The 13 Best Treks & Hikes in Laos

1.Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw: River Cruise, Hike & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 53 reviews · 1 day · from $55Our pick

Travel from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw by private van and boat with an English-speaking guide such as Nouan. Cruise the Nam Ou, eat a boxed Lao lunch, visit Sop Keng, then hike to a seasonal waterfall before arriving near your Nong Khiaw hotel at sunset.

“The boat ride to Nong Khiaw was beautiful and comfortable. The van ride to the river boat was incredibly bumpy - if you struggle with car sickness this may be an issue for you. The hike to the waterfall was enjoyable and not difficult. We were led by a local guide (in addition to our main tour guide) - and unexpectedly had to pay an additional $100,000 kip to the guide split between the group, so bring small cash. If you are vegetarian or vegan, note that the meal option is just the side dishes of the meat-based meal (we were served rice, a cabbage stir fry, tofu salad, and…”

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2.Full Day Trek to Kuang Si Waterfalls, Remote Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 38 reviews · from $48Best value

Start with hotel pickup in Luang Prabang and drive to Ban Nong Heo, a Khmu village. Hike 2 to 3 hours through forest and countryside, eat a local lunch, swim at Kuang Si Falls, visit the Bear Rescue Center and rice farm, then return by Mekong boat. Guides may include Pany, Vone, Tom, or Bounsou.

“The best experience ever. Da was amazing guide. He walked 8 km with us. Waterfall is a must to see. 👌”

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3.Full Day Trek to Kuang Si Waterfall & Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · from $63

Spend nine hours hiking from Long Lao Village to Kuang Si Waterfall with an English-speaking guide such as Dang. Walk through rice paddies, orchards, forest, and Hmong and Khmu communities, then swim in turquoise pools, visit the Bear Rescue Center, and return by van.

“we had a great trek with DANG all day long. Thanks to him for sharing with us his expérience. We had a great day with him !!!!”

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4.Luang Prabang Thin Pha Trail & Tad Sae Falls Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 17 reviews · 8 hours · from $95

Spend a full day hiking about 12 kilometers through forest, rice paddies, rocky ridges, and village country near Luang Prabang. Your English-speaking guide leads you from Ban Houay Fai to Ban Thin Pha, with lunch, a Nam Khan boat ride, and Tad Sae Falls when water levels allow.

“Guide et chauffeur parfait. Guide (Linh ?) à l’écoute et parfait pour cette excursion en privé.”

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5.2-Day Trekking,Hmong village,Home Stay&Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 17 reviews · 2 days · from $80

Spend two days trekking from Nong Khiaw through Lao, Khmu, and Hmong villages with guide Bick, sleep in a village home, make bamboo crafts, visit a cave and viewpoint, swim at Tad Mork Waterfall, and kayak down the Nam Ou River. Expect a moderate to challenging trek and simple local accommodation.

“It was such a wonderful experience, our guide Bick made it even better! We had two full days of exploration and I’ve learned more than on my two weeks trip in Laos. Bick showed us so many new things, he was always cheerful and easygoing. I can’t recommend enough as this trip has all the best experience you can have in Nong Khiaw. I would totally do it again, thank you very much for these wonderful memories ❤️🙏”

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6.3-Day Cultural Remote Trek With Homestay

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9 reviews · 3 days · from $360

Spend three days walking village trails through jungle, rice paddies, and mountain valleys north of Luang Prabang. English speaking guides such as Aroun and Chan lead small or private groups to Hmong and Khmu homestays, with local meals, boat crossings, and no-frills village life.

“A big adventure into the real Laos culture by visiting two villages of Khmu and Hmong out in a beautiful valley. We were the only two tourists in 2 months visiting the villages and the people were so welcoming and friendly and hosted us so warmly. Our guide Aroun explained us a lot about the nature and culture, it was extremely interesting and eyes opening! We stayed there over New Year’s and were so warm-heartedly invited to take part in the Khmu New Year’s celebration (sharing food with the whole community, drinking whiskey lao lao, Beerlao, playing music, dancing…). We really enjoyed it a lot and would absolutely recommend this…”

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7.Hiking Off the Beaten Track with Picnic Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 9 reviews · 8 hours · from $85

You’ll leave Luang Prabang at 8:30 AM for Nong Tok, then hike 12 km or more with a Hmong trail leader and Lao guide. Expect steep climbs, valley views, village life, forest paths, and a generous picnic lunch. Guides such as Mr. Tip and Phieng are praised for care and plant knowledge.

“Absolutely fantastic day. Our guide was amazing as was the local guide from the village. They both took great care of us, making sure we were well looked after throughout the day. One of the highlights was sharing lunch together on a tablecloth made from a banana leaf. The lunch selection was incredible and very delicious. The walk was difficult at times but very enjoyable if you are reasonably fit, we are in our mid fifties and walk a lot. Highly recommend this activity. You can’t go wrong.”

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8.Nong Khiaw 3-Day Trekking & camping, Homstay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2.5 days · from $180

Travel from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw for a demanding 2.5-day trek through jungle, villages, and mountain scenery. You’ll camp at a viewpoint, sleep in a weaving village homestay, visit Muang Ngoi, swim at Tad Mork Waterfall, and kayak along the Nam Ou River. English guiding and meals are included.

“Incroyable treck marche jungle rizières le guide super simpa faite le! juste avoir un bon état physique mais vous allez voir des chose incroyable”

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9.Day Trek to Kuangsi Waterfall and Bear Sanctuary – Luang Prabang full day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $92

Leave Luang Prabang at 8:30 a.m. for a guided three-to-four-hour forest trek through local villages to Kuang Si Falls. Swim in its cool pools, visit the Bear Rescue Center, and enjoy lunch, fruit, and water. English-speaking local guides lead groups of up to 15.

“This trek was awesome! It was a great way to meet some locals and support farmers and other community members on our way to Kunag-Si. Our guide was awesome and taught us lots on the way.”

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10.Mountain Trek & Local Villages Overnight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 days · from $200

Spend two days hiking from Luang Prabang through jungle, rice fields, and remote villages. Cross the Nam Khan by boat, sleep in a Khmu family homestay, visit Ban Tin Pha and Ban Houay Yen, then reach Tad Sae Waterfalls. Guides such as Arun, Oun, Chan, and Chai have led this route.

“I loved everything about it and Chan is simply a gem!”

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11.Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 7 reviews · 7 hours · from $120

This seven-hour private trek leaves Vang Vieng at 9:00 AM for Phathao village, a mountain ridge, Tham Hok Cave, and Secret Eden. English-speaking guides such as Nin, Xai, and Mic lead the hike, prepare a picnic lunch, and provide transport and water. Expect steep, muddy sections and a demanding return route.

“Xai was a superb guide - very kind, understanding and patient. Easy to talk to, with great English skills. And a great cook too!”

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12.Organic Farm Experience & Hike to Kuang si

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4 reviews · 8 hours · from $79

Spend eight hours with an English-speaking guide, traveling by tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang to Ban Pak Si. Pick garden ingredients, cook salad, pork laab, sticky rice, and more, then hike about two hours to Kuang Si Falls and visit its rescued bear sanctuary.

“I had a wonderful time with my partner. The guide and the hosts were fantastic. It was everything I expected and was perfect.”

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13.Vang Vieng Tour B – Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $55

You’ll hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint for broad mountain views, then spend time swimming or relaxing at Blue Lagoon 1 and Phu Kham Cave. Pickup is offered, admission is included, and groups are capped at 15 people. The tour lasts about four hours and costs $55 per person.

“The tour started out with some confusion. Apparently, there were 2 other guests staying at our same hotel who our tour operator picked up just before we arrived in front of our hotel. After several calls and a trip to the main office, we finally figRead more”

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