how long in laos

hi

so we are terribble at planning ahead but trying to figure out a rough time line for our south east asia trip for the next two months, do people think two weeks in laos would be hurrying it or dragging it out, we want to travel north to south but no major trekking planned. how long do you think it takes to get a good taste for the country.

It depends on how far north and south you are planning to go and whether you like to hop quickly from place to place for the whole trip or spend time getting to know some of the areas. But in any case I think 2 weeks is too short. We spent 30 days just in the north last January and we both wished we had more time. This isn't even considering time in the south. For me, I am pretty certain I could spend a month in the north and a month in the south. If you are planning both north and south, I'd vote for at least 30 days.

if you can only spend two weeks in laos, spend it either north or south, just concentrate on one area...although, i'd say give it at least three weeks if you can, it's such a fantastic beautiful country, beautiful open people! :)

2 weeks would be "Hurrying It". I spent 30 days in Laos in 2005 and am returning in December for 5 weeks but still will not see everything I want to see.

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Assuming by north to south you mean entering Huay Xai or Luang Prabang and exiting to Thailand or Cambodia. I'd just go and stay flexible. If need be you can comfortably bus to the south in a day and a half. Laos isn't so big anymore. Skip the slow boat and miss out on a lot of towns. Most towns have a lot in common, stay at one and soak it up.

Want to see monks making morning alms rounds, beautiful temples, rice fields, great food, and so on and so forth? I've just described any one of a thousand small towns in Laos. See if you can forget what day it is. As you begin to feel time pressure head over to Luang Prabang, catch a day bus to Vientiane and a night bus to Pakse.

If you don't try to see everything it should be OK. Base yourself in Luang Prabang for a week, possibly stay in Vang Vieng, Nong Khiaw or Muang Ngoi Nuea for some of it. There's no geat reason to linger in Vientiane. Vang Vieng is popular with the banana pancake crowd but not really my cup of tea. Spend up to a week at 4,000 Islands, possibly break up your trip in Savannakhet/Pakse/Champasek. In Laos more time is better, it's not a place you really want to spend your whole time rushing about from place to place.

WeiLong in Laos