8 NIGHTS: NORTHERN PHONSALI LOOP
Pak Beng, Muang Xai, Phonsali, Muang Khua and Nong Khiaw
DAY 1 LUANG PRABANG
Welcome to Laos
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Your local guide will give you an introduction to the tour. Sit back, relax, enjoy a swim at the hotel and get ready for the adventure ahead.
DAY 2 PAK BENG
Mekong Cruise to Pak Beng
After breakfast, depart on cruise on the Mekong River to the small town of Pakbeng, a journey of around 8 hours. Check-in to the riverside lodge, stroll through the town and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
DAY 3 MUANG XAI
Riverside Elephant Camp
Visit a local market before taking a boat across the river to the elephant camp. Learn about how the camp is protecting and rehabilitating the animals. Here you can assist the mahout, getting some hands-on insight into interacting with the animals and bathe with them in the river. After lunch at the lodge, we depart for the mountain drive to Muang Xai , arriving at the resort in the late afternoon.
DAY 4 MUANG XAI
Reclining Buddha Trek
We travel to a small village where the trek begins and follow a mountian trail along rivers and rice fields. Across a bamboo bridge we reach the Yang village of Long Ya. Further along the trail we reach the hidden monastery, Wat Hoytinphabath, which has a large reclining Buddha. Return to the resort in Muang Xai for lunch and spend the afternoon at your leisure.
DAY 5 PHONSALI
To Phonsali
This morning depart for Phongsali, travelling the mountain road through jungle and rural villages. We stop at Ban Bountai for a picnic lunch and visit a local market. Arrive in small town of Phonsali in the late afternoon and check-in to the resort. Later we visit a Chinese temple and Wat Keo, where monks play petanque in the evening.
DAY 6 PHONSALI
Hilltribe Villages Trekking
We travel to the Hmong village of Ban Aya. After touring the village and meeting its locals. We then begin the trek into the jungle, stopping for a Lao-style picnic lunch on the journey. After lunch, arrive at the Hmong Village of Ban Aneng, tour the community with a local guide and learn about the culture and traditions. We then visit the villages of Akha Mouchee and Tai Yue, before returning to the resort in Phonsali.
DAY 7 MUANG KHUA
Ancient Tea Plantation
We explore the 400-year-old tea plantation in the village of Ban Komaen. This area has some of the oldest tea trees in the world. Try some freshly brewed tea at a local tea shop. Continue by road to small riverside town of Muang Khua, stopping for lunch on the journey. Check in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Dinner is at a local restaurant with views over the Nam Ou River.
DAY 8 NONG KHIAW
Nam Ou River Journey
We board a slow boat for a cruise down the Nam Ou River, one of the most scenic stretches of river in Laos. We wind downstream, passing ancient forest and karst mountains and stop for a picnic lunch. We reach sleepy riverside town of Nong Khiaw and check in to the hotel. Later join a 2-hour trek up Phou Pha Deang mountain which has stunning views.
DAY 9 LUANG PRABANG
Luang Prabang, Departure
After breakfast, we travel by road back travel back to Luang Prabang, a journey of around 3 hours. Drop off at the airport for your homeward journey.