Flow into Sticky-Rice Time with Lao food and linger over coffee with almond croissants!

The best season to travel is between October and February– however from December onward, be prepared for peak season crowds and prices- especially around Chinese New Year in February.
Early weeks of December tend to be a lovely time before Christmas travel rush.
By March, the peak of the dry season, the air quality can become very unpleasant from the burning of fields in the region. April, during Lao New Year and May, are the hottest months.  Cooling rains usually start to fall in June with heaviest rain in August.
Full Moon of September is when the boat races can be seen along the Nam Khan River and Full Moon of October, marking the end of Awk Pansa (Buddhist Lent)- is a lovely time with lanterns and floats on the Mekong.

Lao Food is known for its earthy and fresh flavours- spicy and a little less sweet than Thai food.
The Lao use fresh herbs of mint, cilantro, dill, and have a love affair with chilies , especially in their beloved papaya salad. Enjoy Stuffed Lemongrass and Laap, a popular dish (minced meat, fish or tofu.) is served alongside local veggies and raw greens. A Luang Prabang Watercress Salad is delightful on a hot day. And a meal does not feel complete without sticky rice. ( khao niao )

Luang Prabang is filled with charming restaurants, cafes and markets with local food stalls. Be sure to explore the early morning market, a few steps up from the Mekong behind the Palace Museum.
Restaurants also serve a whole range of world cuisines nowadays, so no going hungry here.
Along the river, lots of restaurants to enjoy food with a view. You can also hire a little boat for a relaxing sunset cruise on the Mekong side.
There are so many places but below are a few personal recommendations:

Mekong View Point- a favorite spot at the tip of the peninsula where the Nam Kham meets the Mekong.
You could feel like sitting here all day watching the flow of the river.

Silk Road Cafe at Ock Pop Tok

Venture out to Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center and after learning about how silkworms become nagas, enjoy lunch at their stunning Silk Road Cafe overlooking the Mekong- a short ride from town.
Free shuttle from Ock Pop Tok showroom on the Main Road in Old Town.

Tamarind along the Nam Khan River in Old Town offers Cooking Classes in their gardens outside of town.
See:   https://www.tamarindlaos.com/

Cafe Toui
Toui is a great chef – check out his special small place for Home-Style cooking- just off the Main road in Ban Khili, a few steps from the Nam Khan.

Le Banneton Cafe and French Bakery:
on the main road down by Wat Khili, fresh morning breads and croissants along with salads and sandwiches.

Saffron–   for the best Lao organic coffee on the Mekong!

Read their story:  https://saffroncoffee.com/

Joma Bakery and Cafe–  two locations serving western sandwiches and other treats and where you can catch up with news in the Vientiane Times. 
https://www.joma.biz/luang-prabang-laos

Places to stay in Luang Prabang:

As Luang Prabang becomes a discovered destination, accomodations are going more upscale.  New small guesthouses keep opening in restored houses where reasonable prices can still be found- especially in low season. Check out latest listings on Booking.com or Agoda.

A few recommendations:
Boutique Hotels and Guesthouses:

Chaleunxay Boutique Hotel–  just around the corner from Wat Xieng Thong on the quiet end of the Main Road close to the meeting of the rivers. Friendly guesthouse with a new annex in the back. Find it on Booking.com

Middle of the Old Town:

Xieng Mouane Guesthouse
Long- established local family owned on the Middle Road directly opposite Wat Xieng Mouane Temple
The Heritage lande pathway behind Wat Xieng Mouane brings you to the Main Road Center and the other way, you are just a block up from the Mekong, close to Saffron Coffee.

Senesouk Guesthouse and Villa – along the Main Road directly opposite Wat Sene with the beautiful standing Buddha image There is a newer wing in their quieter courtyard just a few steps from the Nam Khan River.
http://www.luangphabang.com/senesouk/home–page.htm

Luxury:

Xieng Thong Palace: now a Victoria Hotel
Located just behind beautiful Wat Xieng Thong along the Mekong:
https://www.victoriahotels.asia/en/destination/victoria-xiengthong/

Mekong River View which runs the View Point Cafe.
http://mekongriverview.com/

Luxury on the Hill:
La Residence Phou Vao

Flying into Laos:

Visa on arrival available at all airports and most overland crossings.
USD 35-50 and a passport photo. Visa Cost varies for different nationalities.

LAO E-VISA Official Site: Apply online to save time at the airport. Allow 3 working days:
https://laoevisa.gov.la/index

Air options:

Lao Airlines flies Luang Prabang to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi and Siem Reap (via Pakse in southern Laos) and other destinations via Vientiane. Flying aircraft with their Frangipani National Flower Logo.
https://www.laoairlines.com

Bangkok Airways – the boutique airline daily flights to Bangkok: www.bangkokair.com

Air Asia:
Bangkok Don Muang Airport direct to Luang Prabang and to Vientiane.
Air Asia also from Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane
www.airasia.com

Vietnam Airlines between Hanoi and Siem Reap to/from Luang Prabang.
www.vietnamairlines.com

Singapore to Vientiane on SCOOT- budget branch of Singapore Airlines

Boats down the Mekong to Luang Prabang:

A beautiful 2-day  journey down this river where you can unplug and re-charge!

Public Slow Boat can be very basic and crowded and best AVOID the Speedboats which can be very dangerous travel.

Wonderful Join-in Cruise operation:
https://shompoo-cruise.com/en/

or Arrange a Private local boat charter via a local agent.

Clear Immigration at Lao Friendship Bridge in Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province on the Thai side.
Cross over early morning by 0800am to Houixay on the Lao side if you wish to continue directly by boat same day.  If a private boat has been arranged, confirm timings with your local agent or guide. Important to also check the Mekong water levels during the drier season. Most travelers getting into sticky-rice time find it comfortable to spend the night prior in Houixay at one of the many local guesthouses.

You need to break up the river trip half way at the market town of Pakbeng
Lots of local guesthouses and budget backpacker places are found easily on arrival just up from the boat landing.

For upscale, check out Pakbeng Lodge:  
http://www.sanctuaryhotelsandresorts.com/english/main/pakbeng/about/

High-Speed Train to Luang Prabang

Imagine this- a High Speed Train from Vientiane to Luang Prabang and on to China

Normally the 9-10 hour drive from Vientiane to Luang Prabang ( via Vang Vieng) can now be done by train in around 2 hours!

LCR- Lao China Rail has an APP to book tickets directly within 3 days of travel.
However you NEED to have either a Lao, China or Thai mobile number to register!

Tickets are only available 3 days in advance, and they sell out quickly. There is 2nd class, First Class and a Business Class. You can have a local Lao agent, or see if your hotel can assist with tickets as going out to the train station is approx 30-40 min. drive from the centers.

Once on aboard, relax and enjoy the views riding in comfort. Around Vang Vieng you start to see the beautiful mountains. Closer to Luang Prabang, there are several tunnels allowing this train to travel so quickly. So an amazing option to Rush in order to have more time to Slow down in Laos!

More info on:
https://www.laostraintickets.com/

Read more: https://alamasia.net/going-high-speed-to-slow-down-in-laos/

Enjoy Lao Journeys! Travel Gently, Live Consciously

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