Illustrative itinerary, 14 days
Two weeks in Laos, north and south, without a motorbike
An illustrative 14-day Laos route: Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi in the north, then a flight to Pakse for the Bolaven Plateau, Champasak and the 4,000 Islands.
Sunset over the Mekong at Pakse (November 2024)
In short
Two weeks is enough for one northern valley and the southern loop if you fly between them. This route spends a week around Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi, flies to Pakse, then takes in the Bolaven Plateau, Vat Phou and the 4,000 Islands, with no long overland day between north and south.
Illustrative, not a packageThis is a realistic sequence to adapt. Transport times are approximate, and nothing on this page is booked or confirmed. A proposal confirms the route, providers and prices for your dates.
Day by day
Days 1 to 2
Luang Prabang
Arrive by air or train. Temples, the old town and the river at an easy pace. Get cash for the north.
Days 3 to 4
Nong Khiaw
Road north to the Nam Ou valley. A viewpoint hike or the caves near town on day 4.
Days 5 to 6
Muang Ngoi
Boat upriver. Walks to the caves and villages, and slow evenings in a car-free village.
Day 7
Luang Prabang
Boat back to Nong Khiaw and road to Luang Prabang. A long transfer day.
Day 8
Fly to Pakse
Domestic flight south, when schedules allow; otherwise via Vientiane. Afternoon in Pakse.
Days 9 to 10
Bolaven Plateau
Waterfalls, coffee and Paksong, with a night on the plateau or at Tad Lo.
Day 11
Champasak
Drive to Champasak; Vat Phou in the late afternoon or the next morning.
Days 12 to 13
Si Phan Don
Road and boat to the islands. Cycling, the falls and the Mekong.
Day 14
Pakse
Back to Pakse for the flight home.
How this route is built
This is an illustrative itinerary, not a package. The key decision is the flight between Luang Prabang and Pakse: it replaces two or more long days overland. If no suitable flight exists for your dates, we change the route rather than squeeze in a punishing drive.
The northern week is built around two-night stays because the Nong Khiaw road is slow. The southern week has short transfers and ends close to the airport.
The transfers, leg by leg
Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw
Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi
Muang Ngoi to Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang to Pakse
Depends on what is scheduled for your dates.
Pakse to Bolaven Plateau
Champasak to Si Phan Don
Times are approximate ranges for normal dry-season conditions, including stops. Road works, rain, departure times and how full a vehicle is all change them. A proposal states the plan for your dates.
Start and end
Starts in Luang Prabang (air or train from Vientiane) and ends in Pakse. The north-south link is a flight; check schedules early, as domestic routes change by season.
Book ahead
- Domestic flight Luang Prabang to Pakse (or via Vientiane)
- Private car Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw if you want one
- Rooms in Muang Ngoi in peak season
- Train tickets if you arrive from Vientiane
Variations
- No suitable flight: take the train to Vientiane and fly to Pakse from there, or swap the south for Thakhek and Kong Lor by road.
- Slower north: drop Si Phan Don and add a night in Nong Khiaw.
Questions travelers ask
Could I include Kong Lor as well?
Not comfortably in two weeks with the north. Kong Lor needs about three days from Vientiane. If caves matter more than the north, choose the 12-day central and southern route instead.
Sources and checks
Time-sensitive details on this page (fees, journey times, schedules, entry rules) were last checked against the sources below on 11 October 2026. Laos transport changes often, so a written proposal always reconfirms them for your dates.
Tell us where you want to go, not how to get there
Share your dates, the places on your list and how you feel about motorbikes. We reply by email with a realistic route, and when you are ready, a written proposal with transfers, prices, inclusions and who provides each part of the trip.
