Laos moves at a gentle rhythm—saffron-robed monks at dawn, evening bells in teak temples, and the steady glide of the Mekong. Once a royal capital, Luang Prabang blends gilded wats with French-Indochinese villas; Vientiane, the current capital, pairs golden stupas with riverside promenades and a growing specialty coffee scene.

Expect layered history: Buddhist kingdoms, colonial influences, and the Secret War era, reflected in temples like Wat Xieng Thong, the Royal Palace Museum, and Vientiane’s COPE Visitor Centre. Nature frames it all—limestone karsts near Vang Vieng, turquoise pools at Kuang Si, and river life that still dictates the day.

Practical notes: the dry season (Nov–Mar) brings blue skies; rains (May–Oct) green the countryside and swell waterfalls. Cash (LAK) is common though cards are more accepted in cities. Modest dress is required in temples, and the pre-dawn alms ceremony in Luang Prabang should be observed respectfully and quietly.

Luang Prabang

UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang is Laos in soft focus: palm-shaded lanes, novice monks filing past saffron umbrellas, and the Nam Khan bending into the Mekong. It’s compact and walkable, making it perfect for slow mornings and long, golden hours.

• Top sights: Wat Xieng Thong’s lacquered mosaics; Royal Palace Museum; Mount Phousi for sunset; the bamboo bridges (dry season); Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre for silk weaving.
• Coffee & breakfast: Saffron Coffee (single-origin Lao beans by the river); Le Banneton (buttery croissants and baguette sandwiches).
• Lunch & dinner ideas: Bouang (bright, modern Lao-Asian plates); Khaiphaen (social enterprise serving laap, riverweed, and smoky eggplant jeow); Manda de Laos (lotus-pond setting with heritage recipes).
• Fun fact: The alms giving ceremony (tak bat) at dawn has run for centuries—observe from a respectful distance and avoid flash photography.

Where to stay: Browse riverside villas, boutique stays, and guesthouses on VRBO Luang Prabang or compare hotels on Hotels.com Luang Prabang.

Getting in: Fly into Luang Prabang (LPQ). Check fares on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com.

Vientiane

Vientiane rewrites the “sleepy capital” stereotype. Yes, it’s laid-back—but it’s also home to Pha That Luang’s blazing stupa, the victory arch Patuxai, and a blossoming culinary and craft coffee scene along the Mekong.

• Top sights: Pha That Luang; Patuxai (climb for skyline views); Wat Si Saket’s Buddha-lined cloisters; Buddha Park’s surreal sculptures; COPE Visitor Centre’s moving exhibits.
• Coffee & breakfast: Le Trio Coffee Roasters (serious pour-overs); Naked Espresso (espresso classics and light bites).
• Lunch & dinner ideas: Kualao (royal Lao set menus—try or lam stew and crispy riverweed); Doi Ka Noi (seasonal Lao dishes that change daily); Khop Chai Deu (fountain-side courtyard with Lao favorites).
• Fun fact: The Mekong here is the border with Thailand—watch the sun drop behind Nong Khai’s lights across the river.

Where to stay: Central hotels and riverside boutiques on VRBO Vientiane and Hotels.com Vientiane.

Getting between cities: The Lao-China Railway connects Luang Prabang and Vientiane in about 1h55–2h10 (from ~$15–35 one way). Search schedules on Trip.com Trains or pre-arrange tickets via Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines.

Day 1: Arrive in Luang Prabang, evening temples and sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with a slow walk along the Mekong, then step into Wat Xieng Thong—its deep-green and gold mosaics glow late in the day. Entry is just a few dollars; shoulders and knees covered.

Evening: Climb the 328 steps of Mount Phousi for a panoramic sunset over the Mekong and Nam Khan. Dinner at Bouang for turmeric fish laap and sticky rice, or book a table at Manda de Laos to dine beside a lily-pond registered as a UNESCO natural heritage site.

Night: Stroll the Night Market on Sisavangvong Road for handwoven textiles and snacks like khao jee (Lao baguette) and coconut pancakes. Cap with a locally roasted pour-over at Saffron Coffee’s riverside deck.

Day 2: Old town highlights, crafts, and an evening food tour

Morning: Rise early for the alms giving ceremony—observe quietly from across the street—or sleep in and join a guided overview:

Small Group Half Day Luang Prabang city tour (temples, stories, and hidden lanes).

Fuel up first at Le Banneton; then meet your guide near the old town. Expect rich context on Buddhism and architecture.

Afternoon: Cross to the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre to watch silk dyeing and weaving (free shuttle from their downtown shop). Snack on riverweed chips with jeow bong. Browse independent boutiques for naturally dyed textiles—you’ll want space in your suitcase.

Evening: Taste the city with a progressive tuk-tuk feast: Luang Prabang Evening Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk (market bites, family-run eateries, and drinks).

If you prefer a sit-down dinner, Khaiphaen’s social enterprise kitchen excels at river fish laap and pumpkin puree jeow.

Optional swap (daytime): Learn to cook in the forest with a Kmhmu facilitator on Tribal Cooking Class in Luang Prabang Forest.

Day 3: Mekong cruise, Pak Ou Caves, and Kuang Si Waterfalls (full day)

Spend a classic Luang Prabang day on water and in the jungle: Luang Prabang: Mekong Cruise to Caves, Waterfalls and Villages.

Float upriver to Pak Ou, where thousands of Buddha images watch over limestone caverns. In the afternoon, swim the turquoise tiers of Kuang Si (bring sandals and a towel). Return in time for the night market; try Lao sausage with lemongrass and a bowl of coconut khao soi at the food lane.

Day 4: Morning train to Vientiane, golden stupas and riverfront

Morning: Depart Luang Prabang for Vientiane on the high-speed train (approx. 1h55–2h10; stations sit about 20–30 minutes by taxi from both city centers). Check schedules on Trip.com Trains or pre-book seats via Laos Railway: Train Tickets Easily - Skip the Lines.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Patuxai—climb to the top for breezy views—followed by Pha That Luang’s gold stupa, the national symbol. Coffee stop at Le Trio for a well-executed V60.

Evening: Dinner at Kualao: order or lam (forest mushroom and dill stew), sticky rice, and riverweed with sesame. Stroll the Mekong Night Market for crafts and a riverside sunset walk.

Day 5: Day trip to Vang Vieng—karst peaks, Blue Lagoon, and caves (full day)

Experience the karst heartland on a guided express-train day trip: Private Tour Vientiane - VangVieng by Express Train (about 1 hour by rail each way).

Your guide typically covers Tham Chang or Tham Phu Kham cave and a swim at a Blue Lagoon. Lunch is flexible—ask for grilled river fish, laap, and papaya salad at a local spot. If winds are calm, add a sunset flight: Vang Vieng Laos Hot Air Balloon Adventure Tour (weather-dependent; spectacular golden-hour karsts). Return to Vientiane by evening.

Day 6: Vientiane’s culture, history, and a tuk-tuk food safari

Morning: Espresso and banana bread at Naked Espresso, then meet your guide for a customized city circuit: Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide (temples, markets, museum stops; AC minivan).

Afternoon: Visit the COPE Visitor Centre to understand UXO history and rehabilitation efforts—one of the capital’s most meaningful stops. Late coffee at Le Trio or a mango smoothie along the river.

Evening: Eat your way across town on Vientiane Cuisine & Culture: The Hungry Tuk Tuk—expect grilled meats, herbal jeow dips, noodle soups, and a few surprises.

Day 7: Slow morning, last tastes, and departure

Morning: Brunch at Le Trio (try the Lao robusta-catuai blend) or a light bite at Kaogee Café. Pop by the Morning Market for woven scarves and baskets—easy-to-pack souvenirs.

Afternoon: If time remains, detour to Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan) for surreal riverside sculptures. Fly out of Vientiane (VTE); check fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you’re rail-hopping onward in Laos, compare departures on Trip.com Trains or arrange through Laos Railway Tickets Easily.

Practical tips: Carry small bills for tuk-tuks (short hops ~20,000–50,000 LAK), bring a light scarf for temples, and pack reef-safe sunscreen and sandals that can get wet at Kuang Si. Train stations are outside town; plan 20–30 minutes for transfers.

Accommodation shortlists:

• Luang Prabang: Boutique riverside stays and heritage guesthouses—see picks on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Vientiane: Central-city boutiques and river-adjacent hotels—compare on VRBO and Hotels.com.

How to book transport: International flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Domestic trains across Laos on Trip.com Trains or via ticketing services above.

In seven days you’ll trace the arc of Laos—from the hushed wats and river life of Luang Prabang to Vientiane’s golden stupas and lively food scene, with a day among Vang Vieng’s towering karsts. It’s a balanced blend of culture, nature, and flavor—connected by an easy, scenic rail journey.