Northern Laos 9 Days/8 Nights
| Northern
Laos 9 days/8 nights Tour Code: NTL9 Huay Xai-LuangNamtha- Oudomxay-Muang Ngoi-Luang Prabang |
Laos is a wonderful country for
trekking and the northern part of the country offers the best choice.
This tour cuts across northern Laos taking in some challenging treks
and beautiful boat rides along the way before finishing in the old
royal capital of Luang Prabang.
Day
1. Huay Xai – Luang Namtha
Following your completion of border formalities, we head out of the
town to Luang Namtha. This road has recently been improved, and is now
a very smooth and comfortable drive. We visit hill tribe villages
including Khmu and Lu minorities. In the afternoon, we visit Kao Rao
Cave with its impressive limestone formations. We arrive in Luang
Namtha mid afternoon where you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Luang Namtha.
Day 2. Luang Namtha
–trekking (B,L)
The trip starts with a climb up to Phoumpok Stupa a great view point,
offering
panoramic views of Luang Nam Tha town. We then head into the jungle
with your local guide, who will show you the different types of
medicines and foods you can collect in the forest.
For lunch you will have a wonderful picnic prepared by your guide and some local villagers. They will use bamboo pipes to cook either Black Tai or Akha style food and you will dine in the heart of the jungle. After lunch, we continue trekking for another 45 minutes, and eventually reach Ban Nammutmai, a picturesque Akha minority village built on the hillside. Here you will learn about the life of this small ethnic minority group.
Your guide will translate and explain to you old folklore stories from the locals. After this village visit, we travel by pickup truck to the Lanten village of Ban Nam Jang, where they specialize in the making of Saa paper. The trip ends when we return to the Luang Nam Tha market. Here you will see many of the forest products found along the trail being sold in the market. You will arrive back at your accommodation by mid afternoon.
Tour information:
Departs from and returns to our Office
Meeting Time: 9:00 AM & returns at around 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Departure days: Daily departures
Time spent for activities: Trekking 90%, transport 10%
Level of Difficulty: Walking – Easy to moderate
Transport: Tuk Tuk or Minivan (local transportation)
Meals:1 lunch
What to bring?
Hat, bandana, sunscreen, extra set of clothes and shoes in case to get
wet, mosquito repellent, raining jacket (if raining season), money to
buy handicrafts and extra drinks
Day 3. Luang Namtha
– Oudomxay (B)
You have the morning at leisure to relax in beautiful surroundings,
before we get back on the road, heading south to the town of Oudomxay.
After making a number of stops to admire the scenery, we reach Oudomxay
by later afternoon. Overnight in Oudomxay.
Day 4. Oudomxay
– Muang Khua – Muang Ngoi (B,L)
The local market also attracts numerous ethnic minorities who converge
from the surrounding mountainsides or valley to barter and trade their
goods. We visit this congregation before setting off on our journey
east to the riverside town of Muang Khua. En route we have the chance
to visit the intriguing Pra Xack Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha
image.
The 400 years old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers, and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists. We also stop at the market of Xin Sai, which is very colourful as many of the ethnic minorities meet to exchange goods here. Upon arrival in Muang Khua, we board our private boat for the cruise down the Nam Ou River to Muang Ngoi, arriving there early evening.
Day 5. Muang Ngoi
– trekking and homestay (B,L,D)
This morning, we begin trekking 2 hours to Ban Houay Boor (a Khmu and
T'ai Deng ethnic village). After lunch at villager's home in Ban Houay
Boor, continue trekking in the afternoon to Ban Na(a T'ai Deng village)
and Ban Houaisene, where we stay overnight at community bamboo
guesthouse. Before dinner, enjoy a Baci ceremony and traditional music
show with the villagers.
Day 6. Muang Ngoi
– Luang Prabang (by boat) (B,L)
This morning, after breakfast, we begin trekking through the rice
fields and beautiful landscape back to Muang Ngoi. We then embark a
long tail traditional boat for a leisurely trip downstream on the Nam
Ou River, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. Along the way
we stop 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.
We continue our trip down the river to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang. This former royal capital with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop retains a unique charm rarely found in all Asia. You transferred to your hotel by private vehicle by early evening.
Day 7. Luang Prabang -
half day city tour (B)
After breakfast we visit the Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of
interesting artefacts. We begin our walking tour, taking in some of
Luang Prabangs hidden secrets, walking down the quiet back lanes
leading to Wat Xiengthong.
Along the way we stop at Wat Chomkhong, which is known for its decorative carvings. This area contains a mix of beautiful old French Colonial buildings, and traditional old Lao houses, which you will have time to admire, along with a stop at the small but charming Wat Phapai. We also pass by the Fine Arts School, where we can see some of the quality artwork on display.
Our final visit of the day is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 8. Luang Prabang
– Kuang Si and Hmong Village (B,L)
After breakfast, we visit the local Phosi Market, this is the place
where all the locals shop and your guide will show you the diverse
offerings on display. We also stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving
centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving
process will be explained. Next we drive to Ban Thinkeo, a Hmong
village and start trekking with the villagers.
Your guide will explain to you
the common use of the plants for the Hmong people. You will go to the
garden and cut some vegetables and herbs with the local people. We then
continue to Kuang Si Waterfall, where you will enjoy a picnic lunch
overlooking the beautiful multi tiered falls. You also have the
opportunity to cool off in the turquoise blue pools. Afterwards you
return to Luang Prabang in time to catch the sun setting over the
Mekong.
Day
9. Luang Prabang – departure (B)
You will be transferred to the airport for your departure
Note: during rainy season the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative programme is available.
Prices: from just $US1,120 per person based on a 2 persons private tour
To make an enquiry about this tour with Viengchampa , e-mail the form below directly to them...Back to Top
