10 Days Laos Unseen Northern Loop

Breakfast then your full day excursion

After breakfast you and your local guide will travel 17 km north of Pakbeng, visiting Khmu Villages travelling along red soil road. On the way you will see spectacular scenery passing through the Jungle Mountains that look down onto the small rivers that feed the Mighty Mekong River, passing bamboo forests and rice fields with the hard working local people.

During your time in the village your guide will introduce you to some traditional customs of the Khmu people and explain the difference between three biggest ethnic groups in Laos. 

The first village where you will stop is Ban Lai. This small village is rural the buffalos, pigs, chickens and dogs freely walk amongst the Khmu people. The village is constantly building and always curious of the visitors. Some households have a small vegetable garden with fruit trees. Here you can take pictures of the locals. During this stop you will visit the cattle farm and see how then tend to them. The next village is Ban Kham which is the furthest village on the red oil road, featuring traditional rustic bamboo houses that are built on stilts above the ground. You will see that the villagers live on the first floor of houses raised on timber stilts. Under the house the family keep animals, craft equipment such as a simple food processing machines like large wooden mortars and pestles, a tradition dating back many years. Here you will have a chance to join in with activities such as panning for gold or peeling rice with local villagers.

In the afternoon you will head back to Pakbeng town for lunch. Then visit temples of at Wat Sichomjeng which is beautifully decorated with colorful artifacts and ancient murals, pictures and sculptures and Wat Kokkor; a 400 years old temple offers ancient artifacts with amazing view Pakbeng town. Ending this excursion by visiting the local market where all local people of Pakbeng district comes to do their daily shopping, you will see a variety of local foods and products including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos.

Late afternoon return to resort for free time to swim at the infinity pool again sampling the cocktails ending with a local buffet of set dinner.

Overnight in Le Grand Pakbeng Resort.

Breakfast then head to Muangxai, a provincial town of Oudomxay.

Along the way, we are stopping at Ban Yor, a typical model village of Laos. Ban Yor offers a unique cultural experience with a long standing history. Founded in year 902, when a group of Thai Leu moved into the wide open valley that promised good harvests and a warm climate. Today this village consists of 135 families with a total of 682 inhabitants. Although electricity is available in the village still keeps the romantic traditional culture and atmosphere.

Here you will see the whole village busy with their daily routines such as women yarning, weaving with cotton that is grown right next to the village and men are knitting fishnets. 

Northern Laos has a long history in pottery due to the huge amount if clay available which has given the people chance to create bowls and jugs. In recent decades very little pottery was produced. Still pottery is very simple and is conducted without electricity gas or any machines.

Lunch:  You can choose to go to Oudomxay, or have a basic lunch at local restaurant in Muangxai town before heading to a Luxury Eco Resort of Laos.

Namkat Yorla Pa is a protected forestry area along the Nam Kat River. Situated in Oudomxay province in North Eastern Laos, this area is truly one of the most beautiful and desired eco-tourism destinations in Laos and South East Asia. You will experience the complete wonder, exotic beauty, ethnic culture, thrilling adventure, the natural serenity and the biodiversity of the flora and fauna all in one place in Laos.

Relax by the pool, ride a complimentary bicycle on the paved paths, explore the Forrest area at your leisure, or simple rest on the balcony of the restaurant listing to the sounds of the wildlife and watching the stream pass you by. Dinner will be served in the restaurant.

Overnight at Namkat Yorla Pa Resort

Breakfast then you will be presented with some outstanding activities.

We depart from the resort by car and then a short walk to the Information Centre. You will then trek up to Namkat waterfall walking towards the waterfall by crossing flying bridges and Enjoying some great views looking down on to the Namkat River. We then will break taking the time to enjoy a nice lunch break at the waterfall.

Then adventure is underway with a challenging activity called “Zip-lining”. You will get the feeling of flying as you move very fast from tree to tree. For people who don’t want to do the zip-lining a walk back towards the meeting point will be organized. (This activity is included in your tour price). You might choose any other favorite choices of activities and pay on spot.

Overnight at Namkat Yorla Pa Resort

Breakfast, you are free and relax before transfer to train station and leaving for Luang Prabang.

11:00 check out at hotel and transfer to train station

12:34 we are leaving Oudomxay for Luang Prabang

13:23 Arrive at Luang Prabang station, you will be met by guide and transfer to hotel in Luang Prabang

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Breakfast then head to the most Lao famous Khouangsi Waterfall

The waterfall is located 29km from Luang Prabang; access is via a trail on the left of the waterfalls. The Kuang Si Falls (Tat Kuang Si) waterfalls are a favorite side trip for tourists in Luang Prabang. The falls begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside. These lead to the main fall with a 60 metres (200 ft) drop. The water flows into a turquoise blue pool before continuing downstream. Additional activities include swimming in the cool water, swinging on ropes, and enjoying snacks from on-site eateries, plus visit the Bear-rescue sanctuary.

Afternoon, we return to town and visit the Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of interesting artefacts. Our walking tour we take in some of Luang Prabang’s hidden secrets by walking down the quiet back lanes leading to Wat Xiengthong. Along the way we stop at Wat Chomkhong, which is known for its decorative carvings. This area contains a mix of beautiful old French Colonial buildings, and traditional old Lao houses, which you will have time to admire, we also pass by the Fine Arts School, where we can see some of the quality artwork on display. Followed by a visit to Wat Visoun, also known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape, then we visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a further insight into the ethnic mixes and cultures of Laos. Late this afternoon, it is time stretching your legs climb Mount Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. Finally, we are strolling through the night market (open between 5pm-10pm) setting in downtown selling a large variety of local textiles and ethnic handicrafts.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Very early morning to participate the alms-giving!

You have the option and opportunity to rise early and participate in the daily morning ritual of ‘Alms Giving’; you will experience saffron-clad monks collecting offerings or ‘Alms’ from faithful local residents. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the daily procession.

After the alms-giving you will visit and experience the early morning fresh market. The morning markets are when locals do their shopping. Here you get a real flavor of the local culture. With Supermarkets few and far between through much of the region, the local markets are far superior for freshness and natural ingredients.

Return to hotel for breakfast before heading to train station and leaving for Vang Vieng.

12:00 transfer to train station

13:23 leaving by train to Vang Vieng

14:23 we arrive at Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a small town, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. With its stunning scenery and with a mixture of quiet river waters, limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism.  

We will visit the famous Than Jang Cave, once used by local people as a hideout from Chinese invaders.  The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Vang Vieng by foot or bicycle, take a boat ride up river or just relax by the pool at your hotel.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

Breakfast we depart 8km away from Vang Vieng

Arrive at a kayaking site; here you will have a chance to kayak. An experienced English-speaking guide will show and demonstrate safety and techniques to help you kayak safely. You are paddling your kayak along the Nam Song River through the majestic mountains on one side, rice paddies and villages on the other. 

Relax with a light lunch and fresh fruits are served on the banks of the river with a majestic mountain and tropical forests backdrop. Your kayaking will flow pass your hotel ending today’s kayaking.

13:00 transfer to train station

14:23 leaving by train to Vientiane

15:35 we arrive at Vientiane

Overnight in Vientiane

After breakfast at hotel, we start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national icon, the precious and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

We transfer out to see the Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and to reveal his ideas about the universe. A spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day.

We return to Vientiane late evening and your evening is free.

Overnight in Vientiane

You are free until transfer to airport for departure flight