# Laos Explore > Laos Explore plans motorbike-free routes through Laos and arranges the transport and trips that make them work, on request. Local providers (drivers, boat operators, guides, accommodation) deliver the services; Laos Explore plans the route, handles the booking and is the traveler's contact. Coverage: Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi in the north; Thakhek and Kong Lor in the centre; Pakse, the Bolaven Plateau, Champasak and Si Phan Don in the south; Vientiane as the gateway. Journey times on this site are approximate ranges. Prices are shown only as dated reference points with their source; trips are quoted per request. Nothing is instantly bookable. ## About the business - [Laos Explore fact sheet](https://laosexplore.com/ai-info/): what the business does and does not do, coverage, booking process, responsibilities and official URLs - [How it works](https://laosexplore.com/how-it-works/): from a first message to a written proposal and a confirmed booking - [Who does what](https://laosexplore.com/trust/): who plans, who delivers, where payments go and what happens if plans change - [Pricing and quotes](https://laosexplore.com/pricing/): what sets trip prices, sourced reference prices and how each trip is priced - [Plan your route](https://laosexplore.com/plan/): quick message or detailed trip planner ## Trips arranged on request - [Kong Lor Cave overnight trip by private car](https://laosexplore.com/trips/kong-lor-overnight-by-car/): A two-day private car trip to Kong Lor Cave from Thakhek or Vientiane: the drive through the karst, a night in Kong Lor village and an early boat through the cave. - [Bolaven Plateau private day trip from Pakse](https://laosexplore.com/trips/bolaven-plateau-private-day-trip/): A private car day trip from Pakse to the Bolaven Plateau: Tad Fane and Tad Yuang waterfalls, a coffee farm and lunch in Paksong, on your own schedule. - [Pakse to the 4,000 Islands via Vat Phou, by private car](https://laosexplore.com/trips/pakse-to-si-phan-don-via-vat-phou/): A one-day private transfer from Pakse to the 4,000 Islands with a stop at Vat Phou, the World Heritage temple ruins at Champasak, ending at the boat to the islands. - [Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw by private car](https://laosexplore.com/trips/luang-prabang-to-nong-khiaw-private-transfer/): A private car from your Luang Prabang hotel to Nong Khiaw on the Nam Ou, with stops when you want them, and an optional same-day boat on to Muang Ngoi. - [Kuang Si Falls early-morning private trip from Luang Prabang](https://laosexplore.com/trips/kuang-si-falls-early-private-trip/): A private car from Luang Prabang to Kuang Si Falls timed for opening, so you see the turquoise pools before the crowds and heat, with time at the bear rescue centre. - [Vang Vieng caves and lagoon day without a motorbike](https://laosexplore.com/trips/vang-vieng-day-without-a-motorbike/): A day around Vang Vieng's caves, the Blue Lagoon and karst viewpoints with a car or tuk-tuk and driver instead of a rented scooter, with honest notes on river safety. ## Destinations - [Thakhek: caves, karst and the loop, without riding it](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/thakhek/): Thakhek is the base for Khammouane's caves and the Thakhek Loop. What to see without a motorbike, how long to stay, and how it connects to Vientiane, Pakse and Thailand. - [Kong Lor Cave: planning the trip without a motorbike](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/kong-lor/): How to reach Kong Lor Cave without riding the Thakhek Loop: realistic road times from Thakhek and Vientiane, where to stay, the boat trip, seasons and costs. - [Pakse: the base for southern Laos](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/pakse/): Pakse is where southern Laos routes start: airport, Thai border and roads to the Bolaven Plateau, Champasak and the 4,000 Islands, without a scooter. - [The Bolaven Plateau without a scooter](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/bolaven-plateau/): Waterfalls, coffee farms and cooler air east of Pakse. How to see the Bolaven Plateau by car or tour instead of the motorbike loop, with distances, fees and when to go. - [Champasak and Vat Phou: temple ruins on the Mekong](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/champasak/): Vat Phou is a UNESCO World Heritage temple site near Champasak. How to visit from Pakse by car, how long to allow, the heat, the stairs and what comes next. - [Si Phan Don: the 4,000 Islands as the end of a southern route](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/si-phan-don/): How the 4,000 Islands fit a motorbike-free southern Laos route: getting there from Pakse or Champasak, which island to choose and what to book. - [Nong Khiaw: mountains on the Nam Ou](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/nong-khiaw/): Nong Khiaw sits on the Nam Ou below steep peaks. How to get there from Luang Prabang now the boats have stopped, what to do and how to add Muang Ngoi. - [Muang Ngoi: the village an hour upriver](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/muang-ngoi/): Muang Ngoi Neua is a riverside village reached by boat from Nong Khiaw. What staying there is like, the walks and caves, cash and power, and how many nights to plan. - [Vang Vieng without a motorbike: karst, caves and the river](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/vang-vieng/): Vang Vieng sits on the railway between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. How to see its karst, caves and lagoons without a scooter, how long to stay, what to watch for. - [Luang Prabang: temples, Kuang Si and the start of the north](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/luang-prabang/): Planning Luang Prabang: how many nights, Kuang Si at opening time, watching the alms giving with respect, where to stay, and train and road links north and south. - [Vientiane as the gateway to central and southern Laos](https://laosexplore.com/destinations/vientiane/): Using Vientiane to start a motorbike-free route: arriving by air, train or from Thailand, the road to Thakhek and Kong Lor, and flights to Pakse. ## Sample itineraries (illustrative, not packages) - [Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang and the Nam Ou: 9 days by train and road](https://laosexplore.com/itineraries/vientiane-vang-vieng-luang-prabang-by-train-9-days/): An illustrative 9-day northern Laos route: train from Vientiane to Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, Kuang Si at opening, then road and boat to Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi. - [Central and southern Laos without a motorbike: 12 days](https://laosexplore.com/itineraries/laos-without-a-motorbike-12-days/): An illustrative 12-day route from Vientiane to Kong Lor, Thakhek, Pakse, the Bolaven Plateau, Champasak and the 4,000 Islands, with every transfer by car, boat or plane. - [Two weeks in Laos, north and south, without a motorbike](https://laosexplore.com/itineraries/two-weeks-north-and-south/): 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. - [Southern Laos in 8 days: Pakse, Bolaven, Champasak and the islands](https://laosexplore.com/itineraries/southern-laos-8-days/): An illustrative 8-day southern Laos route from Pakse: Bolaven waterfalls, Tad Lo, Vat Phou and the 4,000 Islands, with short transfers by car and boat. - [Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi from Luang Prabang: 5 days](https://laosexplore.com/itineraries/nong-khiaw-and-muang-ngoi-5-days/): An illustrative 5-day trip from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi: road and boat times, viewpoints, walks and getting back in time. - [Thakhek and Kong Lor in 4 days without a motorbike](https://laosexplore.com/itineraries/thakhek-and-kong-lor-4-days/): An illustrative 4-day plan from Vientiane: drive to Kong Lor, the cave by boat at first light, Thakhek and its caves, then on to Thailand, Pakse or back to Vientiane. ## Ways to travel without a motorbike - [Laos without a motorbike: how a route comes together](https://laosexplore.com/ways-to-travel/motorbike-free-laos/): Most famous Laos routes assume you will rent a scooter. Here is how to see Kong Lor, the Bolaven Plateau and the Nam Ou valley by car, train, boat and bus instead. - [Private drivers in Laos: when they are worth it](https://laosexplore.com/ways-to-travel/private-driver-laos/): When a private car or van with driver makes sense in Laos, what is usually included, what to confirm before paying, and how it fits with trains. - [The Thakhek Loop without a motorbike](https://laosexplore.com/ways-to-travel/thakhek-loop-without-a-motorbike/): How to follow the Thakhek Loop by car with a driver instead of a scooter: the route, how many days, what you see, and what you gain or lose. - [Kong Lor Cave trip: the options compared](https://laosexplore.com/ways-to-travel/kong-lor-cave-trip/): Every realistic way to reach Kong Lor without riding: private car from Thakhek or Vientiane, buses with changes, or a tour. Times and overnights. - [Bolaven Plateau without a scooter: car, tour or bus](https://laosexplore.com/ways-to-travel/bolaven-plateau-without-a-scooter/): Three ways to see the Bolaven Plateau without renting a scooter: a private car from Pakse, a guided day tour or the bus. What each covers and suits. - [Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw: road, minivan or car](https://laosexplore.com/ways-to-travel/luang-prabang-to-nong-khiaw/): Since dams ended the Nam Ou boats, Nong Khiaw is reached by road. Minivan or private car, real journey times, where they leave from, and how to continue to Muang Ngoi. - [The Laos-China Railway in a motorbike-free route](https://laosexplore.com/ways-to-travel/laos-china-railway/): How the Vientiane to Luang Prabang train fits a Laos route: journey times, train types, buying tickets as a foreigner and getting to the stations. ## Planning guides - [Getting around Laos without a motorbike](https://laosexplore.com/planning/getting-around-laos/): How to travel between Laos destinations without riding: the railway, domestic flights, VIP buses, minivans, songthaews, boats and private drivers. - [Laos train tickets: how to book the Laos-China Railway](https://laosexplore.com/planning/laos-train-tickets/): How to buy Laos-China Railway tickets between Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang: the 7-day sales window, the app, ticket offices, passports and backups. - [Private driver costs in Laos: what sets the price](https://laosexplore.com/planning/private-driver-cost-laos/): What sets the cost of a car or van with driver in Laos: distance, days, vehicle, fuel, the empty return and overnights, with a sourced reference price. - [Best time to visit Laos for a motorbike-free route](https://laosexplore.com/planning/best-time-to-visit-laos/): When to visit Laos for Kong Lor, the Bolaven Plateau and the Nam Ou: dry and rainy seasons, heat, haze, waterfalls, river levels and holiday weeks. - [Laos visa and arrival: what matters for your route](https://laosexplore.com/planning/laos-visa-and-arrival/): Visa on arrival, eVisa and which entry points accept which: why your crossing matters for a route through Thakhek, Pakse or Luang Prabang. - [How many days do you need in Laos without a motorbike?](https://laosexplore.com/planning/how-long-in-laos/): What fits in 5, 8, 12 and 14 days in Laos when you travel by car, train, boat and plane: realistic combinations of the north, Kong Lor and Thakhek, and the far south. - [Laos travel safety for motorbike-free routes](https://laosexplore.com/planning/laos-travel-safety/): Practical safety for a Laos route: road risks and motorbike insurance, night driving, unexploded ordnance, river and boat safety, and areas to avoid. - [Money in Laos: cash, cards and where ATMs run out](https://laosexplore.com/planning/laos-money-and-cash/): Cash, cards and ATMs in Laos, and the stops on motorbike-free routes where ATMs are missing, such as Muang Ngoi and Tad Lo. How much cash to carry. - [What to confirm before paying for transport in Laos](https://laosexplore.com/planning/confirm-before-you-pay/): A checklist for any Laos transfer, driver, boat or tour before you pay: provider, vehicle, route, inclusions, timing, payment and cancellation. ## Comparisons - [Thakhek or the Bolaven Plateau: which to choose without a motorbike](https://laosexplore.com/compare/thakhek-or-bolaven-plateau/): Both are famous motorbike loops. Compare Thakhek and Kong Lor with the Bolaven Plateau on scenery, effort, distances, driver needs, season and how each fits a route. - [Nong Khiaw or Muang Ngoi: where to stay on the Nam Ou](https://laosexplore.com/compare/nong-khiaw-or-muang-ngoi/): Nong Khiaw has viewpoints, more services and road access; Muang Ngoi is smaller, car-free and reached by boat. How they differ and how to combine them on a short trip. - [Private driver or shared transport in Laos?](https://laosexplore.com/compare/private-driver-or-shared-transport/): When a car with driver is worth it in Laos and when minivans, buses and trains are better: cost, time, reliability, comfort and flexibility. - [Ride the loop or take a driver? An honest comparison](https://laosexplore.com/compare/motorbike-loop-or-driver/): Riding the Thakhek and Bolaven loops versus a car with a driver: freedom, cost, licences and insurance, safety, luggage and what you actually see. - [Plan Laos yourself or with help?](https://laosexplore.com/compare/plan-yourself-or-with-help/): When to plan a Laos trip yourself and when coordinated planning saves time: compared on cost, effort, reliability, transfers and changes. ## Optional - [Terms](https://laosexplore.com/terms/): terms for using the site and for bookings - [Cancellation policy](https://laosexplore.com/cancellation-policy/): how cancellations and refunds work - [Privacy notice](https://laosexplore.com/privacy/): how personal data from trip requests is handled - [Sitemap](https://laosexplore.com/sitemap.xml): every canonical page