This tour offers an alternative route to Luang Namtha. It is considered to be the most rewarding river trip in Laos. While sailing up the Nam Ou river along picturesque limestone mountains, you pass numerous villages of different ethnic groups (Lowland Lao, Khmu, Black Tai, Hmong) dotting the river banks. During the journey you learn about traditional natural paper making, go out for a sticky-rice winetasting in the countryside, and stroll over minority markets. A cultural highlight is the visit to the famous Pak Ou Caves, the holiest caves in Laos, housing several thousand antique Budhha statues.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou - Nong Khiaw - Muang Ngoi Kao
After breakfast, we take a boat up the Mekong River. Not far, we stop at a village known for its old-style paper making, and another village producing wine from sticky rice. Further up-stream are the famous Pak Ou Caves (1000 Buddha Caves) at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Ou rivers. After visiting the caves, we continue to travel up the Nam Ou river, the longest river inside Laos after the Mekong.

The cruise along the Nam Ou offers us an enjoyable time, viewing the beautiful scenic landscapes and stunning mountains of Northern Laos. We stop briefly in Nong Kiaw for some formalities (for the captain only) and arrive in Muang Ngoi Kao at around 5:00 pm where we check into a guesthouse.

Approximately: 7 hours by boat

Day 2: Muang Ngoi Kao – Muang Khua
It is worth getting up early to watch the beautiful sunrise over limestone mountains and walk around the Ngoi village. After breakfast we continue our journey up the Nam Ou river, passing again picturesque mountain scenery. We stop for lunch served with local food somewhere at the river banks and continue to Muang Khua for an overnight stay at a local guesthouse.

Muong Khua is a small Lao trading town mixed with Vietnamese and Yunanese communities. There are still some buildings dating back to colonial times. The town is just 60 km from the Lao–Vietnamese border, which is now open for foreign tourists. From here, we can enter Vietnam and start the famous North-West loop.

Approximately: 5 hours by boat

Day 3: Muang Khua - Pak Nam Noi – Udomxay – Luang Namtha
Leaving after a relaxed breakfast, we drive towards Udomxay via Pak Nam Noi where we visit the morning market. Various ethnic minorities gather here to sell their goods or buy items for their daily needs. Lunch will be taken in Udomxay. We continue our trip to Luang Namtha. There is enough time to stop at local villages along the way. We arrive in Luang Namtha in the late afternoon.

Luang Namtha is famous for its various ethnic minorities and its environs, namely the Nam Ha National Protected Area, an ideal destination for eco-tourism.

Approximately: 5 hours by minivan

Information

• LP-B-51 (3 days)
• LP-B-52 (3 days)

* Maximum of 6 per tour

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