8-Day Northern Explorer

Arrival Houay Xai

You will be met upon arrival at the Friendship Bridge immigration checkpoint and transfer to the boat pier.

Morning
Embark a traditional wooden riverboat and begin your cruise down the Mekong River, the "Mother of Waters". The mighty river has maintained its untamed character with rapids and pristine forests along each bank which you can sit back and enjoy. En route, you will visit the Hmong minority village of Ban Houeilampen, which is home to 50 families. Hmong women are renowned for their beautiful embroidered costumes and their impressive silver jewellery. As many Hmong still dress in a traditional fashion you will have the opportunity to see this for yourself and learn about this unique culture. Lunch is on board the riverboat.

Late Afternoon
Arrive in Pakbeng. This rustic town-village sits on a steep hillside and offers spectacular views over the Mekong River.

Dinner is at the hotel.

Meal included:
Lunch on board
Dinner at the hotel

Morning
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Before departure, visit the colourful local market, where minorities from the surrounding villages come daily to trade their goods. Drive to Oudomxay. En route visit a Thai Daeng village where animist practices are still preserved and also a Khmu village. The Khmu, who belong to the Mon-Khmer ethnic group, are the original inhabitants of the Indochina peninsula. Continue to Luang Namtha, and visit a Lanten village. The Lanten are sometimes called "Lao Houay" (stream Lao) because they choose to live near permanent rivers. The dark indigo clothing worn by both the men and women immediately identifies them. The women also pluck or shave their eyebrows upon reaching puberty and wear their hair in a traditional style, swept up and held in place with beautiful silver jewellery. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Late afternoon
Arrival in Luang Namtha in the late afternoon.

The National Tourism Authority responsible for the UNESCO Nam Ha Eco-tourism project conducts full day trekking and boat trips around Luang Namtha Valley and Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area. The project has trained local guides and worked with villages along the route in order to develop culturally and environmentally sensitive programs. The day treks and river trips also support the National Biodiversity Conservation areas protection and management. Nam Ha river trip travels into the NBCA for spectacular views of primary forest and many different bird species in addition to stops at Khmu and Lanten villages. Day treks journey through rice fields and forests to explore the life and cultures of the diverse people of Luang Namtha valley.

Dinner at the accommodation

Estimated driving time/distance:
7- 8 hours/260 kilometres

Meal included:
Lunch at a local restaurant
Dinner at the accommodation

Morning
Breakfast is taken at the lodge.

After breakfast there is an orientation and information session given prior to the departure so that you can learn about the cultures and environment you will see on today’s journey. After orientation transfer to the pier and board a traditional riverboat for a full day excursion along the Nam Tha River towards Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area. There will be an opportunity to explore the forest and the village of Ban Xopxim populated by Khmu. A picnic lunch will be taken at a local restaurant. After lunch, begin the return trip to Luang Namtha.

Afternoon
En route, visit the Lanten village of Ban Xoptoud. Luang Namtha is home to the largest concentration of Lanten villages in Laos, and counts about 4,000 Lanten in its population. Like the closely related Mien, the Lanten emigrated from China in search of stability and new mountain rice fields. Legend holds that the Lanten were separated from their older brothers, the Mien, during the fight and made their way alone from China's Hainan Island through northern Vietnam, settling here in the 19th century. This is an opportunity to observe and understand more about the daily life and traditions of these fascinating people.

Dinner at accommodation.

Meal included:
Lunch at a local restaurant
Dinner at the accommodation

Morning
Following breakfast at the lodge, drive to Muang Sing. En route, visit an Ikhor minority village. The Ikhor belong to the ethnic Khor group once originally called "Akho or Akha" meaning "older brother" in Lao. They emigrated from South China about 500 years ago due to war and entered the Lanexang kingdom of Laos through the Southwest. Upon entering Laos, the Khor group divided into sub-tribes: Khor Pho Xang, Debla, Loma, Eupa, Mu Kuew etc. The women of Khor tribes are skilled in weaving, knitting and ornamental sewing, while the men are excellent woodcrafters. The men are often dressed in baggy pants, dark brown long sleeved shirt, with silver ornaments. Continue to visit a Lanten village. Upon arrival in Muang Sing, check in at the hotel. Since the late 16th century, the small town of Muang Sing has been a traditional Thai cultural nexus as well as a trade centre attracting a large variety of hilltribes. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant.

Afternoon
Visit the Muang Sing Exhibitions, which display a collection of cultural artefacts from the area, such as fishing utensils, looms, gongs, bells, pottery, musical instruments and local ethnic costumes. Visit Wat Xieng Jai and Wat Nam Keo Luang, two temples which show the Tai Lu architectural influence.

Dinner at the accommodation

Estimated driving time/distance:
2.5 hours/70 kilometres

Meal included:
Lunch at a local restaurant
Dinner at the accommodation

Morning/Afternoon
Breakfast is at the accommodation.

Visit the vibrant and lively local market where the various minority people come early in the morning to sell their products. This is followed by a full day excursion and soft trek to the surrounding hilltribe villages: Ikhor, Yao or Mien and Lanten. The Yao originally came from Yunnan Province in southern China. In their villages, the Yao maintain a large extended family in the same household. Yao women, who wear high turbans and long indigo gowns bordered with bright pink wool boa collars, are easily recognised. After your visit to the villages enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Dinner at the accommodation

Meal included:
Lunch at a local restaurant
Dinner at the accommodation

Morning
Following breakfast at the guest house, drive back to Luang Namtha. En route, visit the weaving village of Ban Thongpoung and Ban Nam Ngene village to observe the rice wine distillation process. Lunch is at a local restaurant in Luang Namtha.

Afternoon
After lunch, continue towards Oudomxay and upon arrival, check in at the hotel.

Dinner is at a local restaurant

Estimated driving time/distance:
5 - 5.5 hours/175 kilometres

Meal included:
Lunch at a local restaurant
Dinner at a local restaurant

Morning
Breakfast is at the hotel after which we depart by road to Nong Khiaw, located in the Nam Ou River Valley. On the way, we visit the Hmong village of Ban Songja, located on top of a mountain. Lunch today is at a local restaurant in Pakmong.

Afternoon
Continue after lunch to Nong Khiaw. En route, stop at the silk-weaving village of Ban Nayang, populated by Tai Lu. The women do the weaving under their homes which are built off the ground on stilts. Ban Nayang consists of more than 200 households. Arrival in Nong Khiaw in the afternoon and check in at the hotel. The small town of Nong Khiaw is situated at the foot of the most breath-taking mountains alongside the majestic Nam Ou River. Cross the Nam Ou Bridge to visit the famous wartime limestone cave of Tham Pha Thok.

Dinner is at a local restaurant

Estimated driving time/distance:
3 – 4 hours/115 kilometres

Meal included:
Lunch at a local restaurant
Dinner at a local restaurant

Morning
After breakfast at the hotel, depart by road to Khok Linn Village and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon
Board a traditional riverboat downstream the Nam Ou River towards Luang Prabang travelling through stunning karst landscapes. Arrive at Pak Ou, where the Nam Ou River meets the mighty Mekong River. Visit the sacred caves housing thousands of statues of Buddha. Continue on towards Luang Prabang by boat and arrive before sunset.

You will be met upon arrival at the pier and transfer to the hotel (accommodation in Luang Prabang not included in tour price).

Meal included:
Lunch at a local restaurant