Day 1: Tay Trang – Muang Khua
Guide & Driver | Meals: None | Accommodation: Hotel in Muang Khua
After completing the border formalities, meet your guide and driver and transfer to Muang Khua.
On arrival, visit the old bamboo bridge connecting the town with Ban Natoun, a nearby H’Mong village. The rest of the day is free to explore Muang Khua at your own pace.
Overnight in Muang Khua.
Day 2: Nam Ou River Boat Trip – Ban Sopchem
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Ban Sopchem Guesthouse | Pick-up: 08:30
Take a long-tail boat downstream along the Nam Ou River and enjoy the quiet scenery of northern Laos. A picnic lunch will be served on a sandy riverbank.
Arrive at Ban Sopchem, a Khmu village, in the afternoon. Walk around the village and meet local people before joining a traditional Baci Ceremony, a local ceremony often held for family members and friends before or after a long journey.
In the evening, enjoy dinner with a local host family and experience traditional Lao village life.
Overnight in Ban Sopchem.
Day 3: Ban Sopchem – Muang Ngoi
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Guesthouse in Muang Ngoi | Pick-up: 08:30
Spend the morning exploring Ban Sopchem before continuing by boat downstream to Ban Bor, a local hill tribe village. Visit the village and, when possible, the local primary school.
Continue by boat to Muang Ngoi, a small village surrounded by mountains and rice fields. After arrival, walk through the village and hike to Tham Kang Cave, which was used as a shelter during the Indochina War.
Continue to Ban Na through the rice fields and meet the local Tai Daeng people. Enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery before returning to Muang Ngoi.
Approximate: 1-hour boat trip | 2-hour hike
Overnight in Muang Ngoi.
Day 4: Muang Ngoi – Tad Mork – Nong Khiaw
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw | Pick-up: 08:30
Take a boat downstream to a nearby village and visit the local school if it is open.
Continue to Tad Mork Waterfall near Ban Sop Kong. Walk for about one hour to reach the waterfall, where you can swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Continue by boat to Ban Sopvan, home to the Tai Lue people. Visit the village and see local farming activities before continuing to Nong Khiaw.
Approximate: 1-hour boat trip | 3.5-hour walk
Overnight in Nong Khiaw.
Day 5: Nong Khiaw – 100 Waterfalls
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw | Pick-up: 08:30
Take a boat along the Nam Ou River and visit a small riverside village to learn about local life.
Continue to the 100 Waterfalls Adventure Trail. Walk through streams, rice fields and forest to reach the waterfalls. Follow your guide through the cascades and enjoy a local-style lunch surrounded by green nature.
Continue along the village trail for views over the Nam Ou valley before returning to the riverside village. Take the boat back to Nong Khiaw.
Approximate: 20-minute transfer | 4-hour trek | 2-hour boat trip
Overnight in Nong Khiaw.
Day 6: Nong Khiaw – Muang Hiam
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Guesthouse in Muang Hiam | Pick-up: 08:30
Drive through rural northern Laos via Vieng Kham to Muang Hiam. The route passes remote villages, mountains and forest landscapes.
Some parts of the road can be rough, but the journey offers a chance to see areas with few tourists and experience rural life.
On arrival in Muang Hiam, check in and explore the town on foot. If time permits, visit the nearby hot spring, a popular place for local people to relax.
Overnight in Muang Hiam.
Day 7: Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park Trek
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: Jungle Huts | Pick-up: 08:30
Visit the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park Visitor Center in Muang Hiam for an introduction to the park and its wildlife protection work.
Continue to Ban Sakok, a Khmu village on the edge of the national park. Meet the local guides and porters before starting the trek through rice, tobacco and corn fields.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with views of Phou Louey Mountain, then continue into the forest toward Tad Loy Camp. The trail passes through mixed forest, where the local guide may introduce medicinal plants.
After around 2–3 hours of trekking, reach Tad Louey and Tad Loy waterfalls. Take time to relax or swim before continuing to the jungle camp.
Enjoy a traditional Khmu dinner and relax around the campfire. An optional short night walk may be available after dinner.
Overnight in jungle huts, 2 people per hut.
Day 8: Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park Trek
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Accommodation: The Nests
Start early with a short walk to check camera traps and look for birds. You may also hear the calls of the Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons.
After breakfast, continue trekking from the foothills of Phou Louey Mountain to The Nests campsite near the Poung Nied salt lick and wildlife observation tower.
The trek covers about 12 km and takes around 7 hours. The route includes a steep climb to Phou Phamai Mountain Pass at about 1,500 m, followed by a gradual descent.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with views over the national park before continuing to The Nests. After arrival, relax at the camp or by the nearby river.
In the evening, receive a briefing before visiting the Poung Nied salt lick observation tower for wildlife watching. Depending on conditions and patience, the activity can continue until around 11:30 PM. Possible sightings include deer, civets and, with luck, other protected wildlife.
Overnight at The Nests.
Day 9: Back to Muang Hiam
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Guesthouse in Muang Hiam | Pick-up: 08:30
Start early with a choice of wildlife activities. You may visit the nearby salt lick to look for animal tracks and birds, or walk up the mountain to listen for Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons and enjoy sunrise views.
After breakfast, check the camera traps and view wildlife photos from the previous night.
Continue the final trek through forest and mixed woodland, passing a ranger station and looking for plants and animal tracks. After a picnic lunch, take a local tractor vehicle through the rice and corn fields to Ban Nam Poung.
From the village, transfer back to Muang Hiam by private truck or van.
Overnight in Muang Hiam.
Day 10: Muang Hiam – Muang Kham
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Muang Kham | Pick-up: 08:30
Transfer to Muang Kham, known for its hot springs. Along the way, stop at Ban Sonkhua, a Hmong village, to learn about local life and traditions.
There may also be opportunities to stop at other villages or viewpoints along the way.
Arrive in Muang Kham in the afternoon and check in at your hotel near the hot spring in Ban Nyai.
The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the hot spring.
Overnight in Muang Kham.
Day 11: Muang Kham – Leisure Day
No Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Muang Kham
Enjoy a free day in Muang Kham. Walk around the village, observe local life, relax at the hotel or enjoy the hot spring and swimming pool.
Overnight in Muang Kham.
Day 12: Muang Kham – Xieng Khuang – Muang Khoun
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Xieng Khuang | Pick-up: 08:30
Transfer to Phonsavanh, the capital of Xieng Khuang Province. After checking in and taking some rest, continue to Muang Khoun, the former provincial capital.
Visit the old town, including the large seated Buddha, Wat Pia Wat and the remains of an old stupa.
Continue to Plain of Jars Site 1, located close to Phonsavanh. Explore the site before returning to Xieng Khuang around sunset.
Overnight in Xieng Khuang.
Day 13: Xieng Khuang – Luang Prabang
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang | Pick-up: 06:00
Start early with a visit to the Central Market of Phonsavanh, where different ethnic groups come to trade local products.
Continue to Luang Prabang through the mountains. Enjoy views of forests, terraced fields and hill villages along the way, with photo stops at selected villages.
Distance: approximately 342 km | 9–10 hours
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 14: Ancient City – Mekong River – Pak Ou Cave
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang | Pick-up: 08:30
Visit the Royal Palace Museum before taking a boat upstream along the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves. The caves contain thousands of Buddha statues placed there by local pilgrims.
Stop at Ban Xanghai, known for its traditional rice wine, before returning to Luang Prabang.
Visit Wat Sene and Wat Xiengthong, two important temples in the old city. Continue to Heuan Chan, a historic Lao house showcasing traditional culture, textiles and family life.
Late afternoon, visit Wat Prabath for sunset before exploring the Luang Prabang Night Market, known for its handmade textiles and local products.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 15: Morning Alms Giving – Kuang Si Waterfall
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang | Pick-up: 05:30
Wake early to observe the traditional morning alms giving ceremony in Luang Prabang. Continue to the local morning market before returning to the hotel for breakfast.
Climb Phousi Hill for views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. If time permits, visit the UXO Visitor Center.
Continue to Kuang Si Waterfall, known for its turquoise pools and several levels of waterfalls. There is time to swim and explore the area, including Ban Thapene and the nearby smaller waterfalls.
You may also visit the Bear Rescue Center.
On the way back, stop at Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center to see local weaving, spinning and batik production. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 16: Nam Dong Park Experience – Vang Vieng by Train
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng | Pick-up: 08:30
Transfer to Nam Dong Park near Ban Xiengmouk, about 10 km from Luang Prabang.
Start with a zipline through the jungle and over waterfalls. Continue on foot through the forest, crossing bridges and small streams. You can also enjoy the natural pools along the trail.
Have a picnic lunch at a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding area.
Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring more of the park before transferring to the train station for the late afternoon train to Vang Vieng.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Zipline: about 1 hour | Trekking: 1–3 hours, depending on route
Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 17: Vang Vieng – Cycling Experience
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang | Pick-up: 08:30
Explore the countryside around Vang Vieng by mountain bike on a route of about 35 km.
Visit local villages of different ethnic groups, a cave and a lagoon. Enjoy time at the lagoon to relax or swim while your guide prepares a BBQ lunch.
Continue through traditional Lao villages and learn about local culture, daily life and textile weaving. Cycle through the countryside and rice fields with views of the surrounding mountains.
The tour also includes a hike to the top of Pha Nam Xay for panoramic views of Vang Vieng.
Return to Vang Vieng and transfer to the train station for the train to Luang Prabang.
Estimated: 4 hours cycling | 1.5 hours caving
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 18: Vang Vieng – Nam Pien Yorla Pa
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Nam Pien Yorla Pa | Pick-up: 08:30
Depart Vang Vieng for Nam Pien Yorla Pa, a jungle resort near Phou Khao Khuay National Park.
Travel by the Vang Vieng–Vientiane expressway before continuing on local roads toward Nam Pien Yorla Pa.
Along the way, visit Ban Keun, known for salt production and local Lao whiskey. Continue to the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife to learn about wildlife rescue and protection in Laos.
Arrive at Nam Pien Yorla Pa around noon and check in to your bungalow.
The rest of the day is free. Depending on availability, activities at the resort may include trekking, ziplining, cycling and flying bridges.
Overnight at Nam Pien Yorla Pa.
Day 19: Nam Pien Yorla Pa – Phou Khao Khuay – Vientiane
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane | Pick-up: 08:00
Transfer to Phou Khao Khuay National Park, one of the protected areas closest to Vientiane.
Arrive at Ban Hatkhay and meet the local guides before starting the trek at Pha Say. Enjoy views over the deep gorge and surrounding forest.
Follow shaded trails through different types of forest and learn about local plants and their traditional uses.
Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing to Tad Say Waterfall. Keep an eye out for birds and butterflies along the trail.
Return to the village and transfer to Vientiane at around 6:00 PM.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 20: Vientiane Exploration – Buddha Park
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane | Pick-up: 08:30
Start with Wat Si Muang before driving to Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan. The park features more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.
Return to the city and visit COPE Visitor Centre to learn about UXO and its lasting impact in Laos.
Continue to That Luang, the most important national religious monument in Laos, followed by Patuxay for panoramic city views.
Visit Wat Sisaket and Wat Phra Keo, then end the day along the Mekong River.
Optional: Visit Sinouk Coffee Pavilion to learn about Lao coffee and enjoy a coffee or tea. Entrance and drinks are payable locally.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 21: Vientiane – Departure
Guide & Driver | Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: None | Pick-up: 2.5 hours before flight
Free time for your own exploration of Vientiane before your departure transfer to the airport.