Intrepid Northern Laos
(9 days / 8 nights)
Luang Prabang – Oudomxai – Muang Khua –
Muong Ngoi – Nong Khiaw
Highlights
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Trekking unspoiled areas
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Cycling rural country side
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Kayaking the Nam Ou River
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Picturesque Muang Ngoi, only accessible by river
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UNESCO World Heritage town, Luang Prabang
Overview
Adventurers with an open mind and a passion for new experiences … look no further. This is a challenging trip that combines trekking, ethnic experiences, cycling and kayaking in some of the most amazing natural landscapes of Northern Laos. Get off the beaten track and stay in remote Khamu villages. Experience the river by long boat and kayaks and stay in a riverside village with no vehicle access. This trip offers a diverse range of accommodation – from village home stays to a riverside boutique resort where you can relax on your private balcony and take in some of the best scenery in Laos.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Arrive Luang Prabang |
Day 2 |
Luang Prabang to Oudomxai |
Day 3 |
Oudomxai to Muang Khua |
Day 4 |
Muang Khua to Muang Ngoi |
Day 5 |
Muang Ngoi to Khamu hill tribe village home stay |
Day 6 |
Khamu village to Muang Ngoi |
Day 7 |
Muang Ngoi to Nong Khiaw |
Day 8 |
Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang |
Day 9 |
Depart Luang Prabang |
Prices
Private tour |
AUD$ price per person |
5 - 6 people |
1099 |
3 - 4 people |
1419 |
2 people |
1799 |
1 person |
2999 |
Single Supplement |
165 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
Includes:
- Hotel + guesthouse accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Home stay
- Return airport/hotel transfers
- All transfers as per itinerary
- English speaking guide + support crew
- Entrance fees + village permission
- All activities and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Mountain bikes + kayaks
Excludes:
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, alcohol, tips, optional activities
Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price reduces as your travel group size increases. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Credit Card payments incur an additional 3% charge. Prices beyond the validity are available on request. See Booking Conditions for more details. Email us or call 1300 43 10 69 for bookings and more information.
Trip notes
Hotel + guesthouse
In Luang Prabang you will stay in a centrally located comfortable hotel with private facilities. Standard hotels have a three star rating, for an additional cost you can upgrade to a deluxe hotel. It is possible to leave some luggage in a secure storage room in your hotel in Luang Prabang while you are trekking.
Guesthouses in country areas are simple yet comfortable. Most have private facilities. In Muang Ngoi you stay in a simple bungalow sometimes with shared facilities. There is no electricity at night and the restaurants have generators and candles.
Home stays
There is no better way to immerse in local culture than experiencing a village home stay. Not only is this a wonderful cultural exchange, it offers the visitor great respect for how people live without all the comforts and appliances of the West. By staying with a family we ensure that the economic benefits of our travel filter down to the villages and families that most need it. The jungle lodge and home stays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You sleep in a dormitory style room and are provided with a mosquito net, mattress, clean sheet and pillow. Amenities are shared with the host family. Toilets are squat, non-flushing as you will find in many parts of South East Asia. Showers are not provided, but hot water may be available on request. Or do what the locals do and wash in the river or at the village water pump!
Nong Kiao Riverside Resort
Nestled on the banks of the Ou River, Nong Kiao Riverside Resort is surrounded by forest and vertical lime stone mountains. There are 15 bungalows that feature timber floors, bamboo walls and a large stone bathroom. As you sit on your private balcony you are greeted to the sounds of birds and cicadas – now that’s a peaceful holiday experience!
Food
All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When you are trekking, you are offered what produce is in season, but there will always be plenty of ‘sticky rice’ – a staple food in Laos. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
The trekking day
A typical trekking day starts at around 8.30am. We aim to reach the next overnight stop between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. During the trek you will have plenty of breaks for rests, snacks and photographs.
Kayaking
Kayaks are sturdy and can fit two people. You will be equipped with helmets, life jacket and paddles. The rivers in Laos vary from challenging rapids and fast flowing sections to calm sections of water. Your guide will brief you on what to expect and will ensure you raft sections that are suited to your level of ability. In the wet season (May to September) water can flow up to four times faster than normal.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing and trekking activities. These guides are proud of their job and consider it an honour to show you their country. They have been fully trained in guiding outdoor tours around Luang Prabang. If you feel your guide provided you with great service, a tip at the end of the tour would be truly appreciated… a little bit goes a long way in Laos.
What to bring
We suggest using a small sports bag or backpack for your overnight luggage. Use your daypack and travel wallet to carry your personal items and important documents. We recommend using a sturdy daypack with good back support and waterproof cover. Please dress conservatively in the countryside and villages and when entering temple areas.
Your luggage should include: trekking boots or walking shoes, thongs or comfortable slip on shoes for at night, light weight long pants + shorts, shirt + t-shirt, warm clothes for at night, bathers, sarong (for women to swim in), small towel, raincoat, hat, sunglasses, sun block, strong insect repellent (Deet medicated preferred), small medical kit, flashlight, essential toiletries, water bottle, camera, spare batteries, pen + paper, original passport, barley sugar / lollies for sustenance, zip lock bags, toilet paper, personal medication and a light weight sleeping bag.
Note: A full list of what to bring is provided with your trip dossier.
If you have room in your backpack, bring some books to give away as gifts. You can help local children improve their reading skills by buying picture books printed in their own language. For more information on this worthwhile project, visit www.laobooks.com
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Your group + share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a room. If you are travelling in a group of three and are happy to share a triple room and a triple room is available, you will not be charged the single supplement price. For groups of five or seven people, the single traveller pays the single supplement price if a triple room is not available or you do not want to share. The number of single rooms and triple rooms available may be limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
Tipping guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Laos visa
Most visitors can receive a 30 day single entry Tourist Visa on arrival at Luang Prabang or Vientiane airports or at the Friendship Bridge at the Thai Border Crossing and other border crossings (please check with your Lao Embassy). You need a valid passport for no less than six months, 2 x passport size current photographs & USD$30pp cash.
Health issues Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Laos. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday. You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your final trip dossier vouchers will not be confirmed until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry! We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details. To reserve a place on this trip, contact us now and we will send you a booking form. To guarantee your booking you must send your passport details and your non-refundable deposit of 30% of total tour cost. The balance of payment is due 50 days prior to your departure. If you departure date is less than 50 days then full payment is required now. Once your booking is confirmed and you have paid in full you will receive a tour voucher and detailed itinerary. |
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