Northern Laos Trekking Tour 13 days

Embark on Asia King Travel's "Northern Laos Trekking Tour 13 days", adventurous travelers will have the chance to get an insight into this lovely country on a journey lasting for two weeks, a comfortable duration to engage in different activities. You will take a closer look at the history, culture, and lifestyle of the Laotians. The combination of trekking, kayaking, cycling, and elephant riding shows all the adventures that Laos has to offer

13 days 12 nights

Laos

Trekking Tours

Attractions

Luang Prabang - Oudomxay - Luang Namtha - Phongsaly - Nong Khiaw

Duration

13 days 12 nights

Code

LTT01

Overview

Overview
Our tour of northern Laos is ideal for visitors and active travelers who want a glimpse behind the curtain. You will embark on a journey of discovery through history, culture and lifestyle in the middle of villages and urban life, modernity and history.

The combination of trekking, kayaking, cycling and elephant shows all the adventures that Laos has to offer. This trip offers a unique opportunity to see Laos, from the royal beauty of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to rural villages where you will spend the night with an authentic local family.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Discover the charm anh beauty of the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang
Take part in a trekking and spend the night in a rural village
Gain a deep insight into Laos’ culture by visiting ethnic villages and traditional craft villages
Enjoy beautiful landscapes, banana plantations, local rural life in the villages that bordes the road and panoramic views over the surrounding mountains
Adventure with a tranquil local boat ride on the peaceful Nam Ou river to majestic 1000 waterfalls

Itinerary

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Arrival at the Luang Prabang Airport, our guide and driver will pick up and transfer to your hotel in city center.
Check in hotel and relax.
Located in the centre of Northern Laos, Luang Prabang is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.

After breakfast we visit Luang Prabang’s National Museum, once the country’s royal palace and home to King Sisavangvong in the early 20th century. Explore the museum’s a range of personal artifacts from the Lao royal family as well as the Phra Bang Buddha image and throne from the country’s Lan Xang Kingdom. We then begin our temple tour taking in some the city’s most beautiful, including Luang Prabang’s famous Wat Xieng Thong which is one of the most important of Lao monasteries and reserves a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art where you’ll be surprised by the temple complex’s structure and gold decoration. Then we make our stop at Wat Mai which brings us a chance to enjoy the impressive architecture of this Laotian city’s unique architecture. In the afternoon we visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. We then visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Our final stop of the day is a climb Mt Phousi which is considered the city’s geographical center and a great lookout place. Have a closer look at the golden stupa sitting at the peak as you soak up the sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

After breakfast, we take a local boat on Mekong river in 2 hours to reach the best famous and spiritual Pak Ou Buddha Caves, where we could have a look at confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers. Since the 16 century, the villagers built many thousands of Buddha images here.

On the way , we’ll make a stop at Ban Muang Keo, a famous village for its traditional Lao rice whisky prodution. You will return back to the capital in the late afternoon and continue by road transfer to the outskirts of town to visit Ban Xangkhong , a village well-known for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes.

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel/guesthouse at 6:30 AM, and transport you to the boat pier. The boat leaves at 7:00 AM for the upstream cruise to Pakbeng. French breakfast is served onboard after the introduction of the crew. Shortly thereafter, we will stop to visit the famous Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its thousands of Buddha images. For lunch, local food is served onboard. Then, you will have free time for relaxing in the afternoon, until the boat arrives in Pakbeng at dusk. You will be served a typical snack and drink on board in the afternoon. Here, you will retreat to your accommodation for the night.

Begin the day by crossing the river to Mekong Elephant Camp to view and assist with bathing the Elephants. The camp's pool is designed to allow all 8 elephants to bathe at the same time. For those who would prefer to not take part, they can view the elephant bathing from a nearby platform.

After bathing, visitors are helped on to the Elephants backs to begin the trek.

The trek starts off with a ride down the river bed surrounded by bamboo plants and then continues into the forest. Wind through the surrounding foliage, riding along paths connecting various different villages. There will be a chance to guide the elephants along the path, taking them down to the river to feed. The trek will also train in the basic mahout techniques.

Alternating between walking and riding on the back of the elephant, the trek passes through countryside typical to this region of Laos. The valleys provide panoramic views over several alluvial plains where sweet corn and tobacco grow along with traditional houses and gardens. The view then opens out to the surrounding countryside. For those who wish to do a more challenging excursion, please enquire further. Return to the Mekong Elephant Camp and enjoy the rest of the day and Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Pakbeng.

Wake up early, we will visit the morning market where inhabitants of the nearby villages and hill tribes regroup to buy and exchange their merchandise.
Lunch will be served at the lodge, we will depart for Luang Nam Tha. Along the way, we can experience the local rural life, local markets on the side of the road, closer views on corn and banana plantations and stunning views over the mountains. You will go through the provincial capital, Oudomxay. Once a very sleepy town, this has become an important trading hub and indicates the changes which are happening quickly in the region. Our final leg of the journey will be more interesting away from the busy town and in to unspoiled nature. The contrast also highlights just how special the experiences are in the remaining wilderness. Luang Nam Tha, which is situated on the banks of the Namtha River, is a land of rugged mountains and beautiful tropical forests and shares its border with China and Myanmar. We arrive in Luang Nam Tha in the afternoon. Overnight in Luang Nam Tha

After leisurely breakfast, our guide will meet and pick you up at your hotel. Today, we will have a short visit to the Luang Namtha museum. Then visiting Luang Namtha Stupa that help you experience stunning view of Luang Namtha city. Followed by the old Phou Pouk Stupa, visit Ban Nam Ngean “Tai Dam” and Ban Pieng Ngam “Tai Deang” both of them are well-known for their many different handicrafts, make a stroll around the villages to see & learning how to process Lao Whisky making, traditional weaving, black smith, bamboo basket making.

From there, we will transfer approximately 6 km to reach the village of Ban Nam Dee “Lanten” along a dirt road . Today you will learn & have chance to practice how to make paper from young bamboo, natural dyeing & the traditional weaving, join in the traditional Baci-ceremony & local music, taste local meals, talk about village history with owner homestay & go to bed.

Overnight at a basic homestay.

We get up early in the morning and drive to head to east and pass through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery you will see in South East Asia, with plenty of opportunities to stop off at the different Khmu and H’mong villages along the way. Then we will visit the amazing Pra Xack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. It is said that this 400 years old legendary statue have many supernatural powers, and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists.

After that, we will drive on a flat road and at mountains’ slope to reach Phongsaly. You will get opportunities to enjoy beautiful landscapes, banana plantations, local rural life in the villages that bordes the road and panoramic views over the surrounding mountains. Your guide will be pleased and ready to stop whenever you may wish to take pictures along the way.

We reach the town of Phongsaly late afternoon. The attraction of the town is made by the narrow paved streets borded by traditional Chinese houses in wood. Your guide will give you more knowledge about the history and culture of this multicultural city and the harmony that reigns between Lao people and Chinese immigrants.
Overnight in Phongsaly

We have full day to experience Phongsaly’s evergreen forest, green tea and green Lao whiskey.

After leisurely breakfast, you will walk from Phongsaly on a track with breathtaking views over endless mountains.
After 3-4 hours , lunch will be served in a whiskey-producing Phunoy village and enjoy your first green!

Then come into the jungle forest on an adventurous trail climbing up into the mountains. After passing through tea plantations reach the mountain ridge giving you a spectacular 360-degree view (as far as China to the west and Vietnam to the east!). Keep walking on a small jungle path and ascend to the top of the Phu Fa Mountain (1625m – 400 steps) overlooking stunning Phongsaly Town.
Admire the relaxed descent to the town through the forest.
The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Phongsaly

Today you will have chance to explore the well-known 400-year-old tea plantation, situated in the village of Ban Komaen, about 30 minutes south from Phongsaly.
Regarding to some famous tea experts, this village possesses some of the oldest tea trees in the world. The large root system of the old trees extends deep into the mineral-rich soil and offers ‘Phongsaly Tea’ its outstanding smell and taste. The oldest trees stand 6 m high with a stem up to 30 cm in diameter. There are regularly cut and kept to a standard size by Phunoy people, climbing to collect the precious leaves. Then they will sell this valuable tea in cigar-shaped tubes after processed.

We go through more recent tea plantations and gives a stunning view on Phongsaly and surrounding mountains to reach Ban Komae. In the village a newly built tea-tasting shop serves some food and sells the 400-year-old tea. You can also find out the temple and its characteristic Buddha statue with big ears.
After the visit, you will drive to Muang Khua for about 4 hours.
Overnight in Muang Khua

In the morning, we will hop on a long-tail boat downstream the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw, the charming boutique town along the gentle Nam Ou River. The scenery along the way is said to be the most spectacular part of the gently Nam Ou River. On the way, we may make a short stop to have the drink at one of the bars in Muang Ngoi overlooking the Nam Ou River. We reach Nong Khiaw just in time to admire the sunset before checking in your standard guesthouse. Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Begin this day of adventure with a tranquil local boat ride on the peaceful Nam Ou river where you will be able to experience a small Lao village along the riverside. We have chance to study the local people and their way of life along this Northern Laos river before starting the ‘100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail’!

Passing through small streams and rice paddies, you will reach the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls which were only first discovered in October 2008. In the next few hours you will find out only water and jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around you are very attractive for a refreshing splash.
Your guide will take you through the cascades and a local style lunch will be provided that you can enjoy on the falls surrounded by beautifully green nature.

A small village path on the top of the ‘100 Waterfalls’ will take us on our hike back down into the valley, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley.
Once back in the village we will have some more time to experience the daily life of the Nam Ou riverside village before heading back to Nong Khiaw (Nong Khiau) by boat. Overnight in Nong Khiaw

After breakfast, we transfer directly back to Luang Prabang. Take a visit Ban Na Yang (12km from the main road) where the Thai Lue minority village live together. This is the very unique village with the traditional house and hand-weaving technique. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for your overnight. The remaining time would be spent at your own pleasure

Today you have free time until we transfer you to the airport for your flight hoem

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Trip notes

Tour includes:

Accommodation in a double or twin share room with daily breakfast
Private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
Experienced English speaking guide during all tours and transfers
Lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary
Boat, cruise on the river (if any)
Water & cool towels
Government taxes & service charge

Tour excludes:

Laos Visa stamp fee
International airfare and departure taxes
Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
Early check in/ late check out
Domestic flights and domestic airport taxes
Compulsory Gala dinner on 24th and 31st December
Surcharged for Public holidays
Drinks and meal not mentioned
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, drinks … etc.
Personal travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
Gratuities/ Tipping
All other services not specified in the itinerary