Laos has been hailed the best-kept secret in Southeast Asia (oops, guess the cat’s out of the bag now!). From the northern tribes along the border with China to the southern coffee plantations, adventure travelers in Laos will find sleepy villages, exotic cuisine, and inspiring landscapes beaconing.

Just across the river from Thailand, UNESCO World Heritage city Luang Prabang blends traditional Lao culture with glittering temples and Indochinese influences.Though Luang Prabang has seen considerable investments in recent years, it maintains a sleepy charm showcasing Laos’ cultural and spiritual sides. From here you can hop a ferry to Thailand or venture toward the tribal villages and lesser-known national parks of Laos’ northern region.

Four hours south of Luang Prabang sits quaint Vang Vieng, a departure point for some of Laos’ best trekking, and a gem in its own right. With a small, but dedicated, nightlife scene and an even more dedicated influx of outdoor adventure enthusiasts, Vang Vieng is a hot spot for adrenaline junkies. (Motor)biking through the rice plantations, local schoolyards, and jutting rock formations offer a feel for rural Laotian life. Vang Vieng’s surroundings are best seen from a hot air balloon, from which the peak of Phou Bia, Laos’ tallest mountain, might even make an appearance.

The pearl of adventure travel in Laos is The 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don). Dotting the Mekong just north of the Cambodian border, time seems to stand still here. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do! Get your adrenaline pumping with a tube ride or take a break from lounging in your beach-side hammock to take a dip in the river. While you splash around, watch out for the world’s last remaining Irrawaddy dolphins, which locals believe have incarnated human souls. The area is also ideal for kayaking, sunset BBQs, and leisurely bike rides through local villages. There are three main island destinations: Don Khong, Don Det, and Don Khon. Be aware that there are no ATMs on the islands, so you’ll want to come with enough kip to cover your trip.

Pakse, meaning “mouth of the river” in Lao, served as the capital of the Champasak Kingdom until it was unified with the rest of Laos in 1946. In the heart of Laos’ coffee country, you’ll find plenty of Arabica elixir to energize adventures. Take a short daytrip into the mountains to pluck coffee beans fresh from the branch and meander through lush rice fields. Just don’t stray too far off the road, as the countryside is still littered with undetonated cluster bombs and mines left behind during the Vietnam War.