The Complete Northern Laos

After breakfast, we catch the express train to Vang Vieng, a small and tranquil town nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River.  After check into your hotel, we explore the famous caves of Tham Jang, which was once used by the local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders. Next, we take a drive through paddy fields to the Tham Phoukham caves, the country’s beautiful and famous limestone caverns surrounded by forest. Along the way, you will meet local villagers and learn about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can swim and refresh yourself from the heat. 

Overnight in Vang Vieng
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

After breakfast, we take an express train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang has been claimed by UNESCO to be ‘the best preserved city in South East Asia’. After a short rest, we visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture throughout the ages. Next, we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset. From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textile made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

Today, we board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We’ll make sure to stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. We will also stop at a few villages during the day, including Ban Muangkeo where the local rice wine is produced and Ban Xiengmene. We also have a chance to climb up to Wat Chomphet. Here you will have one of the best views of Luang Prabang from across the river. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek - small villages well known for silk weavings and Saa (jute) Papermaking.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

After breakfast, we transfer to Ban Long Lao. On arrival, we begin with a visit to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Longlao Nung before heading to the nearby Hmong village of Ban Longlao Song. You will be able to observe the lifestyles of these two culturally very different minority groups and see how despite their differences they manage to work together on a day to day basis and even sharing the same school.
Afterwards, we continue our excursion to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall. En route, stop and short tour visit Buffalo Dairy Farm, The tour will be lasted about 40 minutes - Tour included a guide tour of the mini farm, Buffalo feeding & Washing, Milking Demonstration, & Feeding Chickens and rabbits. Afterwards, we visit some ethnic minority villages and see how these colorful people live. We then continue to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths. Return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Phabath.

Overnight in Luang Prabang
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

After breakfast, we catch the express train to Oudomxay. Oudomxay province is residence to 23 ethnic minority groups located along the Nam beng river. Upon arrival, you will be met our staff and transferred to the jungle resort Namkat Yolapa. After check into your hotel, we will enjoy a short trek through the jungle to Namkat waterfall. Take your time at the waterfall before returning to the hotel for overnight.

Overnight in Namkat Yolapa Resort
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

You set off in the morning in the direction of Pak Khai; this pleasant journey gives you wonderful views across the Nam Pak River, terraced rice fields and the small villages along the banks of the river. On your arrival, you start your trek along a mountain trail which follows a mountain stream meandering through the lush vegetation. You have the chance to meet the local farmers working in their rice fields and learn how they cultivate their lands, hunt for small game and fish in the mountain stream, before you enter into the tropical rainforest. After around 1½ hours, you leave the forest and arrive in the village of Ban Phavie; a beautiful Khamu village which sits on the top of a hill. After taking your lunch in the village, you continue on to some nearby waterfalls. You can relax in the cooling clear waters, lulled by the gentle breeze and tranquility of the falls (weather permitting). At around 14:30, you head back to Namkat Yolapa and arrive in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Namkat Yolapa resort
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

After breakfast, we venture into the mountainous and remote area of Northern Laos to Pakabeng. As you know, Oudomxay province is residence to 23 ethnic minority groups and we’ll make a few rest stops along the way so that you can meet with some of them. Hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly, welcoming you with waving hands and smiling faces. You will make sure to stop at the pottery village of Ban Yor and some tribal minority villages. The most numerous in the area are the Lao (the ethnic majority), then the Khammu and H’mong . Only the senior members of the latter still wear traditional clothes and hairstyles, often combined with modern garments . The other inhabitants are now all dressed in western style. The houses, in contrast, continue to be built according to tradition, and it is interesting to see how each ethnic group differs from the others in both the conception of home and all the rituals and customs related to daily life: initiation into adulthood , marriage , work, celebrations , funerals. We will arrive Pakbeng in the late afternoon. After check into your hotel, free at leisure.

Overnight in Pakbeng
Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch/ Hotel accommodation

Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the boat pier and embark for the first time on one of our luxury boats for the Mekong upstream cruise. On the way, the boat will take its first stop in a Hill tribe village along the Mekong River. Our guide will explain the way of living and the origins of these rural populations.  Next, stop in Pak Tha, to have necessary boat documents signed. The second Lunch is served on board, and during the afternoon, you will be free to relax and taste local flavors with seasonal snacks and drinks. The boat will arrive in Houayxay before sunset, The tour will be ended by a drop-off in your hotel in the downtown or Lao customs. 

Inclusions: Private a.c transfer/ Tour guide/ Entrance fee/ Breakfast, Lunch