Aerial view of the dramatic forest-covered karst rock formations near Nong Khiaw in northern Laos

Northern Laos Explorer

Trip code
NLE001

If you’re fascinated by the ancient wisdom of mountain and jungle folk, come and explore northern Laos with us.

Bookended by Vientiane and Luang Prabang, we’ve built this trip to take you into the most remote villages, dense jungles and secret caves. It’s off the beaten track in an already little-travelled country, a place where ethnic minorities are steadfast in their traditions. Hankering for something a bit different? Tell us! We can mix and match destinations and activities to suit you.

Pricing

Price based on 3* accommodation
From
£3,980
pp
Let us help plan your holiday and make it perfect for you

Key facts

13 nights/14 days
Guided tours of Luang Prabang and Vientiane: see the monk alms giving, tour the museums and temples, tuck into Lao barbecue at Vientiane’s night market
Get to grips with Lao history at the curious Plain of Jars
Meet retired elephants and take a night-time river safari through the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area
Explore the landscape on a Mekong sunset cruise, kayaking down the Nam Ou River, trips to Vieng Xai Caves, ethnic minority villages near Muang La and Kuang Si Waterfall
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DAY 7-8SAM NEUADAY 1-2VIENTIANEDAY 14-17LUANG PRABANGDAY 12-13MUANG LADAY 9NAM ET-PHOU LOUEY NPADAY 10-11NONG KHIAW DAY 7-8SAM NEUADAY 1-2VIENTIANEDAY 14-17LUANG PRABANGDAY 12-13MUANG LADAY 9NAM ET-PHOU LOUEY NPADAY 10-11NONG KHIAWDAY 3-4KONG LORDAY 5-6PHONSAVANDAY 3-4KONG LORDAY 5-6PHONSAVAN
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DAY 3-4KONG LORDAY 7-8SAM NEUADAY 1-2VIENTIANEDAY 14-17LUANG PRABANGDAY 12-13MUANG LADAY 9NAM ET-PHOU LOUEY NPADAY 10-11NONG KHIAWDAY 5-6PHONSAVAN

Transport in detail

The journeys are all part of the adventure in rural Laos. Most are by car transfer including four drives of three to six hours through dramatic mountain scenery. You’ll break up the long stretches with plenty of stops in interesting villages and viewpoints. There’s also three boat transfers of two to five hours and one train journey.

What's great

With a blend of history, culture, wildlife and outdoors activities, this is an amazing trip to experience Laos from every angle

In northern Laos, ethnic minorities are the majority. We’ve designed this trip to take you to remote Hmong, Khmu and Ikhor villages where you can learn about customs and traditions unchanged for generations

Few visitors venture north of Luang Prabang, but you’ll be rewarded with staggering scenery from jungles and grassy plains, to karst mountains and meandering rivers

Things to consider

Accommodation options are limited in rural areas so expect a warm welcome, but fairly basic facilities

As you'd expect, reaching isolated villages and remote wilderness involves some bumpy and winding roads!

We've included some fantastic hiking and kayaking that requires a good level of fitness. If this is not for you, let us know and we’ll tailor to suit you

The experience

We don’t work to a script. All our holidays are completely customisable, so talk to us about your dream Laos adventure and our experts will design a bespoke itinerary just for you.

Day 1-2

Vientiane

Welcome to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Get stuck into the national cuisine on a visit to the night market, a firm favourite with the locals. We’ve handpicked your guide, who knows the best flavours and ingredients in Lao cooking. Whet your appetite with a few snacks, then sit down for sindat, a Lao barbecue for dinner. In the morning, delve into Vientiane’s history on a tour of the most beautiful temples, including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, home to thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. You’ll also climb the steps to the top of Patuxai Monument and visit the COPE exhibition centre which tackles the issues of unexploded ordnance in Laos.

Statue in Vientiane

Highlights

Tuck into a hearty Lao-style barbecue at a popular local restaurant

Explore Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple, and the Buddhas of Wat Sisaket

Visit the moving COPE centre dedicated to UXO victims

Temple in Vientiane

Day 3-4

Kong Lor

After a day driving from Vientiane to Kong Lor (with plenty of stops), you'll spend the next day discovering Kong Lor cave. Stretching for over 7km, the cave features vast chambers soaring more than 100 metres high, and a gallery of stalagmites so expansive you can walk through part of it on foot. It’s an experience you can only fully comprehend when you’re standing there.

You’ll also take a short walk past traditional tobacco-drying huts to reach Ban Pon Ngam, a remote village where you’ll have a picnic lunch before returning by boat through the cave and continue downstream for around two hours, taking in the dramatic limestone scenery along the way.

Small boat with people entering the massive Tham Kong Lo cave on calm, dark cave waters

Highlights

Discover one of Buddha's footprints, left as he was crossing the Mekong

Discover stunning views at The Rock Viewpoint

Take a gentle boat cruise through Kong Lor cave

Wooden canoes docked at the entrance of Tham Kong Lo cave surrounded by large rocks

The finer detail

  • Breakfast every day
  • Five lunches; one in Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA; one picnic lunch in Nong Khiaw; one picnic lunch on the boat to Muang La; one picnic lunch whilst trekking through villages; one at the MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary
  • Two dinners: street food tour in Vientiane; one in Nam Et-Phou Louey NPA
  • Four full-day experiences: guided tour of Vientiane; a visit to Plain of Jars sites 2 & 3, as well as a nearby community project; kayaking and hiking in Nong Khiaw; hike through ethnic minority villages in Muang La
  • Five half-day experiences: a visit to Plain of Jars site 1; the Vieng Xai Caves; picnic breakfast at the Kuang Si waterfalls; Luang Prabang city tour; MandaLao elephant sanctuary
  • Two evening experiences: street food tour in Vientiane; sunset cruise on the Mekong River
  • Overnight stay in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area including jungle-based activities
  • All entrance fees to sites included in guided experiences
  • All internal transport & accommodation

Day 1:
Car transfer from Vientiane Airport to hotel (15 minutes)

Day 3:
Car transfer from Vientiane to Kong Lor (4.5 hours)

Day 5:
Car transfer from Kong Lor to Phonsavan (8 hours)

Day 7:
Car transfer from Phonsavan to Sam Neua (6 hours)

Day 9:
Car transfer & boat from Sam Neua to Nam Et-Phou Louey (3 hours & 2 hours)

Day 10:
Boat & car transfer from Nam Et-Phou Louey to Nong Khiaw (2 hours & 5 hours)

Day 12:
Boat & car transfer from Nong Khiaw to Muang La (5 hours & 1.5 hours)

Day 14:
Car transfer from Muang La to Oudomxay train station (45 minutes)
Train from Oudomxay to Luang Prabang (1 hour)
Transfer from Luang Prabang station to hotel (30 minutes)

Day 17:
Car transfer from hotel to Luang Prabang Airport (15 minutes)

  • Visas
  • International flights
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Entrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiences
  • Tips for guides & porters