The royal town
Almost every trip includes Luang Prabang, the former royal capital and a UNESCO World Heritage town of gilded temples, French villas and the dawn alms giving. Kuang Si Falls and the Pak Ou Caves are easy day trips. Give it three or four days.
The capital
Vientiane is a gentle introduction: the golden stupa of Pha That Luang, Wat Si Saket, the COPE centre on the legacy of the war, Buddha Park and a long riverside night market. Two days is enough for most visitors.
The karst valleys
Between the two, Vang Vieng offers blue lagoons, caves, kayaking and balloon flights under limestone peaks, an hour from the capital by train. Further north, Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi are the place for viewpoint hikes, river boats and village treks.
The south
Southern Laos brings together Pakse, the coffee farms and waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau, the ancient Khmer temple of Wat Phou and the river islands of Si Phan Don, with the mighty Khone Phapheng falls.
Putting it together
A classic ten day route runs Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang by train, then on to Nong Khiaw by road. With two weeks, fly or bus south for the Bolaven Plateau and the 4000 Islands. Use the free trip planner to shape the route, and the places to visit list for where to eat, explore and stay.