North Laos Experience
- Country: Laos
- Your Guide: English Speaking
- Travel Style: Cultural & Classic
- Tour Type: Private Tour
- Start: Huay Xai, Laos
- Finish: Luang Prabang, Laos
You will visit
You will be welcomed by local tour guide and transferred to Luang Nam Tha - a capital of the province of the same name, is particularly quiet and relaxing, and generally represents an essential stop for those wishing to discover the natural wealth of the region of northwestern Laos.
Area Muang Nam Tha present some points of interest: the museum of Luang Nam Tha, containing articles and a local section devoted to the revolution, the night market, great place to sample local food, and above all minorities and traditional villages just outside of downtown.
In addition, the city of Luang Nam Tha has a very interesting stupa, the That Phum Puk, perched on a hill surrounded by rice fields, and a waterfall, accessible from the village Nam Sun where you can see papermaking in bamboo. The region is famous for its huge evergreen forests, an ideal place for practicing ecotourism.
Accommodation at the Boat Landing Guest House, situated in a pleasant environment along the river.
Route: transfer by private car (Huay Xai - Luang Namtha: 230 km, 5 hours)
Meals: N/A
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide
Accommodation: Guest house in Luang Namtha
After breakfast, you will be transferred by Tuk-Tuk, is roughly half an hour ride to Doiluckkam, where a local Khmu guide will join you on your journey. The first day’s pace is moderate though the Nam Ha NPA where the guide will share some of his knowledge of edible and medicinal plants. Next, You will be hiking uphill to see several massive old trees, many types of bamboo and diverse forest plants. If you travel quietly you may see some wild animals such as: monkeys, wild goats and wild pigs. Our Khmu man will prepare the traditional picnic lunch. After lunch the trek continues down from the mountain to your jungle camp, which we should reach by 4:30 pm. You spend a night near the Nam Ha River. Besides resting, you are free to go fishing for dinner with your Khmu guide, stroll around the camp or opt for a refreshing swim in the Nam Ha River close to your camp.
Route: transfer by tuk tuk 30 mins, trekking: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide
Accommodation: Camping
In the early morning you are likely to hear many kinds of animals communicating with one another, such as: bears, monkeys, barking deer, gibbons, wild pigs, and jungle fowl from the higher mountain tops. You might be very fortunate if you spot some moving through the forest. Before breakfast, early risers are free to take a walk around the camp. (Please, be always mindful about the dos and don’ts in these fragile cultures), ask your guide if you are not too sure what is correct).
After breakfast, prepared by our guide, you’ll cross the Nam Ha River and walk through fields, next you’ll get to visit Ban Nalan, where your will learn about Khmu lifestyle, culture, and traditions. Then there is a hike uphill through forest. Traditional lunch will be prepared en route on the forest path. Thereafter, you will have an easy two-hour hike down the mountain slope until you arrive at the Ban Chalernsouk, where your driver will be waiting for you and shuttle you back to Luang Namtha.
Route: trekking 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Oudomxay
Breakfast at the hotel and leave Oudomxay early in the morning to Muang Khua.
Continue your trip by boat cruise towards Muong Ngoy (starting 4-5 hours on board) . Muong Ngoy is an hour’s drive north of Nong Khiaw. The village is not large and has narrow paths lined with coconut trees and a common site where fishermen gather to mend their nets, creating an atmosphere of South Sea. Here, one easily finds the true lifestyle Lao: time seems to have stopped. Night in local guesthouse in Muang Ngoy.
Route: transfer by private car (Oudomxay - Muang Khua: 100km, 1.5 hours)
Muang Khua - Muang Ngoi: by private boat, 3.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide
Accommodation: Homestay in Muang Ngoi
This morning we cruise to Nong Khiaw. Following lunch, visit the historical cave of Phathok. The Nong Khiaw villagers used this cave as a war shelter during the 'Secret War' to shelter people from bombs dropped in the region. It is about 30 minutes' walk from Nong Khiaw town and follows beautiful scenery and great vistas in the surrounding tropical mountains. You will learn more about a secret part of the Lao history and explore the historical caves with your guide. From the cave you will have a beautiful view of rice paddies and the surrounding valley. Enjoy the sunset over the river.
Route: transfer by private car
Muang Ngoi - Nong Khaiw : by private boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide
Accommodations: Hotel in Nong Khiaw.
Start your day with a nice drive passing picturesque scenery along the Nam Ou River - Laos’s longest inland river. Following lunch, we will take the boat cruise to Luang Prabang before the sunset with a stop at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers to visit the Pak Ou Caves - a pantheon of gold Buddha statues tucked into the nooks of the limestone cliffs. It is then only a short distance from the caves to the village of Ban Xang Hai. Stop here to learn about LauLao (Lao whisky) and LauHai (Lao wine), before continuing down the Mekong to Luang Prabang.
Check in at the hotel then take an evening stroll through the quaint streets and enjoy the sunset over the river and surrounding lush countryside. The evening highlight includes a visit to the local night market in the city center, where ethnic minority people come together to buy and sell their wares.
Route: transfer by private car
Nong Khaiw - Pak Ou: 115 km
Pak Ou - Luang Prabang: by private boat 1.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
In the morning go to Phousi Mount where you also can have a nice panorama of the city.
Enjoy a short drive to visit Vat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Royal City- one of the most important of Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art.
Then continue to Wat Visoun - an unusual structure which represents the earliest Lao style.
Afterwards, pay a visit to Wat Mai, a beautiful temple located nearby Royal Palace and built in the 18th century. It is the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang.
Afterwards, we head to Kuang Sy Falls a stunning turquoise waterfall. On the way, you will pass through rice fields and beautiful small villages dotted along country road. Make a stop at some of the villages. Take a fresh swim to refresh yourself in many basins.
The balance of day is free at leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at hotel.
Route: transfer by private car (around the city with short distances)
Luang Prabang - Kuang Sy waterfall: 45 mins/way
Meals: Breakfast
Local guide: Private local English speaking guide
Today you will be transferred to the Airport for your departure flight. End of the trip. Thank you for using our service.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Local guide: No guide, driver only
- Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room with daily breakfast
- Private tours, transfers and all services as mentioned in the itinerary
- Services of a private driver and air-conditioned vehicles
- Service of English speaking guides in every location
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees
- International flight tickets
- Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels.
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Travel insurance
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Tour Price
The tour rate is based on twin/double sharing rooms at 3* hotel category. We can customize this tour according to your request. Our travel consultant will contact you within 12 hours with a tailor-made itinerary and price.
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Deposit
A minimum deposit of 30% of the full amount is required to confirm your booking. The balance will be settled before or upon arrival.
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Clothing & Packing Tips
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- Waterproof shoes or sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended for outdoor activities.
- It is preferable not to visit temples or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
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Connectivity
- Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels.
- You can buy 4G data simcard at the airport, the price is very low.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
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Currency
- You will use the Vietnamese dong in Vietnam, Cambodian riel (or U.S. dollars) in Cambodia, and the Kip(Lak) in Laos.
- In Cambodia, U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere, though change may be given in riel. Most hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis, buses, and airlines list their prices in U.S. dollars, but small transactions (less than a dollar) are usually conducted in riel. Always carry small amounts of riel for motorcycle taxis, snacks, and other small purchases.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
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Tipping
- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your tour guide and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $15USD per day for your tour guide and the equivalent of $5USD to $10USD per day for your driver.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
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Food Requirement
If you have any specific food requirement (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies, etc.) please inform us in advance, we will provide notices to our restaurants, tour guides and partners so they would be able to serve you the best.
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Cancellation
We apply non refundable deposit of 10 USD for hotel, air ticket booking, 100 USD/per person for tour package upon service confirmation. Cancellations will be charged as following:
- 30 days before arrival: No cancellation charge.
- 29 - 14 days before arrival: 10% of the tour cost is forfeited.
- 13 - 7 days before arrival: 40% of the tour cost is forfeited.
- 6 days before arrival: 100 % of the tour cost is forfeited.
- No show: 100% of the tour cost is forfeited.
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Child Policy
- Infant under 2-years-old free of charge land tour and 25% of airfare.
- Child under 12-years-old sharing room with adult without extra bed charge 50% of adult land tour and 75% of airfare.
- Child under 12-years-old sharing room with adult with bed charge 80% of adult land tour and 75% of airfare.
- Upon 12-years-old - 100% charge of tour cost.
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