Mountains & Hill Tribes in Northern Laos

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Chiang Rai.

Day 2 - 3 The Golden Triangle

Your guide will meet you at Chiang Rai airport for the transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll spend two days. Relax surrounded by beautiful scenery in the hills where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. Here you can enjoy a comfortable base that gives you opportunities to experience the lifestyle of the local community.                

Day 4 Into Laos

Today you’ll be transferred to the Thai/Laos border, just a few miles down the road at Chiang Saen/Huay Say. Cross the river to Laos where your guide and driver will be waiting for you and begin the journey north towards the village of Luang Namtha. This area is one of the best places in Southeast Asia for hill-tribe trekking.

The route to Luang Namtha takes you through mountains and river valleys, and you’ll have a chance to stop on the way to visit hill tribe villages. Visit Kao Rao Cave with its impressive limestone formations before arriving in Luang Namtha mid-afternoon.

Day 5 Luang Namtha   

Spend today doing some reasonably easy trekking in the jungle-clad hills (we can arrange more adventurous treks if you prefer). The walk will take you past viewpoints offering panoramic views of Luang Namtha town to fascinating ethnic minority hill-tribe villages where your guide will translate old folklore stories from the locals. Enjoy a specially prepared traditional picnic lunch in the heart of the jungle and late afternoon you’ll head back to town to explore the Luang Namtha market.  

Day 6 & 7 Nam Kat/Muang La   

Today you’ll begin the guided journey south. Just outside of Luang Namtha, stop at the Lantern village of Namdeng Nua before heading south past rivers and jungle towards the small city of Oudomxay. You’ll arrive at your resort on the banks of the Nam Kat River early afternoon and the rest of the day is free to soak up the spectacular scenery and abundant nature all around you or to get stuck straight into some of the outdoor activities available.

Despite the decent accommodation available, this area sees few visitors, which makes for a very serene environment and the opportunity to experience day-to-day village life without feeling that you are just one of many tourists passing through.  There is some excellent trekking in the jungle-clad hills, or if you prefer to take it a bit easier, there are some lovely easy walks that could wind up with a picnic at a waterfall or a trip to the local hot springs.

Day 8 Nong Khiaw  

Today your guide and driver will take you to Muang Khoua on the banks of the Nam Ou River. Here you’ll board a private boat for the first day of the river journey downstream to Luang Prabang. The first part of the journey takes around 2.5 hours towards the Nam Ou Dam, where you cross to another private boat for the second part of the journey towards Nong Khiaw. The scenery en route is remarkable so enjoy sitting back and just taking it all in. The boat also stops along the way for swimming and to visit riverside villages. On arrival in Nong Khiaw, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 9 Nong Khiaw   

The beautiful area around Nong Khiaw is excellent to explore by bike or kayak. The hotel has bicycles available for hire so you could choose to head out with your guide to the picturesque local limestone caves. Don't feel pressure to do anything much; however, this is a lovely spot to sit back with a book and make the most of laidback Laos.

Day 10 Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang   

Continue your journey downstream to Luang Prabang. After a morning cruising through more spectacular mountain scenery, the Nam Ou meets the Mekong River. The famous Pak Ou caves are close by, and you can visit them if you choose. Around one hour travelling along the Mekong and you’ll reach Luang Prabang - the river route is a lovely way to arrive at one of Asia's most romantic and beautifully preserved cities.

Day 11-13 Luang Prabang   

Depending on the time you arrive, you might like to enjoy lunch before transferring to your hotel.  

During your stay in Luang Prabang, spend time with your guide getting a feel for the magical town itself; the effect of Luang Prabang's ornate Buddhist temples and Indochinese architecture set against a jungle backdrop is spellbinding. A highlight will no doubt be the early morning visit to Kuang Sii Waterfalls where a special permit allows you to enjoy a gourmet breakfast before the crowds arrive.

There will be free time too, to absorb the scenery, explore the sleepy backstreets of the UNESCO town, take in the picturesque night markets and perhaps join in with the popular local street sport petanque!

Day 14  Fly Home

Depart Luang Prabang for your flight back to the UK.

Alternatively, extend your trip to explore Laos or even Cambodia in more depth.