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 van and private boat with an English-speaking guide such as Nouan. Enjoy a Lao bento lunch on the Nam Ou, visit Sop Keng village, then hike to 100 Waterfalls in the rainy season or Tad Mok Waterfall later in the year. Expect mountain scenery, rough roads, and a full active day.

“The hike to the waterfall was beautiful but was a little more challenging than expected. You had to climb over some wooden gates along the path and walk up the slippery rocks in the waterfall to get to the pool. it isn't just a simple path so I think people should know that before they go. The good was really good and the timing was good throughout the day. We liked our guide.”

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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 and a drive to Ban Nong Heo, a Khmu village with stilt houses, ducks, and buffalo. Hike 2 to 3 hours through forest and countryside, stop for a local lunch, then spend 3 hours at Kuang Si Falls. Finish at a rice farm before a sunset Mekong cruise back to Luang Prabang.

“It was overall a great experience, everything went smoothly and the tour itself was well organized. Our driver Mr Mee, was punctual throughout the journey. We had Mr Pany for our guide and he was very kind and helpful throughout the entRead more”

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3.Full Day Trek to Kuang Si Waterfall & Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · from $63

You’ll hike about 9 kilometers from Long Lao Village through rice paddies, orchards, farms, and forest to Kuang Si Falls. An English-speaking guide, such as Dang, leads the route. After lunch and a swim, you’ll visit the Bear Rescue Center and a Hmong cultural house before returning to Luang Prabang.

“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 eight hours hiking 12 kilometers through forest, farmland, rice paddies, and limestone country near Luang Prabang. Your English-speaking guide leads you from a Khmu village to Ban Thin Pha, then to a Hmong village and the Nam Khan River. A boat ride and Tad Sae Falls finish the day, though the falls may be dry from February to July.

“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 walking through primary forest and remote Lao villages, with an overnight homestay, bamboo handicraft lesson, cave and viewpoint visit, Tad Mork waterfall swim, and Nam Ou River kayaking. Guide Bic, also spelled Bick in one account, leads the trip in English. Expect a moderate to challenging trek and simple village accommodation.

“Bic is the best guide in all of Laos! Really nice hike through the jungle but it is tough one so I wouldn’t recommend for anyone with mobility issues. Visiting the villages felt authentic, the kids say hello and the locals go about their day without trying to sell anything or anything else to give it a touristy/gimmicky feel. The views are stunning and there is a lot to learn and appreciate about Laos on this trip. But hands down the best part of the trip was Bic. A really lovely guy and an excellent guide who at every opportunity would teach us about the land, people and history of…”

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6.3-Day Cultural Remote Trek With Homestay

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

Spend three days trekking from the Mekong and Nam Xeuang rivers to remote Hmong and Khmu villages. You’ll cross by local boat, walk jungle and rice-field trails, eat with village families, and sleep in basic homestays. English-speaking guides such as Aroun and Chan have led this demanding, highly personal route.

“Les rencontres, les beaux paysages et le dépaysement total ! c'était top 👍🏻”

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7.Hiking Off the Beaten Track with Picnic Lunch

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

Leave Luang Prabang at 8:30 AM for Nong Tok, then hike 6 to 7 hours with a Hmong trail leader and English-speaking Lao guide. Expect steep, slippery sections, village life, crops, forest, and a picnic lunch. Guides such as Mr. Tip and Phieng have been praised for plant knowledge and careful support.

“Excellent day with Phieng and another local guide, through hillside Hmong and Khmu villages. Physically challenging, about 12km distance and 500+m vertical climbing. definitely worth it for seeing a different view of the region”

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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 2.5 days of hiking, village visits, camping, and river travel. You’ll sleep at a high viewpoint, watch sunset and sunrise, stay in a weaving village, visit Muang Ngoi’s cave and viewpoint, swim at Tad Mork waterfall, and kayak along the Nam Ou River. English guiding, meals, transport, and equipment 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

Start at 8:30 am in Luang Prabang for a guided forest trek through local villages and mountain country. After three to four hours on foot, cool off in Kuang Si Falls’ turquoise pools, visit the Bear Rescue Center, and enjoy lunch, fruit, and water. The group is limited to 15 people.

“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 the Nam Khan River through jungle, rice fields, and remote villages near Luang Prabang. You will cross by boat, sleep in a Khmu family homestay, visit Hmong and other local communities, then reach Tad Sae Waterfalls by river. Guides have included Chai, Arun, Chan, and Oun.

“Our lovely guide pointed out things of interest and answered all our questions on our fairly challenging hike, and we loved our village homestay: I was sooo cosy in my little cabin. The waterfall swim the next day was bliss. My only disappointment was that the second day's walk was so short. We'd been expecting another good hike. My email about my restricted diet hadn't been registered, though a conversation with our guide at the office meant that I was provided with food I could eat. Anyone with dietary issues probably already knows this, but check and double-check before setting off.”

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11.Jungle & Caves Full-Day Private Trekking Tour

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

Leave Vang Vieng at 9:00 AM for Phathao village and a demanding private trek over the ridge above town. You’ll visit Tham Hok Cave, eat a picnic cooked by your guide, and swim at Secret Eden before returning. Guide assignments vary, with Nin, Xai, and Mic among the guides used on past departures.

“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

You’ll ride a tuk-tuk from Luang Prabang to Ban Pak Si, gather farm ingredients, cook a four-course Lao lunch, and eat beside the river. Afterward, hike about two hours to Kuang Si Falls, swim in its turquoise pools, and visit a bear sanctuary. The small English-speaking group has no more than six people.

“Best day ever! The guide takes you to the morning market and explains a lot about the foods there, afterwards you get to cook at his farm and eat a delicious typical meal. After lunch you take a wonderful hike towards the impressive and gorgeous waterfall. The hike was easy for us, but we are Swiss and used to tough terrain. Would recommend 100%!”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $55

Spend about four hours exploring two of Vang Vieng’s best-known natural sights. You’ll hike to Nam Xay Viewpoint for broad mountain views, then cool off at Blue Lagoon 1 near Phu Kham Cave. Pickup is offered, admission is included, and groups are limited to 15 people. No guide names are provided.

“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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