Explore the northern Laos

10 days 9 nights

Pakbeng – Oudomxay –  Muang La – Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang – Vientiane

Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pakbeng (B/L/D)

Day 3: Pakbeng (B/L)

Day 4: Pakbeng – Muang La (B/L/D)

Day 5: Muang La (B/L/D)

Day 6: Muang La – Muang Khua – Nong Khiaw (B/L)

Day 7: Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang (B/L)

Day 8: Luang Prabang (B/L)

Day 9: Luang Prabang – Flight to Vientiane (B)

Day 10: Vientiane – Departure (B)

Day 1. Arrival in Luang Prabang

Upon arrival at the airport, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to your hotel for check in. Relax and explore Luang Prabang on your own.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2. Luang Prabang – Pakbeng (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

This morning, take a short drive to the pier to board a private boat for the tour to Pakbeng.

Make the first stop to visit Pak Ou Caves, carved out of towering limestone cliffs and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues then the second stop at the village of Ban Baw, where it is possible to witness the processing of traditional rice alcohol.

A delicious lunch is served on board as the boat continues to cruise along the scenic Mekong River.

Arrive in Pakbeng in time to watch the sunset over the river from the room’s balcony.

Dinner and overnight in Pakbeng. 

Day 3. Pakbeng (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, begin the day by crossing the river to Mekong Elephant Camp to view and assist with bathing the Elephants. After bathing, start a trek through the villages. Alternating between walking and riding on the back of the elephant, the trek passes through countryside typical to this region of Laos. The valleys provide panoramic views over several alluvial plains where sweet corn and tobacco grow along with traditional houses and gardens. Return to the Mekong Elephant Camp and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner and overnight in Pakbeng.

Day 4. Pakbeng – Muang La (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

This morning, enjoy breakfast over the Mekong river before checking out and heading away towards Oudomxay. On the way, stop to visit villages inhabited by Lu and Khmou hill tribes.

Upon arrival in Oudomxay, enjoy lunch followed by a walk up the town’s highest temple, Wat Phu Tat, to get a panoramic view of the surrounding town and countryside.

Continue to Muang La and arrive at Muang La Resort in the late afternoon. Check in, relax and enjoy the views and the resort’s facilities including a spa, sauna and steam room.

Dinner and overnight at Muang La Resort

Day 5. Muang La (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

This full day tour includes walking through and between villages. Set off after breakfast to visit an entirely isolated Ikhos village. This ethnic group originates from Tibet and Yunnan and these villagers have seen very few foreigners. The guide will help to convey the daily life of the villagers and how they still follow ancient customs passed down through the centuries. Sitting at 1,000m above sea level, this village makes the ideal location for a picnic lunch. After lunch, leave the village and walk to the Hmong village of Ban Tauser. The remote route to the village opens to a viewpoint with a stunning 360° panorama.

Return to the resort at the end of the day.

Dinner and overnight at Muang La Resort

Day 6. Muang La – Muang Khua – Nong Khiaw (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, drive for around 2 hours to Muang Khua, a small town on the banks of the Nam Ou River. Board a private longtail boat for a cruise down one of the most scenically beautiful stretches of river in Laos. Compared to the Mekong, the Nam Ou is considered more dramatic and wild and also has far less traffic.

Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and spot various local villages during the cruise downstream.

Reach the final destination of Nong Khiaw in the late afternoon, famed for the dramatic limestone mountains which surround it. Disembark and check in to the accommodation on the banks of the Nam Ou River.

Enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Day 7. Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast along the river, enjoy the scenic 2.5 hour ride from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang.

On arrival, begin your exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country. The main sanctuary represents the classic Luang Prabang temple architecture with roofs that sweep low to the ground. Then, visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family, The Royal Palace is now home to exhibits of art and jewels as well as the residence itself. Continue on foot to visit Wat Mai, with its unique 5 tiered roof and golden bas-reliefs.

Pay a visit to Ock Pop Tok living Craft Centre to learn about the creation of traditional Laos art forms like weaving, dyeing, silk worms and batik from Laos artisans themselves. Enjoy the sunset over the Mekong river before heading back to town.

Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 8. Luang Prabang (Breakfast/Lunch)

Wake up early in the morning to witness the Tak Bat ceremony, you will have the chance to witness the monks leaving their pagodas to receive offerings of food from Luang Prabang residents. Continue to visit the morning market before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

This morning, leave the city behind and head to the peaceful countryside. The drive ends at a beautiful destination – The Kuang Si Waterfalls. The falls are a series of cascading turquoise pools, surrounded by lush forest. Spend time exploring the falls and enjoying the pristine nature. Take a challenging, but rewarding hike to the top of the highest point or simply relax on the rocks of the lower pools.

Return to town and visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, followed by Wat Aham and Wat That, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa.

Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 9. Luang Prabang – Flight to Vientiane (Breakfast)

After breakfast,  transfer to the airport for flight to Vientiane.

Upon arrival, explore the capital of Laos with the first stop at Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital. Continue to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, a religious museum displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Nearby is the Presidential Palace, a unique glimpse into the colonial history of Vientiane (viewed from the outside).

Continue to the Patuxay monument, Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where beautiful city views await from the accessible roof. Next, your tour takes you to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos.

Take a leisurely walk along the banks of the Mekong River before heading back to your hotel.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 10. Vientiane – Departure (Breakfast)

Free time at leisure until transfer to the airport for your onward flights.

End of all your services.

Inclusions services: 

• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
• Experienced and skilled English-Speaking Guide
• All admission fee at attractions as mentioned in the itinerary.
• All meals as mentioned in the itinerary.

Exclusions services: 

• Visa handling fee,visa stamping fee.
• Internal airfares in the tour (please refer to the airfare supplement)
• International airfare from/to Vietnam
• Any other meals not mentioned above.
• Any kind of drinks in meals
• All other services which are not mentioned in INCLUSIONS
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Travel insurance in all kinds
• Personal expenses such as Bar, telephone, Laundry bills …
• Tipping/ Gratuities Guideline
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (Typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.
• Surcharge for peak season/public holidays if any.