Departure: October – May
This unique tour gives you the rare chance to trek the National Protected Area, Northern Laos. Never before have travelers been able to visit this hidden region with colorful tribes in their distinctive hand woven dress. Walk the real trails of the locals picking medicinal plants from the forest. Cruise on a local private boat down the Nam Ou River along stunning limestone karst scenery and remote villages. By staying in guesthouses, homestays and ecolodges, you will understand the locals way of life. Hill Tribe Trek Northern Laos is for travelers who want to truly trek off the beaten path!
Day 1 – Chiang Rai
Upon arrival you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight at the Laluna Resort
Day 2 – Chiang Rai – Huay Xay – Luang Namtha
Following your completion of border formalities, we visit Fort Carnot, an old French military post that features a jail and a watchtower offering great views over the Mekong River and Huay Xay. We then head out of the town to Luang Namtha. This road has recently been improved, and is now a very smooth and comfortable drive.
We visit hill tribe villages including the Khmu and Lu . In the afternoon, we visit Kao Rao Cave with its impressive limestone formations. We arrive in Luang Namtha mid- afternoon where you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at The Boat Landing (B)
Day 3 – Luang Namtha – Lahu Authentic Experience (2 Day Trek)
We meet at 9 AM at the office for departure by drive to prang village, we meet our village- based guide, who will lead you in the short walk around the village to learn about the Khmu’s lifestyle and culture that from Luang Namtha town is 38 Km. From here, we embark on a hike through up land rice fields, following the same path traveled daily by locals on their way to work and we trek deep into Nam Ha protected Area. The guide explain about medicinal plants, traditional forest use and point out wild animal tracks. We arrive at the stream, where we have a Lao – style picnic lunch. We continue our trek after lunch. The final leg of the trial pass through the jungle and reaches a panoramic viewpoint which overlooks Nam Ha NPA; arrive in Ban Nam Khouy in the late afternoon, a Lahu village nestled in the hills. We have dinner with villagers and stay overnight in a ecolodge.
Overnight at an ecolodge (B, L, D)
Day 4 – Lahu Village – Luang Namtha
After sharing an early morning meal with our village hosts, from the hilltops, we enjoy panoramic views of the NPA area. Then hike through rice paddies into the mountains of the Nam Ha NPA, passing through the jungle. You have picnic lunch along the way. You should trek quiet because this area still a lot of monkey and wild pigs. We arrive at the Khmu village of your village guide, where we are met by a pick-up (or tuk tuk) for return to your hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight again at The Boat Landing (B, L)
Day 5 – Luang Namtha – Bounthai
In the morning we take the road to Phongsaly province where you can see colorful villages including a stop at Ban Nakrasip, a Khmu village. Arrive at Bounthai in the late afternoon.
Overnight at a local guesthouse (B)
Note: Accommodation is very basic (simple room with hot water in the evening only)
Day 6 – Bounthai– Trekking – Home Stay (Multiethnic Trek – 3 Days)
First day:
After breakfast, transfer to the trekking starting point. Today we will trek for about 4 -5 hours and visit Eupa and Pouli villages. We will arrive in the late afternoon in a Eupa village where you will spend the night.
Overnight in a homestay (B, L, D)
Note: The standard of the home stay is very basic, no running water and no toilets
Day 7 – Trekking
Second day:
Today we will trek for about 4 hours walking through some wonderful landscape and unique ethnic villages. We will arrive in the afternoon to a Loma village where we will spend the night.
Overnight in a homestay (B, L, D)
Note: The standard of the home stay is very basic, no running water and no toilets
Day 8 – Trekking –Phongsaly
Third day:
Following breakfast at the village, we trek for 3 hours to the main road and transfer directly to Phongsaly, where we can climb a hill to witness a beautiful sunset over the town.
Overnight at the Phoufa Hotel (B, L)
Note: Accommodation is very basic (simple room with hot water in the evening only)
Day 9 – Phongsaly – Hatsa – Muang Khua by boat
After breakfast, we transfer to the Hatsa boat pier to start a cruise on a small local private boat (5 hours). On the way visit a few remote local villages before reaching Muang Khua. Duration: 7 hours Drive time: 1 hour Boat: 5 hours
Overnight at the Sern Nar Ly Hotel (B, L)
Note: Accommodation is very basic (simple room and electricity in the town turns off after 10pm)
Day 10 – Muang Khua – Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang by boat and car
Today, take the boat down the Nam Ou river to reach Nong Khiaw. This particular stretch offers stunning limestone karst scenery and remote villages, including Ban Sob Jaem a Khmu village and Hmong village that can only be accessed by boat. Upon arrival in Nong Khiaw, you will be transferred to Luang Prabang by road.
Overnight at the Le Sen Boutique (B)
Day 11 – Luang Prabang – Half day city tour & Kuang Si Waterfall
After breakfast we visit the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of the local history and features a guided audio tour. We then begin our temple tour taking in some the city’s most beautiful structures, including the country’s most historic and enchanting temple Wat Xiengthong, with its roof sweeping low to the ground, representing the classical Luang Prabang style. This morning we also visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Center which gives us a great insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos
After lunch we stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving center. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving process will be explained. We then drive out of the town to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the turquoise pool or walk along the forest trails. Next to the falls is a Bear Rescue Center that does a great job in protecting and rehabilitating the rare Asiatic Black Bear. We then return to Luang Prabang. Our final stop of the day is a climb Mt Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)
Day 12 – Depart Luang Prabang
You will be driven to the airport for your flight onward or homebound. (B)
CALL FOR all DETAILS 415-331-3791
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DISCOVER The Bun Thaat Meung Sing Festival
Festival Dates Change Annually
Day 5 – Luang Namtha – Muang Sing – Festival celebration
This morning transfer to Muang Sing to take part in the Bun Thaat Meung Sing Festival. This is a Buddhist festival where the locals will pay respect to an important stupa. During the festival there will be music, food, candeling procession etc. Another interesting part of the festival is that Muang Sing is sourranded by ethnich minority groups villages which most of them are not Buddhist but during the festival they will come down from the mountains to sale their product in town. (Revision of main itinerary)
Overnight in a local guesthouse (B)
Note: Accommodation is very basic (simple room with hot water in the evening only)
Day 6 – Muang Sing – Luang Namtha – Bounthai
This morning transfer to Luang Namtha (Back to the main program). (B)
