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homestay iconboat iconMountain bike iconTrek Tour Laos Trek Hike Laos Active TravelIntrepid Northern Laos
(9 days / 8 nights)

Challenging Grade IconLaos Trek Tour Laos Moderate GradeLuang Prabang – Oudomxai – Muang Khua –
Muong Ngoi – Nong Khiaw

Paddling the Nam Ou river

Highlights

  • Trekking unspoiled areas

  • Cycling rural country side

  • Kayaking the Nam Ou River

  • Picturesque Muang Ngoi, only accessible by river

  • 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
Arrive Luang Prabang transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this magical UNESCO World Heritage town. Overnight in your hotel in Luang Prabang.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang, central hotel

Day 2

Luang Prabang to Oudomxai
Drive through beautiful countryside passing rural villages and agricultural areas until we reach Oudomxai an important trading town in Northern Laos. Wander the streets and markets and enjoy some of the local Lao cuisine from the many restaurants in town.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation:
Oudomxai, central hotel

Day 3

Oudomxai to Muang Khua
Today is challenging! Mountain bike 65km ascending and descending hillsides and passing rural villages. Today is a challenging day! You mountain bike 65km mostly on sealed roads, up and down hills passing through rural countryside. Along the way, stop off at hill tribe villages to finally reach the small but thriving trading town of Muang Khua that climbs from the banks of the Ou River.

Activity:
Mountain bike ride 65km
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation:
Muang Khua, guesthouse

Day 4

Muang Khua to Muang Ngoi
In the morning you board a motor boat and weave your way down the Nam Ou River to a small village called Ban Sopchem. Here you jump on your kayak for an exhilarating ride down rapids and fast flowing sections of the river. You arrive refreshed and grinning to the idyllic village of Muang Ngoi. With only boat access, this riverside village is flanked by majestic lime stone mountains and is a pretty spot to sit on a restaurant balcony overlooking the Ou River as the sun sets.


Activity: Boat trip + kayak
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation:
Muang Ngoi, guesthouse

Day 5

Muang Ngoi to Khamu hill tribe village home stay
Wake to a rooster symphony. Put your hiking boots on and trek through jungle and villages to your overnight destination - a Khamu Village home stay.

Activity: Trek - 5 hours
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation:
Home stay

Day 6

Khamu village to Muang Ngoi
Continue your trek through rugged country, forests and stopping off to explore caves. In the afternoon head back to Muang Ngoi where you have time to wander the village's main drag - a sandy coconut lined path - no cars here! Overnight in your guesthouse.

Activity: Trek - 4 hours
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation:
Muang Ngoi, guesthouse

Day 7

Muang Ngoi to Nong Khiaw
Another exhilirating day travelling down the Nam Ou River by kayak to the sleepy town of Nong Khiaw. Enjoy pockets of slow moving river mixed with rapids and fast flowing sections of water. In the afternoon mountain bike to caves where villages lived during the Vietnam War to avoid detection from American planes and South Vietnamese army troops. Overnight at Nong Kiau Riverside Resort - a beautifully hard crafted built hotel set on the banks of the Nam Ou.

Activity: Kayak - 4 hours + mountain bike
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation:
Nong Kiau Riverside Resort

Day 8

Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang
Up early to explore Nong Khiaw, transport back to Luang Prabang where you arrive late afternoon giving you ample opporunity to explore the hill tribe night markets.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation:
Luang Prabang, central hotel

Day 9

Depart Luang Prabang
Breakfast in your hotel, rest of the day is free until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Ask us about extending your stay in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast

 

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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:

Magical Laos

  • 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.


<a href= Regional Weather Info LinkXE.com currency Exchange link

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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.


Laos Climate
Laos has three distinct seasons. The cool dry season between November and February with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees Celsius in mountain regions. During this season, the rivers are navigable and the roads are passable. This gives way to the hot dry season from March to June where temperatures can soar over 35 degrees Celsius. Some rivers are harder to navigate, and boat journeys in remote places may not be possible. In the north, the months from March through to the first rains in May or June can be very hazy as smoke from the burning of secondary forest hangs in the air. June to October is the wet season where temperatures are in the 30s. The country is at its most beautiful and lush and rivers are accessible, however it can be difficult to get around in remote places by road.

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.

Insurance

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!

Pre and post tour arrangements

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.

Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. For assistance in planning your trip go to Laos Visa + Travel Guide.

What next

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.

BOOK NOW!


> CLICK HERE + request a booking form

> Get in touch with us via EMAIL

> Live in Australia call 1300 43 10 69

> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au

> About Inner Journey Expeditions

 

 


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Inner Journey Expeditions (IJE) organizes adventure tours and holidays to South East Asia’s Vietnam and Laos. Specializing in small group private tours for independent travelers, we offer customized tours or tailor-made holidays including transport, accommodation, local guides and outdoor adventure activities like village home stays, trekking, hiking, mountain biking, cycling, kayaking, boat trips and elephant rides in rugged and wilderness landscapes. From a cooking class to a relaxing massage, from art galleries to museums discover the history and culture of Vietnam and Laos. Ideal for independent travelers, families with children, sporting and social clubs, you choose your own travel dates and your own activities that best suit your ability, experience and interests. IJE’s website also provides a Vietnam and Laos Travel Guide offering basic facts for the visitor, responsible travel advice and handy travel tips for traveling Indochina.

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