Highlights of Northern Laos

Upon arrival, you will be transferred in a private vehicle from Chiang Rai airport to your hotel.

Chiang Rai, a 13th-century town, is situated on the Thai side of the Golden Triangle. This is where the borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet at the mighty Mae Khong River. Surrounded by two mountain peaks, Doi Mae Salong and Doi Tung, this quaint region is dotted with traditional bamboo houses, Buddhist shrines, and ancient ruins. The picturesque landscape is perfect for trekking and boat rides on the Kok and Mekong rivers.

Your chauffeur will drive you from Chiang Rai to Huay Xai / Mekong in a private vehicle. The travel time is about 1.5 hrs. Here, you will board the ferry to Pakbeng.

A small Mekong village, Pakbeng, is situated between Huay Xai and Luang Prabang, and the Thai border. It is an overnight stop for local cargo and passenger ferries. Its main attraction is a small ‘wat’ found in the nearby hills, an example of a former Lanna Kingdom Buddhist temple. A number of local hill tribes live here, and you can also enjoy scenic views of the Nam Beng river.

Visit the early morning market for an authentic 'Lao experience'. You will get to see local produce, frogs on sticks, dried buffalo skins, pigs’ faces, and buffalo hooves and more. While here, try some Lao treats like sweet donuts, fried bananas, and coconut jelly.

Private Mekong River Cruise: Huay Xai to Pakbeng

At the Laos border, a guide will meet you and take you to the boat pier, where you can board your private traditional boat for a picturesque journey down the Mekong River. This stretch of the Mekong is considered one of the most scenic ones. Along the way, you will get to visit tribal minority villages such as the Hmong village of Ban Houy Nokhom and the Thai Lu weaving village of Ban Kon Toum.

After the cruise, you will be taken to your hotel in Pakbeng, where you can spend the remainder of the day as you please.

Shared Shompoo Mekong River Cruise: Huay Xai to Pakbeng

Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Mekong River from Huay Xai to Pakbeng. Meet your guide and take a tuk-tuk to the pier, where a sturdy boat awaits you to start your adventure. Settle in and savour a delicious lunch while cruising down the mighty Mekong. Stop by a Kamu village in the afternoon to learn more about rural life in this remote region. Afterwards, sail back to the sleepy hamlet of Pakbeng, where you will disembark and stay the night at a hotel close by.

Your chauffeur will drive you from Pakbeng to Oudomxay in a private vehicle. The travel time is about four hours.

The quaint town of Oudomxay, also called Muang Xay, is located in northern Laos and is surrounded by verdant hills and rice paddies. It is a great place to learn about the traditional Laotian lifestyle and trade, which still prevails here. Oudomxay is connected to Vientiane through its small airport, and has recently gained popularity among tourists, especially those who enjoy the outdoors, and are interested in biking and hiking. You can also go spelunking in the recently discovered Chom Ong Cave, which is not far from the town.

Personalised ‘Meet the Lao Ethnic Groups’ 4WD Tour

Set out on a memorable adventure in a 4WD vehicle to explore the mountainous region of Muang La, which is home to the Ikhor and Hmong ethnic groups. The picturesque route to the remote villages in the area follows the Nam Phak River.

At your first stop, a traditional Ikhor village, your guide will tell you about the Ikhor people, who have South Chinese and Tibetan ancestry. Discover their customs and way of life, and how they create colourful costumes using natural dyes derived from leaves and flowers.

Next, walk to Ban Tauser, a Hmong village. Enjoy breathtaking views of your surroundings once you reach there. Stroll past houses made of reddish teak, and encircled by verdant gardens of squash, corn, beans, and lettuce. This fascinating community, with roots in the high steppes of Tibet, also has ties to the US.

After you’ve finished exploring this fascinating region, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Your chauffeur will drive you from Oudomxay to Nong Khiaw in a private vehicle. The travel time is about seven hours, and includes a boat ride.

The peaceful town of Nong Khiaw, situated beside the Nam Ou River, is one of the most picturesque places in the area. A charming bridge connects the two main sections of this charming settlement, which is framed by towering limestone cliffs.

Personalised Nam Ou River Cruise with Tribal Village Visit

From Oudomxay, enjoy a scenic cruise down the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw, a quaint village in northern Laos. Your day begins with a drive to Muang Khua, a little town located where the Nam Ou and Nam Phak rivers converge. Here, you will board a wooden motorboat for a leisurely journey down the Nam Ou, a tributary of the amazing Mekong river.

Sit back and observe everyday life along the riverbanks and gaze upon the majestic jungle-clad limestone peaks. After disembarking, a minivan will take you to the Nam Ou Hydropower Dam. This is part of the Nam Ou Cascade Hydropower Project, which consists of seven such hydroelectric dams along the river.

Continue downstream on a second boat after you cross the dam. Take in the peaceful ambiance as you cruise past remote villages. Before reaching the charming town of Nong Khiaw, stop at Ban Sob Joem, a remote weaver’s village accessible only by boat.

Day Trip to Nam Ou River

Another scenic river cruise and more cultural interactions await you today! After breakfast, travel along the Nam Ou River in a private boat. As you sail upstream, take in the breathtaking and tranquil scenery around you. Gain fascinating insights into the everyday lives of the locals at the ethnic villages of Ban Sop Khing and Ban Sop Jaem, which can only be reached by boat.

Stop for lunch in the fishing village of Muang Ngoi, where you can also explore the area and take a leisurely walk. You will reach Nong Khiaw by mid-afternoon, and you can spend the remainder of the day resting and relaxing.

You will be driven from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang in a private vehicle. The travel time is about 3.5 hours. A guide will accompany you on this drive.

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s often referred to as the jewel of Indochina. Surrounded by lush mountains, this culturally vibrant city was formerly the capital of a kingdom by the same name before falling under French colonial control in the 18th century.

Discovery Tour of Luang Prabang

After a hearty breakfast, set out on an enthralling exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Start with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, where an array of antiques and period furniture offers a glimpse into the past. Wander through tranquil alleyways to the century-old Heuan Chan Heritage House, a rare and well-preserved example of pre-colonial Lao architecture. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the museum and savour a refreshing glass of iced tea in its peaceful gardens.

Visit the stunning Wat Xieng Thong, one of the nation’s most prominent Buddhist monasteries. As you explore the temple grounds, admire the beautifully crafted, low-sweeping roof that defines its architectural elegance. Stroll across the road to the 18th-century temple, Wat Khili, that now houses Buddhist archives and a historic photo exhibit.

Spend the early part of the afternoon at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center to learn about the country’s ethnic heritage. Next, travel outside the city to explore the textiles and weaving customs of the Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek villages. Once back to town, visit the unusual Wat Visoun, which is also called the Watermelon Stupa because of its unusually shaped dome.

For your final stop of the day, you can choose from three alluring options. The first is climbing Mount Phousi, located in the centre of the old town, for sweeping views of the city and the magnificent Mekong River topped off with a spectacular sunset. If you don’t like hiking, you can instead visit the monastery of Wat Prabath Tai and enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the river. Alternatively, head to the serene grounds of Wat Aham monastery, where the monks’ melodious chants during their evening prayers enrich the spiritual ambiance.

Personalised Tour of Organic Farm and Kuang Si Waterfall

Experience the charm of the countryside on this delightful tour that combines a visit to an organic farm with a trip to a stunning waterfall. You will be driven to the paddy fields to experience harvesting rice in the traditional way. Try your hand at rice harvesting using simple tools under the guidance of a local farming expert.

Reward your efforts by savouring a variety of traditional rice-based delicacies. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Kuang Si Waterfall, a three-tiered cascade that flows into several pools. Enjoy a picnic lunch while soaking in your tranquil surroundings. Before heading back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, stop by the Bear Rescue Centre, where dedicated staff care for and rehabilitate the rare Asiatic Black Bear.

At the end of your trip, your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to Luang Prabang airport in a private vehicle.