REMOTE NORTHERN LAOS Exploring an unknown corner of Asia

REMOTE NORTHERN LAOS

Laos is well-known for ecotourism and it is the best culture and tradition preservation in South East Asia. 

The ecotourism is now defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustainable well-being of local community people and involves aiding local education. 

Your route will begin from the well-known UNESCO Heritage city and it leads you to the entrance of deep tropical rain forest where unspoiled flora and fauna remain protected. Trek to Nam Kat Waterfall where Ban Faen (a Kamu village) then take you down the Mekong River heading up North to the Golden Triangle which borders Thailand and Myanmar.

Highlights

  • Investigate the Pak Ou Caves, with its hundreds of wooden Buddhist figures and sculptures. 
  • Sit back and relax in one of the most charming cities of Southeast Asian, Luang Prabang
  • Zip line and cycle your way through the forest and waterfall of Nam Kat Yo La Pa
  • Embark on a traditional boat upstream the Mekong River, observing the peaceful river life and its surroundings
  • Trek through the mixture of forests and fields in Muang Ngoi

Start your journey today!

Inquire
  • Duration

    8D/7N

  • Destinations

    Luang Prabang - Nong Khiaw - Nam Kat Yo La Pa - Pakbeng - Chiang Khong

Our Services Include:
  • Accommodation in twin shared basis
  • Private, Air Conditioned Transport
  • Boat trips as stated in the itinerary
  • English speaking guide
  • Admission fees to sites stated in the itinerary
  • Meals: daily breakfast at hotel
  • Gov’t taxs and service charges
  • Luggage handling
  • Drinking water
Our Services Exclude:
  • Visas and Immigration fees on arrival
  • Domestic air ticket
  • Int’l air tickets to/from Laos
  • Travel and/or Medical Insurance
  • Lunch or dinner unless stated in the itinerary
  • Single room accommodation (quoted separately)
  • Child or adult in triple share accommodation
  • Foreign language guides other than English
  • Peak Season or Special Events Surcharges
  • Tip, drinks and other personal expenses
icon-schedule

ITINERARY/SCHEDULE

Upon arrival, you will meet our local guide and drive a short distance to the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture.  We will visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.

After Lunch, we drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths (on the way, we visit villages of different minorities Laotian ethnic identification (Ban Quay, Ban Ou).  There’s also an opportunity to visit the bear sanctuary nearby (by Free The Bears Fund Inc.). From there we will climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River.

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. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today, we begin our drive to Nong Khiaw, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. We will be able to stop off at a few villages and admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. Along the way we stop and cross by boat to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Late afternoon we will reach our destination for the night, Nong Khiaw.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

In the morning we will take a boat up to Muang Ngoi, a picturesque little fishing village 1 hour upstream from Nong Khiaw.

We will then trek to the Tham Kang, where according to local legend, a “Naga” resides.

We will then continue through rice paddy fields onto the Lao Loum village of Ban Na, which is only accessible by foot, the village retains much of its original character.

After lunch, our last stop is the Thai Daeng village of Huay Sen, before we trek back to Muang Ngoi, through a mixture of forest and paddy field scenery.  Before boarding the boat back to Nong Khiaw, you may wish to do as the locals do and bathe in the Nam Ou. We return to Nong Khiaw by early evening.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

This morning we have time for a short walk to Tham Pha Thok, a limestone cave where villagers hid during the Indochina War. The caves offer a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.  We then get back on the road, this time heading north to Nam Kat Yolapa via Oudomxay. 

Overnight in Nam Kat Resort.

We start a day tour by Green bus to the information center and we will be introduced by the camp manager before Cycling from information Centre 5 km - Trekking 900 m through the forest and through Kua Ou Bridge to Namkat waterfall. Zip-Lining (18 lines) through Namkat waterfall and the rainforest along the Namkat River. 

Overnight in Nam Kat Resort.

We leave the resort after breakfast and drive towards Oudomxay, the most mountainous area in Laos. The road conditions are good. Oudomxay province is residence to a mixture of 23 ethnic minority groups. We make a few rest stops along the way, which gives you the opportunity to see the ethnic minority groups of Hmong, Khmu, Black Thai and Lu; Hmong hill tribe people at Ban Songja and Ban Jarong. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly; welcoming you with waving hands and smiling faces.

On arrival at Oudomxay city, we head out the town to Pakbeng, along the way; we visit some more Khmu, Tai Dam (Black Thai), and Hmong villages. Once we arrive at Pakbeng, we will browse the daily evening hill tribe market before checking in to your hotel.

Overnight in Pakbeng.

Today, we will embark on a traditional boat upstream on the magical Mekong River. This portion of the Mekong River is narrow but both banks of the river are bordered with beautiful mountain ranges and lush forests. Along the way, we will observe the peaceful river life and visit Ban Houei Lampen to visit the Hmong hill tribe people, who are very poor but have a unique culture. 

On arrival at HoueiSay, we cross the bridge to Chiang khong in Thailand, where the tour finishes.