Discover Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation
Code: ITL06
Itinerary
This tour gives you the opportunity to experience not only the diversity of the wildlife and the spectacular natural scenery of Laos—pristine forests, soaring mountains, and rushing clear rivers – but also to be amazed at the wonderful hospitality of the different ethnic minority groups. But that is not all you will also have the chance to compare the wonders of the peaceful ancient capital of Luang Prabang with the hustle and bustle of the modern day capital of Vientiane. Come and be delighted, mystified, and captivated.
Day 1: Arrive in Ban Houai Xai
After crossing the border between Thailand and Laos, you will arrive in Ban Houai Xai, a small typical town; check in at the guesthouse that we will have booked for you.
At 6.00 pm your local Lao guide will come to meet you. He will give you a short briefing on the itinerary for the coming days.
Day 2: Drive to Luang Namtha
After breakfast, we take a minibus to Luang Namtha. The journey is about 6 or 7 hours with stops on the way to take pictures of the beautiful panorama and also to visit a village of the Hmong Musur and Khmu hill tribes.
Once in Luang Namtha, we can also visit a Thai Dam village where silkworms are cultivated, and then it is on to your hotel for your overnight in Luang Namtha.
Day 3: Trekking in the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area
We leave Luang Namtha by songtaew to drive north into the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area and meet our village hosts at Don Sai village. We hike along a forested path into the mountains of the Nam Ha conservation area. It’s time to learn about the plants and animals. The guides and villagers will show you how to collect wild herbs and vegetables, then back to the hotel relax charge your energy for next day
Day 4: Drive to Udomxai - Mueang Khua
We have a long drive to Muangkhua. The condition of the roads in this part of the country very much depends on the weather, and therefore you should be prepared for some landslides and delays. The scenery, however, is spectacular—mostly forested with slash-and-burn cultivation and with many hill villages along the way (Hmong, Akha and Khamu villages). We have lunch at Udomxai, then visit hot spring water, and drive along the Nam Pak River until our destination. Overnight in Mueang Khua
Day 5: Muang Khua–Nongkhiew
Today we will take a private slow boat on Nam Ou River through beautiful landscapes and valleys, explore hill tribes and weaving villages, and have lunch at Mueang Ngoi near the stunning riverbank area, then continue to Nongkhiew. Overnight in Nongkhiew
Day 6: Nongkhiew to Luang Prabang
After breakfast you will have some time left to enjoy the village life before we board our wooden sampan and continue our trip on the Ou River. Before reaching Luang Prabang, we will stop to visit the Pak Ou Caves, where we will climb steps up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine and have lunch at Pak Ou Cave. We will arrive in Luang Prabang around 3 pm
In the afternoon you will have some time to relax and unwind or to explore a bit of this World Heritage City. We will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the magnificent temples: Wat Visoun, Wat Mai, and Wat Xieng Thong (the golden temple built in 1559). This is strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and mosaic motifs. It is the city’s oldest temple and one of the best examples of Luang Prabang architectural style. We will explore the Night Market where you will be able to find lovely handicrafts made by our local people. Overnight in Luang Prabang (B)
Day 7: Sightseeing in Luang Prabang and the Khuang Si Waterfall
We will start with a visit to the National Museum, which gives a brief presentation of the various leaders and fighters of Lao history, from ancient times up to the new revolution period. We then visit Ban Xangkhong, a weaving village. Heading out of town, we embark on a drive south and pass the verdant and rugged scenery to visit some hill tribe people at Ban Lao Soung and Ban Ou.
Here we enjoy a walk to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls, which are surrounded by lush forest. The waterfall tumbles over multitier limestone formations into the cool and clear pools—idealfor anyone seeking an enjoyable escape when the heat becomes unbearable. On our return we go to see the sunset and the Buddha’s footprints at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 7: Departure day
Free morning and enjoy your last day in the world heritage town until your departure time. end of your Laos tour.
Code: ITL07
Your guide and driver pick you up from your hotel to go to the Laos-China train station. It will take 4.45 minutes to reach the Natuey station and transfer to Luang Namtha and check in to your hotel.
At 8:30 am, meet up with the local guide. And our safari excursion starts with a drive southward to Ban Prang, where you will meet your local guides, who will assist you during our jungle trip. The first-day hike will take about 6 hours, including rest stops and a break for lunch. The hiking condition is not too difficult as we walk through the shade of the primary forest. Once we reach our camping site, your guide and you will prepare the simple hut and bed for the night’s sleep. You will cook jungle food for dinner and relax around the campfire for the evening, or you can choose to go for a night walk near the campsite.
2
Wake up to the sun and enjoy the fresh crisp morning air and listen to the animals (birds, squirrels, and civets) scurrying around. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a freshly cooked breakfast. Today we hike through an interesting and dense forest. Don’t hesitate to ask your guides any questions! Enjoy walking along or in a stream—yes, your feet will get wet! We have lunch on the way. In the thick forest, you will see big old trees until we reach our campsite. We will have a freshly made jungle dinner before retiring to our jungle beds, exhausted!
Our day begins later, allowing you to sleep in or explore your surroundings. Today’s hike is not as long as the previous days, but there will be ascending and descending trails. We hike out from the dense forest, along the valley, until we reach the main river of the Nam Ha area. You will cross the river through a suspension bridge or walk through the water. We have lunch along the way and then continue walking along the riverside for an hour to Ban Nalan (Khmu village). Here we will spend the night with a local family. For the remainder of the day, you can spend time around the village observing the locals or swim in the crystal-clear water of the river. We enjoy a meal and a relaxing evening with our host family.
4
After breakfast, we head to another village nearby, Ban Namkoy (Lantan village), where the people derive from the south of China, migrating here a few hundred years ago. You will see the locals in traditional clothing. We soon head into the forest again and trek for a few hours until we reach the hilltop, where you will witness spectacular views. We have lunch on the hilltop before walking to the last village at the bottom of the mountain, where our transit car is waiting on the main road. We take a rest before we walk 10 minutes to the car and transfer back to the town around 16:30.
Visiting the morning market and transferring to the Laos-China train station at Natuey station for our journey to Luang Prabang. overnight in Luang Prabang
Sightseeing tour of the former royal city of Luang Prabang (UNESCO). It is rightly ranked among the most charming cities in Asia. Nestled in the green hills on the banks of the Mekong, it abounds with countless beautiful temples and pagodas. An early morning market with a unique atmosphere. Unknown fruits, spices, frogs, fish, catches from the forest, seaweed from the Mekong... A surprisingly harmonious mix of traditional Laotian and French colonial architecture at its best. Former royal palace - now the National Museum. The city's oldest temple, Wat Xienthong, with the tree of life and the funeral chariot of the royal family. In the afternoon, a trip to Kuang Si Falls where we refresh ourselves in the crystal water and take a peek into the Malayan Bear Rescue Centre.
Departure for your next destination, end of the trip.