Explore Northern Laos Nature & Culture

Laos remains relatively exotic, unexplored and is possibly the most overlooked destination in Asia, despite its rich culture, history and diverse ecosystem. Your trip will start in the capital city of Vientiane and end in Luang Prabang. In between, you will explore rugged and mountainous Luang Namtha and its surrounding... More

Laos remains relatively exotic, unexplored and is possibly the most overlooked destination in Asia, despite its rich culture, history and diverse ecosystem.

Your trip will start in the capital city of Vientiane and end in Luang Prabang. In between, you will explore rugged and mountainous Luang Namtha and its surrounding areas. In Luang Namtha, you will be able to meet many hill tribe people, venture off the beaten path and discover the many hidden wonders of this beautiful Southeast Asian country.

Once the heart and soul of the ancient kingdom of Laos, Luang Prabang is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is filled with ornate temples and French colonial architecture on the bank of the Mekong River, giving it a truly magical feel.

You will experience the finest local food, trek through the forest and hill tribal villages, yet you will go back to a world of comfort each evening. We are sure that this will be a once in a lifetime experience!

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Highlights

  • Visit Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo, the COPE Centre, That Luang Stupa, Patuxay Monument and the Buddha Park in Vientiane, the laid back capital
  • Observe hill tribe traditional way of rural life in Muang Sing
  • Visit Pak Ou cave
  • Behold the beauty of Kuang Si Waterfalls
  • Visit Xieng Kok village and witness ethnic Aka hill tribes’ daily life

Welcome to Laos! Upon arrival in Vientiane a travel-to-nature Asia guide/representative will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

This ancient city is situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong as the largest city and the capital of Laos.

Accommodation: Salana Boutique Hotel

Today a city tour brings you the best sites of Vientiane, religious museums of Wat Si Saket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the landmark of Vientiane.

Accommodation: Salana Boutique Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Wattay airport for a flight to Luang Namtha, a land of rugged mountains, pristine forests, and rich river plains with over 20 ethnic groups, make it the most ethnically diverse province in Laos. Upon arrival at Luang Namtha Airport, our guide will accompany you to your hotel.

In the afternoon you start visiting without delay Luang Nam Tha provincial museum, drive outskirt of town to visit Ban Nam Leu, a small village of Lane Tane hill tribe and also visit Ban ThongchaiNeua, a silk-weaving village of Tai Dam.

Accommodation: The Boat Landing
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following breakfast, we head north by car about 2-3hrs to Muang Sing, a small town near Laos-China border where there are more hill tribes to be seen. There are lots of interesting villages of various ethnic groups such as Hmong, Aka…that you may visit. Check in at a good guest house and enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon, you continue to drive to near China border area and visit villages of Ikor or Aka ethnic group as well as a village of Yao hill tribe where you will learn the more traditional way of rural life with their fascinating culture of these people. Dinner is at a local restaurant or guest house.

Accommodation: Singchalern Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After early breakfast, it will be another highlight day to take a drive about 2-3 hrs to visit villages of various types of Aka hill tribe on the way to Xieng Kok, a small village for the checkpoint on the Mekong to Burma. It’s quite easy to see lots of ethnic Aka people, walking along the road. Arrive at Xieng Kok village, where you have lunch at local restaurant and take a view of Burma on the other side of the Mekong River.

Return to Muang Sing in the late afternoon and the rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner is at the local restaurant.

Accommodation: Singchalern Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning visit Muang Sing morning market, where there are lots of Aka people, who bring their forestry products to sell and also buy their necessary goods back home.

Breakfast at local restaurant, it’s time to say goodbye to Muang Sing, and drive back to Luang Namtha and you continue about 4 hours drive to Oudomxay, a good stop off point N or S surrounded by hills, linking China, Vietnam, Luang Prabang and Pakbeng, even it was razed during the war. There are also more villages of ethnic groups such as Hmong, Khmu that you may stop and visit along the way. There are a few good local restaurants where we can take a good simply lunch along the way.

Arrive in Oudomxay, check in at a good guest house and relax after a long day drive. Dinner is also at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Udomkham Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, it is also interesting visit the morning market in town, where some Hmong hill tribe people come to sell and buy things there, before we head south by car about 4 hours to Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City. You also stop to relax and have a lunch at local restaurant.

Stop en route at Ban Pak Ou, a village opposite of Pak Ou cave in the side of a limestone cliff and the opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height. We cross the Mekong by small ferry boat to visit Pak Ou cave, and we cross back to Ban Pak Ou to continue our way to Luang Prabang. This afternoon is spent free for own experience of this charming town with kind people. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Accommodation: The Grand Luang Prabang Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast at hotel, take a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit the National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries…etc. Visit Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; drive outskirts of town to visit Ban Xangkhong, the well-known village for its wood papers and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes.

In the afternoon, we continue to visit Wat Xieng Thong, the 16th century temple, which more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture, Hmong market in town, where some of the Hmong ladies still show their skilled embroidery works, climb Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi Hill that dominates the skyline of Luang Prabang overlooking the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang and watch sunset over the hill at Wat Phabat Tai on the bank of the Mekong river.

Accommodation: The Grand Luang Prabang Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we take a drive (30 km South) to visit Kuang Si Waterfall, which, though not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. We visit a fresh produced market namely Talad Phosy, where most of your food comes from and also visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of Hmong hill-tribe group. Just before arriving at Kuang Si waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, Ban Tha Pane that we can visit.

Your picnic lunch is served at the shady park nearby Kuang Si waterfall. There is plenty of time for relaxing and swimming in cool water if we like before you head back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure for independent exploration on this ancient town.

Accommodation: The Grand Luang Prabang Hotel
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is day at leisure just to relax and soak up all the experiences you have had so far.

Accommodation: The Grand Luang Prabang Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

Transfer to airport for your homeward-bound flight.

Meal: Breakfast

Included

  • Airport (pick up/drop off) transfers by private A/C vehicle
  • Twin-Sharing accommodation in all Hotel/Lodge as mentioned or similar
  • Daily breakfast throughout the trip, other meals as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Professional English-speaking guide all the tour
  • All transportation by private air-condition vehicle
  • Boat in Pak Ou Cave (Mekong River)
  • All sightseeing tickets
  • Services charges and government tax

Not Included

  • International & domestic flights
  • Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities
  • Travel insurance & vaccinations
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personal clothing and equipment
  • Tips for trip leader/guide, driver, hotel staff and porters
  • Items/services not listed in the "included"
  • Compulsory gala dinner on Christmas or New Year (if applicable)
  • Extra expenses/payment for 'OPTIONAL’ activities/programs if opted in

Price: US$ 2,045 per person (Twin Sharing | Based on Minimum 4 Travelers)
Single Supplement: US$ 565

Your Feedback

Salana Boutique Hotel, Vientiane

The Salana Boutique hotel has a Lao contemporary style which is finished by the real timber wood promoting a real sense of comfort and class. Guests can take pleasure in experiencing the hotel’s perfect blend of an outstanding level of service and the attention to detail ensuring your stay is comfortable and carefree.

The Boat Landing Guest House, Luang Namtha

The Boat Landing Guest House is owned and operated by a family in Luang Namtha, Laos' northwestern most province. On the banks of the Namtha, enjoy genuine Luang Namtha cuisine in our open verandah restaurant while watching life by the river. Nearby is the Nam Ha Protected Area, the Namtha River and Lao ethnic villages for rafting, trekking, and local exploration.

The Grand Luang Prabang Hotel

The Grand Luang Prabang Hotel is located on the banks of the grand Mekong River with a spectacular panoramic view of the picturesque mountains surrounding Luang Prabang, approximately 4 kms southwest of Luang Prabang town centre. The resort is situated on the 59 thousand square meters’ estate of Xiengkeo Palace which belonged to the nationalist hero Prince Phetsarath.

Trip Facts

  • Price (USD) From 2,045
  • Duration 11 Days
  • Group Size 4-12 Pax
  • Arrive Vientiane
  • Depart Luang Prabang
  • Trip Level
    easy to moderate
  • Activity Nature | Culture
  • Meals 10 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • Accommodation 4-5* Hotels

Giving back to the communities is our responsibility!

With every trip, you also support the SWAN and thus projects for Sustainable Community development and Biodiversity protection.

Our primary NGO partner is Social Welfare Association of Nepal (SWAN), with whom we have carried out multiple CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) projects. Besides carrying out regular CSR activities in the areas of education and women empowerment, we have supported relief and rehabilitation initiatives in the aftermath of several natural disasters like earthquake, immediate response to COVID-19 pandemic across Nepal. 

Giving something back to the world is a special and responsible affair of travel-to-nature Asia right from its inception. When you travel with travel-to-nature Asia and SWAN-Nepal, you become an integral force for change in addressing the most pressing social and wildlife conservation issues. Your tourism funds help transform the future of under-privileged and marginalized communities and transform the future of at-risk natural places you travel. Portion of our profit flows to local communities who live with and steward nature, creating jobs and improving livelihoods.

By joining one of our holidays you are playing a vital role in bringing positive changes in the lives of local community.

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