12 Days Northern Laos Rivers, Jungles & Tribes

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport, you will be picked up by Laos Travel's representative and transferred to your hotel for checking in. Enjoy a welcome drink and choose to relax or explore nearby sights on your leisure time.
Luang Prabang has many great cafés, restaurants and night food stalls which emerge at dusk, ask the guide for personal recommendations to enjoy your dinner.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast at the hotel, follow your tour guide to wander around the beautiful ancient town of Luang Prabang taking in all of the sights. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the magnificent stupa of Wat Wisunarat, one of Luang Prabang's most historically important temples, built in the 16th century and serving as a small museum for religious artefacts. Next stop is Wat That Luang, traditionally the cremation site for Lao Royalty and housing the ashes of King Sisavang Vong and his brother, interred inside the large stupa, erected in 1910.
Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th century temple which epitomizes the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture and showcases classic Lao style roofs. This temple was one of only two temples spared by the Black Flag army in 1887, and it was then used as the leader’s headquarters during the invasion.
Pay visits to Wat Mai and the nearby former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, before climbing to the top of Mount Phousi. The 100 meter (328 feet) hill is crowned by a gilded stupa, That Chomsi, which dominates the old city centre. Enjoy a sunset view of the gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city and surrounding landscape.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

An early start provides the fantastic opportunity to witness the captivating centuries old daily tradition of the alms giving ceremony, Tak Bat. Before sunrise, hundreds of saffron-clad monks file out from the old town's 35 temples to collect their daily alms from faithful local residents.
Following the ceremony, spend the morning exploring the area around one of Luang Prabang's most impressive and picturesque waterfalls, Kuang Si. Trek through jungle parklands to Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, located nearby. Established in 2003, the centre has rescued numerous bears from wildlife traffickers and traditional medicine traders. Here, you will help-out with the bears' midday scatter feed. Afterwards, stroll to Kuang Si Waterfall, where a 60m cascade feeds into multi-tiered turquoise pools set in a beautiful lush forest setting. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water or choose to walk up the trails to the upper section.
After a picnic lunch in the tranquil park, return to the town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Agriculture is a key part of life in Laos, making up half of the country's economic output, and nowhere is this more apparent than at Living Land. Please note that the below experience will be operated on a shared basis.
This morning head into the countryside to visit the Living Land Farm for a fun and hands on half-day farming experience. You are invited to interact and try a hand at each step of the rice harvest, and see how different tools are created. Enjoy a tasty lunch of traditional Lao dishes at the farm's Rice House, while soaking up the spectacular views of rice terraces and mountains beyond.
Then drive a 3-hour journey to Nong Khiaw, a rustic little town on the bank of Nam Ou River in Northern Laos. Check in to the hotel and relax.
Later in the afternoon, take a short walk down over a bridge before beginning the trek up Pha Daeng Peak. The hike will take about 2 hours to reach the summit.
Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

A small rustic town, Nong Khiaw's managed to escape the influx of tourism that nearby areas have seen, and visitors can still take in the sights while enjoying the sounds of birds singing and cicadas chirping.
Enjoy breakfast overlooking the river as the mist hangs in the valley then head out with your guide to the village of Muang Ngoy, an isolated fishing village, to trek and kayak along the scenic Nam Ou River. Ride a traditional boat upstream on the Nam Ou River for 45 minutes. You will have opportunities to see buffaloes bathing in water, local people fishing and children swimming in the river. It is an idyllic location and surely gives you a sense of peaceful serenity.
En route, stop at a small Khmu village of of Ban Sopkonh where you can learn about local people's way of life. Then trek through local farmland and rice paddies to the start of the jungle and discover the beautiful limestone Tad Mook Waterfall. Relax and enjoy a refreshing splash in this perfect setting where picnic lunch will be held.
Return to the Nam Ou River to continue your journey by kayak. On the last section of the river paddle through some easy rapids on the approach to Nong Khiaw.
Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Today you will drive through the countryside to Luang Namtha on a six-to-seven hour journey, affording spectacular views of the landscape along the way. The mountains surrounding Oudomxai Province are home to various ethnic groups like the Akha, Khmu, Lao Huay, Hmong and others. Despite modernisation many of these hill tribes still live very traditional lifestyles and follow their local and ethnic customs. You are likely to see some people in traditional clothing en route.
Arrive in Luang Namtha in the late afternoon. A short orientation tour will introduce the peaceful town on the bank of the Nam Tha River before checking in to the hotel.
Overnight in Luang Namtha

Luang Namtha is a special town for you to visit during your adventure in Laos. It is a place where you get to explore the untouched nature through jungle trekking, visiting minority villages, kayaking in the Nam Ha National Protected Area or cycling along the Luang Namtha Valley. You will discover the beauty and the authenticity of Laos not through your phone camera, but through your eyes.
Meet up at 9 A.M and transfer to the morning market to gather fresh supplies before driving to the start of the trail in Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA). The trek then leads you across hills and valleys of dense primary rain-forest, finding yourself immediately immersed in the wild jungle environment.
Stop for an authentic Lao-style jungle picnic lunch. Watch and learn as your guide prepares meal using the fresh supplies and some natural resources of the jungle cooked and served in bamboo!
Continue on the trail through lush forest, using stepping stones and fallen logs to cross sparkling streams while sheltered from the sun's heat by the canopies of huge and impressive trees. Upon reaching a high ridge with enchanting views across hills and valleys, nestled deep in the heart of Nam Ha NPA, is the Nalan Village of the Khmu people where you'll stay overnight.
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 dinner by candlelight and sleep blissfully for the night.
Homestay in Nam Ha NPA.

Wake up in the sounds of the jungle and enjoy breakfast. Meet up at the riverside and, after basic instructions on kayaking or rafting techniques and safety, you'll begin paddling down the glorious river and soon find yourselves speeding through the first few rapids.
After passing by villagers fishing in the river and paddling through the awe inspiring scenery, stop off further downriver to visit another charming Khmu tribe at Nalan Tai Village, and enjoy picnic lunch.
Re-join the river take to see dramatic scenery unfold as steep jungle-covered hills rise almost vertically on each side. Land at the picturesque Nam Koy Village of the Lantan people where you can learn about their unique methods of natural dying and bamboo paper making.
Later, you'll row on the mighty Nam Tha River for more exciting rapids. Reach the Houy Leuat Village where your driver will collect you for a 1-hour ride back to Luang Namtha.
Overnight in Luang Namtha

Today you will take the road from Luang Namtha to Huay Xai, driving through beautiful mountain vistas, stopping at several local villages of interest. You will also explore Kao Rao Cave, near Vieng Phou Kha, an extensive cave system with limestone formations revealing old stalactites encrusted with crystal deposits.
Capital of Bokeo Province, Huay Xai - also known as Ban Houayxay - is a popular entry point to Laos from northern Thailand. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Huay Xai.

After breakfast, take the two day cruise on a private slow boat "downriver" to Luang Prabang, settling for the night in Pak Beng. Observe local life along the Mekong River. Lunch is served on the boat.
Arrive at Luang Say Lodge setting high up on the riverbank in Pak Beng before sunset. Relax and watch the sunset on the Mekong.
Overnight in Pak Beng

You will have time to explore Pakbeng's morning market; observe villagers and hill tribes exchange/buy wares before departing on the next part of the cruise. Halt at Ban Baw Village to observe traditional rice-alcohol processing, called "lao lao". Lunch will be served aboard.
In the afternoon, the boat stops opposite the mouth of the Nam Ou River, near Pak Ou Village, at the famous Pak Ou Caves. Locally called "Tam Ting" (translated as "Rock Cave"), it is famous for housing over 2,500 Buddha statues of all sizes and as a place of pilgrimage for the locals.
Arrive in Luang Prabang by sunset then the driver will transfer you to your hotel in the town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

You are free at leisure to relax at your hotel, or explore more of the local area independently. Be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.