Laos
Day 1: Since Laos has a reputation as an unspoiled travel destination, we were eager to explore it in more depth and not just add it on to the typical Southeast Asia tours. We chose a beautiful Laos tour and boarded the plane full of anticipation. Travel to and from Laos from Europe typically involves a flight through Thailand, so after a long journey, we landed in Chiang Rai . We hadn't expected to be already worrying about our return trip during our arrival. However, transferring from the international terminal to the domestic terminal in Bangkok is very time-consuming. And then there's this strange MCT (Maritime Terminal Transfer). More on that later. After a short stroll through Chiang Rai in the evening, we fell into bed tired, a few worry lines on our faces.
Day 2: After breakfast, our day begins with a visit to the unique Wat Rong Khun temple. This white temple with its intricate decorations truly stands out among the other Buddhist temples. We were familiar with the temple from a previous tour of Thailand and were nonetheless impressed once again... a must-see. Afterwards, we visit Wat Phra Kaew , one of the oldest, most beautiful, and most important temples in the city. The blue temple, Rong Suea Ten , is particularly impressive. Decorated in gold and various shades of blue, it's a real eye-catcher. After lunch, we stroll through the city on our own. In the evening, we head to the typical night markets for dinner and, before returning to the hotel, visit the famous Clock Tower . Curiously, the light show that illuminates the clock tower in different colors is broken. However, we had been able to experience it the day before.
Day 3: Today we head to the Thai-Laotian border. After completing the official formalities at the border (a visa for Laos is required) and entering Laos, we will be met in Houeixay and transferred to the pier. There, we will board our simple but comfortable riverboat. We have comfortable loungers and seating on board, and once we set sail, we can enjoy the first part of our Mekong River cruise downstream. The approximately 6-hour journey takes us past pristine landscapes and typical small villages. We will stop in one village , where we can stretch our legs and get a glimpse of typical Laotian village life. During the rest of the cruise, we will enjoy a delicious meal prepared in the ship's traditional kitchen. It's also interesting to see gold prospectors along the riverbanks. We reach today's destination, Pakbeng, in the late afternoon (note: the route from Houeixay to Luang Prabang can also be covered in one day by speedboat ). We are very happy with our slow boat and the stopover in Pakbeng. We spend the night in a comfortable lodge amidst a picturesque jungle landscape on the banks of the Mekong.
Day 4: After waking up, it's "cast off" again, and we continue our boat trip downstream on the Mekong . Today, we once again pass spectacular landscapes and picturesque villages. The living conditions are so completely different for us Europeans that the difference is almost indescribable. This becomes strikingly clear to us again during a stop in a small Laotian village. Back on board, life is wonderfully relaxing, and after lunch from the ship's galley, we slowly approach our destination: the famous Pak Ou Caves . Located in a breathtaking cliff on the banks of the Mekong, the caves are a very important Buddhist pilgrimage site in Laos. For thousands of years, believers have made pilgrimages to the caves to pray and have left behind countless Buddha statues. In the late afternoon, we reach the charming old royal city of Luang Prabang , which has rightly been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After checking into the hotel, we strolled through the city on foot, looking forward to the food selection at the many market stalls. Incidentally, we really enjoyed the night market in the alley (first alley on the left after Kitsalat Rd.) opposite the main night market.
Day 5: To experience the monks' daily alms round in Luang Prabang, our alarm rings very early. The alms round in Laos is a unique tradition and reflects the Buddhist faith in this country. Every morning, the monks, clad in their saffron robes, walk barefoot through the city streets carrying their alms bowls to collect their daily food allowance from the Buddhist faithful. It's truly impressive. After fortifying ourselves with breakfast, we set off to explore Luang Prabang . We take a tuk-tuk tour, which can reach a sensational 170 km/h without fuel (see picture)... a technological marvel. Our tuk-tuk driver even manages to brake in time for our first stop, the National Museum , also known as the former Royal Palace . The impressive building houses some ancient art treasures. Afterward, we climb the 328 steps to the top of the temple mountain, Phou Si . ( Tip: Get up there well before sunset, otherwise good standing spots will be hard to find ). Then we'll visit the most important temples : Wat Xiang Thong , Visoun, and Aham . It's worth spending some time here. In the afternoon, we'll simply wander through Luang Prabang, visit a few more temples, and enjoy some refreshments along the Mekong promenade (Khem Khong) . In the evening, a visit to the night market is a must.
Day 6. Today is dedicated entirely to the rural surroundings of Luang Prabang . We begin with a long hike through a village, past chickpea fields and rice paddies, gaining further fascinating insights into rural life. Our nature program continues with a fantastic highlight: the Kuang Si Waterfalls . Don't forget your swimsuits! Finally, we visit an elephant camp and feed the animals some treats. Since we have excellent Wi-Fi here at the hotel, we contact our travel agency to rebook our return flight. After some consideration, we now believe that we might miss our flight with the originally booked connection. Finally, the resolution to this issue.
Day 7: Today we say goodbye to Luang Prabang and take the express train to Vang Vieng . Interestingly, the procedure at the train station is quite similar to that at an airport. Only after being called are all passengers allowed through the station doors to board the train. Waiting on the platforms is not permitted. After a short journey, we arrive in the small town of Vang Vieng . This backpacker's paradise offers a relaxed lifestyle with a variety of water sports and other outdoor activities. We briefly visit the Angel Cave and then drive at a leisurely pace through a beautiful mountain landscape of Laos to the capital Vientiane .
Day 8: This morning we'll take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane . In the city center, we'll visit Patuxai , often called the Arc de Triomphe of Laos due to its striking resemblance to the French Arc de Triomphe. We'll see the national shrine, the Pha That Louang Stupa , and the royal temple Wat Phra Keo . We'll also visit the oldest temple in the city, Wat Sisaket , which is enclosed by a wall adorned with more than 2,000 ceramic and silver Buddha images. Afterward, we'll head to the airport for our flight to Pakse , followed by a transfer to the Bolaven Plateau .
Day 9: Today is dedicated to the Bolaven Plateau , known for its coffee plantations and picturesque scenery. A visit to a coffee plantation is, of course, a must. We'll learn more about the importance of coffee cultivation in Laos and how Laotian coffee farmers compete against the massive competition from neighboring Vietnam. A small coffee tasting is, naturally, included. Incidentally, in Laos, coffee is traditionally served with sweetened condensed milk. The plateau is crisscrossed by several rivers and is home to numerous impressive waterfalls, including the Tad Fane Waterfall . Experience the breathtaking 120-meter plunge of the cascading water. For the truly adventurous, there's the option of ziplining over the gorge. Afterward, we'll explore a true highlight of Laos: the fascinating and imposing Wat Phou temple complex. A masterpiece of classical Khmer architecture, it served as an architectural model for the famous Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia. There are significantly fewer tourists here, allowing us to soak up the almost magical atmosphere of this place in peace. Simply breathtaking. The day is perfectly rounded off with a fantastic hotel in Champasak , directly overlooking the Mekong.
Day 10: Today we travel from Champasak via Pakse to the impressive Khone Phapheng Waterfall in the Mekong . With a width of over 10 km, it is one of the widest waterfalls in the world and, in terms of volume, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia, featuring some incredible rapids. Depending on the water level, gigantic masses of water plunge down cascades from one of the Mekong's branches into the depths below. Khone Phapheng Waterfall is located at the very southern tip of Laos in an area called Si Phan Don, which literally translates to ' 4,000 Islands '. This meaning becomes even clearer when, after a short bus transfer in Hat , we take a boat for about two hours on the Mekong to Don Khone . During the journey, the Mekong gradually fans out into an inland delta with countless small islands, most of which are inhabited. Having arrived in Don Khone, we strolled around the island a bit, including a visit to the Khone Pa Soy waterfall . Looking down into the rapids through the suspension bridge gave us a slightly uneasy feeling. But enjoying an evening beer while watching the sun set over the Mekong islands made us feel better. At least the beer tasted good.
Day 11: Today we're exploring Don Khone Island. First, we visit some colonial relics from French rule in Laos: scattered colonial buildings, an old railway bridge and locomotive, and the old docks. Another highlight of our Laos tour is the incredibly spectacular Li Phi Falls . For an entrance fee of USD 12 (as of 2025), you can walk directly over the falls via suspension bridges and various walkways. A fantastic experience and a dream for photographers, videographers , and nature lovers... a must-see. Unfortunately, I suffer a nasty head injury from one of the suspension bridge's cable clamps. So, despite all the excitement of this place, be careful! Back at our accommodation, we grab some bikes and cycle across the neighboring island of Don Det.
Day 12: We're really sad to be leaving this special region today. The island landscape in the Mekong Delta has truly captivated us. We're taking a boat to Nakasong , where our bus driver is already waiting. After a long drive via Pakse , it's time to say goodbye to Laos. At the Thai border, a new tour guide joins us and accompanies us to Ubon Ratchathani . That evening, we stretch our stiff legs from the journey and enjoy some more Thai street food. It's with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our two fellow travelers. There's good news from the travel agency: we've received final confirmation that our return flight has been rebooked. Unfortunately, this has resulted in additional costs.
Day 13: Normally, today would be the day of our return journey or a beach extension in Thailand. We decided to stay another day in Ubon and, after sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely breakfast, began our city tour. We started at the impressive Wat Maha Wanaram and then strolled to the entirely wooden Tung Sri Muang . We were truly blown away by Wat Thai Pha Chau Yai Ong , an incredibly opulent and beautiful temple complex. Next, we visited Wat Liab , the magnificent Wat Luang , and the Ubon Ratchathani City Pillar Shrine . Finally, we hopped in a taxi for the ride to the impressive Wat Phra That Non Bua , a must-see. Even though Ubon Ratchathani isn't as well-known in Thailand, it has some fantastic sights to see.
Day 14: Due to the change to the early flight from Ubon to Bangkok, breakfast was a bit shorter this time. After landing in Bangkok, we started our stopwatch to precisely time the period from landing to check-in. Here's the kicker: the flight landed at 9:46 a.m. and stopped at a remote stand; we boarded the transfer bus at 9:59 a.m. Although we had a booking reference for all flights (Thai and Qatar Airways), our luggage couldn't be checked through, so we collected it from the carousel at 10:21 a.m. The walk to the Qatar check-in counter then took another 15 minutes, and we arrived at the counter at 10:36 a.m. So, 50 minutes had passed from landing to the check-in counter. With our original booking, however, we would have missed check-in and an unbelievable 20 minutes, thus missing our connecting flight from Bangkok to Doha. And now we have to deal with this stupid MCT (Minimum Connecting Time). This MCT (Multi-Transit Timetable) is determined by the airport operator and must be booked by tour operators as a connecting flight. As you can see, this is practically pointless. We have therefore contacted the Bangkok airport operator about this and are eagerly awaiting their response. Because of the rebooked connecting flight from Ubon to Bangkok, we are stuck at Bangkok airport for almost 9 hours... there are certainly better ways to end a holiday than this.