The Northern Laos Legends

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel. After a soft rest, visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Continue to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, which is one of the most beautiful temples in town. If time permits, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people. Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang Tip:  + In the evening, we recommend joining the Royal Ballet Theatre at the National Museum to watch the traditional show of Phralak Phralam and learn about the history and culture of Laos (not included – payable on spot) + There is also the chance to join the Garavek Traditional Storytelling, which also focuses on showing the history & culture of Laos. (not included – payable on spot) + Guide & Driver + Meal: NONE + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang If you want to explore Luang Prabang, check out Luang Prabang Trail package code: EU-LA8

After breakfast, board a private long-tail boat for a leisurely cruise upstream on the Mekong (about 2 hours) to the sacred Pak Ou Caves, where devotees have placed thousands of gold Buddha statues in the towering limestone cliff. On the way, stop at Ban Xang Hai, a village known for its traditional rice whisky. Back in town, enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant, then visit Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre on the banks of the Mekong, where weavers and natural dyers from several of Laos’ ethnic groups produce fine silk textiles. In the evening, enjoy a dinner of Lao specialities at a restaurant in the old town. Overnight in Luang Prabang + Guide & Driver + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 08:15AM

Early in the morning, we board a private long-tail boat upstream on the Mekong to Pakbeng, a small village located on the Mekong River. Along the way, we will stop at Ban Baw, which is famous for its traditional hand weaving. It is a full day on the river with a picnic lunch on board; arriving in Pakbeng in the late afternoon, you will check in your hotel before taking an orientation walk around the town. Overnight in Pakbeng + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Accommodation: Hotel in Pakbeng + Pick-up: 08:30AM

Wake up early in the morning, we will transfer to town to visit the morning market before ascending to the local temple locating at the top of the mountain where we will enjoy the panoramic view of the small town of Pakbeng nested along the Mekong River. Then transfer back to hotel to have the breakfast. You have ample time to rest and enjoy the view before driving north takes through some of the most stunning mountain scenery you will find in South East Asia, with plenty of opportunities to stop off at the various Khmu and H’mong villages along the way. Upon arrival in Oudomxay, we will transfer directly to Namkat Yola Pa Resort, which locates 30Km from Oudomxay center. The resort is famous for its pure natural surround with the thick jungle, and especially the amazing Namkat Waterfalls. Check in the hotel before starting exploring the Namkat waterfalls. During the 1 hour walk through the thick jungle, flying bridge, and small jungle trail, all we hear and sense is just the sound, and smell of  nature. We have ample time to refresh at the waterfalls before walking back to the entrance by a different way. Overnight at Namkat Yorla Pa + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Namkat Yorla Pa + Pick-up: 08:30AM

After breakfast, drive north into the mountains of Oudomxay province, where you set off to visit villages of the Ikho, H'mong & Khamu people; three of the many ethnic groups in Laos. Your route climbs to 1,300m above sea level and offers some magnificent views of the stunning mountain scenery. We will first visit a Khamu village before driving further into the mountains to an isolated Hmong village. This ethnic group originates from the high steppes of Tibet and you will learn about their way of life; the importance of their livestock pigs, buffaloes...) and the care that they give to their animals. From the H'mong village you can choose to do an optional short walk of 30 minutes which will bring you to the first Ikho village. This ethnic group originates from Tibet and Yunnan Province in China. You learn about the daily life of the village and how the villagers still follow customs passed down through the centuries. You take your picnic lunch enjoying the amazing surroundings and continue to visit more Ikho villages along the way, before heading back down to the road. Late afternoon, we will take the last transfer to the river town of Muang Khua, where we will spend the night at a simple guesthouse preparing for the boat adventure the day after downstream the Nam Ou river. Overnight in Muang Khua + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Hotel in Muang Khua + Pick-up: 08:30AM

In the morning, we will board on a long-tail boat downstream the Nam Ou River exploring one of the most authentic region of the country. The picnic lunch will be served at one of the sandy beach along the river bank. We will arrive at the Khmu village of Ban Sopchem mid-afternoon; you have ample time to stroll around the village to get familiar with the local villagers before joining the Baci Ceremony. This rite is performed mostly for family and friends who are going or coming back from a long trip. This is their way of saying thank you to you for your visit. Your guides will portability explain more about the ceremony. The dinner will be served after that for you to share with the host family, the best chance to get the first impression of Lao culture Spend your night at Ban Sop Chem. + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Accommodation: Homestay in Ban Sopchem + Pick-up: 08:30AM

This morning we take a boat downstream to Muang Ngoi, a picturesque little fishing village in the middle of nowhere.   We then trek to the Tham Kang, where according to local legend, a Naga resides to the rear.   Continue through rice paddy fields onto the Lao Loum village of Ban Na, which is only accessible by foot, so retains much of its original character.  After lunch, our last stop is the Thai Daeng village of Huay Sen, before we trek back to Muang Ngoi, through a mixture of forest and paddy field scenery.   We return to Muang Ngoi whilst the sun is setting behind the mountains. You are free to stroll around the riverbank to admire the sunset or just relax by one of the riverside bars and enjoy a cold drink. Overnight in Muang Ngoi + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Hotel in Muang Ngoi + Pick-up: 08:30AM

You have ample time to relax before taking the kayak downstream to the nearby village. Here we take some time to look around and if during a weekday pay the local school a visit to see the charming children as they take part in their classes. After this we continue onwards to Tad Mork which is located close to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Sop Kong, an hour trek from the river. At the waterfall we shall have time to swim and enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue the kayak back to Nong Khiaw. Along the way, we make a short stop to Ban Sopvan, which is home to the Tai Lue people. The village is located right next to the river, opposite the village on the riverbank is a farm which is home to many different types of animal including pigs, chickens, ducks, and buffalo. We pay them a visit so it is worthwhile bringing some food along if you would like to feed them and surely very appreciated by both the animals and the villagers. The last part of today kayaking is 30 minutes paddling down to Nong Khiaw. We arrive in Nong Khiaw by around 5:00pm just in time before darkness descends. + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw + Pick-up: 08:30AM

Start this day of adventure with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou River where you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the riverside. Learn about the villagers and their way of life along this Northern Laos River before beginning the '100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail'! Walking through small streams and rice paddies, you will arrive at the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls which were only first explored in October 2008! For the next few hours you will see only water and jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around you are very inviting for a refreshing splash. Your guide will lead you through the cascades and prepare a local style lunch that you can enjoy on the falls surrounded by amazingly green nature. A small village trail on the top of the '100 Waterfalls' will lead 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 + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast, Lunch + Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw + Pick-up: 08:30AM

Optional: 05:30-06:30 depending on season, we start from your hotel and take a short walk down over a bridge before beginning the hike up Phou Pha Deang mountain. The trek will take us around two hours to reach the peak however once there you are rewarded with some truly stunning views! We spend some time at the peak of the mountain to take in these amazing views and rest for a while before starting the descent back down to Nong Khiaw. Breakfast at the hotel, you have ample time to take some rest at the hotel before hopping on the minivan to transfer back to Luang Prabang After about 20 minute drive, we will take a right turn at Ban Bom onto the dirt road to Ban Na Yang (12km from the main road), which is the Thai Lue minority village. This is the very unique village with the traditional house and hand-weaving technique. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, check in your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang + Pick-up: 08:30AM

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight + Driver & Guide + Meal: Breakfast + Accommodation: None + Pick-up: 2.5 hour before departure flight