Trip Grade:
Challenging - This tour requires hiking and trekking, and should be undertaken by those who are physically fit and who have experience in outdoor adventure.

* Accommodation for Adventure Trips is in budget hotels, with breakfast included.

Day 01: Luang Prabang Arrival
Upon your arrival in the World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, you will be met by our professional staff and escorted to your hotel in the center of the city. You check in and take a short rest. Luang Prabang is a city of temples, and we visit two magnificent examples of these temples: Wat Visoun and Wat Xienthong, and also the shrines of Wat Mai and Wat Sene. Wat Visoun is the city's oldest temple and Wat Xiengthong, with its low sweeping roof, is one of the best examples of classical Luang Prabang architecture. Then we get some exercise and climb the steps of Mount Phousi. At the summit we see the stupa perched there, and enjoy the amazing view looking out over the city and the river, and by evening, we watch a beautiful sunset. Back in the city, there will be a welcome dinner at a restaurant. After dinner we visit the Night Market where you can hunt for local handicraft bargains.
Overnight is in Luang Prabang hotel.

Lunch and Dinner included.

Day 02: Luang Prabang - Kuangsi Waterfall
After breakfast, we visit the National Museum. This was once the royal palace, but now home to artifacts displays introducing the history of Laos. You learn about famous Lao leaders and fighters from ancient times to modern times, including the revolutionary period. We then head for the Morning Market, a good place to hunt for local handicrafts, and then to Ban Xang Khong, a weaving village. After lunch in a restaurant, we drive to Kuangsi Waterfall, set in a green forest. You can take a dip and cool off in the clear pools at the bottom of the falls, and walk around and enjoy the beauty of the forest. On the way to the falls we stop at two ethnic villages. Ban Na Oune is a Hmong village, and Ban Tha Pane is a small Khmu village. You will see how different these ethnic groups are in their customs and traditions. We return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and end our busy day with a visit to Wat Siphouthabath where the footprints of Buddha can be seen.
Overnight is in Luang Prabang hotel.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 03: Luang Prabang - Nong Khiow
After breakfast in the hotel we start our boat trip along the Ou River to the sleepy market town of Nong Khiow. We stop along the way at Ban Xanghai Village, famous for making Lao Khao traditional rice liquor. You see how it is made; have a chance to sample the product. We then continue up river to the mysterious Pak Ou Cave, with thousands of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. Then forward to Nong Khiow, with dramatic mountain scenery as a backdrop.
Overnight is in Nong Khiow guesthouse.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 04: Nong Khiow - Muang Xai (Oudomxay Province)
After breakfast, we will take a minibus from Nong Khiow to Nam Bak District. Here we visit the Tai Lu village of Ban Na Yang, where people still live in traditional Tai Lu style houses. Then it's on to Muang Xai, stopping on the way to visit the ethnic hill tribe villages of Ban Kachet, a Khamu village, and Ban Mak Phouk and Ban SongJa, Hmong villages. We have lunch in Muang Xai, and then after a short rest, we walk up to Wat Phou That, and get some beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. We also take a walk around the town.
Overnight is in Muang Xai hotel or guesthouse.

Breakfast included.

Day 05: Muang Xai - Ban Boun Tai
After breakfast, we drive through wonderful natural scenery to the town of Muong La. Here we visit Pra Xack Kham Temple with its 400-year-old sacred Buddha image. The statue is worshiped by local people who believe it has many supernatural powers. We then visit the hot springs of Muong La, and also watch how local people extract salt. We continue on to Ban Sin Say (Pak Nam Noi), and visit the local market where hill tribe people come to sell their vegetables and animals. We have a snack along with some great Lao coffee, and then it's on to the Tai Lu town of Ban Boun Tai. We visit more ethnic hill tribe villages on the way, including the villages of Ikhopala, the Hmong/Ikho villages of Ban Pinicher Mai, and the new and old villages of Chulasene. Boun Tai is a popular base for trekking into the Nam Lan Conservation area.
Overnight is in Boun Tai guesthouse.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 06: Boun Tai - Ban Suppa (Home-stay)
When breakfast is over, we drive about 13 km out of Boun Tai to Ban Nam Bak where we start our trek to the Ikho village of Ban Chalonglee. This trek should take about an hour and a half, and takes us through beautiful scenery, and there is the chance of see wild animals. We take a two hour break at Ban Na Deng for lunch and to have a rest, and then we continue on to the Ikho village of Ban Suppa for home-stay. You see their plantations of corn, bananas and sugar cane, and experience first-hand their traditional lifestyle and culture.
Overnight is in Ban Suppa home-stay.

Breakfast, Lunch and dinner included.

Day 07: Ban Suppa - Chinese Border - Phongsaly
After breakfast in the village, we walk down the mountain for about two and a half hours to Ban PaK Ha Village on the Chinese border. We pass the Ikho villages of Ban Cha Kham Deng, Ban Thao Duang and, Ban Sanonamlan, on the way. A minivan will meet us at Ban PaK Ha Village, and we drive to the hill tribe village of Lo Ko Khang before going on to Phongsaly.
Overnight is in Phongsaly hotel.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 08: Phongsaly Tour
This morning after breakfast, we enjoy a walk through this enchanting mountain town. It is a colorful town, with most of the population being ethnic Phu Noi, but there is an increasing Chinese influence. The climb to the top of Phou Fa gives a dramatic panoramic view of the town and surrounding mountains. We also visit a mulberry plantation and try some mulberry tea, and then do some shopping at the central market.
Overnight is in Phongsaly hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 09: Phongsaly - Moung Khua
Early in the morning today we take in the colorful morning market where local hill tribe people bring their produce and animals for sale. Then after breakfast, we drive to Had Sa where we take a boat on the Nam Ou River to Moung Khua, a bustling trading town.
Overnight is in Moung Khua hotel.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 10: Moung Khua - Luang Nam Tha
After breakfast, we continue on by driving from Moung Khua to Luang Nam Tha, a journey of about six hours. There are stops on the way at a Lanetene village, as well as other ethnic villages. Luang Nam Tha is the transport hub for the
area, including busses to China, but it is fairly quiet and a good place to relax.
Overnight is in Luang Nam Tha guesthouse.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Day 11: Luang Nam Tha City Cycling
Cycling is a good way to explore the city and the surrounding countryside. After breakfast, we cycle around the town to see the morning market, and the museum with displays of artifacts and Buddhist images. We also visit temples, and a Tai Dam village where we see a silkworm farm and silk weaving. At the finish of the tour, you have the rest of the day to explore as you wish.
Overnight is in Luang Nam Tha guesthouse.

Breakfast included.

Day 12: Luang Nam Tha - Muang Sing
Today we start out in the morning to drive to Muang Sing, a small town with many different cultures. On the way we will stop at the Akha village of Ban Lack Kham and at Ban Sop Eat. When we arrive in Muang Sing, you check in to your guesthouse, and after a short rest, we take a walk around town and visit the French Garrison, the museum, and Tai Lu style temples. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the colorful atmosphere of the town. With many people in different traditional dress, it is a photographer's paradise.
Overnight is in Mouang Sing guesthouse.

Breakfast and lunch included.

Day 13: Muang Sing - Xieng Kok - Houai Xai
After breakfast and a quick trip to the morning market, we set off on a drive along the Nam Ma River to Xieng Kok, a busy river port on the Mekong River. We also visit ethnic villages on the way. At Xieng Kok we board a boat for Houai Xai. On the way, we stop at the “Golden Triangle” which is the confluence of the Ruak River and the Mekong River, near where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. We also see the giant golden Buddha and the market there. When we arrive in Houai Xai, you can cross the river to Chiang Khong on the Thailand side, or you can stay overnight in Houai Xai.

Breakfast and lunch included.

This is the end of our suggested adventure itinerary.
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