Embark on this 14 days Northern Laos adventure tour to explore the untouched northern provinces and experience the traditional Laotian way of life. This immersive journey begins and ends in Luang Prabang, where you’ll have the unique opportunity to witness the iconic almsgiving procession early one morning.
Cruise up the mighty Mekong River and drift down the gentle Nam Ou River, stopping to explore along the way and staying in charming and unique riverside lodges. The tour includes unforgettable activities such as kayaking on the Nam Tha River and trekking through lush forests to visit remote hill tribe villages, where you’ll encounter an authentic rural experience with locals who rarely see foreign visitors.
Designed for nature enthusiasts and lovers of rivers and mountains, this 14 days in Laos adventure promises a dream journey filled with breathtaking landscapes and cultural discoveries.
Upon your arrival in Luang Prabang, our driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in the city center.
Check in to the hotel and relax.
Included: Accommodation and airport pickup.
Get up early to witness the captivating centuries-old tradition of the Tak Bat almsgiving ceremony. Before sunrise, hundreds of saffron-clad monks emerge from the town’s 35 temples to collect their daily alms from faithful local residents.
After the ceremony, explore the beautiful ancient town of Luang Prabang, taking in its many sights. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the magnificent stupa of Wat Wisunarat, one of Luang Prabang’s most historically significant temples, built in the 16th century and now serving as a small museum for religious artifacts. Next, visit Wat That Luang, traditionally the cremation site for Lao royalty and housing the ashes of King Sisavang Vong and his brother within a large stupa erected in 1910.
Wat That Luang
Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th-century temple that epitomizes the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture with its classic Lao-style roofs. This temple was one of only two spared by the Black Flag army in 1887 and served as the leader’s headquarters during the invasion.
Visit Wat Mai and the nearby former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, before climbing to the top of Mount Phousi. This 100-meter (328 feet) hill is crowned by the gilded stupa of That Chomsi, which dominates the old city center. Enjoy a sunset view of the gilded stupa and a panoramic vista of the city and surrounding landscape.
Return to the hotel and relax. Free for dinner.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the area around one of Luang Prabang’s most impressive and picturesque waterfalls, Kuang Si. Trek through jungle parklands to visit the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, established in 2003, which has saved numerous bears from wildlife traffickers and traditional medicine traders. You will have the opportunity to assist with the bears’ midday scatter feed.
Kuang Si waterfalls
Afterward, take a stroll to Kuang Si Waterfall, where a 60-meter cascade flows into multi-tiered turquoise pools nestled within a lush forest. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water or walk up the trails to explore the upper sections of the waterfall.
After a picnic lunch in the serene park, return to town to relax or continue exploring the local area at your own pace.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Depart Luang Prabang for a 2.5 to 3-hour boat journey up the Mekong River to the Kamu Lodge, a rustic ecolodge dedicated to low-impact living, nestled in a remote river valley surrounded by rice paddies and forested mountains.
En route, stop at the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou village, to visit the Tam Thing Cave. Known as the Rock Cave, it is famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of varying sizes and serves as a pilgrimage site for locals.
Pak Ou Caves
Arriving at Kamu Lodge by noon, you’ll find yourself in a setting that embodies the timeless, unspoiled beauty of Southeast Asia. After lunch, choose from a variety of activities including rice planting and harvesting, traditional fishing, local village visits, or even an archery contest.
In the evening, enjoy dinner in the open-sided fale at the center of the rice paddy, then retire to one of the 20 safari-style tents on the banks of the Mekong for the night.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Breakfast is served at the lodge at 7:00 A.M. After some time to relax, board the boat for a cruise up the Mekong River to Pak Beng and the Luang Say Lodge. Along the way, marvel at the granite cliffs and sparkling sandy shores. The boat will stop at the hill tribe village of Ban Baw, where you can observe the traditional process of making Lao whiskey.
Pak Beng
You will arrive at Luang Say Lodge near Pak Beng Town before sunset, allowing ample time to refresh and take in the river scenery and surrounding nature.
In the evening, enjoy a Laotian dinner on the open-air terrace overlooking the Mekong River.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
After breakfast, the boat sets off for another day of exploring the natural wonders along the legendary Mekong River, with one stop planned en route to Huay Xai. Lunch will be served on board buffet-style, featuring main courses from Laos’ culinary delights, including both fish and meat dishes.
Huay Xai
During the journey, the boat will stop at a traditional village, where you can observe rural life along the Mekong and witness the daily activities and craftsmanship of ethnic minorities.
You will arrive in Huay Xai, the provincial capital of Bokeo and a popular entry point to Laos from northern Thailand, around 5:00 PM. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Today, you will travel from Huay Xai to Luang Namtha, driving through stunning mountain scenery and stopping at several intriguing local villages along the way. You will also visit Kao Rao Cave near Vieng Phou Kha, an extensive cave system featuring limestone formations and ancient stalactites encrusted with crystal deposits.
Kao Rao Cave
Upon arriving in Luang Namtha, you will take an orientation tour around this tranquil town before checking into your hotel and relaxing.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, meet up with our tour guide and head to the morning market to gather fresh supplies. Then, drive to the start of the trail in Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA). The trek will take you across hills and valleys through dense primary rainforest, immersing you in the wild jungle environment.
Nam Ha NPA
Stop for an authentic Lao-style jungle picnic lunch, prepared by our guide using fresh supplies and natural resources from the jungle, cooked and served in bamboo. Continue along the trail through lush forest, using stepping stones and fallen logs to cross sparkling streams, all while being sheltered from the sun by the canopies of towering trees.
Upon reaching a high ridge with enchanting views across hills and valleys, you will arrive at Nalan Village, home to the Khmu people, where you’ll stay overnight.
For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the village, meet the locals, chat with your host, or swim in the Nam Ha River. Enjoy a candlelit dinner and a restful night’s sleep.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle and have breakfast. Then, meet our tour guide at the riverside, where you’ll receive basic instructions on kayaking or rafting techniques and safety before beginning your paddle down the glorious river. You’ll soon find yourselves navigating the first few rapids.
As you paddle through awe-inspiring scenery and pass villagers fishing in the river, you’ll stop further downriver to visit another charming Khmu tribe at Nalan Tai Village, where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch.
Nam Koy Village
Rejoin the river to witness dramatic scenery as steep jungle-covered hills rise almost vertically on each side. Land at the picturesque Nam Koy Village, home to the Lantan people, and learn about their unique methods of natural dyeing and bamboo paper making.
Continue rowing on the mighty Nam Tha River, tackling more exciting rapids. Reach Houy Leuat Village, where your driver will collect you for a one-hour ride back to Luang Namtha.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast, depart from Luang Namtha and head towards Phongsaly, renowned for its colorfully dressed minority communities. En route, enjoy a picnic lunch amidst beautiful landscapes. The drive offers plenty of opportunities for photography, with stops available upon request.
Phongsaly
Later in the afternoon, arrive in Laos’ northernmost province and explore the charming streets of Phongsaly. Delve into the history and culture of this multicultural city, where Laotian people and Chinese immigrants coexist harmoniously. Visit the nearby Chinese temple for stunning views over the town. Afterward, take a leisurely walk to the serene Wat Keo, where Buddhist monks engage in petanque or soccer, popular pastimes in Laos, before nightfall.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Start the day with a visit to the Museum of Phongsaly Ethnic Groups, which offers fascinating insights into the lives of the local ethnic tribes. The museum showcases a variety of traditional costumes and a collection of wooden utensils used by these communities.
Next, venture off the beaten path as you head out of Phongsaly to visit Akha Nugui, one of the most intriguing and picturesque hilltop tribes in the region. This visit provides a unique opportunity to experience the enduring northern Laotian culture, sample traditional food, and observe the customs of this remote area.
Akha Nugui hill tribe village
On your way back to Phongsaly, stop at Ban Gnoy Neu for another glimpse into hill tribe life.
Conclude the day with a climb up Phou Pha Hill to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the town.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on your journey to the renowned 400-year-old tea plantation in the village of Ban Komen. The drive takes you through scenic tea plantations, offering stunning views of Phongsaly and the surrounding mountains. According to tea experts, this village boasts some of the oldest tea trees in the world. The deep-rooted trees draw from mineral-rich soil, giving “Phongsaly Tea” its unique aroma and taste. Although the village is rarely visited by foreign tourists, you’ll receive a warm welcome and be invited to enjoy a cup of local tea.
Tea harvesting in Ban Komaen, Laos
After visiting Ban Komen, continue your drive to Muang Khua, a journey of about five hours. Nestled on the picturesque Nam Ou River, this small trading town is home to many Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants and still features remnants of old French colonial architecture.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Wake up to the gentle sound of the river flowing by, surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery any resort in the country has to offer. Today, you’ll board a private long-tail boat for a cruise on the Nam Ou River, navigating through stunning landscapes with impressive limestone cliffs, lush vegetation, and sandy beaches. Compared to the Mekong River, the Nam Ou is more dramatic, wild, and significantly less trafficked. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and observe various local villages as you travel downstream.
Nong Khiaw
Arrive in Nong Khiaw, renowned for its dramatic limestone mountains. Disembark and check into your hotel. Later in the afternoon, take a short walk over a bridge before beginning the trek up Pha Daeng Peak. The hike takes about two hours to reach the summit, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Included: Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking guide, Meals: breakfast, lunch.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a 3-hour scenic drive to Luang Prabang Airport, followed by your departure flight back home.
End of 2 weeks in Laos with wonderful experiences.
Included: Airport drop-off and breakfast at the hotel.
– There may be cancellation fees charged by suppliers (hotels, airlines, boats, trains…) once these bookings are made and paid. These fee shall by paid by travelers.
– These are maximum cancellation fees to be flexible applied:
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