Laos Hill Tribes & Jungles (IPL05)

Upon arrival Houay Xai (the Thai-Lao border), your private guide will meet you at the Lao immigration office and assist you with the visa process. After that, transfer to Vieng Phouka, stopping along the way at a Lanten village — the name ‘Lanten’ is a Chinese term meaning “the people who dye,” as they are known for their natural dye traditions; they’re also one of the few ethnic minorities in Lao PDR who follow Daoism and read Chinese script.

Your journey will end in Vieng Phouka, a rural village in the heart of northern Laos. Check into a local guesthouse and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Take time to discover the area and meet the local people.

Overnight in Vieng Phouka
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Today you will travel to Luang Namtha, heading over the mountain route to taking the stunning views. Upon reaching Luang Namtha take a stroll around the town, visit the busy night market where locals come together to trade goods and handicrafts and also delicious street food.

Overnight in Luang Namtha
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Today you will embark on a full day trekking tour in the Nam Ha National Protected Area. You will trek through the forests, fields, rivers, and mountains that surround Luang Namtha. Many interesting and challenging treks in this area await you, so you’ll choose among a selection of routes to suit your fitness and stamina. Your guides will then arrange the most interesting route, points of interest, and resting points for you.

Return to Luang Namtha for the second night.

Overnight in Luang Namtha
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Spend another day exploring the stunning Nam Ha Protected Area. Your guide will lead you off the beaten path to discover the natural beauty and wildlife that abounds in this region.

Overnight in Luang Namtha
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Spend the last day on your trekking adventure in the wilds of Luang Namtha. You will end the day back in the city in a clean and comfortable room.

Overnight in Luang Namtha
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Rise early like the locals and take a walk to the local market, where you may see members of hill tribes in traditional clothing buying and selling their products.

After breakfast, depart Luang Namtha and drive through the picturesque countryside to Muang Khua. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the way. Northern Laos is very ethnically diverse and the mountains surrounding Oudomxai, near the Chinese border, are home to groups like the Akha, Iko, Hmong, Khmu, and more. Despite the modernization, many of these hill tribes still live traditional lifestyles and follow local and ethnic customs. You’re likely in these regions to see people in beautiful traditional clothing.

Arrive Muang Khoua in the afternoon and check into your hotel. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure.

Overnight in Muang Khua
Meals: (B/L/_)

After breakfast, you will depart Muang Khoua and embark on a leisurely boat ride on the Nam Ou River through mountainous jungle to Muang Ngoy. The Nam Ou River is one of the most important waterways in Laos offering the best scenery. The river runs 448 km from Phongsaly in the north of the country all the way to Luang Prabang where it merges with the Mekong.

Onboard the traditional Lao long boat you will journey slowly downstream, allowing you to take in the view and relax along the way. The boat trip will pass many remote villages, rugged mountain terrain, and impressive limestone cliffs. You also make some stops at a few of the villages, most of which are only accessible by boat, and get a unique look into traditional daily village life along the river.

The day’s journey will end in Muang Ngoy, a relaxing little village where you will spend the night.

Overnight in Muang Ngoy
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After breakfast, take a short boat ride to the village of Ban Hat Sao, with a mixed population of Lao Lum and Lao Thung. From there you will follow little trails on a jungle trek through a preserved part of the jungle and into the nearby mountain area. You will pass endless rice fields, forests and agricultural land on your way to the next highlight, a refreshing waterfall. Much of our route follows the stream and you will walk through the river and small waterfalls.

After an extended break you will hike back to the river area. A small walking trail following the Nam Ou River will bring us to Nong Khiaw where you spend the night. You will stay in your bungalow at the Mandala family Resort. This premier bungalow resort is situated high on the banks of the scenic and tranquil Nam Ou river, offering spectacular sunset views over the virgin rain forest, mountains and the karst limestone cliffs of Nong Khiaw.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw
Meals: (B/L/_)

Morning
After breakfast, embark on a boat trip for one hour on the Nam Ou River. You will arrive at a local Hmong village where you will disembark and follow local trails through the rice paddies to the foot of the forested mountain slopes. Along the way, your guide will explain the local fauna and flora, use of plants for traditional medicine, and local culture and traditions.

You will arrive at the gorgeous 100 Waterfalls, which has only been on the radar recently and traveled to by foreigners, which is during the late 2000s. For the next 3 hours, you will follow the cascading stream as you ascend the mountain covered in thick virgin rainforest, following the water through dozens of pools, cascades and huge rocks.

After exploring the stunning 100 waterfalls, you will be provided with a delectable lunch at the top of the falls served by your guide in the traditional way – folded banana leaves.

Afternoon
After lunch, take the trails again from the top of the waterfall that is used by the local villagers, which will lead you away from the waterfall and to the village. Behold the stunning sights along the Nam Ou valley, overcrowded with old-growth forests that thrive within the fertile lands. The Nam Ou valley lacks well-paved roads and still carries the natural charm of the olden days without being too overcrowded by people along the trails. Upon arrival to the village, you will be greeted by the friendly smiles of the inhabitants as they are engaged in their daily activities before heading back to Nong Khiaw along with a small boat.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw
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This is a free day for you for your further explorations of Nong Khiaw. Relax and take in the grandeur of the Karst scenery, and explore nearby caves if you choose.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw
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After breakfast and check out you are taken back to Luang Prabang following the Nam Ou River and traveling you up and over the mountains. Along the way, you will pause to visit the village of Ban Na Nyang, which is famous for its traditional cotton weaving. Almost every household has its own weaving loom where the families create beautiful scarves, table cloths, and ornate wall hangings.

After the village visit, continue on the road to the UNESCO world heritage city of Luang Prabang and then transfer to Luang Prabang airport for a short flight to Bangkok where you connect via your outbound flight home.

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