Enjoy a combination of scenic landscapes, city sightseeing and adventurous trekking expeditions through villages and highland areas. We journey through many fascinating hill tribe villages, waving to the warm and friendly locals and admiring the dramatic mountain scenery. You will get a feel of their customs and culture as trekking provides a greater insight and staying overnight in a villager’s home offers an authentic experience. This tour sees the best highlights and a close up cultural experience of northern Laos.
Tour route: HouayXay – Pakbeng – Oudomxai - Muang La – NongKhiaw - MuangNgoi - Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng - Vientiane
Duration: 11 days
Date: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Start/End: HouayXai/Vientiane
Group size: Private only - 1 person minimum and above
Tour type: Adventure
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: HouayXay – Pakbeng(River)
Day 2: Pakbeng – Oudomxay(Road)
Day 3: Oudomxay – Muong La - MuongNgoi(Road + River)
Day 4: MuongNgoy – Ban Kioukhan
Day 5: Ban Kioukhan - MuongNgoi(River)
Day 6: MuongNgoi – Luang Prabang (River + Road)
Day 7: Luang Prabang – City Tour
Day 8: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng (Road)
Day 9: Vang Vieng – Discover
Day 10: Vang Vieng – Vientiane (Road)
Day 11: Vientiane – Departure
Day 1: HouayXay – Pakbeng (B, L , D )
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 HouayXay where your Lao guide will be waiting for you at the immigration point.
Completing Laos border formalities you board your traditional slow boat for the trip down the Mekong River. The scenery along this part of the Mekong is argueably at its most beautiful. As your journey downriver you will stop at the Hmong of Ban HouayLampen where you have the opportunity to explore the village and observe their traditional lifestyle.
Arriving at Pakbeng late afternoon you will check in to your hotel and enjoy a few drinks watching the sun set over the mountains and the Mekong. Overnight in Pakbeng.
Day 2: Pakbeng – Oudomxay ( B )
This morning we get up early for a visit the morning market in Pakbeng before driving towards Oudomxay, the most mountainous area in Laos. Many villages that dot the hillsides and the undulating terrain make this an interesting journey.
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 Hmong, Khmu, Black Thai and Lue. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly, welcoming you with waving hands and smilling faces. Overnight in Oudomxay .
Day 3: Oudomxay – Muong La - MuongNgoi (B, L , D )
This morning, our journey to Muong La will lead us through some scenic landscape. Here we have the fantastic chance to visit PraXack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. This 400 years old legendary Buddha image is said to have many supernatural powers and is widely worshiped among the faithful local Buddhists.
After a pleasant stop in Muong La we continue our voyage towards MuongKhoua and board a traditional boat for a leisurely cruise on the Nam Ou River to MuongNgoi. This remote little village, set along the east riverbank is accessible only by river and surrounded by breathtaking scenery will be our base for trekking for the next two days. Overnight in Muong Ngoy .
Day 4: MuongNgoy – Ban Kioukhan (B, L )
Today we discover the remote and extremely beautiful mountainous region of the north, ideal for anyone seeking an adventurous trekking expedition.
We head out of town and begin our trek uphill to the rural village of Ban Kioukhan. Along the way we trek through many different villages where we will be sure to attract attention from the friendly locals who don't encounter many foreign visitors.
We arrive at Ban Kioukhan by late afternoon and have time to walk around this charming village giving us the opportunity to interact with the locals and understand a little more about their culture and daily lifestyle. This village is home to Khmu hill tribe people who live a traditional lifestyle. We enjoy a local dinner and will reside at a Ban Kioukhan villager's house, the best way to experience authentic village life. Overnight Ban Kiou Khan Homestay .
Day 5: Ban Kioukhan - MuongNgoi(River) (B )
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 rewarding.
After a 4-5 hour trek we arrive at Ban Hadsaphaei situated by the Nam Ou River. Boarding our traditional boat you have a chance to rest your aching feet and enjoy the stunning scenery as we cruise downriver arriving in MuongNgoi midafternoon.
The rest of your afternoon and evening is free to explore or enjoy a few Beer Lao along the riverfront. Overnight in MuongNgoi.
Day 6: MuongNgoi – Luang Prabang ( B )
After breakfast this morning we take a short boat journey to NongKhiaw where we transfer to the road for the drive to the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.
Along the way we visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, these caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years.
Arriving in Luang Prabang mid-afternoon we check in to our hotel and this evening is free to explore or relax . Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 7: Luang Prabang – City Tour ( B )
Morning we will 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 WatVisoun 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.
Afternoon is free to treat you to a spa treatment or massage, explore the town by footor bicycle or just relax at the hotel.
Late afternoon we 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.
Descending the mountain your will be 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 the town has to offer. Overnight in Luang Prabang .
Day 8: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng ( B )
This morning we have an early departure following Route 13 to Vang Vieng . Climbing into the mountains we pass through spectacular scenery and numerous hill tribe villages. We will lunch at an altitude of approximately 1300 meters above sea level surrounded by the endless mountain peaks of this remote region. After lunch we continue on along Route 13 arriving in Vang Vieng midafternoon.
After check in and time to freshen up we board our boat for a relaxing trip on the Nam Song River, exploring the breathtaking mountain landscape and stopping to explore the famous Tham Jang Cave, used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 9: Vang Vieng – Discover ( B )
Depart from the hotel we drive 14kms north of Vang Vieng to explore a few of the many caves dotting the landscape.
ThamXang (Elephant Cave) which lies on the opposite banks of the Nam Song. This cave is an important Buddhist temple and owes 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 will take us to a crystal clear spring. Here swimming by candle-light is possible all the year round.
The most beautiful cave on this trip is Tham Loup (Deep cave). This cave is known for it's 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 Hmong 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 and the stunning backdrop of limestone kryst-mountains. Overnight in Vang Vieng .
Approximately: 25 minutes transfer/ 1½ hour trekking/ 2 hours caving / 2 hours kayaking
Day 10: Vang Vieng – Vientiane (B )
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 for the city tour. We will see the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, WatSisaket, with it's thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of WatPrakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph.
Heading for the waterfront your evening is free to enjoy a few drinks watching the sunset over the Mekong River, explore the Night Market and take in some of the city's nightlife. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 11: Vientiane – Departure ( B ).
After breakfast, we will visit the Morning Market and if time permits we will also visit the Laos's handmade textile exhibition center. The tour ends after your transfer to airport or for departure . Trip concludes.
