My Highlights of Laos
Laos wasn’t about nonstop sightseeing for me.
It was more about atmosphere, landscapes, slow mornings, river sunsets, and small moments that stayed with me longer than expected.
Still, there were a few places and experiences that became real highlights along the way.
Luang Prabang
Temples & Slow Mornings
One of my favorite things about Luang Prabang was that it is such a walkable town. It felt calm, beautiful, and incredible pieceful. Golden temples appeared around almost every corner, monks in orange robes moved through the streets.
I loved wandering without a strict plan, stopping at cafés, walking along the river, and stepping into temples whenever one caught my attention.
Kuang Si Waterfall & Sunset Boat Ride on the Mekong
Since the waterfall was a bit out of town and I did not feel comfortable renting a scooter, I joined a half day tour.
The water almost didn’t look real, bright turquoise pools surrounded by jungle, with multiple levels of waterfalls flowing through the forest.
It’s one of those places that is heavily photographed online, but somehow still feels impressive in real life.
We spent a couple of hours just walking around, taking in the scenery, having plenty of free time. I also walked up the steps to the top of the waterfall to get an incredible view of its surroundings.
The crowds were managable, way less crowded than Mount Phousi - which is a very popular viewpoint for sunset right in the middle of town. Also worth it in my opinion, but there will be tons of people alongside of you trying to snap the perfect golden hour photo.
After the falls, we joined a sunset boat ride on the Mekong River, and it ended up becoming one of those unexpectedly perfect travel moments. The light slowly changed, the river became quieter, people sat silently watching the sunset.
Pak Ou Caves
I also took a boat trip to the Pak Ou Caves, located along the Mekong River.
Inside the caves are hundreds of small Buddha statues collected over centuries, creating a very unique atmosphere.
It’s not a must-see, especially if you’re already doing another boat ride on the river, lots of fellow travelers were underwhelmed by the caves, but I still found it fascinating.
Pakse
Tad Fane Waterfall & Ziplining
Tad Fane Waterfall was probably the most dramatic scenery I saw in Laos.
Two massive waterfalls plunge deep into the jungle valley below, and somehow I spontaneously decided this would also be the perfect place to go zip lining.
At the time of buying the ticket, I did not fully process the fact that there were multiple hiplines crossing above the valley (you had to come back to the starting point somehow, duh). Only afterward did I remember that I’m a little bit afraid of heights.
It ended up being such an amazing experience though. Of the few zip lines I’ve experienced in my life, this was by far the best (and longest).
One of those moments where doing something impulsively works out surprisingly well.
Don Det
I almost didn’t go to Don Det. Too much of a hassle, and I kept second-guessing whether it was worth the detour. It absolutely was.
Exploring Don Det & Don Khon by Bike
One day, I rented a bicycle from the guesthouse and explored both Don Det and Don Khon Island. The roads (if you can even call it that) were paved and quiet, the scenery beautiful, and everything felt incredibly relaxed. Small cafés, local houses, kids waving while cycling past, water buffalo, bridges connecting the islands - it all felt very simple and peaceful.
Hammock Sunset(s)
All evenings ended the same way: sitting in a hammock watching the sunset over the river. I never got tired of it. Don Det had a kind of laid-back atmosphere that made it very easy to lose track of time in the best possible way.
Vang Vieng
Limestone Mountains & Riverside Views
Vang Vieng surprised me in a good way. I think a lot of people still associate it mostly with its old backpacker-party reputation, but what stood out to me was the scenery.
Huge limestone mountains, rivers, green fields, and some of the most dramatic landscapes of the trip.
Sure, there is still a party crowd, but I avoided that completely (no tubing for me and my accommodation was also on the less crowded side of the river).
Nam Xay Viewpoint
One day, I hired a driver to take me to Nam Xay Viewpoint, one of the most famous viewpoints in the area.
The hike itself wasn’t very long, but the steep climb combined with the heat and humidity made it much more challenging than I expected.
At the top sits the iconic motorcycle placed dramatically on the mountain ridge, which somehow became one of the funniest and most random things I saw in Laos. (Apparently there are multiple mountains with stuff on top, like a unicorn :D).
The real reward was the view.
Endless limestone mountains, green fields, and the landscape stretching out in every direction. Definitely one if the most beautiful viewpoints of the trip and completely worth arriving sweaty and slightly out of breath.
