Join Destination Expert Claudia on an unforgettable journey through Laos! Explore waterfalls, ancient temples, and remote villages, from the Bolaven Plateau to Luang Prabang. Cruise the Mekong River, witness sacred traditions, and soak in breathtaking landscapes on this adventure. 

Sabaï dii (“Hello” in Lao)! Join me, Destination Expert Claudia, on an adventure through Laos. After living in Southeast Asia for the past 11 months, I’m taking a slightly different approach to exploring Laos. Instead of the traditional route from north to south, we’re traveling from south to north for a unique experience. 

Welcome to Laos 

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A warm welcome in Laos. (Photo: Claudia Cavero)

Early this morning, we flew to Ubon (eastern Thailand), where we met our Lao guide, Bounnao. From there, we drove 1.5 hours to the border and officially began our adventure. Our first stop was the Bolaven Plateau, named after the Laven ethnic minority. Sitting at approximately 1,000 meters above sea level, this region is known for its stunning waterfalls and lush landscapes. We then visited a couple of breathtaking waterfalls, which had some incredible views! 

Off-Road Adventures & Coffee Farms 

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Jeep adventures to a secluded waterfall! (Photo: Claudia Cavero)

After breakfast, we set off for a 30-minute drive to meet our Jeep driver. They even provided us with masks, considering that during the dry season, the roads get incredibly dusty! 

A 30-minute Jeep ride later, we arrived at a secluded waterfall, perfect for a swim and a picnic lunch. With no one else around, we had the entire place to ourselves. 

Our adventure continued as we made our way to a farm stay, where we got a firsthand look at Mystic Coffee production. We learned about the roasting process and even got to take some home as a souvenir. The Jeep ride back came with an unexpected bonus—an open-air dust bath! 

Exploring Vat Phou & Mekong Villages 

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The fascinating ruins of Vat Phou (Photo: Claudia Cavero)

This morning, we set off on a 1.5-hour drive to visit Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a pre-Angkorian temple complex dating back to the 6th century. The intricate carvings on the ruins of the Khmer Hindu palaces were incredibly well-preserved, making it feel like stepping back in time. After exploring the temple, we walked around a nearby Mekong riverside village, where we saw the oldest temple in the area and got a glimpse of daily life. 

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The rest of the day was dedicated to relaxation—lunch with a view, checking into our hotel, and unwinding by the pool. Since we like to have free days in between, we took an extra day here to enjoy the hotel’s spa before flying to Luang Prabang, one of Laos’ most popular destinations.

Waterfalls & A Spiritual Welcome 

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I was so thankful to be able to experience a traditional Baci Ceremony. (Photo: Claudia Cavero)

The following day, we met with our new local guide of Khmu village. We started with a 1.5-hour hike through the local village, where we learned about daily life, enjoyed snacks, and even received small gifts from the locals. Eventually, we reach Ban Thapene, the village that lies at the entrance to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. With some free time to swim and take photos, we made sure to pack our swimsuits for a refreshing dip! 

We ended the day with a local Baci Ceremony in a resident’s house in Luang Prabang. The Baci “Soukhouan” ceremony is a common cultural tradition in Laos where the officiant recalls the souls (according to Lao belief, each human being has 32 souls), and then ties a cotton strong around the wrists of the participants, symbolizing prosperity and good luck. 

North to Nong Khiaw 

The next morning, we left Luang Prabang for a couple of nights and took our private car 3-hours north to Nong Khiaw, a charming town surrounded by limestone mountains and few local restaurants and cafes. 

After lunch and some time to rest, we went for a sunset hike to Pha Noy viewpoint, where we were rewarded with great views. Longer hikes were available, but given the heat, we opted for the shorter route—and it did not disappoint! The views from our balcony were just as stunning. 

Riverboat to Muang Ngoi 

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Exploring Na Village! (Photo: Claudia Cavero)

On our next trip, we took a boat ride to a local riverside village called Muang Ngoi. It was sweet to hear villagers greet us and children call out “Sabaï dii!” (“Hello” in Lao) as we floated along the calm river. 

We then had a 2-hour walk through lush vegetation (and a few curious cows!) that brought us to Na Village, where we explored local community life, admired rice fields, and soaked in the tranquility. Afterward, we took our VIP transportation back to Muang Ngoi, followed by a boat ride to the hotel in Nong Khiaw. 

A Spiritual Send-Off in Luang Prabang 

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Witnessing the Tak Bat ritual before visiting the Pak Ou Caves (Photo: Claudia Cavero)

The next day, we had a very early morning start by 5am to witness the monks roam and collect donations – a ritual called Tak Bat. Buddhist monks walk barefoot through the streets, carrying their alms bowls. Locals (and sometimes respectful visitors) kneel or sit by the road to offer food, usually sticky rice, fruit, or other items. If you participate, it’s important to dress modestly, take off your shoes when handing the monks your donation, remain silent, and avoid disrupting the ritual.  

After breakfast at our hotel, our guide picked us up to see the Pak Ou Caves, set on a dramatic limestone cliffside overlooking the Mekong River. These caves are famous for housing thousands of Buddha statues. To end our time in Laos, we were also treated to a sunset cruise, allowing us to relax and enjoy the view while having some snacks and drinks. 

About the author: Born and raised in Peru, Claudia Cavero has spent her life sharing her liveliness and charisma as she studied, worked, and traveled to various destinations from the Americas to Southeast Asia. As she globetrots the world, Claudia brings her personal embodiment of the golden rule to every immaculate trip she designs with SA. 

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