Northern Laos Hike & Homestays

Join Luang Prabang

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. Luang Prabang is a very special city! It enchants with its magnificent location amidst mountain ranges and its historic temples, which gave the city the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will have free time to explore the city if time permits.Overnight: Davita Boutique Hotel or similar

To Nong Khiaw, Lao Leu village visit

You will meet your guide in Luang Prabang and enjoy a scenic drive winding along the Nam Ou River to the small town of Nong Khiaw. Along the way, we’ll stop for a visit at Ban Na Nyang, a Lao Leu village known for its Lao Leu traditional style houses and handicrafts. Arrive in Nong Khiaw in the afternoon and have time toexplore. Your guide will show you around and take you to sample some local food for dinner.Overnight: Nong Kiau Riverside or similar

100 Waterfall trek & riverside Khmu village

Wow, is what the first travelers said after coming back from this simply amazing waterfall hike and river trip. Starting the day with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the river side before heading into the waterfalls. Learn about their way of life along this river. Walking through small streams and rice paddies you arrive at the base of the 100 Waterfalls. The next few hours you will see only water and jungle and hear the 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 near the falls in the middle of amazingly green nature. A small villagers’ trail on the top of the 100 Waterfalls will lead us back down into the valley offering wide views over the landscapes of the Nam Ou valley. We hike back to the Nam Ou River for our boat transfer to Ban Houay Goong, a traditional Khmu village in a stunning setting on the riverbanks, where you will spend an overnight homestay.Note: Strap-on sandals or quick drying shoes are ideal for this trek as your feet may get wet. You will need to pack and carry an overnight bag today. Your main luggage will stay safely with the boatman who you will meet back up with you tomorrow.Trekking time: ~5-6hrsOvernight: Khmu Village homestay (multi-share)

Na Luang Trek

After breakfast, we will transfer by boat and vehicle to the trailhead, headed to Na Luang. We start walking along small paths past rice paddies (seasonal) and through preserved forest with huge trees and great views. Here we enjoy lunch in the jungle setting and make stops along the way. The trekking is 5-6 hours, medium difficulty, up and down hills, and we will make our way to a Lao-style village, still living traditionally. This can be slippery if wet so good shoes are recommended. You will explore the village with your guide and you might have a chance to visit the Clay School built and maintained through the proceeds of visitors such as yourself. We then prepare ourselves for an overnight stay in the village and enjoy the local cuisine. In the villages we eat with the locals, so food is prepared depending on seasonal availability but you can be sure that the produce is fresh and flavours authentic. Take your time to explore the tranquil village and surrounds by yourself in the evening or perhaps join in some games with the village children.Note: You will have access to your main luggage this morning but will again be packing an overnight bag as your main luggage will again stay with your boatman. Trekking time: ~5-6hrs Overnight: Village homestay (multi-share)

Jungle trek to Nam Ou River, boat to Muang Ngoi

We enjoy breakfast before departing the village via a local walking trail to the Nam Ou River. This is definitely one of the most spectacular routes in the area taking you through a canyon pass with mountains rising on both sides. Again this is medium-difficulty trekking and takes about 4 hours. There is one uphill stretch of an hour so today can be a challenge in the heat and very difficult unless you are fit. We walk through the jungle, across rocks and through rice fields. We will stop to visit a Khmu village nestled on the banks of the Nam Ou River and see its gardens. Along the waywe will enjoy another Lao style lunch. Later we have a transfer by private boat to the secluded village of Muang Ngoi.Trekking time: ~4hrsOvernight: Lattanavongsa Guesthouse or similar

Boat to Nong Khiaw, Pak Ou Cave to Luang Prabang

After breakfast, take a short boat trip to Nong Khiaw and continue our return by vehicle to Luang Prabang. En route we stop to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. There are two caves ‘Tham Ting’ and ‘Tham Phoum,’ and these photogenic caves are renowned for their collection of thousands of Buddha sculptures and images left over the years by pilgrims.Overnight: Davita Boutique Hotel or similar

In Luang Prabang, trip concludes

Your Northern Laos Explorer comes to an end this morning in Luang Prabang. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and the trip concludes.