Northern Laos: Bike, Hike, Kayak

Our guide meets you post-lunch at 13:00hrs at your hotel.

Begin the afternoon tour by cycling around the old quarter of Luang Prabang, starting at Heuan Chan Heritage House and after to Luang Prabang’s National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace. Displayed within is a collection of personal artifacts of the former Laotian Royal Family. Visit nearby Wat Mai – the five-tiered roof epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. Continue cycling along the Mekong River and stop at the hillside temple of Wat That Luang. Take a short walk and visit the ancient stupa called That Dam (the Black Stupa) before biking to Wat Visoun, the oldest living temple in Luang Prabang. Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 and contains a collection of antique wooden Buddha images. Continue along the Nam Khan River to Wat Xieng Thong – often considered to be Luang Prabang’s most elegant. The temple is characterized by tiered roofs sweeping low to the ground and the impressive “tree of life” mosaic. Before sunset, cycle back to your hotel on the town’s main street, stopping at Wat Sop and Wat Sen along the way.

Dinner is at a Local NGO that trains marginalized youth for careers in the Hospitality industry. It is also one of the most exciting menus in town, with a great balance between traditional and modern flavors.

Our main destination for the day is the hidden waterfall, Kung Si. Tucked away between thick foliage, the famous waterfall feels like a secret. The aquamarine waters are tempting, so do carry your swimwear along.

Start with a short transfer to the village of Long Lao, a thriving Hmong community of around 80 families. The community manages an excellent 8km hiking trail that finishes at the top of Kuang Si falls. Enjoy lunch and a swim in the crystal waters before cycling back to Luang Prabang.

On our way back, we make a stop at the Great Project (called the Laos Buffalo Dairy), a project designed to educate Rural communities on Animal Husbandry and basic animal health care. They rent the Cattle from the villagers to enable a secure income for the community and use the milk to create Cheese and Spectacular Ice Cream.

Today’s dinner is on your own. We suggest eating dinner at a street stall so you can dig into the local delicacies. street stall so you can dig into the local delicacies. Lao food can be very meat-oriented. Chopped meat, chicken, or duck are common, but there are plenty of options for vegetarians as well. Our personal recommendation is the light and tasty Tam Mak houng or papaya salad, which is made from sliced raw papaya, garlic, chilly, peanuts, sugar, fermented fish sauce, and lime juice.

Hiking: 8 km

We transfer to the pier and board a huge traditional Mekong riverboat for the upstream cruise to Pak Beng, departure at 08.00 hrs. This portion of the Mekong is very remote, which sometimes allows glimpses of wildlife in the extensive forests. There are occasional stops at local hill tribe villages to meet people and observe life on the riverside. Lunch will be served on a boat and you may have the opportunity to stop and visit local villages. Enjoy the lovely scenery along both sides of the Mekong cruising to today’s destination.

Boat: 6 hrs

Today it’s a long full day cycling to Oudomxay. This is one of the most spectacular stretches of long mountain road. The road is dotted with small villages and this is a great way to get acquainted with local rural life. The dramatic limestone and green rolling hills formations make for great photographic opportunities. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the wonderful scenery. The journey passes through beautiful mountain ranges and Hmong hill tribe villages.

Today, we have the pleasure of enjoying a free day at Namkat Yorla Pa resort, where an array of thrilling activities awaits, including hiking, rock climbing, zip-lining, and abseiling. For those seeking a more serene experience, there's also the option of a peaceful tree-top walk with zip lines and a tranquil waterfall trek.

We recommend that you make arrangements and payment directly with Namkat Yorla Pa for your chosen activities. Should you need any assistance or guidance, our dedicated guide will be readily available to assist you throughout the day.

In the early evening, our crew will transport you to the city of Oudomxay, where you can discover and locate a delightful local restaurant.

We continue riding to Muang Khua. This is one of the most unvisited parts of Laos and the experience is truly unique. To get to the Muang Khua, we ride along the Nam Pak River. Along the way, you will notice how the homes are made of wood and bamboo. We spend some time here talking to the locals, just walking around, or just sitting at the edge of the river.

We ditch the cycles for an amazing boat ride in the Nam Pak River to Nong Khiaw. This is one of the most stunning journeys by the river in this region. The edge of the river is dotted with small villages and this is a great way of getting acquainted with local life. There are also limestone formations that make for great photographic experiences. The jaw-dropping landscape keeps you hooked to this for a long.

Today we stay at a simply guesthouse, situated at the edge of Nam Ou River.

We will convene at 09:00 AM and embark on a scenic journey upstream on the Nam Ou River aboard a traditional boat to reach Ban Hatsapheuy, a Khmu village. From there, we will commence our uphill trek towards Ban Kioukhan, which will take approximately 5-6 hours. Along the way, we will enjoy a local picnic lunch. By afternoon, we will arrive at Ban Kioukhan, where we will dine and spend the night in the cozy bamboo homes of the villagers.

Hiking: ~10km

Today's itinerary involves a 4-hour trek, offering breathtaking vistas of the mountainous landscape from the summit. Following breakfast, we embark on a downhill trek through the lush bamboo forest, treating ourselves to captivating views of untouched hills along the way. After a satisfying lunch, we will continue our trek towards Ban Houy Sene, where we will indulge in a delicious dinner and spend the night at a cozy bamboo guesthouse hosted by a local family.

Hiking: ~10km

In the morning, immerse yourself in the daily lives of the local people and gain insights into their work. Following that, we commence a 3-hour walk through picturesque rice fields and stunning landscapes towards Muang Ngoi. Along the way, we will pause to visit Tham Kaang Cave, where you can take a break and enjoy a relaxing time (swimming is also possible). Around noon, we will reach Muang Ngoi and have lunch at the Lattanavongsa restaurant. In the afternoon, you are free to unwind and relax by the riverside.

Hiking: ~8km

Our adventure begins as we kayak downstream along the tranquil Nam Ou River for approximately 2 hours, giving us the opportunity to marvel at the majestic mountains, and dense jungle, and pass by charming small villages. Our first stop will be at Sopkong village.

From there, we embark on a short countryside walk, crossing panoramic rice paddies and trekking through the jungle, eventually reaching the captivating and rejuvenating Tadmok limestone waterfall. Here, we will enjoy a packed lunch and have the chance to cool off and swim in the natural pool located at the base of the waterfall. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit, as a basic bamboo changing room is available nearby.

Once we have explored the waterfall and had our fill of relaxation, we will trek back to the village and then embark on a leisurely and scenic slow boat ride on a long-tail boat towards the Nam Ou 2 dam. At the dam, a van will be waiting to transfer you to Pak Ou Village.

For those who prefer not to kayak, you can choose to travel in the boat instead, accompanying us to Pak Ou.

Following a delightful traditional breakfast, we will proceed to explore the Pak Ou Cave Complex, where we will have the opportunity to witness the sacred Buddha statues housed within. Afterward, we will embark on a cycling journey along the scenic road that runs alongside the river, making our way back to the city. We anticipate reaching our destination around lunchtime.