Northern Loop of Laos

Upon arrival, you will be met our local guide upon arrival and drive a short distance to the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast at hotel, we visit the city’s oldest temples, the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Lao architecture. We visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts and Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures.

After Lunch, we drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths (on the way, we visit villages of different minorities Laotian ethnic identification (Ban Quay, Ban Ou). There’s also an opportunity to visit the bear sanctuary nearby, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. From there we will climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred gilded stupa and to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the sun setting over the Mekong River.

You will find yourself in the midst of the famous Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can find a unique selection of handmade textiles and handicrafts locally made by both ethnic Lao and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today we begin our drive to Nong Khaiw, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. We will be able to stop off at a few villages and admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. Along the way we stop and cross by boat 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. Late afternoon we reach our destination for the night, Nong Khiaw.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This morning we take a boat up to Muang Ngoi, a picturesque little fishing village 1 hour upstream from Nong Khiaw. We then trek to the Tham Kang, where according to local legend, a Naga resides to the rear. We then 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. Before boarding the boat back to Nong Khiaw, you may wish to do as the locals do and bathe in the Nam Ou. We return to Nong Khiaw by early evening.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

This morning we have time for a short walk to Tham Pha Thok, a limestone cave where villagers hid during the Indochina War. The caves offer a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside. We then get back on the road, this time heading north to Nam Kat Yolapa via Oudomxay.

Overnight in Nam Kat Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

We start a day tour by Green bus to information center and introduce by camp manager before Cycling from information Centre 5 km – Trekking 900 m through the forest and through Kua Ou Bridge to Namkat waterfall. Zip-Lining (18 lines) through Namkat waterfall and the rainforest along the namkat river.

Overnight at Overnight in Nam Kat Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

We leave the resort after breakfast and drive towards Oudomxay, the most mountainous area in Laos. The road conditions are good. Oudomxay province is residence to a mixture of 23 ethnic minority groups. We make a few rest stops along the way, which gives you the opportunity to see the ethnic minority groups of Hmong, Khmu, Black Thai and Lu; Hmong hill tribe people at Ban Songja and Ban Jarong. The hill tribe people are unfailingly friendly; welcoming you with waving hands and smiling faces. On arrival at Oudomxay city, we head out the town to Pakbeng, along the way; we visit some more Khmu, Tai Dam (Black Thai), and Hmong villages. Once we arrive at Pakbeng, we browse the daily evening hill tribe market before checking in to your hotel.

Overnight in Pakbeng

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Today, we embark on a traditional boat upstream on the magical Mekong River. This portion of the Mekong River is narrow but both banks of the river are bordered with beautiful mountain ranges and lush forests. Along the way, we observe the peaceful river life and visit at Ban Houeilampen to visit the Hmong hill tribe people, who are very poor but have a unique culture. On arrival at HoueiSay, we cross the bridge to Chiang khong in Thailand, where the tour finishes (next destination – Thailand).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle