This incredible ‘Hill Tribes & Highlands of Laos’ tour allows you to really feel like you are going back in time to experience the fascinating culture and way of life of the Lao hill tribes. The tour is not for the faint-hearted as this is an active walking holiday, which is tough in places, but the rewards and experiences that you receive while on this tour will stay with you for a long time to come.
Starting out in the chocolate-box town of Luang Prabang you head north, first to Oudomxay and then Phongsaly, which will be your gateway to the fascinating Lao hill tribes and ethnic minorities. You will follow picturesque forest trails and tracks that were followed by the French soldiers during the Vietnam War. You will also get to experience how the locals live, as you have time to watch their daily lives and get to know the people better by experiencing two local hill tribe homestays.
After spending time in the rolling hills you then trek back down to river level. You then can relax and rest your weary legs on board a couple of lazy boat trips downstream back to Luang Prabang. Once back in civilization you have plenty of time to discover the enchanting town, which very much has a cosmopolitan feel to it, where you can sip a coffee and watch the world go by. You will take a day trip to a nearby town to enjoy a wonderful elephant experience, as well as cooling off in the stunning Kuang Si waterfall, finishing off with a trip to the Save the Bears Rescue Centre.
Highlights
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Traditional Hmong Villages
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The famous Buddha of Prachae Singhm
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Trekking to Tribal Villages
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Local Homestays
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Wonderful picturesque picnic spots
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Boat trip on the Nam Ou River
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Tham Kaang (Shelter Cave)
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Lunag Prabang City Tour
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Elephant Trekking
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Tad Sae & Kuang Si Waterfalls
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Bear Rescue Centre
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Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport you will be met by a ‘See Asia Differently’ representative and transferred to your hotel, where you have the afternoon to relax and settle into your new surroundings.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: _/_/_)
Day 2
Oudomxay
Luang Prabang to Oudomxay | Drive: 5 hours
Your day starts with a visit to Wat Xiengthong before leaving Luang Prabang behind to travel north to Oudomxay. Your journey takes you through rolling countryside, where you can admire the beauty of the Nam Ou River and the surrounding rice paddy fields. This route is particularly good for its mountain views and remote Hmong villages, including Ban Xong Ja and other Kamu villages.
Overnight in Oudomxay (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 3
Phongsaly
Oudomxay to Phongsaly | Drive: 6.5 hours
Today you will continue your journey to the province of Phongsaly stopping en-route to visit the secret and famous Buddha of Prachao Singkham. Once here you have time to stretch your legs and explore the village. After a local lunch, you then continue your journey all the way to Phongsaly.
Overnight in Phongsaly (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 4
Ban Changtern
Trekking to Ban Changtern
A walking discovery tour of the area awaits as you head to Ban Khounsouknoy, a Phounoy tribe village famous for its production of green Lao whisky (Lao-Lao). Your trek continues along the Nam Long River, following the route made by French soldiers during the Vietnam War. After a picnic lunch, you then trek through some thick jungle before reaching the Akha tribal village of Ban Changtern, where you spend the night with a local family.
Overnight in Changtern (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 5
Peryenxangkao
Trekking to Peryenxangkao
Another day of trekking awaits as you continue to walk along mountain ridges, jungle, bamboo forests and some stunning landscape before arriving at Ban Sopngam, a Laoseng tribe village. Lunch is served on top of a viewing point, then you have to trek higher up to Ban Peryenxangmai, an Akha tribal village, before the day is over, where you settle in for the night.
Overnight in Peryenxangkao (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 6
Phongsaly
Trekking back to Phongsaly
Your last day of trekking takes you through some young forests and upland rice fields to the village of Ban Chakhampa. Once here you have time to explore before continuing on to the Nam Ou River, where you take a private boat downstream to Ban Hatsa, where you will enjoy lunch. After lunch, you will take a public bus back to Phongsaly town for a well-deserved rest.
Overnight in Phongsaly (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 7
Muang Khua
Phongsaly to Muang Khua | Drive: 5 hours
After all that walking today starts with a leisurely morning market stroll before heading to Ban Komaen to visit a tea plantation. After a refreshing cup or two you continue your journey to Hatsa, where you board a local boat for a cruise down the Nam Ou River to Mouang Xamphan. At the hydro power station you then take a short transfer to the village of Muang Khoua.
Overnight in Muang Khua (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 8
Muang Ngoi
Cruise to Muang Ngoi
Today a relaxing boat cruise awaits as your private boat cruises downstream to Nong Khiaw. This particular stretch offers stunning limestone karst scenery and beautiful remote villages, including Ban Sob Jaem, a Khmu and Lao village that can only be accessed by boat. After lunch, you have time to discover Tham Kaang, the former sheltering cave for local villagers during the Indochina War (1960-1972). After time to reflect your return to Muang Ngoi.
Overnight in Muang Ngoi (Meals: B/L/D)
Day 9
Luang Prabang
Cruise to Luang Prabang
Enjoy another magical day on the Nam Ou River taking a traditional long-tail boat for a leisurely trip downstream all the way to Luang Prabang, arriving in time for lunch. Luang Prabang is a tranquil town with gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop. In the afternoon you enjoy a city tour visiting the National Museum, the UXO Centre and then some incredible temples, such as Wat Visounnarath, known as ‘The Watermelon Stupa’ due to its shape.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/L/_)
Day 10
Luang Prabang
Elephant Experience & Kuang Si Waterfall
Today you will immerse yourself in a wonderful and ethical elephant experience that is situated on the picturesque banks of the Nam Khan River. Here you will be introduced to the protected Asian elephants and go out for a scenic ride. After your experience, you take a short boat ride to the amazing Tad Sae Waterfalls, where you can relax, take a swim and enjoy lunch. After seeing the Kuang Si Waterfall, more wildlife awaits as you visit ‘Save the Bears Rescue Centre’ before returning to town.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 11
Luang Prabang
Free Day
Your free to spend the day at you wish. Take time to explore your surroundings, or simply sit back and relax.
Overnight in Luang Prabang (Meals: B/_/_)
Day 12
Luang Prabang
Departure
Today you have plenty of time to enjoy the town as you wish before being picked up and transferred to the airport for your departing flight home.
(Meals: B/_/_)
Tour includes
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Airport pick up and drop off
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Overnights as mentioned
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Excursions as mentioned
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Transportation in private A/C vehicle
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English speaking guide
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Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – excludes drinks)
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All taxes
Tour excludes
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All flights unless included in itinerary & Visa fees
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International airport tax (Included in Airline Ticket)
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Meals, unless mentioned differently
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Beverages and personal expenses
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Other excursions and entrance fees
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Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation and evacuation in the event of accident of illness)
Please note: You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining on it as well as bringing with you 4 passport size photos with you for your visa, as well as having a couple spare.
Call us on 0208 150 5150, for International callers 004420 8150 5150, send us an e-mail [email protected] or just use the form opposite.
Your next steps:
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Get in touch and talk to our specialist Asia travel team
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We then craft a unique and tailor-made itinerary just for you.
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We will stay in touch with you all the way through your holiday experience
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Pack you bags and get ready for your Asia holiday of a life time
On arrival in Asia we will meet you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel and then sit down to run over your holiday program again. We then introduce you to your local guides and give you some helpful local travel tips; such as local restaurant and bar suggestions and some cultural insights.
Towns & Cities in Laos
Laos has no shortage of captivating destination to visit on your holiday. Refer to our Towns & cities guide to plan the perfect trip.
There are so many beautiful hotels to choose from in Laos. So we have selected a few of our most favourite and characterful hotels; giving you a taste of what you can expect.
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