Itinerary
DAY 01 LUANG PRABANG TO NONG KHIAW ALONG THE OU RIVER WITH LAO LEU VILLAGE VISIT (L, D)
Meet your Tiger Trail guide in Luang Prabang and enjoy a scenic drive winding along the Nam Ou River to the small town of Nong Khiaw.
Along the way, we’ll stop for a visit at Ban Na Nyang, a Lao Leu village known for its Lao Leu traditional style houses and handicrafts. Arrive in Nong Khiaw in the afternoon and have time to explore. Your guide will show you around and take you to sample some local food for dinner.
Overnight at a guest house near the Nam Ou River surrounded by jungle-covered mountains.
DAY 02 THE FAMOUS 100 WATERFALL TREK AND RIVERSIDE KHMU VILLAGE HOMESTAY (B, L, D)
'Wow,wow,wow...' is what the first travelers said after coming back from this simply amazing waterfall hike and river trip!!!
Starting the day with a peaceful boat ride on the Nam Ou you will be able to explore a small Lao village along the river side before heading into the waterfalls. Learn about their way of life along this river!
Walking through small streams and rice paddies you arrive at the base of the 100 waterfalls. The next few hours you will see only water and jungle and hear the sound of clear waterfall cascades. The pools around you are very inviting for a refreshing splash.
Your guide will lead you through the cascades and prepare a local style lunch on the falls in the middle of amazingly green nature...
A small villagers’ trail on the top of the 100 waterfalls will lead us back down into the valley offering wide views over the landscapes of the Nam Ou valley.
Hike back to the Nam Ou River for boat transfer to Ban Houay Goong, a traditional Khmu village in a stunning setting on the riverbanks where you will spend an overnight homestay.
DAY 03 NAALUANG TREK – MULTI ETHNIC HIKE (L, D)
After breakfast, transfer by boat and vehicle to the trailhead headed to Naaluang. We start walking small paths past rice paddies (seasonal) and through preserved forest with huge trees and great views. Enjoy lunch in the jungle setting and make stops along the way. Trekking is 5-6 hours medium, up and down hills, and will lead us to a Lao-style village, still living traditionally. This can be slippery if wet so good shoes are recommended.
Explore the village with your guide and visit kids in session at the Tiger Trail built Clay School operational since 2011.
We then prepare ourselves for an overnight stay in the village and enjoy the local cuisine. In the villages we eat local style using what is available so it is an authentic experience. Take your time to explore the place by yourself in the evening or just play with the children. There is a lot to explore.
DAY 04 JUNGLE TREK TO NAM OU RIVER AND BOAT RIDE TO OVERNIGHT IN MUANG NGOI (B, L)
Enjoy breakfast before departing the village by local trail to the Nam Ou River on one of the most spectacular routes in the area taking you through a canyon pass with mountains rising on both sides medium trekking taking about 4 hours. There is one uphill stretch of an hour so day four can be a challenge in the heat and very difficult unless you are fit. We walk through the jungle, across rocks and through rice fields.
Visit a Khmu village nestled on the banks of the Nam Ou River and see its gardens. Along the way we serve another Lao style lunch. Transfer by private boat to the famous and secluded Muang Ngoi where we’ll enjoy a night in the comfortable Lattanavongsa guest house.
DAY 05 TREKKING IN REMOTE VILLAGES IN NORTH LAOS (B, L, D)
Following breakfast we’ll board a local boat headed upriver on the Nam Ou River about 45 minutes enjoying beautiful scenery and passing local villages. We trek about 5 hours through the Lao countryside and the mountains surrounding from Muang Ngoy village to Ban Kioukhan, a village of Khmu ethnic group. 3 hours are uphill and 2 hours down. It can be a hot and difficult day so a reasonable level of fitness is needed. We are exposed to the sun at times so sunblock is recommended. We also pass through many streams so a change or shoes or sandals is recommended.
On the way, stop to visit Tham Kaang, the former sheltering cave for local villagers during the last Indochina War (1960 – 1972) which has never damaged with beautiful surroundings. It is particularly picturesque with mountain views. We’ll have a picnic lunch along the way. Arrive at Kioukhan in the afternoon. Explore local people’s working and living conditions. This village is very basic and authentic experience. Enjoy dinner and overnight with the locals in an amazing homestay cultural experience.
DAY 06 TREKKING TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN LAOS (B, L)
After breakfast and farewells we continue to trek downhill through beautiful natural surroundings to visit Ban Hadsapheuy (about 3.5 - 4 hours), a small village of Khmu ethnic group which is on the bank of Nam Ou River. We’ll have lunch along the way and continue to take a boat ride downriver to Muang Ngoi.
Between Ban Hatsaphuey and Muang Ngoi, it is thought to be one of the most beautiful views on the Nam Ou River with rock cliffs and rock formation rising dramatically above rain forest. The afternoon is for relaxing in the beautiful setting. Overnight at a guest house near the river.
DAY 07 MUANG NGOI TO LUANG PRABANG AND VISIT PAK OU CAVE (B, L)
After our breakfast we take a return boat from Muang Ngoi to Nong Khiaw and then a private minivan through beautiful mountain and river landscape to Luang Prabang. We’ll make a stop to visit to the famous Pak Ou Cave and the “Whiskey Village”.
We’ll take lunch at a restaurant with a fantastic view of the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers and the Pak Ou Caves. Arrive in Luang Prabang late afternoon for conclusion of this unforgettable 7 day adventure tour from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw and back!
