Secrets of the North

Touring the very north of Laos between the borders of China and Vietnam is still a novelty and something special for travellers. Not many people have been seen in the highlands and villages of the Akha.

The northern Laos Tour combines amazing landscapes with trekking and river trips as well as some of the most scenic landscapes in northern Laos...

Highlights of this tour

- Remote northern provinces
- Cycling in Udomxay and village visits
- Phongsali: sleepy, colonial hilltop town
- Unique Akha Trekking two days - overnight  village stay
- Nam Ou green valley river journey
- Muang Ngoi tranquil, hidden paradise
- Muang Ngoi activity package: caves, waterfalls, mountains.

Day 1: Luang Prabang to Udomxay (private bus)
Make your way up north into the beautiful area of the Nam Ou which winds through wonderful landscapes and mountains. From here we take a small side road to Udomxay. Along the way we will visit small villages of the Hmong who live high up in the mountainous areas. Arriving in Udomxay we take a walk on the nearby temple hill. Overnight in guesthouse.
Meals Included: L

Day 2: Udomxay biking tour 
Udomxay is a place where not many people stop. So be sure that we will discover some remote and nice areas on our half day biking tour. Also a waterfall visit can be included and the visit to the nearby "hot spring".
Meals Included: B-L

Day 3: Udomxay to Phongsali - village visits
A wonderful drive brings us up into the remote northern region of Laos between the borders of China and Vietnam. Many small villages along the way invite us for a small walk...and amazing is what we will experience. An ethnic diversity invites us to learn about the people living here. Rice paddies next to the road and the wonderful green mountains are a pleasure for the eyes. Arriving Phongsali in the evening we will find a sleepy little town on the top of a hill. Located around 1,400 meters above see level this place has its very own charm. Overnight in a hotel.
Meals Included: B-L

Day 4: Phongsali
This little provincial capital offers some soft activities for this day. We will take the time to walk around the old colonial quarter of the town and along a small trail to a small stupa. This short walk will treat us with great views into the surrounding mountains and on clear sky days even with sights over to Vietnam. Preparations for the Akha-Trek will be done today in the afternoon. Overnight in Hat Sa in a basic guesthouse.
Meals Included: B-L

Day 5: Akha Trek
Early in the morning we collect our small trekking bags and drive down to the Nam Ou River, about 20 km from Phongsali. From here we will start our ascent into the mountain world which is inhabited by many different ethnic groups. Our aim is to get to know the Akha people who live a very simple life here in the mountains. Their village is nestled in the high ridges of green mountains; it will seem as if we are travelling back in time the higher we climb. After a good 5-6 hrs of walking we arrive in the village that will host us for the night. Normally the private house of the Chief of the village will give us a place to sleep. Our interpreters will help us to find out about their unique way of life. Overnight stay in the Akha village.
Meals Included: B-L-D

Day 6: Akha Trek and river journey on Nam Ou
Waking up in the early morning we can experience how the Akha spread out for their daily work. Their life is hard and also the young have to help. We have enough time to observe this life that appears to us like hundreds of years ago. The traditional cloths, the unique way of house construction and the cultural heritage is as different as we can think. Packed with loads of impressions we head out to walk back to the river, about 3-4 hrs away from here. Arriving back in basic civilisation we take a boat to Muang Khua. Depending on the season another night in a simple guesthouse is included here! Overnight in simple Guesthouse in Hat Sa or Muang Khua
Meals Included: B-L-D

Day 7: River of the North
Descending the Nam Ou river we will discover on of the most remote river areas of northern Laos. To manage the distance we will take speed boats that drive us through amazing countryside. Rugged mountains, jungle covered hills and small villages along the way are our guides to the little sleepy village of Muang Ngoi. Here we enjoy our evening in small bungalows near the river, the green mountains always in sight. Overnight in simple Bungalows
Meals Included: B-L-D

Day 8: Muang Ngoi
Today we take our time and explore the wonderful area by foot and boat. Along the river we will stop to see a village and a newly discovered cave invites us for some hours in the darkness. The countryside awaits us with magnificent views into the steep and jungle covered mountain world around us. The whole tour will take about 4-5 hrs which gives us enough time to relax in the tranquil atmosphere of Muang Ngoi in the afternoon. Overnight in simple Bungalow
Meals Included: B-L-D

Day 9: Muang Ngoi
Another wonderful activity day offers us a soft trekking tour to a nearby waterfall as well as enough time to explore another cave about an hour away from Muang Ngoi. We will take some time on the river and for a village visit. The later afternoon is free. Overnight in simple Bungalow
Meals Included: B-L

Day 10: Muang Ngoi to Luang Prabang
During the morning we relax in the quiet atmosphere of Muang Ngoi. With a small boat we ride down the Nam Ou River, our last opportunity to see the stunning landscape. A three hour bus ride will bring us back to the world heritage town of Luang Prabang.
Meals Included: B-L