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Today journey along the Nam Khan River to the small villages nestled on the banks. Traveling is predominantly by small local style canoe or longboat powered by a small engine and paddle which allows you to get to those out of the way places and visit local communities. Between 8.30 9.00am you will be collected from your hotel by the guide and travel approximately 40 minutes by van to start the boat journey at the village of Ban Ann.
A short distance downstream is the Tad Xae waterfall, a series of limestone falls and popular local riverside picnic spot. Continue on to Ban Xieng Lom - known in the past for production of local tobacco and cigarettes, the trend toward smoking tailored western style cigarettes now means that villagers rely mainly on fishing and mining stone and sand for their income. After taking some time to look around the village continue by boat for another 30 minutes to Bann Noon, a village specialising in the local delicacy riverweed which is dried, lightly fried with sesame seeds and eaten as a snack very popular in Luang Prabang! The next village along the way is Ban Don Keo, a small village that produces bamboo baskets for local farmers and traders. A picnic lunch stop is made at Kaeng Noon and depending on water levels there may be the opportunity for a refreshing swim in clear waters to cool down if desired.
After lunch continue to Had Hien village - a blacksmith town producing knives which are used by local farmers and villagers in the surrounding region. The last port of call on this journey is Ban Phanom. This is a specialised weaving village that has become famous as the weavers of royalty, producing items for the Royal Palace of King Sisavangvong, the last King of Laos. Once finished exploring this village its time to leave the boat and transfer by vehicle a short distance back to Luang Prabang town, arriving back around 4.00pm. Please note that this trip is to out of the way places with amazing mountainous scenery along the way but depending on weather and water levels you may be required to walk on some sections if the water level is low.
