8 Days • 7 Nights
Northern Laos Adventure: Luang Prabang & Nong Khiaw
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll explore Luang Prabang's temples and the Kuang Si Falls, then travel to Nong Khiaw, where jagged limestone peaks tower over the Nam Ou river, trek to hill-tribe villages, kayak the river, and climb to a viewpoint for one of the finest vistas in Laos. Homestays, river boats and mountain trails fill the days.
With comfortable hotels and a village homestay, expert guides and the transport arranged, it is a rewarding, off-the-beaten-track adventure.
Trip Highlights
- Luang Prabang's temples, alms and the Kuang Si Falls
- The dramatic karst scenery of Nong Khiaw
- A trek to hill-tribe villages and a homestay night
- Kayaking the Nam Ou river
- The famous Nong Khiaw and Pha Daeng Peak viewpoints
- Caves, rice fields and mountain trails
- Authentic village life in northern Laos
- A private guide throughout
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Arrive and settle in, with a welcome dinner of Lao flavours.
The dawn alms-giving, Wat Xieng Thong and the royal temples, the market and sunset from Mount Phousi.
A day at the turquoise Kuang Si Falls, swimming and visiting the bear rescue centre, with a village and lunch en route.
Travel north to Nong Khiaw, where jagged limestone peaks tower over the Nam Ou river. An afternoon hike to a viewpoint for a spectacular sunset.
Set off on a guided trek through forest and rice fields to a remote hill-tribe village, staying overnight in a simple homestay and sharing a meal with the family.
Continue the trek back toward the river and kayak a stretch of the Nam Ou through the karsts to Nong Khiaw, with a cave visit en route.
A scenic river boat or drive back to Luang Prabang, with a final free evening at the night market.
A final breakfast before your transfer to Luang Prabang airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private transfers and expert local guides throughout
- 3N Luang Prabang, 2N Nong Khiaw, 1N village homestay, 1N Luang Prabang
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and all trek meals
- A Luang Prabang city tour and the Kuang Si Falls
- A river boat journey to Nong Khiaw
- A guided two-day trek to hill-tribe villages with a homestay
- Kayaking and viewpoint hikes around Nong Khiaw
- All entrance and trek fees per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Laos
- Laos visa fees (visa on arrival or eVisa)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or an eVisa for Laos; check your passport's eligibility. Your passport should be valid at least six months with a blank page
- Currency: The currency is the Lao Kip. Cash is king outside the main towns, and while US dollars and Thai baht are sometimes accepted, carry kip for markets, temples and rural areas — ATMs are limited
- Best season: The cool, dry season from November to February is ideal; March to May is hot and can be hazy from farming fires, and June to October brings the green monsoon
- The pace of Laos: Laos is famously laid-back and unhurried — embrace 'bor pen nyang' (no worries) and the gentle rhythm, which is part of its charm
- The alms-giving: In Luang Prabang, monks collect alms at dawn in a moving ritual. Observe quietly and respectfully from a distance, or participate sensitively with your guide's advice — never intrude
- Temple etiquette: Cover your shoulders and knees and remove your shoes at temples. Women should never touch a monk, and always lower yourself below monks and Buddha images
- Getting around: Mountain roads are winding and slow, so some legs use short domestic flights or scenic river boats, all arranged for you
- UXO awareness: Parts of Laos still hold unexploded ordnance from past conflict, so always stay on marked paths and trails, especially around the Plain of Jars
- Health: Drink bottled or filtered water, use mosquito repellent, and enjoy freshly cooked food. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Connectivity & power: A local SIM is cheap but signal can be patchy in remote areas — a welcome excuse to slow down. Power is 230V with type A/B/C plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a Mekong cruise lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Laos's fragrant, French-influenced cuisine.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — you travel with your own licensed guide and private driver (or boat on the Mekong), so everything is arranged for you.
Do I need a visa for Laos?
Most visitors can get a visa on arrival or an eVisa. We guide you to the requirements for your nationality before you travel.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February is the cool, dry and most comfortable season. March to May is hot and sometimes hazy, and June to October is the lush, quieter green season.
What is the alms-giving ceremony?
At dawn in Luang Prabang, hundreds of monks walk the streets to collect alms of rice from kneeling locals. It is a moving, sacred ritual best observed quietly and respectfully, or joined sensitively with your guide's advice.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, towns, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can add a Mekong cruise, the 4000 Islands, Vang Vieng or trekking. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel around Laos?
By a mix of short domestic flights, private cars and scenic river boats, all included and arranged, with a private guide in each region.
How hard is the trekking?
The treks are moderate walks of a few hours a day through forest, rice fields and villages, on hilly terrain. A reasonable level of fitness makes them very enjoyable, and guides set an easy pace.
What are the homestays like?
Simple but welcoming — a mat and mosquito net in a village family's stilt house, with a shared home-cooked meal. It is basic but a genuine, memorable window into rural Lao life.
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