LAOS HILL TRIBE EXPERIENCE

Upon finishing the border formality, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer directly to Muang Khua.
Arriving in town, you may spend an hour to visit the old bamboo bridge that connecting the town and the beautiful H’Mong village of Ban Natoun.
After that, we will take the last transfer to Pak Namnoy, the small village in the middle of nowhere.

Overnight in Pak Namnoy. 

After breakfast, we will transfer to Ban Namly. Along the way, we have ample time to visit some tribe villages of Pouli or Eupa. Please notice that this route is rarely explored by the tourists, so the villager might be shy and do not want you to take photos. Please check with your guide to ask for permission if you wish so.

Arriving in Ban Namly around noon time.

In the afternoon, we will hike along the newly tractor road to Ban Mokok Noi, the village of Loma tribe. Along the way, you will see here and there some tribe people working on the field or some kids coming back from school.

Arriving at the village you will have a good chance to observe their living style. You have time to stroll around and talk with local villagers before having dinner with the host family.

Overnight with a family of Akha Loma in Ban Mokok Noi.

Approximately: 3 – 3,5 hrs. trekking level: moderate.

After breakfast, our trek will continue to Ban Mokkokluang, village of Akha Loma. The trek today is quite challenging for hiking.  

Following lunch time at the village, we continue to hike on small path on mountainous area up and down. 

Finally, you will arrive at ban Chapiewnoi and Chapiewluang, and Ban Chapiewmai, villages of Akha Erpa, these villages are located in more remote area. Today we take overnight at Ban Chapiewluang.
Approximately: 4 – 4,5 hours. Trekking level: difficult.

After breakfast and explore their living lifestyle. The trek will start early. Today the trek is more challenging than the two previous days. 

The trek lets you walk on the path through mountains up and down, which will finish at Ban Moucheekang, village of Akha Mouchee. 

Then we take a private car heading to Bountai or Phongsaly. On the way we had a good opportunity to visit villages of Akha Cherpia, Akha Poulee.  

Arriving in Bountai, we will continue the transfer back to Pak Namnoy to spend the night.

Approximately: 4 – 5 hrs. Trekking level: difficult.

After breakfast, we will drive to Muang La, where we set off to visit villages of the Ikho, H’mong & Khamu people; three of the many ethnic groups in Laos.
Your route climbs to 1,300m above sea level and offers some magnificent views of the stunning mountain scenery.
We will first visit a Khamu village before driving further into the mountains to an isolated Hmong village.
This ethnic group originates from the high steppes of Tibet and you will learn about their way of life; the importance of their livestock pigs, buffaloes…) and the care that they give to their animals.
From the H’mong village you can choose to do an optional short walk of 30 minutes which will bring you to the first Ikho village.
This ethnic group originates from Tibet and Yunnan Province in China. You learn about the daily life of the village and how the villagers still follow customs passed down through the centuries.
You take your picnic lunch enjoying the amazing surroundings and continue to visit more Ikho villages along the way, before heading down to Muang La.

From here, we will transfer to Muang Xai to spend the night. 

We depart early this morning for our journey to Luang Namtha. These back roads are a perfect way to venture off the beaten track and explore the real Laos.
We see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs.
The drive can be challenging on some parts of our journey due to poor road conditions; however the verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes for a memorable experience. 

Along the way, we have the chance to visit the intriguing Pra Xing Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. The 400 years old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists.
On arrival we check in at a very simple hotel and take a walk to explore this picturesque hill town. Overnight in Luang Namtha. 

Start from our office at 8:30 AM, visit ethnic minority groups located on the bank of the main road Luang Namtha to Muang Sing such as: Lanten, Khmu, Hmong, Akha, Tai Dam and Tai Lue. Lunch will be provided at the Pha Yuang waterfall, after lunch a short walk visit the waterfall. Next continue to Muang Sing town, the home of historical, cultural and traditional. The trip will arrive at the Yao Eco-lodge of Sai Leck Village around 4:00 PM. While waiting for dinner you might walk around and learn about their way of life and traditions, etc… After dinner you will receive a massage which is traditionally given to guests.

Departure from Muang Sing at 8:00 AM on the dirt road Muang Sing-Long town visit different of tribes on the bank of the way such as: Akha, Musur, Hmong, Tai Lue they are still live a very traditional lifestyle, visit Long town valley, continue to Xieng Kok where Lao-Myanmar border and back to stay overnight in Phou Iu II bungalows in Muang Sing.

Early in the morning, we will visit the fresh morning market, where we will see more different ethnic minorities selling their vegetables and NTFP’s (Non Timber Forest Products), which were collected from their upland farms and in the forest. During the city sightseeing tour, you can see the former French Fortress and visit the Museum (open from Monday-Friday, only). After a short break, we continue to visit village of hand noodle making, Tai Dam (the villages of waving), Tai Nuea (the village of Lao rice whiskey), visit the stupa of Xieng Tung, which is located on a mountain 900 m up from sea level. 

Back to Muang Sing for an overnight stay. 

8:00 AM start from our office in Muang Sing or 7:00 AM from Luang Namtha by 4 Wheel Drive short stop visit ethnic minority villages along the Off-Road, drive up to the higher mountain in Xieng Khaeng Region (more than 1,800 meters from the sea level) visit Mueto Kao and Ja Phou Thon they are Akha, next start trek to Xieng Khaeng (Tai Lue Village) the village we stay overnight for today.

The Xieng Khaeng Village or the Old Kingdom Of Muang Sing.

Due to the fact that little is known of the history of Muang Sing prior to the late 18th century we start this short excursion into the history of Muang Sing at the end of the 19th century. In 1887 Muang Sing was established and more than 1000 subjects had to move to the new capital of the principality of Chiang Khaeng and the surrounding plain. The relocation of the capital from Muang Yu became necessary to be better protected against a Burmese punitive expedition.

In the early morning is the best time to see Tai Lue’s daily work on the Mekong River. The local people from Myanmar will cross the river for sell/exchange local food between the villages. After breakfast, we started by slow boat on the Mekong River and stop at the way to Pha Ngoua (Akha Village). The traditional lunch will be eaten on the way. Next, continue walking to Sompan Mai (Akha Village) the village where you stay overnight for this day. From the village you will enjoy the stunning mountain. After dinner you will enjoy a traditional Akha massage which is traditionally given to the guests staying overnight in the village.

In the morning the weather is quite cool that you will see Akha people sitting around the fire and cooking. After breakfast, walk on the small path with excellent landscape and stunning mountain to Mai Khong (Akha Village), the village you are staying overnight.

After breakfast, start walking on the dirt road that passes through the landscape mountain. The traditional picnic lunch will be eaten on the way. After lunch, continue walking to Ja Kuern (Akha Village), the village you stay for this night. The Akha massage will be served after dinner.

You will have a traditional breakfast at the homestay. After preparing your bags, continue walking through the agriculture field, mountain landscape and stunning view to where the Four Wheel Drives are waiting to pick you back to Luang Namtha.
The villages and the areas above are just open for tourists, all ethnic minority groups are Akha and Tai Lue, they still keep their culture and tradition.

Upon arrival, start the exploration of Vieng Phoukha and surrounding area.

Stop at the Ban Nam Kap Nuea (Lahu Village) 15 minutes for visit them and continue the same Tuk Tuk about 15 minutes to Ban Tha Luang (Hmong Village) local guide from the village will join your group and start walking.

The trek leads up to the mountain and deep into the forest, you will be able to see many different kinds of NTP’s (Non Timber Forest Products) in the Nam Ha National Protected Area. Your guide shares his experience about traditional medicine with you after about 3 hours, stopping for lunch with traditional food.

After lunch, 3 hours walking pass some excellent view of the landscape of the Nam Ha Protected Area and arrive in the Ban Tah Soom (Akha Village) finished for the first day.

While your local hosts prepare your dinner, you can walk around the village to see and learn the village daily life, after dinner you will receive an Akha women massage, which is traditionally given to guests.

After enjoy traditional Akha breakfast around 8:30 am, start walk up and down to the waterfall 30 minutes break here for take bath if you want, continue to the small buffalo farm (Lahu people’s farm), walk through the upland agriculture field and then break for lunch with Lahu traditional on the trail. After lunch walk one and half hours to Ban Nam Kab Nuea. 

From there, we will hop on the minivan again to take the transfer to Huay Xay, which will take about 3 hours.

Upon arrival, we will take a short visit to the Gibbon Experience office to reconfirm your tour the following day. 

Then, check in your hotel in town.

Overnight in Huay Xay. 

In the morning, you will walk to the office of Gibbon Experience before transferring into the jungle for the Gibbon Experience.
We will arrive in Ban Toup at around 11:30AM. From here, we will be taken care by the local English Speaking Guide.
After lunch at the village, we start our 02 hour shiking to become familiar with the cable network. At the end of the hiking, you will arrive at your tree house.
The rest of the afternoon is your free time; you can keep hiking around, or do some ziplining. Dinner will be served at around 05PM or 06PM. Overnight at your tree house.

06:30-07:00: Early wake up to seize the chance to hear the gibbons singing while enjoying the tea or coffee.
08:00: Breakfast + Optional hiking and ziplining
09:30: departure for 02 hours trek to the next tree house
About 12:00, arriving at the waterfalls where you can go for a swim. After lunch, you go by ziplines to your tree house.
03:00 PM, optional hiking and ziplining
05:00 Dinner; the rest of the night is your own free time. 

Early wake up again to enjoy the gibbon singing.
After breakfast at 08:00AM, we will hike back to Ban Toup.
We arrive in the village around noon to have lunch.
After that, the car will come to transfer you back to Huayxay. 

At 08:30am-09:00, guests will take a joining transfer by Tuk Tuk to the slow boat pier to embark on one of our boats. During the cruise, the boat will take its first stop in Pak Tha, to get signed the boat documents. Lunch is served on board. We stop then a second time at the Kamu village of Ban Houay Hao. The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before the night. Overnight stayed in Pakbeng.

At 8:00am, the boat leaves Pakbeng. On the way, one lunch served on board and 2 stops: visit first Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting), go then to Ban Xang Hai, a lao lao whisky village. Arrive in Luang Prabang (CALAO BOAT PIER) around 4:30pm. 

From there, transfer to your hotel in town.

Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

After breakfast, we visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. 
Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.
We then transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.
You have the rest of the afternoon to refresh at the waterfalls. If you wish, we also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.
Arriving back in town, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour.
Transfer back to Luang Prabang, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River.
The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Tip: If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday). 

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 temples to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
From there, we will 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. This is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Nahm Dong park, which is located in Ban Xiengmouk, 10Km from the city center.
Arriving at the park, we will have a short welcome by the park manager before joining the morning activities here.
We will first start with the Zipline flying over the jungle and the waterfalls admiring the amazing evergreen scenery. The zipline will take about 1 hour.

Then we will walk back via the jungle trail crossing some flying bridges, small streams, and clear natural pools, where you can take a refreshing splash if you wish so.
The picnic lunch will be served at the viewpoint where you can spread your view over the region, including the view of mount Phousi in the city center.
You can either spend the rest of the afternoon stroll around the park, relax by one of the huts at the camp, or enjoy the fresh cool clear natural pools.

Note: Zipline in 1 hour, trekking min 1 hour – max 3 hours depending on the route that you choose. 

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight. 

A trip in Laos is sure to bring you wonderful experiences, from discovering unspoiled destinations, to experiencing food and immersing yourself in the unique culture of this country. Let’s explore Laos with Golden Lotus Travel and create memorable memories in your life!