Trekking in Laos: The 15 Best Routes

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

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

Cruise the Nam Ou from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw, with a Lao lunch, village visit, waterfall hike, and sunset arrival.

“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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Trek through Khmu villages and forest to Kuang Si Falls, swim in turquoise pools, visit a bear center, and return by sunset Mekong cruise.

“We had a wonderful, interesting and enjojable hike through villages and jungle along the spring to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, which were absolutely stunning. Our guide Tom (Tom Cruise of Laos ;-))was so entertaining and knew a lot about nature and had many good stories to tell. Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.The Wild Explorer – 3 days forest trek with homestay and camping

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · from $154

Review of The Wild Explorer, a demanding 3-day Nam Ha trek with camping, forest cooking, sunrise views, local guides, and gear included.

“Really great experience trekking through a beautiful national park. Me and the two friends I was with all had a great time despite some bad weather. One of the highlights of the trip for us was the delicious food our guides were able to create Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Nalan Trail Kmu Ethnic Experience – 2days forest trek with homestay.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $115

Trek Nam Ha National Park for two days, learn forest skills, visit Kmu villages, sleep with locals, and swim in a clear river.

“Amazing 2 day hike through Nam Ha with my guide Peng - he was excellent the whole trip, explained native plants and herbs through the walk, and even gave a little tour of the local markets before we started.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Full Day Trek to Kuang Si Waterfall & Village

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · from $63

Trek from Long Lao Village through forests and rice paddies to Kuang Si Falls, with lunch, swimming, bear rescue, and hotel transport.

“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 !!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Trek from Luang Prabang through limestone hills and Hmong and Khmu villages, then cruise the Nam Khan River to Tad Sae Falls.

“It was a great tour. Our guide was very professional, kind and knowledgeable. We learned a lot and definitely recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Nong Khiaw: 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 a homestay, waterfall swim, cave visit, and Nam Ou kayaking.

“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 ❤️🙏”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Hunter Trails, 3 days difficult trekking with Camping & Homestay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $175

Trek Laos’s primary forest on old hunter trails, camp by a jungle fire, eat foraged food, and stay with a village family for three days.

“We highly recommend The Hiker in Luang Namtha for anyone looking for an authentic jungle trekking experience in northern Laos. We did the 3-day Hunter’s Trail through the primary forest of Nam Ha National Park, and it exceeded all exRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Nam Ha NPA 3 Day Wildlife Jungle Camp and Village Homestay Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $149

Trek Nam Ha NPA for three days through jungle trails, a banana-leaf camp, Khmu village life, local food, and hands-on forest skills.

“It was amazing. I had the best time and the tour guide was just the type for our group. Amazing experience and super authentic”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Luang Prabang: 3-Day Cultural Remote Trek With Homestay

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

Trek remote Hmong and Khmu villages near Luang Prabang, sleep in homestays, share local meals, and reach mountain viewpoints over three days.

“Absoluut een van de hoogtepunten van onze reis. Je krijgt een beeld van het plattelands leven zoals dat waarschijnlijk honderd jaar geleden ook al geleefd werd. Gids, Chan van tigertrails deed het fantastisch en had veel te vertellen over de verschillende hillttribe mensen, rituelen, planten en dieren. Tracks zijn goed te doen sommige stukken pittig vooral als het 37°C is Overnachten bij de mensen thuis is zeer eenvoudig maar een belevenins en een kans wat meer van de manier van het leven daar mee te maken.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Luang Prabang: Hiking Off the Beaten Track with Picnic Lunch

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

Hike from Nong Tok through Hmong and Kamu villages, ridge trails, forest, local crops, and a memorable picnic lunch near Luang Prabang.

“Vi hadde en flott dag på trekking😊Men turen var enda mer fysisk krevende enn vi hadde forstått av beskrivelsen. Både guiden og lokal kjentmann gjorde turen til en fin opplevelse🙏 Veldig god picnic-lunsj.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Trek from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw with a mountaintop camp, village homestay, waterfall swim, cave visit, and river kayaking.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $92

Trek through Lao villages to Kuang Si Falls, swim in turquoise pools, meet rescued bears, and enjoy lunch with a local guide.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.The Ultimate Hiker’s Choice – 5 days forest trek with homestay and camping

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $243

Trek Laos for five days through Nam Ha forests, camping under stars, swimming in the Nam Ha River, and staying with a Khmu family.

“Is a beutiful and unique experience in the wild jungle of Laos. The guides were super professional and very good at guiding us and teaching us the secrets of the jungle. Thid is also an excellent cook, we ate very well and even the places fRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Luang Prabang: Mountain Trek & Local Villages Overnight Tour

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

Trek Luang Prabang’s Longhut and Thin Pha trails, sleep in a Khmu homestay, visit Tad Sae Falls, and meet rural Lao families.

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

Check availability →Read our full review