Mountains and minorities of Laos

Sabaidi and welcome to Luang Prabang, the most beautiful town in Laos famous for its blend of local and colonial culture and architecture. Upon arrival to Luang Prabang Airport, our driver will transfer you to the boutique hotel found in the heart of the old town. Unwind in the lovely garden as you sip a cocktail on the terrace overlooking the Nam Khan River on your first day in Laos. Or explore the beautiful temples stretching out in every direction within the city center.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Satri House

Drive out of Luang Prabang this morning to the out-of-this world Kuang Si Waterfall. Swim and relax in the glowing turquoise waters in your very own version of the Jungle Book. Make sure to stop at the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary to learn about one woman’s efforts to protect Asian sun and moon bears from illegal poaching and organ theft for medicinal purposes.

Return to Luang Prabang around lunch time, joining an afternoon walking tour to Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun, the Melon Stupa and Wat Aham before climbing Mount Phousi to catch the radiant sunset. The tour will conclude at the daily night market where you can shop for local handicrafts on display.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Satri House

Board the Shompoo Cruise this morning and lazily journey up the Mekong River to the ancient Pak Ou Caves. Comprised of an upper and lower cave, they are historically significant due to monks using them for places of worship as well as personal dwellings in the past. Continue on, enjoying lunch on board and relaxing in the afternoon sun until your arrival to Pakbeng at dusk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge

Have a real Lao adventure this morning by joining the locals on a bus ride from Pakbeng to Oudomxai. Arrive to Oudomxai around 12:00 where a driver from Muang La Resort waits for you to whisk you 40-minutes away to your beautiful accommodation for the next 3 nights.

Check-in to your lovely room outfitted with original works of art from Lao artists, both painted and sculpted. All fabrics are locally-produced from many different ethnic communities in the surrounding area. Swim in the refreshing swimming pool, indulge in traditional spa treatments, or peruse the lengthy list of included activities to join, the choice is entirely up to you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Laos is home to 130 different recognised groups divided by 4 main language groups. Some of these tribes can only be found in Laos, and due to the lack of written history, are at a big risk of disappearing entirely. Today travel by 4×4 to the stunning mountainside villages of the Ikhos Tribes, originally from the Yunnan Province in China and Tibet.

Experience their way of life by learning about their belief in the spirit world, time-honoured customs and observe their traditional dress made from plant extracts found in the forest. Hike to an abandoned Hmong Village and treat yourself to an unbelievable 360° panorama before finishing the excursion at a working Hmong Village and returning to the Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cycle 11 kilometres along the banks of the Nam Pak River with your guide, zipping through the beautiful countryside filled with lush vegetation, rice fields and villages to the small village of Tad Muan. Learn about traditional beliefs such as respect of the village elders and their wisdom, the innocence of youth, and the communal spirit of the village. You will also see how traditional houses are built and the different ways of hunting used by the villagers.

Return to the Lodge in the early afternoon, free at leisure to join in other resort activities or to relax and soak up the wonderful vibes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Say good-bye to your resort family and drive 2-hours to Muang Khuaw, where a private river boat cruise to Nong Khiaw awaits your arrival. Frequently touted as the most beautiful cruise in Laos and possible Southeast Asia, fall in love with the breathtaking scenery, sheer limestone formations, and virgin rainforests seen from either side of the Nam Ou River.

Stop for a picnic lunch on a secluded beach near the village of Ban Sopchaem where you are free to browse the local villager’s intricate silk weavings on display. Arrive in the late afternoon to the countryside wonder of Nong Khiaw.

Check-in to your boutique accommodation and reflect on the outstanding scenes you have witnessed first-hand.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Nong Khiaw Riverside

Hop into a traditional long boat for 90-minutes up the scenic and peaceful Nam Ou River to the isolated Muang Ngoi Village. Spend some time wandering around the village before exploring a cave where locals hid during the Secret War and enjoying a picnic lunch.

After lunch, kayak downstream for 2 hours, passing small villages and marveling at the rugged scenery before stopping at Sopkong Village. Walk through the panoramic rice fields and lush jungle to the rushing Tadmok Waterfall, cooling off with a swim in the natural tide pools and munching on local snacks.

Return to the village on foot and join your long boat again, arriving in Nong Khiaw in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Nong Khiaw Riverside

After a delicious breakfast, return by a 3-hour drive to charming Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, check-in to your accommodation and enjoy your day free at leisure to explore the city independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Satri House

Have your own breakfast before checking out of the hotel and transferring to the airport for your onward booked travel.

Meals: Breakfast