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Nairobi to Laos: Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane

Nairobi → Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng → Vientiane

Luang Prabang
"Phou_si_Luang_Prabang_Laos_プーシーの丘_ラオス・ルアンプラバーン_DSCF6777.jpg" by 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Phou si Luang Prabang Laos プーシーの丘 ラオス・ルアンプラバーン DSCF6777 (Luang Prabang)
Photo: 松岡明芳, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Temples, karst & the Mekong by train Best season (general guide): Nov–Feb

Laos is a landlocked country of rivers, mountains and Buddhist temples. A railway, opened in 2021, now links Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane, making the trip much faster than by road. This route spends seven nights in the three towns. From Nairobi you'll connect through Bangkok or another Asian hub.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Luang Prabang: day one, Mount Phousi at sunset; day two, morning alms, then Wat Xieng Thong; day three, Kuang Si Falls. Then spend days four and five in Vang Vieng: day four, train to Vang Vieng; day five, caves and the river. Then spend days six and seven in Vientiane: day six, train to Vientiane; day seven, Pha That Luang and COPE.

Luang Prabang, listed by UNESCO, sits where the Nam Khan meets the Mekong. Walk past its gilded temples, including Wat Xieng Thong, and French colonial houses. At dawn, monks walk the streets collecting alms; if you watch, keep a respectful distance and do not use flash. Take a trip outside town to Kuang Si Falls and its turquoise pools.

Vang Vieng is surrounded by limestone cliffs. Caves, lagoons and the Nam Song river offer kayaking and walks.

Vientiane, the capital, is a relaxed city on the Mekong. Visit Pha That Luang, a golden stupa and the national symbol. The COPE Visitor Centre explains the impact of unexploded bombs in Laos, which still affect rural areas.

Go from November to February, the coolest, driest time. March and April are hot and hazy.

Luang Prabang's night market sells textiles and crafts, and its riverside cafés are good for sunset. In Vang Vieng, the scenery is the main attraction, and hot-air balloon flights offer views over the karst. Vientiane's riverside comes alive in the evening, with food stalls, exercise classes and a night market. Lao food includes laap, sticky rice and fresh herbs.

Practical notes: book train tickets in advance. Dress modestly at temples. Stay on marked paths in rural areas.

Carry some kip in cash, as cards are not always accepted.

Stations are outside town centres, so allow time for a taxi or tuk-tuk.

Suggested outline

  1. Nairobi

    Start

  2. Luang Prabang

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Temples on the Mekong, the dawn alms procession and Kuang Si Falls.

  3. Vang Vieng

    By train · 2 nights suggested

    Karst cliffs, caves and the Nam Song river.

    Vang Vieng
    "VientianeProvince_VangVieng9_tango7174.jpg" by Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Vientiane

    By train · 2 nights suggested

    Pha That Luang, Patuxai and the COPE centre.

    Pha That Luang
    "Pha That Luang Vientiane Laos Wikimedia Commons.jpg" by Benh LIEU SONG, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Luang Prabang — Arrive; Mount Phousi at sunset· Nairobi → Luang Prabang (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Luang Prabang — Morning alms; Wat Xieng Thong
  3. Day 3 · Luang Prabang — Kuang Si Falls
  4. Day 4 · Vang Vieng — Train to Vang Vieng· Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng (by train)
  5. Day 5 · Vang Vieng — Caves and the river
  6. Day 6 · Vientiane — Train to Vientiane· Vang Vieng → Vientiane (by train)
  7. Day 7 · Vientiane — Pha That Luang and COPE
  8. Day 8 · Vientiane — Travel home from Vientiane· Vientiane → Nairobi (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Luang Prabang

More about Luang Prabang →

Plan the trip: Luang Prabang

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Vang Vieng

Nearest airport: Vientiane

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