Off the beaten track in Laos

Off the beaten track in Laos Overview

Off the beaten track in Laos from Laos - Tailor made holidays is an exhilarating holiday in . Available from 1 Jan 2021 to 31 Dec 2024 this 11 day trip costs from £1,799.00, which includes flights.

Day 1 - Luang Prabang to Muang Sing

Sightseeing in Muang Sing. The town of Muang Sing, home to the Thai LUE peoples, draws peoples from around the region to trade, including Thai DAM, LAO Huan (Lenten), Akha, H'Mong, Mien, Lolo and Yunnanese. Tour the town, visiting the Local Market, the main Buddhist Temples, WAT Xieng JAI, before striking out into the countryside and visiting some of the different minority villages in the area.

Day 2 - 1 Day Trek-Lanten experience & Ancient trail

Start at 9:00 at the office by Tuk Tuk to Lanten village of Ban Nam Dee, where you will collect your local guide from the village and begin your trek. The trek leads up the mountain and deep into the village protected area. You will be able to see old, big and thick forest, many kind of bamboos, wild rattans, cardamoms and other non timber forest products. During the trek your guide will share his experience to explain traditional medicine, animal tracks and edible leaves. After 1.5 hours you will stop to have a traditional Lanten style lunch along the walking path in the forest. After lunch, you will continue up to the top of the mountain where you can see forgettable forest and excellent views of the Luang Namtha.

Visit Nam Dee village to see and practice with local people such as Lanten traditional waving, bamboo paper making, and dyeing. Finally return to Luang Namtha by Tuk Tuk and transfer by vehicle to Muang Sing.

Day 3 - Muang Sing – Oudomxai

By vehicle from Muang Sing to Oudomxai (Muang Xai) Visit Ban Nam Deng Dua the lantern village before arriving into Oudomxai. This provincial capital has a richly mixed population of Lao Theung and Lao Seung, Chinese and Lao Loum. Off the main street there are traditional thatched houses spreading across the edge of the valley towards the base of the surrounding mountain range. Sightseeing includes visits to the Local Market, Phou Phra That and panoramic views of Oudomxai from Phou XAY Hill. Overnight in Oudomxai.

Day 4 - Oudomxai - Boung Neua

Travel by vehicle from Oudomxai to Muang Boun Neua. Overnight in Boun Neua.

Day 5 - Boun Neua – Phongsali

Travel by vehicle from Boun Neua to Phongsali, the provincial capital sits on the slopes of Phou Fa, and possesses a cool climate all year round. Most of the population in the area belongs to the Phu Noi minority, who maintain a distinct local culture. Visit the summit of Phou Fa and THAT PHOU FA. Take the opportunity to visit the Talat local market in the evening. Overnight in Phongsali.

Day 6 - Phongsali - Muang Khua

Continue the journey by vehicle from Phongsali to Hat Sa and by boat to Muang Khua. This small trading town, with large numbers of Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants still has traces of old French colonial architecture. Explore the village by foot, visiting the LOCAL MARKET, WAT SIPHOUMMUANG and crossing the steel cable suspension bridge to enjoy a beautiful view over the Nam Pak River and surrounding mountains. Overnight in Muang Khua.

Day 7 - Muang Khua - Nong Khiaw

Travel by boat from Muang Khua towards Nong Khiaw through spectacular scenery, with impressive limestone cliffs, jungle-like vegetation and sandy beaches. On the way, stop at MUANG NGOI, a lovely village right in the middle of the mountains, still inaccessible by road. Break for lunch and spend a few hours exploring the area before continuing to Nong Khiaw. Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Day 8 - Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang

From Nong Khiaw, cruise by boat along the Nam Ou River towards Luang Prabang, stopping en route at the steep limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, the home to the PAK OU CAVES. These extraordinary caves are filled with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable. On the return journey, stop at BAN XANG HAI VILLAGE, a local village famous for the production of láo-láo, the local rice wine whisky. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 9 - Luang Prabang

Set between the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Start exploring this fascinating town beginning with WAT VISOUN (Wat Wisunalat), the oldest living temple in Luang Prabang. Visit the nearby WAT AHAM before continuing to WAT XIENG THONG, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city in typical Lao art style. From there, take a stroll down the main street (Wat Street) of Luang Prabang. If time permits, stop at some of the many temples that line its sides, including WAT SIBOUNHEUANG, WAT SI MOUNGKHOUN, WAT SOP and WAT SENE. Continue to the NATIONAL MUSEUM, formally known as the ROYAL PALACE, a modest but graceful building which has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here. Finally visit WAT MAI. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 10 - Luang Prabang

Today’s excursion by vehicle will lead to the impressive KUANG SI waterfalls. Along the way visit a local village of Bang Muang Kai and gather some impressions of the rural lifestyle. The Kuang Si waterfall is a multi-tier waterfall tumbling over limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. Enjoy swimming in the clear water or just relax surrounded by the natural environment. On the way back to Luang Prabang visit the village BAN XANG KHONG, well known for its traditional hand woven cotton and silk, as well as production of the local sa (mulberry) paper. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 11 – Departure