Probably the most overlooked destination in Southeast Asia, Laos retains a timeless feel. In fact, in the 25 years I’ve been going, it’s practically stayed the same. While it does fly under-the-radar, there are still plenty of luxe hotels to choose from. Below are my top three places to visit in Laos for laid-back charm, few crowds, and traditional villages nestled in the hills.
Luang Prabang
This city in north-central Laos, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the beating heart of Lao Buddhism. The highlights of a stay here include the pre-dawn ritual of chanting from a wat (a Buddhist temple or monastery) or, in the evenings, browsing the high-energy night market.
What to See and Do:
Every morning, hundreds of monks walk through the streets collecting rice donations from townspeople in an act known as almsgiving. On a visit to Luang Prabang, I’ll pair you with a guide who’ll help you take part in this spiritual practice.
A visit to nearby MandaLao Elephant Conservation offers a rare chance to interact with—and trek beside—former logging elephants. This experience prioritizes the animals’ wellbeing by focusing on increasing the population, collecting data, and working with experts who have success in re-wilding.
Where to Stay:
A guest room at Avani+ Luang Prabang hotel.
Avani+ Luang Prabang
Once the quarters of French officers and Laos’ government officials, the Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel blends seamlessly into the surrounding UNESCO-protected area. Inside, you’ll find 53 sleekly minimalist rooms and suites, an 82-foot swimming pool, and attentive service.
Northern Hills
If few people make it to Laos, even fewer head to the hills north of Luang Prabang. As arguably one of the most scenic parts of the country—with remote jungles and traditional villages—I suggest allotting at least three to four days to explore this mountainous region.
What to See and Do:
The inside view of the Pak Ou Caves looking out to the Mekong River.
Tuomas A. Lehtinen/Getty Images
I can arrange for you to take a boat up the Mekong River from Luang Prabang to the Pak Ou Caves, a pilgrimage site of two caves that have been carved into limestone cliffs, and filled with thousands of Buddha statues along the inside ledges. The site is retired from active worship but still venerated.
Scattered throughout these sparsely populated hills are plenty of traditional villages. Hike through the jungle with a guide, and meet distinct local groups (otherwise known as hill tribes) like the Akha, Karen, and Hmong—each unique with their own language, cultures, and traditions.
Where to Stay:
Nam Kat Yorla Pa, a luxe lodge with floor-to-ceiling glass window cottages on the Nam Kat River, in the Oudomxay Province, combines elegance and warm hospitality—amid lushly jungled mountains. It’s an excellent base for exploring the surrounding protected forest, too.
4,000 Islands
4000 Islands’ breathtaking landscape with water falls.
Leo Viktorov/Getty Images
The Mekong River’s widest point breaks into hundreds of channels that meander around a riverine archipelago called Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands). The number of impressive waterfalls alone make it worth the visit, but there’s more to uncover in the nearby southern province of Champasak, too.
What to See and Do:
The Lippi Falls (or Liphi), on Don Khone island, is one of the most impressive cascades on this section of the river. I suggest a guided tour: you’ll take a boat along the calmer sections and, with any luck, glimpse the Irrawaddy dolphins that live here.
One of the oldest sacred sites in Southeast Asia—Champasak’s Wat Phou, a Khmer-Hindu temple complex—is actually considered to be the blueprint for Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap. A guided tour here can help you better understand the spiritual history of the region.
Where to Stay:
Just 20 minutes from Wat Phou, La Folie Lodge is the only hotel on the tranquil island of Dong Daeng, making it a peaceful respite with just 25 exclusive rooms and suites. At this lodge, guests can borrow complimentary bikes to visit local villages like Ban Si Moung Khoun, Ban Hua Don Daeng, and Ban Si Chanto.
Jack Tydeman is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in Cambodia, Laos, & Vietnam trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Tydeman by contacting him at [email protected].