Summary:
This distinctive tour enables you to experience traditional ways of life, the stupendous landscape of mountainous areas and cultural delights of Northern Laos. The tour involves trekking so a reasonable level of fitness is required. You will also spend a few hours caving and kayaking too. The natural environment is both wonderful and remote. It is tailor-made for those who like an outdoors life and who wish to experience local lifestyles, far removed from the comforts of modern urban living.
Details:
Enjoy a combination of scenic splendour, city sightseeing and adventurous treks through villages and highland areas. We journey through many fascinating hill tribe villages where you can wave back to the warm and friendly locals and admire dramatic and changing mountain scenery. Soon, you will get a feel of local customs and culture as trekking provides a much greater insight. So will staying overnight in a villager’s home, offering an authentic and very different experience. The reward is a memorable and unforgettable tour that includes Luang Prabang whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 1 - Houay Xay – Pakbeng (Mekong River Cruise)
This morning you have an early morning departure for to the small town of Chiang Khong, the exit point from Thailand to Laos on the banks of the Mekong River.
After passing through Thai immigration you will cross the Mekong River to Houay Xay where your Lao guide will be waiting at the immigration point. After completing Laos border formalities you board a traditional slow boat for the trip down the Mekong River. For many people, the scenery along this part of the Mekong is the most beautiful. As you journey downriver a stop is made at the H’mong of Ban Houay Lampen with the opportunity to explore the village and observe their traditional lifestyle.
Arriving at Pakbeng late afternoon you’ll check in to your hotel. Relax and watch the sunset with the green mountains and Mekong River as a backdrop. Overnight is in Pakbeng. (B/L/D)
Day 2 - Pakbeng – Oudomxay (Minibus)
This morning we pay an early visit to the morning market in Pakbeng before driving towards Oudomxay, the most mountainous area in Laos with a few peaks touching 1800m. Many villages dot steep hillsides and together with the undulating terrain enjoy a fascinating hike in a remote part of Laos. Absorb the rich culture and be genuinely humbled by friendly people in a tranquil setting and natural environment.
Oudomxay Province is home to a mixture of 23 ethnic minority groups. We make a few rest stops along the way, giving you the opportunity to see the ethnic minority groups such as H’mong, Khmu, Black Thai and Lue. Expect a warm welcome with waving hands and smiling faces. The Province is famed for drum making and rattan and bamboo, silk products and many other handicrafts. Overnight is in Oudomxay
Day 3 - Oudomxay – Muong La - Muong Ngoi (Minibus & River Cruise)
After breakfast, our journey to Muong La will lead us through stunning and majestic scenery. Here we have the fantastic chance to visit Pra Xack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. This 400 years old legendary Buddha image is said to have many supernatural powers and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists.
After a pleasant stop in Muong La we continue our voyage towards Muong Khoua, boarding a traditional boat for a leisurely cruise on the Nam Ou River to Muong Ngoi. This remote little village, set along the east riverbank, is accessible only by river and is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. For the next two days this will be our base for trekking. Overnight is in Muong Ngoi. Here you will enjoy lush scenery, a magical feeling of tranquility and rural traditional life.
Day 4 - Ban Kioukhan (Trek)
Today we really discover this remote and extremely beautiful mountainous region of the north, ideal for an adventurous trekking expedition. We head out and begin our trek uphill to the rural village of Ban Kioukhan. Along the way we trek through many different villages where we will attract attention from friendly locals who don’t encounter many foreign visitors. They can make our day as we can theirs!
We arrive at Ban Kioukhan by late afternoon and have time to walk around this charming village, giving plenty of opportunity to interact with locals and understand a little more about their culture and daily life. This village is home to Khmu hill tribe people who live a traditional lifestyle. Enjoy a local dinner at a Ban Kioukhan villager’s house. This is where you will stay and is the best way to experience authentic village life in such a remote region. Overnight is in a Ban Kioukhan Homestay
Day 5 - Ban Kioukhan - Muong Ngoi (Trek & River Cruise)
After breakfast we continue our trek using trails used by the locals going about their everyday activities. These trails are more challenging but the experience is unique and the effort most rewarding. After a 4-5 hour trek we arrive at Ban Hadsaphaei by the Nam Ou River. Boarding our traditional boat you have a chance to rest aching feet and enjoy the stunning scenery as we cruise downriver and arrive in Muong Ngoi mid-afternoon.
The rest of your afternoon and evening is free to explore and relax along the riverfront. Overnight is in Muong Ngoi.
Day 6 - Muong Ngoi – Luang Prabang (Boat & Minibus)
After breakfast this morning we take a short boat journey to Nong Khiaw. Here we transfer for the drive to the small and absorbing city of Luang Prabang. Along the way we visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, an ancient pilgrimage site containing thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images simply left there over hundreds of years.
Arriving in Luang Prabang mid-afternoon you check in to the hotel and your evening is free to explore or relax in this delightful town with river views. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is a fine example of the fusion of traditional architecture, Lao urban structures, contrasting with those of European Colonials in the 19th and 20th centuries. Overnight is in Luang Prabang.
Day 7 - Luang Prabang – City Tour
After breakfast we head out to see the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground representing classical Lao architecture, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham. From here we visit the Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from the Royal period in Luang Prabang.
After lunch you have a few hours free to treat yourself to a spa treatment or massage, explore the town by foot or by bicycle or just relax at the hotel. Luang Prabang is made for strolling. Every few steps you will come across something unusual. Late afternoon we climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and enjoy the panoramic city view and sunset over the Mekong River.
On return from Mount Phousi you will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Your evening is free to explore the market and sample some traditional Lao cuisine at one of the many restaurants on offer. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 8 - Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng (Minibus)
This morning we have an early departure to Vang Vieng. Climbing up into the mountains you will see spectacular scenery and numerous hill tribe villages. We lunch at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, surrounded by the endless mountain peaks in this remote region. After lunch we continue to Vang Vieng where we arrive mid-afternoon.
After check in and time to freshen up we board our boat for a relaxing trip on the Nam Song River. Just relax and take in the breathtaking mountain landscape. We make a stop at the famous Tham Jang Cave, used in the early 19th century as a defence against Chinese invaders. Overnight is in Vang Vieng
Day 9 - Vang Vieng – (Trek, Caving & Kayaking)
Departing from our hotel we drive a short distance north to explore a few of the many caves dotting the landscape. First we visit Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) which lies on the opposite banks of the Nam Song River. The cave is an important Buddhist temple, owing its name to a remarkable limestone formation. The nearby Tham Hoi (Snail cave) winds its way deep into the mountain. An hour of exploration through numerous corridors takes us to a crystal clear spring. Here swimming by candle-light is possible all the year round.
The most beautiful cave of all is Tham Loup (Deep cave), known for its many stalagmites and stalactites. Another cool pool of spring water lies at the mouth of Tham Nam (Water cave), also a good place for a swim. Tubing inside the cave is possible. After a picnic lunch we trek to the H’mong village of Ban Phathao, passing through rice paddy fields and vegetable gardens. From here we kayak back to Vang Vieng through idyllic scenes of rural life. Along the way admire too the amazing backdrop of limestone karst-mountains. Overnight is in Vang Vieng
Approximately: 1½ hours trekking/ 2 hours caving / 2 hours kayaking
Day 10 - Vang Vieng – Vientiane (Minibus)
This morning we drive 4 hours to the national capital of Vientiane, a charming city with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences.
After check in and time to freshen up we head out on our afternoon city tour enabling you to see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with it’s thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.
We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take photos of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. After heading for the waterfront your evening is free. Watch the sunset over the Mekong River, explore the Night Market and take in some of the city’s nightlife. Overnight is in Vientiane
Day 11 - Vientiane – Departure
After breakfast, we will visit the Morning Market and if time permits visit the Laos’s handmade textile exhibition centre. The tour ends after your transfer to airport or for departure. The choice is yours on where to fly to with options of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Siem Reap (for Angkor Wat) or maybe a return to Bangkok for your international flight, especially if you arrived in Thailand.