Nature spirit and trekking in the North

Small city tour and transfer to Laos. Crossing the Mekong at the border. Drive to Luang Nam Tha 3 hours away. Ecolodge facility. Free time to enjoy the place by the river. Dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and transfer to Vieng Phoukha. Start of the trek through rice fields before reaching the surrounding mountains. While climbing, there are several points of view before entering the forest. Picnic by a river and continuing to the Akha village where we will spend the night. Accomodation, discovery of daily activities, swimming in the river. A massage will be offered after dinner. 6 hours of walking.

Waking up in the morning if you want to watch the birds. Continuing the walk towards the caves of Maamaint through a dense primary forest. Picnic on the way. The guide will do an introduction into cooking techniques using bamboo. The walk ends in the village Khamu which welcomes us tonight. Discovery of the village and participation in the preparation of the meal if desired. 5 hours of walking.

Last day of walking with the descent towards Vieng Phouka through valleys and forest. Return road to Luang Nam Tha. Free time at the ecolodge to relax from the trek. Dinner and overnight stay.

Visit Luang Nam Tha and Ban Namdee waterfalls. Moving to Oudomxay. Lunch. Climbing Mount Pho That from where you will have a great view of the region. Continuing towards Muang Khua on the banks of the Nam Ou river. Stop at Muang La where there is a salt mine and a very old pagoda. The Muang Khua region is mainly a home to Akhas, Khamus and Tai Dam (black Tai), but these ethnic groups are not very visible in the city.

Breakfast and departure by boat for a cruise on the Nam River Or. Magnificent landscape of rocky peaks reflected in the water … Magical … Life along the banks … Stops in villages in order to better interact with the populations. Arrival at the village of Muang Ngoi, lunch and free afternoon to enjoy the place, walk in the surrounding countryside, beautiful and peaceful.

After your breakfast, departure for 2 days / 1 night hike in the Muang Ngoi region. The trek begins with the ascent to Tham Kaang cave which served as shelter for the villagers during the last Vietnam War (1960-72). Continuing to a Khamu village still in the heart of a mountainous landscape. Accomodation and discovery of the village and why not joining the locals for a game of kataw (ball game with the foot with a net). Dinner and overnight with the locals. 4-5 hours of easy walking.

We continue hiking to descend to the banks of the Nam Ou and another Khamu village where a boat awaits us to take us back to Muang Ngoi along one of the most beautiful sections of the river. Lunch and a new trip to reach the village of Nong Khiaw established in the middle of the karstic refliefs. Possibility of a bike ride and a traditional Lao massage to complete the day. Dinner and overnight stay.

Cruise to Luang Prabang with stops on the way in several villages and lunch on the board of the boat. Visit of the famous Pak Ou caves sheltering hundreds of statuettes of Buddha. Arrival at Luang Prabang, climbing to Mount Phous to admire the view of the city and the Mekong. Evening free to stroll on the beautiful Nui market. Free dinner and overnight stay.

Early wake up to attend the offering ceremony to the bonzes. Return to the hotel for breakfast via the morning market. After that you will go to the elephant camp, a major player in the region for the preservation of this animal. Brieffing and one hour walk in the jungle and along the river. Return to Luang Prabang. Visiting the main points of interest in the city (the national museum, the Vat Xieng Mouane) by tuk tuk (typical local transport). Dinner in restaurant with ethnic fashion show. Free time at the very pleasant night market.

Educational stop at the ethnology museum. Relax time at the Kuang Si falls, magnificent with its multiple natural pools. Swimming possible. Picnic on site. Return to Luang Prabang and visit of Vat Xieng Thong, the most majestic and oldest temple in the city. If time permits, cross over to the other side of the Mekong to reach the village of Ban Chan potters. An hour’s walk along the river to reach the Vat Chompet and after the Vat Longkun, renovated by France and allowing a community of monks to settle there. Moment of exchange with the bonzes. Return to the town and free time.

Free time until transfering to the airport and returning with your international flight.