Astonishing Nam Ou River – Exploring Laos in 8 days

Approximately: 2 hours driving, 4 hours trekking

Today you drive to the west in one hour to reach Bang Xeng Mouk Village and let the trek start.

This morning, you visit two local villages, the Khmu Village of Ban Longlao Nung and the Hmong village of Ban Longlao Song. It is a chance to observe differences in their daily lives, see how they manage the differences to work together on a day-to-day basis, and even share the same school. You trek through rice paddies and vegetable fields before reaching the mountainous forest.

Along the way, you explore a cave that was used as a bomb shelter by the locals during the Second Indochina War. One more hour of trekking brings you to one of the many springs, which feeds the Kuang Si waterfalls and has many sacred fish. After walking down from the top of the waterfalls, you will enjoy a Lao-style lunch in some beautiful settings!

This afternoon, you have time to relax around the turquoise pool and visit the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple dozen rescued animals from the hands of poachers. The tour ends with a short walk to the nearby Khmu village of Ban Thapene, home of one of the most beautiful pools of the Kuang Xi Waterfalls.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Khmu Hill Tribe

You get up as the sun rises to join the daily morning almsgiving, the most sacred tradition in Laos. In the early morning, more than 200 Buddhist monks depart from temples for the old quarter of Luang Prabang to receive alms from devotees. The monks meditate while moving lightly on their bare feet. The Buddhists prepared offerings such as sticky rice, fruit (mainly bananas), sweets, and some other food and put them in the monk’s bowl.

Next, you will visit the temporary morning market, where the locals exchange their daily catch for rice, vegetables, fish, or chicken. It is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life.

After breakfast, you ride the boat up the Mekong, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. You can stop at a few villages to admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. Then, you disembark to visit the mysterious caves of Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. After visiting, you hop on the car and continue the transfer to Nong Khiaw, a small town along the lazy Nam Ou River.

Check into the hotel and relax.

Recommended activity: In the late afternoon, hike up to Nong Khiaw viewpoint to enjoy the panoramic view of the town and the nearby area. The hike up will take more than 1.5 hours; hence, start no later than 4 PM to make sure you can admire the sunset at the top.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Luang Prabang temporary morning market

You start a new day tour at 8 am by boarding a local long-tail boat, heading off upstream through some fantastic landscape, and making our first stop of the day at a small riverside village. There, you take some time to look around. During weekdays, you can visit a local school and see lovely children as they take part in their classes. You make a one-hour trek to the waterfalls of Tad Mok, near the living area of the Khmu people. Spend time swimming and enjoying a picnic lunch there.

In the afternoon, get started with a 2.5-hour trek through the jungle to the Hmong village of Ban Phayong. Upon arrival, you stroll around to get familiar with the villagers before having dinner with the host family.

Overnight at Ban Phayong.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Luang Prabang Nam Ou River

You get up early to admire the sunrise over the mountains and help the house owner prepare breakfast. Today, you have 3 hours of trekking downhill, passing by the rice and corn fields to the banks of the Nam Ou river. You board the cruise upstream to the fishing village of Muang Ngoi. In the afternoon, you will trek to the Khmu people’s village of Ban Na and the caves of Tham Kaang, which are said to have supernatural powers. Walk back to Muang Ngoi while the sun is setting.

Recommended activity: you can swim in the Nam Ou river, just like the locals.

Overnight in Muang Ngoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, take the boat back to Nong Khiaw, where the local guide is waiting for you. You then visit the nearby market to buy fresh foods before going further to Muang Soune, located by the bank of the Nam Ou River and far from Nong Khiaw by 65km. Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome from the host family. After a short break, you stroll around the village and observe the local daily life. Visit the village chief’s house and talk with him about the living conditions, the history, and everything about his hometown. Enjoy a home-hosted lunch.

In the afternoon, you can either relax or do some optional tours such as rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields (depending on the season), learning about traditional fishing techniques, and walking around the farms and rice fields. If you wish, dipping in the Nam Ou river is inviting and worth trying. Or you may join and help the host prepare the dinner. It is a chance to learn about Laos cuisine.

Over night in Muang Soune.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Nong Khiaw river

You get up early to admire the sunrise over the Nam Ou River and the nearby mountains. After breakfast, you spend the morning learning about fishing by the stunning Nam Ou River and experiencing traditional fishing techniques. You will also take a boat trip to explore the surrounding areas. Coming back to the village at 11 am to transfer back to Luang Prabang. En route, you will stop at Ban Vanglae, home to the lovely Nam Ou Riverside Resort. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the swimming pool or walking around the nearby village.

Overnight at Nam Ou Riverside Resort.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Nong Khiaw river

You are free to stroll around the resort or the nearby village before taking the departure flight.

We recommend you attend a morning Yoga class at Luang Prabang Yoga which will take about 1 hour starting at 7:30am at Utopia Bar & Restaurant before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Class fee is ~$5 payable on spot in KIP only, pre-reservation not accepted. You need to come on time of you are interested. In case you come late, you are not allowed to join.  Here is the class schedule & pricing.

Meals: Breakfast.

Nong Khiaw mountain ranges viewpoint