Laos Hill Tribes & Jungles

11 - days tour
Daily Departure

Overview

Day 1 Thai Border – Houay Xai – Vieng Phouka
Get assistance with the visa process at Houay Xai, the Thai–Lao border.
Transfer to Vieng Phouka, a rural village in the heart of northern Laos.
Day 2 – 5 Vieng Phouka – Luang Namtha
Head over the mountain route to take the stunning views on the way to Luang Namtha.
Have three full days of trekking to discover Nam Ha National Protected Area where offers you natural beauty and wildlife.
Day 6 – 9 Luang Namtha – Muang Khoua – Muang Ngoy – Nong Khiaw
Drive through the picturesque countryside to Muang Khua, visit Akha, Iko, Hmong, Khmu hill tribes.
take a short boat ride to the village of Ban Hat Sao, a jungle trek through a preserved part of the jungle and into the nearby mountain area.
Your journey continues with a short walking tour of Nong Khiaw village. Spend one full day to enjoy the gorgeous 100 waterfalls and another day to relax before finish the trip in Luang Prabang.
Day 11 Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang – departure
Take back to Luang Prabang and board your flight to the next destination.

Customizable itinerary

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Let this ‘Laos Hill Tribes and Jungles’ tour shows you what the country has to offer as you venture to Laos amazing yet lesser-known destinations and meet the ethnic people. From Houay Xai (the Thai-Lao border), travel to the Vieng Phouka for the Lantern village, known for the local’s natural dye traditions. In Luang Namtha, enjoy trekking through its pristine forests, scenic rivers and mountains and see the diverse wildlife in this area. Meet the ethnic groups of the Akha, Iko, Hmong, Khmu in Muang Khoua before taking a leisurely boat ride on Nam Ou River. Nong Khiaw is a region with pristine nature, so you can trek through green rice paddies and forested mountains and admire the wonderful sights of 100 Waterfalls and the Nam Ou valley. Arrive at the rich heritage town of Luang Prabang, and this will also be the last destination on this 11-day trip.

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Day 1: Thai Border – Houay Xai – Vieng Phouka

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
Meals: (/_/D)

Day 2: Vieng Phouka – Luang Namtha

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
Meals: (B/_/_)

Day 3: Luang Namtha – Trekking in the Nam Ha National Protected Area

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
Meals: (B/_/_)

Day 4: Luang Namtha – Further Trekking and Exploration

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
Meals: (B/L/_)

Day 5: Luang Namtha – The Final Trekking Day

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
Meals: (B/L/_)

Day 6: Luang Namtha – Muang Khoua

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/_)

Day 7: Muang Khoua – Muang Ngoy

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
Meals: (B/L/_)

Day 8: Muang Ngoy – Nong Khiaw

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/_)

Day 9: Nong Khiaw – 100 Waterfall Trek

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
Meals: (B/L/_)

Day 10: In Nong Khiaw

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
Meals: (B/_/_)

Day 11: Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang – Departure

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.

Meals: (B/_/_)

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Useful Information
This sample itinerary was created by our travel experts as inspiration for your next trip. Ready for your customization. You pick to suit your budget, desires, and cultural experiences. The price of this trip will vary, depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and the availability of ground services. Please click on REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (above) and give us the necessary information to enable us to send you a FREE personalized quote within 48 hours if not sooner!

Sightseeing Highlights

  • Trekking to the hidden villages in the mountainous area of northern Laos
  • Cruising along the lazy Nam Ou River and Mekong River, experiencing the authentic lives, and its untouched nature along the way
  • The nature of Muang Ngoy and its surrounding area
  • Trekking to the famous 100 waterfalls in Nong Khiaw

Dining Experience

  • 10 hotel buffet breakfasts.
  • 1 dinner and 6 lunches at well-selected restaurants

Travel Highlights

  • Your own private guide and driver for in-depth cultural touring based on your interests
  • Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our locally born travel specialists
  • Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and preferences
  • A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, hand-picked hotels and restaurants, private airport transfers, internal transportation, and entry visa assistance…etc
  • Around-the-clock support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip

What’s Included?

Private English speaking guide, accommodation, private tours and transfer, domestic flights, A/C vehicles, some main meals, all entrance fees, tax, and service charge.

What’s Not Included?

Your international flights from and to Laos, the entry visa to Laos, personal expense, tips to guide and driver.
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