Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw – Ban Phayong – Muang Ngoi – Nong Khiaw – Muang Soune – Luang Prabang
This journey takes you through some of the most peaceful and scenic parts of northern Laos. Starting and ending in Luang Prabang, you’ll travel along the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi, small towns surrounded by mountains and nature. Visit Ban Phayong and Muang Soune, where you can experience local life and learn about rural traditions. With a mix of boat rides, village walks, and cultural encounters, this itinerary offers a quiet and meaningful way to explore the beauty of Laos beyond the main tourist routes.
DAY 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang (NONE)
On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel. Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.
There is no activities planned for today, so you may stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
⦁ Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang Central: 2,5 miles 10 minutes driving transfer
DAY 2: TREK BAN LONG LAO – KUANG SI WATERFALL (B/L/-)
Pick up: 08:30 AM
We depart from your hotel and drive for around one hour west to Ban Xeng Mouk village where the trek starts.
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.
As we continue onwards the trail leads through rice paddys and vegetable fields before reaching the mountainous forest. Along the way we explore a cave which was used as a bomb shelter by the locals during the second Indochina war.
After visiting the cave, one more hour of trekking brings us to one of the many springs which feeds Kuang Si waterfalls, here a beautiful pool full of sacred fish can be seen. After descending from the top of the waterfall we enjoy a Lao style lunch amongst some beautiful settings!
The afternoon is spent bathing and relaxing around the turquoise pools below the waterfall. You can also visit the bear conservation center which is located nearby and home to many bears which have been rescued from illegal farms.
Before returning to Luang Prabang we take a short walk to a nearby Khmu village of Ban Thapene which is home to some of the most beautiful pools of Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Approximately: 2 hours driving, 3 hours trekking
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
⦁ Luang Prabang Central – Kuang Si: 20 miles 30 minutes driving transfer
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG – TREKKING TO VILLAGE & TAD SAE (B/L/-)
Pick up: 08:30AM
We start this soft adventure day around Luang Prabang with a short 20-minute drive out of town and into the Lao countryside.
Transfer by small boat across the river to begin trekking. This is an easy hike through beautiful jungle with surrounding mountains in the river valley. Arrive at a Khmu hill tribe village where your local guide will help you explore life nestled in the mountains. The village is nestled at the foot of a big mountain range.
Most of the people here are farmers and fishermen and subsist on their traditional way of agriculture. They even speak a different language here, and your guide will help to ask any questions you have.
We’ll refresh with a break before a scenic and easy walk off the mountain to the Tad Sae Waterfall. At the waterfall, you can hang out for some swimming and bathing in the refreshing cool water.
Water conditions range from impressive strong currents during the height of the rainy season to slow-flowing and inviting crystal clear waters great for swimming. (Note: During the dry season, from Feb. to Jul., the Tad Sae Waterfall can be low or even dry. The itinerary remains the same with the exception that instead of the waterfall, trekking is extended to visit a riverside village and a longer boat ride is enjoyed on the Nam Khan River through jungle).
A Lao Style Lunch will be served either at the magnificent waterfalls or at a local village.
Return by boat and vehicle to conclude your jungle and village adventure.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
⦁ Luang Prabang Central – Tad Sae: 20 miles 35 minutes driving transfer
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – MANDALAO ELEPHANT CAMP (B/L/-)
Pick up: 08:00AM
After picking you up from town or your hotel we will leave Luang Prabang around 08:30 for the nearby village of Xieng Lom. Upon arrival you are invited to have coffee or tea as your guide for the day provides an in-depth introduction to elephant behavior and the ways we should interact with them.
A quick boat ride across the Nam Khan River will deliver you to the waiting elephants. You will be introduced to your new friends and feed them some special treats – a sure way to begin an instant friendship.
Enjoy observing elephants from the river bank as Mahouts wash them in the Nam Khan River. You can experience elephants washing, swimming and playing in the water. Please note this is voluntary activity for the elephants and Mandalao does not force them to get in the water. (On cold days the elephants are less likely to want to get wet.)
After 2 hours crossing through a beautiful stretch of traditional Lao gardens you will arrive at the jungle-covered Huay Nok stream. As you walk alongside the elephants and crisscross through the cool water you will experience a profound sense of understanding, respect, and caring for these amazing animals. As you prepare to start your walk back to MandaLao, you will bid farewell to your new friends with more treats and goodbye hugs.
When you get back to MandaLao, you will head to the restaurant and enjoy a delicious fresh Lao meal made from our own organically grown produce. There you can relax, kick-back, and process the day’s experiences on the veranda overlooking the river and misty mountains.
Following lunch, you will take the short ride back into Luang Prabang and have one more chance to ask your guides any lingering questions. You will arrive back by approximately 1:30.
Free for the rest of the day.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 5: MEKONG RIVER – PAK OU CAVE – NONG KHIAW (B/-/-)
Pick up: 05:30AM
Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken.
After breakfast at the hotel, begin our boat up the Mekong, 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 to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquer
d Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims.
After visiting the caves, we will hop on the car and continue the transfer to Nong Khiaw, the small town along the lazy Nam Ou River.
After lunch (your own account), 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 a 30 minute gentle walk from Nong Khiaw town and takes you through beautiful scenery. 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 valley. Walk back to Nong Khiaw along a small path through the rice paddies.
Enjoy the sunset over the river. There is a choice of local restaurants within walking distance (your own account)
Distance: 159KM | 4-hour transfer
Overnight at hotel in Nong Khiaw
Distance:
⦁ Luang Prabang Central – Pak Ou Caves: 20 miles 35 minutes driving transfer
DAY 6: NAM OU RIVER – TAD MORK WATERFALL – BAN PHAYONG (B/L/D)
We begin at 8am and start off by boarding a local long boat and head off upstream through some fantastic landscape before making our first stop of the day at a small riverside 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. After that, we will start trekking through the jungle to Ban Phayong, the village of H’Mong ethnic. The trek will take about 2.5 – 3 hours up to a small hill.
Arriving in the village, you will take a stroll around the town to get familiar with the local villagers. Before having dinner with the host family, we will join the Baci Cenremony. 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.
2-hour boat trip | 2-hour easy trek | 2.5-3-hour moderate trek
Overnight at hotel in Ban Phayong
DAY 7: BAN PHAYONG – MUANG NGOI – NONG KHIAW (B/L/-)
Pick-up: 08:30AM
Wake up early, you can help the host to prepare the breakfast, or watch the sunrising over the mountains.
In the morning, we will have 3 hours trekking downhill via the paddy, corn fields to the bank of Nam Ou River. From there, we board on the cruise upstream to Muang Ngoi, the fishing village in the middle of nowhere.
In the afternoon, we will trek to the local village of Ban Na, Khmu village; and the caves of Tham Kaang, which is said to have the supernatural powers. Walk back to Muang Ngoi whilst the sun is setting. If time permits, you can swim at the Nam Ou river, just like the locals.
2.5-hour walk | 1.5-hour boat trip
Overnight at hotel in Muang Ngoi
DAY 8: NONG KHIAW – 100 WATERFALLS (B/L/-)
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.
20-minute transfer | 4-hour trek | 2-hour boat trip
Overnight at hotel in Nong Khiaw
DAY 9: NONG KHIAW- PHOU PHA DAENG – BACK TO LUANG PRABANG (B/-/-)
Pick up: 08:30AM
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.
We will hop on the car and transfer back to Luang Prang in the afternoon.
Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang
Distance:
⦁ Phou Pha Daeng – Luang Prabang: 180 miles 4 hour driving transfer
DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
Pick-up: 3.5 hours before the flight
You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before transferring back to Luang Prabang Airport to take the departure flight
Distance:
⦁ Luang Prabang Central – Luang Prabang Airport: 3 miles 10 minute driving transfer
HOME SWEET HOME!
Included / Excluded
To help you plan your trip, we have put together a list of what's included and what's not included in your tour package. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and help you make any necessary arrangements before your journey begins.
- Hotel Accommodation with daily breakfast (shared in twin/ double room)
- Experience English speaking tour manager on tour
- Private transfer and transportation on tour
- Meals are mentioned on program (B: Breakfast, Br: Brunch, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
- Entrance fees are mentioned on the itinerary
- Daily mineral water (2 bottles/ pax/ tour day)
- All flights with tax
- Visa Approval Letter and Visa Stamping fee at arrival counter
- Travel Insurance
- Early check in or late check out
- Drinks and Beverages
-
Surcharge 20% for Public Holidays:
o New Year: 31 December 2024 – 02 January 2025 (inclusive)
o Vietnamese New Year: 28 Januray – 02 February (inclusive)
o Unification Day and May Day: 28 April – 03 May 2025 (inclusive)
o National Day: 28 August – 04 Sep 2025 (inclusive)
o Christmas: 23 – 25 December 2025 (inclusive - TIPPING for local guide, cruise team, tour manager and driver (compulsory)
- All other services are not mentioned on Inclusions
Tour Map
This comprehensive map is designed to guide you through an exciting journey filled with remarkable destinations and captivating experiences.
