This tour to explore Northern Laos is designed for the intrepid & open-minded traveller with a keen sense of adventure & eagerness to participate in sustainable tourism.
Duration: 8 Days
Grading:MODERATEMax Group Size: 8
Type:TAILOR-MADEPrices from: £677
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Tour Overview
Discover the fascinating world of Northern Laos with our soft adventure tour of Laos. This unique excursion is designed for the intrepid and open-minded traveller with a keen sense of adventure and eagerness to participate in sustainable tourism. Trekking deep into the highlands, participants get to experience ethnic hill tribe culture in its rawest and most authentic forms amidst sweeping sceneries of verdant vegetation growth and cascading waterfalls.
The first encounter with responsible tourism begins with your journey in Luang Nam Tha, a quiet town dotted with pagodas, ethnic villages and lush paddy fields. You will stay overnight at The Boat Landing Guest House, an exemplary model of an eco-lodge in Laos. Moving closer to the Chinese borders, Muang Sing is a remarkable repository of ethnic tribes and culture, including the Akha, Hmong, Kamu, Iko and Lantaen minorities.
From Muang Sing, you will be initiated into the Akha Experience, a culturally and environmentally sensitive trek created and owned by eight Akha villages. Sharing with guests the Akha cultures and ways of life, the local guides also ensure that the maximal level of benefits is channeled back to the local communities. The journey weaves through different villages where interaction opportunities with the Akha people abound. Dinners and overnight accommodations in these villages enhance your understanding of Akha Zang, The Akha Way'.
After the trekking days in the forests, head to the towns of Muang Sing and Pakbeng. Visits to the bustling morning markets yield rewarding insights into local culture. You can witness tribal minorities trading fresh produce in their resplendent traditional costumes, or sample a bowl of local noodle soup, 'khao soi', among the cluster of food stalls. Sail down the Mekong River, where a stay at Kamu Lodge surrounded by the rustic Lao countryside makes unforgettable moments. Visit the Pak Ou Caves famed for its gold-lacquered Buddha statues before ending your trip in Luang Prabang.
Luang Nam Tha, a quiet town dotted with pagodas, ethnic villages and lush paddy fields, is unique in that you will be able to learn eco- traveling through an exemplary model of an eco-lodge, by staying overnight at The Boat Landing Guest House. During the journey to Muang Sing and Pakbeng, you will be initiated into the Akha Experience, a culturally and environmentally sensitive trek created and owned by eight Akha villages. Sailing down the Mekong River, where a stay at Kamu Lodge surrounded by the rustic Lao countryside, makes unforgettable moments in this eco-friendly trip.
Activities
Discover the fascinating world of Northern Laos with Exotissimo's Authentic Laos tour. This unique excursion is designed for the intrepid and open-minded traveller with a keen sense of adventure and eagerness to participate in sustainable tourism. Trekking deep into the highlands, participants get to experience ethnic hill tribe culture in its rawest and most authentic forms amidst sweeping sceneries of verdant vegetation growth and cascading waterfalls.
Guiding and support
- English Speaking Local Guide
- Land transportation with driver in the itinerary
- Boat trip as mentioned in the program
Reviews
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Tour Highlights
Discovering the Akha Culture amidst villages in Northern Laos - Trekking into the jungle of Nam Ha Protected area - Witnessing the activity of Muang Sing market and its hilltribes - Cruising on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou caves and its mass of Buddha statues - Enjoying the calm of Kamu Lodge and the opportunity to discover the Kamu culture
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Luang Nam Tha
Upon arrival in Laos, a private ride through the spectacular mountain vistas leads you to Luang Nam Tha. As you drive along, your guide will give you an overview of northwestern Laos, an area that is home to rich demographics and biodiversity. En-route, a stop at Vieng Phouka introduces you to the Kamu tribe followed by lunch in a local restaurant. A leisurely afternoon awaits you in Luang Nam Tha, where you can walk or bike around the peaceful town or sample the delights of Northern Lao cuisine in the comfort of your eco-lodge.
Overnight at The Boat Landing Guest House and Restauran in Luang Nam Tha.
(L)
Day 2 | Luang Nam Tha - Muang Sing - Ban Lao Khao
After breakfast, an early departure leads you to Muang Sing for the Akha Experience. In this ecotourism trek lasting 2.5 days, the villagers will induct you into their culture and environment so you have a chance to view and participate in their day-to-day activities.
Begin your adventure with a trek to Ban Lao Khao village. As you make your way through the pine forest, engage in bird watching, forage for local plants, and dine by the Nam Keo Noi waterfall. Upon arrival in the village, learn the local legends and listen to traditional music before dining on a delicious meal cooked by your village hosts. (Today's trek is approximately 6 hours)
Overnight at Ban Lao Khao Lodge in Ban Lao Khao.
(B,L,D)
Day 3 | Ban Lao Khao - Phou Yae - Ban Tamee
After breakfast, start the day with a walk to Ban Phou Yae. The trek passes through a landscape of old secondary forest with opportunities to collect bamboo shoots and medicinal herbs with the village guides. En route, try your hand at the local activities of cotton spinning, making children's toys, riding a water buffalo or planting rice. Interact with locals along the way, learning more about the traditional Akha lifestyle and culture. (Today's trek is approximately 5 hours)
Overnight at Ban Tamee Lodge in Ban Tamee.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 | Ban Tamee - Ban Nam Hoo - Muang Sing
Following breakfast, spend some time interacting with the villagers with activities such as feeding the pigs or playing games with the children. Then set off on the day's trek, winding along forest trails that skirt through magnificent views of Muang Sing valley. En route, stop at a village handicraft shop where you can purchase locally-made exquisite handicrafts, a wonderful souvenir of your Akha Experience. Return by truck to Muang Sing, where you can spend the rest of the day at your own leisure. Explore the famous local market frequented by the local ethnic hill tribes, check out the unique architecture of this small town, or simply relax. (Today's trek is approximately 4 hours)
Overnight at Phou Lu Guesthouse in Muang Sing.
(B,L)
Day 5 | Muang Sing - Oudomxay - Pakbeng
At your own discretion, rise early and head to the local market, a popular meeting point for the local ethnic hill tribes to trade their fresh produce or handicrafts. Sitting with the locals amongst the food stalls for an early meal of "khao soi", or noodle soup, completes the countryside market experience.
After breakfast, depart Muang Sing for Pakbeng, in which the roads wind through the mountains with barely any traffic. Along the way, stops are made at an ethnic village, followed by lunch in Oudomxai and a short climb up to the summit of Phou That. Arrive in Pakbeng in the afternoon.
Overnight at Pakbeng Lodge in Pakbeng.
(B,L)
Day 6 | Pakbeng - Kamu Lodge
Today, a cruise downstream leads you to Kamu Lodge at Ban Gno Hay village. The boat ride along Mekong River offers an enriching insight into the ways of life of the riverside communities. Upon arrival at the Kamu Lodge, you will be greeted with welcome drinks. At this rustic lodge, you can unwind in a self-sufficient lodge set in tranquil natural surroundings.
Overnight at the Kamu Lodge in Ban Gno Hay.
(B,L,D)
Day 7 | Kamu Lodge - Luang Prabang
An interesting day awaits you after breakfast. The Kamu has developed an array of activities to capture the original Lao experience. You can choose to plant rice with the Kamu villagers, pan for gold in the Mekong, explore the forest for herbs or trek to a stunning waterfall nearby. In the afternoon, depart for Luang Prabang by boat. En-route, stop at the legendary Pak Ou Caves, a local pilgrimage site in which thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed within the limestone caverns.
Overnight at Villa Say Kham in Luang Prabang.
(B,L)
Day 8| Departure from Luang Prabang
After breakfast, you are free to spend the morning at your own leisure until your transfer to your next destination.
Travelers have an opportunity to learn ethnic tribes and their culture, including the Akha, Hmong, Kamu, Iko and Lantaen minorities. while staying at local guest houses such as The Boat Landing House which is an exemplary model of an eco-lodge in Laos, or the Kamu Lodge which allows travelers to fully participate in local activities such as rice planting.
Moreover, through the Akha Experience, a culturally and environmentally sensitive trek created and owned by eight Akha villages, travelers will learn the Akha cultures and ways of life, and meanwhile the local guides also ensure that the maximal level of benefits is channeled back to the local communities. The journey weaves through different villages where interaction opportunities with the Akha people abound. Dinners and overnight accommodations in these villages enhance your understanding of Akha Zang, The Akha Way'.
Our Trusted Partner's Responsible and Sustainable Travel Policy
As guests to this region, we all have a responsibility to protect Southeast Asia’s unique natural and cultural heritage. We must all find ways to minimize and eliminate the damage done to this beautiful part of the world.
We work with local charities to support community development. As part of our long-term commitment to this region, we have listed some simple things you can do to have an enjoyable trip while still preserving the area for generations.
About our Trusted Partner
Exotissimo Travel was established in 1993 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We were the first foreign company to be granted a tourism operating license in Vietnam. We are now one of the longest established inbound tour operators in Indochina, Myanmar and Thailand and one of the best known. Today we have 14 offices and over 380 full-time staff working from our destination based offices in Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. We have the expertise and connections to create your perfect trip at the best possible price in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
Luang Nam Tha, Laos : Authentic Laos Soft Adventure at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Luang Nam Tha, Laos
Luang Nam Tha, Laos : Authentic Laos Soft Adventure at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Luang Nam Tha, Laos
Lao women : Authentic Laos Soft Adventure at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Lao women
Rice planting at Kamu Lodge, Laos : Authentic Laos Soft Adventure at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Rice planting at Kamu Lodge, Laos
Kamu Lodge, Laos : Authentic Laos Soft Adventure at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Kamu Lodge, Laos
Boat to Kamu Lodge, Laos : Authentic Laos Soft Adventure at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
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