City: Laos
Top Things to do in Laos
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10 Things to Do in Laos That You Shouldn't Miss
Laos from Asia region, is best know for Nature & Wildlife Areas. Discover best things to do in Laos with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Laos
1. Elephant Conservation Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 331 reviews
The Elephant Conservation Center marks a new era for conservation of the Asian elephant within the Lao PDR and offers a unique experience to visitors wishing to contribute towards the preservation of an endangered species. The first of its kind in Laos, the Center is not another elephant camp but an innovative approach that combines conservation of an endangered species with eco-tourism. Minimum stay is overnight, however we recommend our 2 nights package to experience all the activities and truly enjoy this tranquil part of the world. Volunteer experiences, 6 nights/7 days are also available. Now we have our own minivan departing Luang Prabang daily at 8am and it takes you back the following day or days arriving Luang Prabang 4.30pm. It is only a 2 hour journey from Luang Prabang, Laos' UNESCO World Heritage listed town.
Reviewed By vdaneu - Albufeira, Portugal
We spent two days in the elephant conservation center and enjoyed every minute of our stay. This elephant camp deserves five stars for its efforts to combine touristic interests with appropriate animal handling. The international staff is very obliging, competent and pleasant, thus creating a nice familiar atmosphere. The accomodation is simple, but nicely located on the lakefront and surrounded by a marvelous landscape. You certainly will not regret your decision to include a visit of the elephant conservation center in your travel planning!
2. The Living Land Company
Overall Ratings
5 based on 642 reviews
Spend a morning on ourLIVING RICE FARM,Come and let us show you how rice is grown on our farm, experience the life of a farmer and try your hand at some of the activities. Or just view it all from the comfort of our traditional Lao rice house balcony, which is surrounded by rice terraces and our organic vegetable farm. All the family can join in and there are great photo opportunities. Our converted rice barn offers simple but comfortable accommodation for two, overlooking rice fields and Mountains. Relax on the Terrace and sample some of our home-brewed rice wine, walk to the ruined temple through our rice farm, be pampered with a massage then have afternoon tea, visit the local weavers who make our farm outfits before joining our farm family for a game of petanque or rattan ball! Watch or join in the preparation of the Lao dinner then dine with our farm family before you retire for the night (maybe after a Beer Lao or two?). Wake up to a brand new day and a typical Lao breakfast before joining the Rice Experience for the morning COST: 1-2 guests including lunch: kip 424.000 per guest Without lunch: kip 344.000 per guest We have reduced rates for families and children. Please contact us, we can arrange free pick-up!
Reviewed By Mark B - Calgary, Canada
Overall a big highlight from the trip as it was both educational and experiential throughout the entire process. We felt like we walked away with a much more profound respect for the rice making process and really enjoyed our guide for the day. The food at the end was fantastic (including the rice wine). Make sure you bring enough cash to pay as they don't take Visa and works out to about 688,000 KIP for two people, which included a TukTuk there and back to our hotel. Worth the price!
3. Viewpoint Nong Khiaw/Ban Sop Houn
Overall Ratings
5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By Satyabrata - New Delhi
I mainly went for the hike, not so much for the view, but the view turned out to be great too. The hike isn't challenging for a really fit person, for anyone else it would be somewhat moderate. Takes around 1.30 hr from the entrance gate to the top
4. COPE Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By bobandrewsjr - San Francisco, California
This is a rehabilitation center for handicapped, but you will be visiting the museum that addresses the long term consequences of what we (America) did to Laos during the Vietnam war. In spite of the fact that we were not at war with Laos (and in fact as a party to the Geneva Convention were prohibited from bombing it) we did in fact drop more bombs on Laos than we did in total in WW 2 (even worse, many of the bombs were jettisoned by planes whose Missions were aborted but they did not want to land back at the airbase with live ordinance still onboard). As bad as this bombing was in general, the use of cluster bombs in particular is what makes this such a tragedy. Millions of unexploded cluster bombs (the size of a small ball, packed with ball bearings) still litter the countryside, just waiting for the unlucky person/child to find them. As with the scourge of landmines, these weapons maim and kill long after the war has ceased and are difficult (and expensive) to located and destroy. The museum is free, donations are welcome and the center does great things for people with all forms of handicaps (not just war related). Please visit so that you know some of the unintended consequences of war/weapons which were used in the Vietnam war and even worse, have even been used since.
5. The Gibbon Experience
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 778 reviews
Reviewed By Joe D
The treehouses and zip lines were amazing and our guide Thong Chanh was very knowledgable about the jungle and stopped to tell us about the different plants. We also felt very safe the whole time with him as our guide. The waterfall experience was great because we had full days of trekking/zip lining. The waterfall however is very small - but the whole experience more than made up for it. The treehouses we stayed in were not common to see Gibbons so on the last day, our guide took us specially to other treehouses to try to spot some gibbons, which we did- very far in the distance. Overall if was a fantastic experience. Although as we were on a budget, it was pretty expensive. Would recommend only if you can really afford to do it without compromising the rest of your trip.
6. Kong Lor Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 307 reviews
Reviewed By Satyabrata - New Delhi
First how to reach the village of Kong Lor. I took the 10am bus from Vientiane South Station (there's only one direct bus) at 70Kkip, which drops you at the bridge, since it is now old and the bus cannot cross it. From there you get a tuk tuk for 25Kkip per person that gets you further into the village. I reached the village around 5pm.
Now for the cave. First it opens at 8am, pay 2Kkip as entrance to the park then cave entrance fee of 10Kkip and then hiring a boat for 100,000 Kip that takes max 3 tourists and the boatman. I joined two people and split the cost. Life jacket is provided. First you walk across the river on a bridge then go to the cave entrance with boats tied up. The boatman helps you in the boat then pushes off and the adventure begins. Please get head torches as it is completely dark inside. Or hire from the ticket office. They also have lockers in case you want to keep your valuables etc. The boat goes through 7 km cave in about 45 min emerging on the other side to beautiful limestone cliffs and an area in forest with restaurants and locals doing handicrafts. In between, you also do a brief walk through the cave with lights. Please wear sandals or water shoes. You will have to get into the water for sure. At places might need to shove or pull the boat across shallow patches. The cave is huge and cavernous and the feeling of zipping through a dark tunnel with serpentine turns all aided by the boatman is a unique experience. On way back you can go for a swim in the pool at the cave entrance. It is most relaxing.
7. Plain of Jars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 522 reviews
Reviewed By Noel D - Newcastle, Australia
We had an excellent local guide, Tey, take us around sites 1,2 & 3 & I doubt if we would have found the experience as interesting without his input because visually the sites are not very special. It is the history & evolving theories about the jars themselves that makes them worthwhile visiting.
8. Tat Somphamit Waterfalls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Reviewed By Dave S - Norwich, United Kingdom
Having seen many Waterfalls and so many which disappointed, this was different. Not only has it been beautifully worked for tourists to see the best areas, whilst keeping it totally natural, there is a special feature which is not realised until you are there. The waterfall is of course the Mekong flowing through and across the island, and at one point you can clearly see how the river itself is higher than where you are standing. It's a very odd view when you look up at the river. So worth a visit.
9. Golden Buddha
Overall Ratings
4 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By plwh888 - Singapore
We rented a car and decided to drive up instead of climbing the stairs, went to the main temple for prayers and blessing by the resident Monk. Thereafter, we through the Avenue of Buddha (lots of Buddha statues arranged on a slope steps.
The big Buddha sit majestically on the side and face the Mekong River and Protecting Pakse town. Great photo opportunity.
10. Kuang Si Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By zenu - London
A 20 mile bumpy car ride (however very scenic en route) from Luang Prabang brought us to the Tat Kuang Si Waterfalls. At the car park level there are many stalls and eateries providing BBQ meals.
The walk up the paved roads to the Waterfalls is fairly steep (I have mobility issues and managed it!) through forest land and the flora is very interesting. Many of the trees are labelled and this was very useful. The first view of the falls is breathtaking - the water tumbles over tiered limestone formations into crystal clear pools. There were many visitors in the afternoon and some were enjoying a dip in the inviting pools. There are toilets/changing rooms. Please bring your own tissues and handwash! No sign of any washbasins....
The area near the falls is designated as a picnic area. Long tables and benches are laid out especially for guests who have travelled with travel companies and a set lunch is served here. The dishes (apart from spring rolls and fruit on skewers)) were average and it was good to rest one's feet and enjoy the the Waterfalls.
Please note that the ground area at the falls level and the way back down is very uneven. We did not attempt the trail above the main falls.
This visit is worth a few inconveniences, a welcome change from temple hopping and a great scenic spot for picnics.
THE BLACK BEAR RESCUE CENTRE:
is located in the complex. Bravo to the organisers for the initiative they have taken. It was delightful to watch the bears play, fight or just take a nap from the madding crowd (good views from the viewing platform).
There is a display/information (statues) of bears from around the world. The warden said that the black bears were breeding - good news for the species.
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