

Northern Laos Hidden Paradise
(7 days / 6 nights)
Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw – Muang Ngoi – Hmong Villages - Nam Ou River
Highlights
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Trek pristine trails
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Boat trip on the Nam Ou River
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Picturesque Muang Ngoi, only accessible by river
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Overnight with a Hmong hill tribe village
Overview
Explore a hidden paradise on the Nam Ou River recently opened to travellers in October 2008. Unspoiled waterfalls, untrodden trekking trails and pristine landscapes, this trip is for travellers who are seeking a real off the beaten track adventure. Stay in bungalows in riverside villages and trek to hill tribe villages and overnight with the Hmong. Discover waterfalls, caves and experience breathtaking boat trips that pass through lime stone valleys flanked by majestic mountains.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw |
Day 2 |
Nong Khiaw |
Day 3 |
Nong Khiaw to Hmong village home stay |
Day 4 |
Hmong village to Muang Ngoi |
Day 5 |
Muang Ngoi |
Day 6 |
Muang Ngoi |
Day 7 |
Muang Ngoi to Luang Prabang |
Includes
- Bungalow accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Home stay permission
- English speaking local guide
- Private vehicle and driver
- Boat trips
- Entrance fees + village permissions
- All activities and sightseeing as per itinerary
- All meals as per the itinerary
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, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Prices
Private tour |
$AUD price per person |
3 to 5 people |
785 |
2 people |
950 |
1 person |
1449 |
Single supplement |
80 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
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 available on request. See Booking Conditions for more details.
Email us or call 1300 431 069 for bookings and more information.
Book now
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 431 069
> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au
> About Inner Journey Expeditions
Trip notes
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.
Bungalows + home stay
Bungalows in riverside villages are simple yet comfortable. Most have private facilities. In Muong Ngoi there is no electricity at night and the restaurants have generators and candles.
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.
Food
All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. In Nong Khiau and Muang Ngoi there are several restaurants to choose from for dinner that serve Lao and International cuisine. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
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 for the overnight home stay trek. 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 and personal medication. A light weight sleeping bag is optional.
Note: A detailed list of things 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 Big Brother Mouse Project.
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. |





