Itinerary
- Day 1
Lao Border to Luang Namtha
You'll meet at the Lao border checkpoint and head to Luang Namtha by vehicle. During the drive, you'll stop at a couple of hill tribe villages, including Ban Nam Chang where the Lao Houay people live, and Ban Poong, known for producing local Lao Lao whiskey. After settling into your hotel, there's a welcome dinner at a restaurant in town to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a fine restaurant in Luang Namtha)
Included Activities
- Visit Ban Nam Chang Village and meet the Lao Houay people
- Visit Ban Poong village and see local Lao Lao whiskey production
- Welcome dinner at a fine restaurant in Luang Namtha
Landmarks/POIs Ban Nam Chang Village Ban Poong Village - Day 2
Luang Namtha
Following breakfast, you'll travel to Muong Sing with stops at villages like Ekor and Lan Taen, home to Aka and other Sino-Tibetan ethnic groups. After lunch, you'll see how hill tribe communities live day-to-day, then visit Chieng Tung stupa, Ban Nam Ded Village, Ban Nam Mai Village (where the Yao people are from), and the Pang Thong checkpoint at the Laos-China border. By evening, you're back in Luang Namtha with free time to walk around on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Ekor (Aka) village
- Visit Lan Taen village
- Explore hill tribe way of life
- Visit Chieng Tung stupa
- Visit Ban Nam Ded Village
- Visit Ban Nam Mai Village (Yao people)
- Visit Pang Thong local checkpoint at the Laos-China border
Landmarks/POIs Ekor (Aka) Village Lan Taen Village Chieng Tung Stupa Ban Nam Ded Village Ban Nam Mai Village Pang Thong Local Checkpoint - Day 3
Luang Namtha to Luang Prabang
After breakfast, you'll take an express train to Luang Prabang. Staff will meet you at the station and drive you to a hotel in the city center. Once you've had a short rest, you'll check out the National Museum in the former Royal Palace to see Lao cultural artifacts. Then you'll head to Wat Mai temple, and later climb Mount Phousi to see the sacred gilded stupa and watch the sunset over the city and Mekong River. There's browsing at the Night Market for textiles afterward, followed by dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a fine restaurant in Luang Prabang)
Included Activities
- Express train journey to Luang Prabang
- Visit The National Museum (former Royal Palace)
- Visit Wat Mai
- Climb Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa
- Sunset views of the city and Mekong River from Mount Phousi
- Browse Night Market for handmade textiles
- Dinner at a fine restaurant in Luang Prabang
Landmarks/POIs The National Museum Wat Mai Mount Phousi Night Market - Day 4
Luang Prabang
Start the day with a guided tour of Wat Sene, the city's oldest temple, and Wat Xieng Thong with its beautiful tree of life mosaic in colored glass. You'll board a Mekong River cruise heading upstream with countryside views along the way. The boat stops at Pak Ou Caves, where thousands of Buddha images fill two large caverns, and at Ban Muangkeo village where locals make rice wine. In the afternoon, you'll travel about 30km out of town to Kuang Si Falls. On the way there, you'll pass through ethnic minority villages, and then you can swim in the turquoise pools or walk the forest paths.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Wat Sene (oldest temple)
- Visit Wat Xieng Thong with "tree of life" mosaic
- Upstream Mekong River cruise with panoramic countryside views
- Visit Pak Ou Caves (two caverns with thousands of Buddha images)
- Visit Ban Muangkeo village and see local rice wine production
- Visit ethnic minority villages en route to Kuang Si Falls
- Swim in turquoise pools at Kuang Si Falls or walk forest paths
Landmarks/POIs Wat Sene Wat Xieng Thong Pak Ou Caves Ban Muangkeo Village Kuang Si Falls - Day 5
Luang Prabang to Departure
Following breakfast, you have the option to visit Phosi Market if time allows, checking out local produce, hill-tribe textiles, handicrafts, and unique items like dried buffalo skin snacks. Then you'll head to the airport for your departure flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Phosi Market (optional - if time permits)
Landmarks/POIs Phosi Market
