Laos: A place to escape the busy brain

Start in Luang Prabang, because it feels like a gentle landing. It’s a UNESCO-listed town where traditional Lao architecture sits alongside French colonial-era buildings, and somehow it all works. You can wander for hours and keep finding quiet little corners to sit and take a beat.

The mornings here are simple in the best way. Early light, temple bells, coffee that tastes like it was made by someone who cares. If you’re keen, you can time it for the alms-giving rituals.

I like to build in one big ‘wow’ day, without making it hectic. is the obvious headline, and yes, it’s popular, but there are smart ways to do it. Early departure, a guide who knows the quieter spots, and a relaxed lunch after, not a rushed dash back to town.

If you want Laos to feel more adventurous (but still comfortable), the country really delivers. Highlights include kayaking on the Nam Ou River, hiking through remote jungles in the northeast, and biking routes that let you move through landscapes instead of just looking at them through a car window.

Then there’s southern Laos, which people often skip, and I think that’s a mistake. The Champasak cultural landscape, including Vat Phou, is UNESCO-listed and over 1,000 years old, laid out to reflect a Hindu vision of nature and humanity. It’s atmospheric, slightly wild around the edges, and brilliant for travellers who like history with a bit of bite.

If you’re the kind of traveller who likes a journey, not just a destination, I love an overland route between Luang Prabang and Vientiane. This style of trip is a slower-paced way to see the places in between, balancing outdoor excursions with proper downtime. This balance is exactly what most time-poor travellers are craving, whether they realise it or not.

Below is what I would suggest for 7 nights

Nights 1–3: Luang Prabang
Heritage hotel, guided old town stroll, temples, waterfall day.

Nights 4–5: River and countryside
A scenic transfer, light kayaking or cycling, villages and viewpoints, early nights.

Nights 6–7: Vientiane (or skip and add more countryside)
A softer city finish, café culture, a final market wander, and a calm flight home.

And here’s the bit people forget to plan: the pacing. Laos rewards you when you stop trying to cram it full. A private guide, a driver who knows how to keep the day smooth, and hotels chosen for peace and position, that’s the difference between ‘nice trip’ and ‘I feel like myself again’.

If this sounds up your street, send me the month you’re thinking of and how active you want to be, and I’ll map out a Laos itinerary that fits your time and your standards.