XIENG KHUANG – LUANG PRABANG 306 KM / 7 HOUR DRIVE (B-L)

After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive through high green mountains with rugged karst formations. On the way stop to visit local ethnic communities of the Hmong and Khmu. Visit Muang Phu Khun, brick and stucco ruins, the site of a former French colonial fort.

Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue along route 13 up north through unspoiled rolling mountains to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival transfer to hotel.

LUANG PRABANG – BAN NA YANG – NONG KHIEW (B – L)

After breakfast, picked up at the hotel and head north along the route 13, through beautiful verdant landscape. On the way take a short break from the drive to visit Ban Na Yang village, where the famous Thai Lui tribe produce silk and cotton clothing in ancient workshops. Continue on to Nongkhiew and stop en route for lunch in Nam Ban district. Upon arrival in Nongkhiew, check-in at local Bungalow and spend the rest of the day at leisure or go on a short trek to explore Tam Pha Tok cave, where local villagers hid during the Indochina war. Return to Nongkhiew and amble along the Nam Ou river to take in the beautiful sunset over the limestone cliffs. Dinner at a riverside restaurant – on your own account.

NONG KHIEW – RIVER BOAT MUANG NGOI – TAM KANG CAVE – AROUND MUANG NGOI (B – L)

After breakfast, take a boat trip along the mighty Ou River with its spectacular limestone mountains lined up on the both sides of river. Upon arrival at tucked away village of Muang Ngoi check in at a local bungalow, and have lunch at any local restaurant. Explore this small, beautiful town with a short hike to Tam Kang Cave, another hiding place for the local people during the Vietnam War. Visit Ban Na and then return to Muang Ngoi town. Spend the rest of the day at leisure on the riverside and enjoy another wonderful sunset. Dinner at a local restaurant by the riverside – on your own account.

MUANG NGOI – PAK MONG – CHONG CHA – OUDOMXAI (B – L)

After breakfast, return to Nong Khiew by boat and then drive through green mountains to Oudomxai. On the mountaintop, have a short break to visit the ethnic Hmong hill tribe village of Chong Cha. The villagers’ houses are spread along the mountainside. The surrounding scenery is just stunning. Lunch at a delicious restaurant in Oudomxai. Upon arrival check-in at a local guesthouse or hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure or exploring Oudomxai. There are numerous hill tribes village of Hmong, Akha, Lan Ten, Yao and a local waterfall in the vicinity. Dinner at a local restaurant by the riverside – on your own account.

OUDOMXAI – LUANG NAM THA – AROUND LUANG NAM THA (B – L)

After breakfast, visit the morning market where local farmers sell their crops and medicinal plants they collect from the jungle. Return to the hotel and then set off along the road to Luang Namtha. On the way visit the villages of Ban Lakhamdeng & Ban Lakhammai. Arrive at Luang Namtha, check-in to the hotel and enjoy lunch.

Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore Luang Nam Tha and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

RIVER BOAT EXCURSION NAM THA AND NAM HA RIVER NBCA – MUANG SING (B – L)

After breakfast, explore the Nam Tha & Nam Ha rivers; both are National Biodiversity Conversation Areas (NBCA). Within the NBCA itself there are 25 hill tribe villages. Visit the most populous ethnic communities of the Akha, Hmong, Khamu and Lantaen with villages on both sides of river. Enjoy a picnic lunch and in the afternoon return to Luang Nam Tha. Check out and drive to Muang Sing. Upon arrival check in at a local guesthouse and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

MUANG SING – EXPLORING AROUND MUANG SING – LUANG NAM THA (B – L)

After breakfast, visit the local handicrafts workshop of Hat Yao where villagers make a range of textiles, basketry and jewelry. Continue on to a local market and see how people exchange their interesting products such as crafts, herbs and crops. Followed by a visit to Meang Sing Exhibition which is famous for its collection of cultural artifacts representing the major ethnic groups in the area.

Visit the hill tribe villages of Thaidam, Hmong and Akha. Lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, drive to Luang Nam Tha.

LUANG NAM THA – VIENTIAN DEPARTURE

After breakfast, relax until departure to Vientiane Airport by train.