Traveling Laos in 7 days
As i had my travel in South East Asia, Laos was my favorite of all. Yes, they are not that advanced in terms of buildings and infrastructures, but Laos can offer you a prepossessing nature and kind people.
The way of living is simple and inexpensive, and the fooooooods are so delicious.
I actually took the least advised route in reaching Laos (as i love taking risks and I want to know if its really hard or not) which is via Cambodia (Phnom Penh).
Most accessible is from Bangkok to Vientiane, Laos which u can take a sleeping bus or train, or if your budget is enough flights will be best but expensive.
From Phnom Penh to Laos, theres only one day bus that will drive you to either Don Det, Laos or to Pakse, Laos (because as per them not so many people took this route). It will took you about 8-12 hours and the road is really bumpy and the bus is not comfortable at all but for me its tolerable as i'm used to long uncomfortable drive LOL.
I decided to go Don Det 4000 islands for 1 day and as influenced by another traveler i met at the bus.
From morning, we reached Don Det around 5 pm and the bus company arranged a van for us that will drive us to the port, about 10 minutes we reached the port and was taken by boat around 10-15 minutes to 4000 islands.
Day 1-2 (Don Det / 4000 islands, Laos)
(the best sunset of my life)
(travelers I met in the bus)
Since I'm spontaneous and kind of stubborn, I don't usually book room in advance (which i don't really recommend) so I just told my new friends that I'll go wherever they will stay.
After 1 hour of searching for the guest house, we finally found one and I loved it.
(my room for my 4000 island stay, no ac, with mosquito net and a ceiling fan, BUT with WIFI LOL and this room is very very cheap)
(spectacular view of 4000 islands)
A lot of activity they can offer you here in 4000 islands, you can do kayaking, tubing and visit their very famous waterfalls
(creds)
So, this place is best for relaxing, enjoying a beautiful view while having chat or Beer Lao with your new found friends. As much as I'd like to stay but i have limited time so I only spend 2 days here.
Day 3-4 (Pakse, Laos - Vientiane, Laos)
I took the morning bus from Don Det to Pakse for about 4-5 hours and we reached past noon.
I didn't spend much time in Pakse but there are also activities you can do here depending on the length of your stay, so in evening i took a night sleeping bus from Pakse going to Vientiane for 8-10 hours.
(don't be confused, always ask rather than taking a wrong bus)
(uhmmm, this bed is not only for you but you have to share with other passenger, just pray that they are not big and doesn't snore while sleeping)
(Vientiane, Laos)
(you can actually go on top and have a spectacular view of their capital, its for 3000 Lao Kip)
For me, as I have limited time, I just stroll around their capital, try their foods foods for a day and took a morning bus to Vang Vieng.
Day 5-6 Vang Vieng, Laos
(Vang Vieng, Laos)
After 4 hours, I reached Vang Vieng and immediately fell in love with the place. Its beautiful, trust me
Lots of activities you can do here as well depending again on the length of your stay, but i recommend you to visit their viewpoints for a very cheap price, local foods, tubing, hot air balloon ride, and trekking and very cheap alcohol.
(view point)
(Christine, I meet her on that spot and we took photos of each other and airdropped it LOL)
(tubing, creds)
(A must try Beer Lao)
As much as I want to stay after 2 days I moved to Luang Prabang, Laos, from Vang Vieng it will take you around 4-6 hours by van)
Day 6-7 Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. A Unesco World Heritage Site itself.
(Luang Prabang view point)
(another beautiful sunset!!!)
(If you can wake up as early as 5 am, you can witness the alms giving to monks. creds)
(Luang Prabang have lots of temples, here's one of it)
Rent a motorcycle for a very cheap price, or take tours and visit Kuang Si falls.
(B E A U T I F U L)
(You can actually go up on the top and have this spectacular view)
(Zala, from Slovenia, she was buddy for my whole Luang Prabang trip, I met her at the van from Vang Vieng)
You can also see rescued bears before you go up to Kuang Si falls. If you have extra dime, please donate.
FOODS? Very Delicious
Accomodation?
Guest houses will be best for you, there are lots around Luang Prabang that may differ from your preferences, cheap as well.
Money?
Currency in Laos is Lao Kip, 1 USD = 8000 Lao Kip
Its not expensive in Lao but Thailand and Vietnam is cheaper.
There are also money changer but I recommend you to have Lao Kip either on border or in airport.
(be a millionaire in Laos LOL)
On 8th day, I took a sleeping bus from Luang Prabang to Hanoi Vitenam for 370,000 Lao Kip. Yeah, quite expensive and it will be 27 hours long drive.
(cool isn't it?)
(yup, that's how haggard you'll get after LOL)
Nevertheless, I had the best time in Laos and if given a chance for sure I will be back. Don't mind the long drive, neither the bumpy road, I promise you, it's all worth it.
Best of luck future travelers!