Unknown Hill Tribe 14 day tour

Destination: Houeixai/Luang Namtha/Ban Nalan/Xieng Kok/Moung Sing/Oudomxay/Nong Khiow/Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Cave/Xiengkhouang/Vientiane  

Highlights: Laos is one of Southeast Asia’s most ethnically diverse countries with over 90 ethnic minority subcategories, each with their own rich cultures, traditions, costume, dialects and lifestyle. This tour embraces the rich diversity, taking you through the northern mountainous region, off the beaten track to discover the areas that rarely visited by tourists. You will experience the hill tribe’s way of life and trek through forests and rice fields. This 14-day journey also takes you through charming colonial buildings, ancient national monuments and the famous Plain of Jars site

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Arrival Houeixai (G)

On arrival at the Lao border checkpoint at Houeixai pier, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Today you are free at your leisure to explore this town, visiting the local market and villages nearby. The surrounding areas of HoueiSay are home to 34 ethnic minority groups, the second most ethnically diverse province in Laos.Overnight in HoueiSay.

Day 2: HoueiSay/Luang Namtha (B, G)

Early morning we head out the town to Luang Namtha, this road has recently been improved, and is now a very smooth and comfortable drive. We visit hill tribe villages along the road at Muang Phouka and other surrounding area. Luang Namtha, which is located on the banks of the Namtha River, is a land of rugged mountains and beautiful tropical forests and shares its border with China and Myanmar. We arrive in Luang Namtha in the afternoon. Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Day 3: Luang Namtha/Ban Nalan (B, L, D, G)

Heading out of the town, we take a short drive to Ban Chalernsuk, a Khmu minority village 20 kilometres away from Luang Namtha. We get well and truly off the beaten track as we trek into this beautiful mountain region, using the local tracks. Todays trekking may be tough at times with some steep uphill and down hill climbs, but the experience is unique and rewarding. The friendly Khmu hill tribereside in this area, they have a primitive and basic lifestyle. We arrive at Ban Nalan by late afternoon; here we have a chance to understand a little more about the local culture and their daily lifestyle as we spend time with a Khmu family. We enjoy a local dinner and will stay as guests at the Khmu family house, the best way to experience authentic village life.

Day 4: Ban Nalan/Ban Namlu/Luang Namtha (B, G)

Todays trekking leads us along the bank of the river to Ban Namkoy, passing picturesque landscape of forests and rice fields. The forests here vary from a few isolated trees to overgrown bamboo. On arrival at Ban Namkoy we embark on a three-hour walk uphill. This trek is a real challenge; however some prior physical preparation will enable you to maximize your enjoyment from the walk. As we pass through several hamlets, we are sure to attract attention from the locals, as visitors do not frequently encounter this remote part of the country. At the small village of Ban Namlu, we meet up with our truck and drive back towards Luang Namtha Town. Overnight in Luang Namtha.

Day 5: Luang Namtha/Xieng Kok/Moung Sing (B, G)

Early this morning, we travel by road to Moung Sing, also home to various hilltribe communities. There is a significant Chinese population and a lot of trade goes on between here and China. We stop along the way at the Akha hill tribe village. This ethnic group originally lived in China but immigrated into Laos over a century ago. They are very poor, but have a vibrant culture and an interesting history. We depart this village, heading westbound, travelling over bumpy roads to Xieng Kok, which is a border town near the golden triangle. In late afternoon, we drive back to Muong Sing with a stopover at a Lantern minority village. Overnight at Moung Sing.

Day 6: Muong Sing/Luang Namtha/Oudomxay (B, G)

Early morning, we visit the bustling colourful Morning Market and the impressive Ethnologic museum, dedicated to region’s ethnic minorities. This local market also attracts numerous ethnic minorities that converge from the surrounding mountainsides to barter and trade their goods. We then make our way back to Luang Namtha and then onto Oudomxay. On this rough and scenic journey, we see very few travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. Overnight in Oudomxay.

Day 7: Oudomxay/Nong Khiow/Luang Prabang (B, G)

 We depart early for our drive to Nong Khiow, where we board a traditional boat down the Nam Ou River to Luang Prabang. This tranquil town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed by UNESCO to be“the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia”. En route we visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. Continue down river to Ban Sang Hay village to sample the local rice wine known as Lao Lao. Arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 8: Oudomxay/Luang Prabang (B, G)

We depart early for our drive to Luang Prabang. These back roads are a perfect way to explore the real Laos. The drive is difficult at times; however the verdant and rugged mountain scenery combined with the colorful local population makes for a memorable experience. Luang Prabang is a tranquil town with gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop and has been claimed by UNESCO to be“the best preserved traditional city in South East Asia. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 9: Luang Prabang City Tour (B, G)

After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing starts with the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, then climb up to the top of Phousi Hill for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa. A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending 329 steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa and to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 10: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Cave (B, G) 

Today, we explore Luang Prabang further by visiting the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and themagnificent Wat Xiengthong, its exterior architecture is remarkable with decorated guilded stuccoes and doorways, a “tree of life” mosaic pattern set in coloured glass on the back wall and its three tiered roofs sweeping low to the ground representing classical Laotian architecture. In the afternoon we embark on a slow boat for a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, passing by lovely tranquil countryside towards the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, which are two caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. On the way, we stop at the small village of Ban Xang Hai, famous for producing local rice wine. Before returning to Luang Prabang, drive to the hilltribe village of Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving products. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 11: Luang Prabang/Xiengkhouang (B, G) 

After breakfast we visit the The National Museum (close Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artefacts, which reflect the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Today we leave this charming town and drive to Xieng Khouang, an area once devastated by American bombings between 1964 and 1973. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Laos. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long, but we can make many stops at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. In the afternoon there will be time to see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and its’ nearby villages. Overnight in Xiengkhuang

Day 12: Xiengkhouang/Vientiane (B, G) 

Following breakfast at Hotel, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site encompassing hundreds of large stone jars scattered throughout the plateau. We then board our short flight to the charming and fascinating Lao capital Vientiane. On arrival we check in to the hotel. After short rest, we will visit the Morning Market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong. Overnight in Vientiane

Day 13: Vientiane City Tour (B, G)

Today we start visiting some the major sights; including the oldest temple Wat Sisaket, an amazing structure featuring remarkable frescoes and Buddha images. We also visit the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of ThatLuang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We also take a visit to the central market Talat Sao.In the late afternoon we visit the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong, and then we drive to the outskirt of the city to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. Observing the spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset from one of the riverside bars is a perfect way to finish the day.

Day 14: Vientiane Departure (B, G) 

After breakfast, you are free until your transfer to the airport.