s a fantastic cave and a perfect tourist spot to experience.
And, don’t forget to climb Phadeng Peak! Furthermore, this hike will take you around 1.5 hours to complete, but the views are absolutely worth the journey. Besides, who doesn’t want to climb a mountain to experience the true serenity of Laos!?
Read more: GRAYL Geopress Review: The Best Travel Water Bottle
Day 7, 8, 9 & 10: Luang Prabang
Contrary to popular belief, Luang Prabang is actually a fantastic little city! There are heaps to see and it’s easy to get around the city on foot.
Firstly, I highly recommend visiting Kuang Si waterfall. Wow, this waterfall is like something out of a movie, and you can swim in the lower waterfalls. What a dream!
Secondly, I recommend completing a sunset cruise on the Mekong river. This is an absolutely perfect way to end an evening and only costs around 180,000 LAK. Moreover, the views are so serene and it’s a truly beautiful experience!
Another location worth visiting is the Pak Ou Caves. In order to reach this location, you will need to pay a local roughly 20,000 LAK to take you to the other side of the Mekong. Here you will get the chance to see over 5000 buddhas placed within the cave. Then, head to the upper caves for jaw-dropping views over the Mekong. Afterwards, sit down for lunch on the other side of the river at one of the local restaurants.
Finally, I highly recommend visiting the nightly markets in the main city area. Moreover, this is a great place to try some local Laotian cuisine and there are plenty of cheap eats on offer. And, if you’re keen to head out, hit up one of the bars in the area to continue the night!
Hostel recommendation: Downtown Backpacker Hostel
Day 10, 11, 12: Vang Vieng
When backpacking Laos, you’re likely to hear a lot about Vang Vieng. However, I don’t necessarily think that it’s all that it’s hyped up to be. Nonetheless, there are a few hotspots that are a must-visit while you’re in this town.
Firstly, you’re going to want to check out the lagoons. There are about 6 blue lagoons, and you’re going to need to decide which ones you want to visit. For the most part, they are quite tricky to reach, and I would advise that you travel by tuk-tuk in a group to reach them. I recommend blue lagoons 1, 3, and 4.
Secondly, another popular activity to do while in Vang Vieng is to hike up to the Nam Xay viewpoint. Moreover, this is one of the best viewpoints in Laos, and there is a motorbike up the top for the ultimate photo opportunity. This is definitely one of the best activities to do while backpacking Laos.
Finally, I highly recommend that you consider a morning hot air balloon ride. There are a few companies that you can go with for the experience and this is one of the cheapest places in the world for the ride. A 45-minute balloon ride set me back $130AUD, which is insanely cheap when compared to Australian prices that would be over $300AUD!
The views over the limestone mountains are something that can only be experienced by a ride like this. And, I strongly believe that it’s worth every dollar! How many people can say they’ve seen Laos from above in a hot air balloon!?
Hostel recommendation: Vang Vieng Rock Backpacker Hostel
Day 12, 13 & 14: Thakhek
So, the main reason you’ll come to Thakhek, is to complete the Thakhek motorbike loop. Firstly, the loop is a 350km adventure taking you to multiple viewpoints, caves, and forests.
Moreover, parts of the road are now sealed roads and are safer to ride, however, take note that you will come across some muddy parts of the road making it tough to achieve the loop during wet weather.
Furthermore, there are a few places you can stop along the way to stay for the night. Enjoy the adventure of discovering a beautiful part of the world.
Feel free to use the interactive map below for directions around the Thakhek Loop.
Day 14: Vientiane
Finally, the last location of the Laos backpacking trip is Vientiane. And this is the spot where you will leave the country via the airport or land border crossing back into Thailand. For the most part, I think it’s best to fly out so that you can head to whichever country you wish to next.
There isn’t much to do in Vientiane, but feel free to explore the city before your flight. There is a night market on, and you could grab some food there before leaving.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, backpacking Laos is a fantastic adventure for a first-timer or experienced traveller. There are loads of great activities to enjoy and plenty to see within Laos.
Laos is a safe place to travel for all solo adventurers and I totally recommend adding it to your South East Asian journey.
Don’t forget to take a bunch of notes from this Laos backpacking itinerary and apply it to your journey throughout the country. Also, feel free to save the image of the map to give you a rough idea of your trip route.
Finally, 2 weeks is truly the perfect amount of time to spend in this fascinating country. And, you can always adjust the trip length to suit your needs. Nonetheless, I believe this blog post highlights all the main attractions, but it’s time to create your own journey.
Safe travels!
Read more:
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Solo Female Travel in Thailand: Tips for Travelling Thailand
