The 5 Best Historical Tours in Laos

1.UNESCO World Heritage City Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 201 reviews · 4.5 hours - 1 day · from $35Our pick

Start before sunrise for the alms-giving ceremony and morning market, then visit Wat Xieng Thong, the former Royal Palace, Wat Mai, and Phousi Hill. Full-day choices add Kuang Si Falls and a Hmong village, or Ban Xang Khong, the UXO Center, and older temples. Guides such as Boun and Sitthai bring strong knowledge of Buddhism and Lao culture.

“Boun, our guide was amazing! Really knowledgeable, friendly and funny. We loved the alms giving with the monks in the morning, and the city tour with the various temples and the nice view from the top of the hill. Also, the afternoon was very nice with our guide Chiang at the waterfall where we had a swim and later on we visited the Hmong people in a village in the countryside. Really recommended!”

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2.Vientiane Cultural Tour with Private Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · from $125Top rated

Spend about eight hours exploring Vientiane by private car with a guide assigned to your group. Visit Buddha Park, Patuxay, Wat Si Saket, Pha That Luang, Wat Ho Phra Keo, Wat Si Muang, and the COPE Visitor Centre. Guides such as Chansay, Toy, Sombath, and Bandith are praised for clear history and cultural explanations.

“This was an excellent way to see the highlights of Vientiane. The Buddha park was excellent as were the city sites. Its a lot in one day - we only had a day otherwise we would have spread out over several. We were a multiage group so the older (80 years) and younger (9 years) were tired after lunch but all the sites were excellent. Definitely recommend if you have a short time in Vientiane.”

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3.Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 74 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $58

Spend 6 to 8 hours touring Vientiane’s key sights, from Wat Si Muang and Buddha Park to Pha That Luang and Patuxay. Hotel pickup, transport, and an English or Chinese-speaking guide are included. Guides such as Souk, Nong, Nam, Kay, and Anoudeth are praised for clear explanations of Lao religion, history, and daily life. Lunch and admission fees cost extra.

“The tour is very well organised and the guide and driver lovely. Our guide, Souk is very knowledgeable and has explained us a lot about culture, history and religion. He speaks very good English, and his explanations have been truly informative. We enjoyed the day a lot :)”

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4.Craft Your Own Aroma Candle in Heritage Home

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 43 reviews · 2 hours · from $29Best value

At Heuan Artisan Candles Workshop, guides including Gai, Lee, and Sky lead you through scent blending, wax pouring, and Lao tea preparation in a heritage home near Ban Xang Khong. Choose from more than 20 aroma oils, pour a 100g candle into local pottery, and enjoy tea and snacks in a garden setting.

“What a fun morning! I got to create my own scented candle. Host Lee is incredibly friendly.”

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5.Craft Your Own Aroma Candle in Heritage Home

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $29

At Gai Artisan Candles in Luang Prabang, you’ll blend a personal scent from more than 20 aroma oils, pour a 100g candle into locally made pottery, and learn about Lao tea ceremony. Guides Gai and Lee lead this small-group workshop in an air-conditioned heritage home with a Lao garden.

“This was a very interesting and fun morning. Gai is very knowledgeable and informed. Now I have a custom made souvenir from Laos!”

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