REMOTE LAOS

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.
Free for the rest of the day for your own exploration.

Overnight in Muang Khua.

In the morning, we will board on a long-tail boat downstream the Nam Ou River exploring one of the most authentic region of the country.
The picnic lunch will be served at one of the sandy beach along the river bank.
We will arrive at the Khmu village of Ban Sopchem early in the afternoon; you have ample time to stroll around the village to get familiar with the local villagers before joining the Baci Ceremony. This rite is performed mostly for family and friends who are going or coming back from a long trip. This is their way of saying thank you to you for your visit. Your guides will portability explain more about the ceremony.
The dinner will be served after that for you to share with the host family, the best chance to get the first impression of Lao culture
Spend your night at Ban Sop Chem.

After a local breakfast, time to explore the village. The village children rarely receive the opportunity to interact and play with Westerners.
We then take the cruise downstream to Ban Bor, a hill tribe village, and see the activity of the villagers, play with the children and visit a small local primary school.
We then continue the boat trip to Muang Ngoi, the village in the middle of nowhere. 

Stroll around the village of Muang Ngoi before starting a small hike through the magnificent landscapes consisting of rice fields.
Here we visit the historic Tham Kang cave which was used as a shelter during the Indochina War, continue the walk to Ban Na crossing the green rice field (depends on the season)
Admire the beautiful landscape, Ban Na is the Thai Deang (Thai red) tribes who has a simple life, see the daily life of local people, lifestyle, learn culture …
Settle into your bungalow. Free time to rest and admire the beauty of the karst landscape reminiscent of the Halong Bai land. Overnight in Muang Ngoi

Approximately: 1 hour by boat, 2 hours of hiking.

After a local breakfast, take the cruise downstream to the nearby village. Here we take some time to look around and if during a weekday pay the local school a visit to see the charming children as they take part in their classes.
After this we continue onwards to Tad Mork which is located close to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Sop Kong, an hour trek from the river. At the waterfall we shall have time to swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.
In the afternoon, we continue the cruise to Ban Sopvan, which is home to the Tai Lue people. The village is located right next to the river, opposite the village on the river bank is a farm which is home to many different types of animals including pigs, chickens, ducks, and buffalo. We pay them a visit so it is worthwhile bringing some food along if you would like to feed them and surely very appreciated by both the animals and the villagers.
The last part of today’s cruise is a 30 minutes cruise down to Nong Khiaw. We arrive in Nong Khiaw by around 5:00pm just in time before darkness descends.

Approximate: 1-hour boat trip | 3.5-hour walk

Start this day of adventure with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou River where you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the riverside.
Learn about the villagers and their way of life along this Northern Laos River before beginning the ‘100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail’!
Walking through small streams and rice paddies, you will arrive at the bottom of the 100 Waterfalls which were only first explored in October 2008!
For the next few hours you will see only water and jungle and hear the constant sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around you are very inviting for a refreshing splash.
Your guide will lead you through the cascades and prepare a local style lunch that you can enjoy on the falls surrounded by amazingly green nature.
A small village trail on the top of the ‘100 Waterfalls’ will lead us on our hike back down into the valley, offering wide views over the expansive Nam Ou valley.
Once back in the village we will have some more time to experience the daily life of the Nam Ou riverside village before heading back to Nong Khiaw (Nong Khiau) by boat.

20-minute transfer | 4-hour trek | 2-hour boat trip

Today, we will drive through the most rural and least developed part of Laos via Vieng Kham to Muang Hiam.
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.
Arriving in Muang Hiam, we will check in the simple guesthouse to take some rest before taking a walk explore this small village.
If time permits, we can visit the nearby hot spring, which is very popular among local people. If you wish, you can take a dip to refresh like the locals.
Overnight in Muang Hiam.

The National Park’s English-speaking guide and driver will meet clients at around 8:30am at the guest house in Muang Hiem.

First, visit the National Park’s headquarters and Visitor Center in Muang Hiam. The guide will share a presentation of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park and introduce the on-the-ground efforts in protecting wildlife.

After a 45-minute drive along a curvy road through gorgeous mountainous landscapes and through the National Park corridor you will arrive at Ban Sakok, an ethnic Khmu Village, situated on the edge of the National Park’s boundary.

The village guide, porters and cooks will be waiting to greet you at the village visitor center, which has a beautiful panoramic view of the village and surrounding mountains. The guide will inform you about the itinerary of the upcoming tour.

The trekking starts at around 10.00am, first you will hike through the village’s rice, tobacco, and cornfields learning along the way about upland rice cultivation and rural livelihoods.

At the edge of the fields and forest, enjoy a picnic overlooking fields and the backdrop of Phou Louey Mountain. Here your guides will explain about the different management zones of the park.

After lunch, begin trekking into the National Park following the path built and maintained by the village to the Tad Loy Camp. The trail climbs steadily into mixed deciduous forests. Your local guide may show you medicinal plants along the way.

This first day of trekking is quite short. After approximately 2-3 hours, you will arrive at the Tad Louey and Tad Loy waterfalls. Spend time relaxing, swimming at the two waterfalls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls found in the area before continuing to the camp.

Enjoy a traditional Khmu dinner prepared by the village cook and porters. After, relax by the campfire and the wild outback of Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. The guides may tell you Khmu folktales and stories about dragons, wildlife and ghosts.

Optional: After dinner, your guide can take you on a short (around 30min) night walk nearby the camp to see insects and other small creatures of the night.

Overnight in Jungle Huts (2 persons per hut).

Wake up early and before breakfast walk up to a nearby mountain to check for wildlife photos on camera traps set there, bird watch, and possibly have the opportunity to hear the calls of the rare Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons.

After returning back to the campsite, enjoy breakfast. Today you will trek from the foothills of Phou Louey Mountain across the rugged and mountainous landscape to The Nests campsite located nearby the Poung Nied saltlick and the wildlife observation tower.

The route traverses some beautiful forest and landscapes and trench remains from the war. The trek is approximately 12km and takes around 7hours with a steep ascent to the top of Phou Phamai Mountain Pass (Elev. 1’500m) followed by a gradual descent down to the camp.

The top of Phou Phamai Mountain offers great view over the National Park, and you can see far away the Ban Sakok village from where you started your trek. Enjoy a picnic lunch with a view.

You will arrive at The Nests camp in the mid-afternoon and will be shown to your accommodation – the hanging spherical “Nest”. Enjoy free time to relax, bath in the nearby river and enjoy the nature.

Enjoy traditional Khmu dinner prepared by the village cooking group at around 6-7 PM. Dinner is eaten at the camp and is not allowed at the observation tower.

After dinner, you will receive a briefing about wildlife viewing at the Poung Nied salt lick – one of the largest salt licks in the National Park. The guides will inform tourists about the species of animals they may see and explain the rules and expectations for spotlighting.

It’s important to follow the introduced rules, such as: no talking, no eating at the salt lick observation tower. We will stay at the observation tower for a few hours (depending on your curiosity and patience) until no later than 11:30 pm.

The most common animals that you might spot include Sambar and barking deer (AKA muntjak) and various species of civets, although, if lucky, you may also see other protected animals such as bears, dhole, several species of wild cats and others.

Please wear warm clothes as it can be quite cold in the late evening/nighttime.

Early morning before breakfast, your guide will offer you two options:

First option, wake up at 6:00 AM and walk back to the nearby salt lick to identify different wildlife tracks. Spend approximately an hour in the observation platform, as morning is a great time for bird watching. After, follow the guide to check the camera traps.

Second option, wake up early in the morning at 5:30 and walk for 20 minutes up the mountain to try your luck to listen to the calls of the critically endangered Northern White Cheeked Gibbons.  Enjoy sunrise and bird watching from a small viewpoint platform in a tree. At 6:30 follow the guide to check the camera traps.

Once back to the camp, enjoy breakfast and view wildlife camera trap photos taken by the camera trap during the previous night.

Twelve surrounding villages involved in this project receive monetary bonuses in the form of a village development fund based on the number and type of wildlife, and wildlife proof identified and viewed in the camera traps. (This fee is included in the tour price.)

Your final day of trekking takes you along a 7.5 km forest path. Pass by the ranger substation and trek through thick jungle and mixed deciduous forest. The local guide will show you medicinal plants and spot animal tracks along the way.

The trek has a couple moderate ascents before descending into agriculture fields. At the edge of the forest and fields, enjoy a picnic lunch. From here a tok tok (a small tractor used for plowing rice paddies and convertible to a vehicle for transportation) will pick you up and take you through the village rice and corn fields for about 5km to Ban Nam Poung Village, an ethnic Khmu Village, situated on the edge of the national park boundary.

Once in the village your village guides will bid you goodbye and you will be transferred back to Muang Hiem by private truck or van. We will be back in Muang Hiem in the afternoon.

Overnight in Muang Hiam.

After breakfast, we will transfer to Muang Kham, which is famous for some of the best hot springs in Laos.

Along the way, we will stop to visit Ban Sonkhua, Hmong village, to learn about their traditional way of life.

There are some more options to stop to visit some other local villages or admire the view. Do not hesitate to ask our guide and driver to stop if you find something interesting.

We will arrive in Muang Kham around mid-afternoon, check in your hotel, which is built in Ban Nyai, hosting the most famous hot spring in Muang Kham.

Free for the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the hot spring.

Overnight in Muang Kham.

You are free today for your own exploration of the resort or the village. Walking along the small village roads or admiring the local village life are some of the experiences for you to spend the day. You can also just relax and enjoy the hot spring or the swimming pool

Overnight in Muang Kham. 

After breakfast, transfer directly to Phonsavanh, which is the capital city of Xieng Khuang province. 

We arrive in Xieng Khuang around noon time, check in your hotel to take some rest.

In the afternoon, we will first make a stop at Muang Khoune, the old provincial capital that was not destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war.
Muang Khoun is home to a unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lie in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Phia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period. 

Return to Xieng Khuang whilst the sun is setting behind the mountains.

Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Early in the morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hill tribes barter and exchange merchandise.
After breakfast at the hotel, we say goodbye to Phonsavanh and head south on the new road to Paksan. 

Xieng Khuang is famous for its mysterious Plain of Jars, a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000 years old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters.
You have time today to visit the plain of jars Site 1, the biggest and closest to town that opened for tourists.
Attention: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.
We then visit the thought-provoking UXO Information Centre, run by British organisation MAG (Mines Advisory Group) that’s been helping to clear Laos’ unexploded ordnance since 1994.
The centre’s information displays underline the enormity of the bomb drops, and there are also examples of (defused) UXO to ponder.

After that, depart to Luang Prabang via the windy zigzagging mountain paths, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape.
The roads are well paved along the way for a smooth journey; we pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages, we take a few photo stops at some small hill tribe villages en route.
Each hill tribe village in Laos has a different feel, some are more prosperous than others but all have plenty of life.
We will make a short stop at Ban Phoudam village, where we can see the two hill tribe minorities of H’Mong and Khamu living in harmony, before driving to the photo stop at Ban Kiew Nya for the panoramic view prior to reaching Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.
We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. 
Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.
On arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. 
If time permits, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper.
You can either get to the nearby village and join a petanque game with the local team.
Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the ideal place to catch the last beauty of the day.
The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection 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.
We then 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.
After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River.
If time permits, we will visit UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday, and Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos.
Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals
There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists
If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.
On the way back to Luang Prabang, 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. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang
Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After departing at 8:30 am from your hotel, transfer to Nahm Dong park, which is located in Ban Xiengmouk, 10Km from 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.

We then transfer out to the train station on time to take the late afternoon train to Vang Vieng.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in town.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

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

This tour is all about experiencing the mountains surrounding Vang Vieng by Mountain Bike (MTB) – a 35km ride.
On your riding tour you’ll visit 6 different ethnic group villages, an amazing cave and a lagoon. At the lagoon you have the chance to relax, swim and go rope swinging while we prepare your BBQ lunch on the banks of the lagoon.
After lunch you’ll visit the traditional Lao villages where your English-speaking guide will explain the different cultures, rituals and how they differ from the other ethnic groups in Laos. In one village you’ll be able to see the Lao women weaving silk and cotton fabrics. From these villages you’ll bicycle further around the mountains, through the beautiful countryside and among the rice paddies. This provides you with another opportunity to take some fantastic photos.
We will also trek up to the top of Pha Nam Xay mountain to see panoramic views over Vang Vieng.
We’ll then complete the tours by cycling around the mountain and return to Vang Vieng before taking the transfer back to the train station to take the train to Luang Prabang.
The train starts at 17:00 and takes about 1 hour to arrive in Luang Prabang.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Estimated 4 hours cycling and 1.5 hours caving.

Early in the morning, we head out of the city and make our way to Nam Pien Yorla Pa, a new jungle resort built on the edge of the Phou Khao Khuay National Park.

First half of the transfer is via the new expressway, Vang Vieng – Vientiane, which will take less than 1 hour.

We will leave the expressway and turn right onto the road to Phonhong and continue on the road no. 10 to Nam Pien Yorla Pa.

Along the way, we will visit Ban Keun, which is famous for its salt extraction plant and a village that distills the local Lao whiskey.
We will also make a shortstop to visit Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife, who works with authorities and individuals to rescue, rehabilitate and release as many animals as we can from the illegal wildlife trade.

Their mission is to eradicate the illegal wildlife trade and improve wildlife education and welfare in Laos.

We will arrive in Nam Pien Yorla Pa around noon. Check in your bungalow.

Free for the rest of the day. There are plenty of activities on site such as trekking, ziplining, cycling, or flying bridge. Check with our guide or the resort for further detail.

Overnight at Nam Pien Yorla Pa

After breakfast, transfer to the National Park at Phou Khao Khuay, the closest national protected area to Vientiane.
You arrive in the village of Ban Hatkhay at around 9:30am where you will be joined by two local guides with your freshly made Lao picnic.
The trek begins at Pha Say with its stunning view across a 40m deep gorge and the dense jungle.
You follow narrow, shaded trails and discover the different types of forest in the park: semi-deciduous, tropical and bamboo – extraordinary, unspoilt habitats.
You have the chance to learn about the medicinal uses of the forest plants and also the other plant types that abound in the forest. You take your picnic lunch in a dry riverbed (depending on the season).
Your afternoon continues with a pleasant stroll to the waterfall at Tad Say before making your return to the village. You may be lucky and see some the colourful butterflies and birds that live in the forest.
Transfer to Vientiane is at around 6:00pm.
Overnight in Vientiane.

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power.
After that drive to Buddha Park which takes around 45 minutes away. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.
We then visit Lao Disabled Women Development Center, which assist disabled women to cope with their disability and advocate for their rights. Spend time watching the video and learn about the effort to earn their daily living. You can support them by buying some small handicrafts at the shop.
Start the afternoon with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun shines upon its towering golden spire.
Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.
Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828.
Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo.  Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.
End your tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls. 
Overnight in Vientiane.

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!