Luang Prabang – Muang Hiam                                                                                 [L, D]

An early morning departure from your booked accommodation in Luang Prabang signals the start of diving deep into the naturally stunning landscape that lies north of Laos’ most recognisable town. The drive to Muang Hiam along a beautiful mountainous road will take approximately 7-8 hours with stops en route to stretch one’s legs and admire the pristine beauty of northern Laos. This region of the county has been a long-time favourite for adventure and thrill seekers and backpacking enthusiast for a back-to-nature experience in the northern part of Laos. The unspoiled beauty of its rugged mountain ranges, an immense variety of flora and fauna and void of western influences has made this part of the country truly a breath of fresh air. Ample stops will be made to admire the scenery.

Lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Upon arrival in Muang Hiam, check-in at your guesthouse and have the rest of the day at leisure. The town is small thus easy to navigate, and with its very hospitable residents, you will hear ‘Sabaidee’ (hello) more often than you can imagine.

Dinner at a local restaurant is included.

Accommodation at Xayphasouk Guesthouse

Muang Hiam – Ban Son Koua                                                                                       [B, L, D]

A simple breakfast is included at a local restaurant near your Muang Hiam overnight address

Depart from Muang Hiam by a private van for a 1.5 – 2 hour’s drive along a curvy road through gorgeous mountainous landscapes. On arrival at Ban Son Koua, you will be met by the guides and boatmen of Khmu who will be waiting to greet you and take you on a short tour of the village where you will learn about daily life and the animist tradition of appeasing the village spirits.

At around 10 am, guests embark on a 1.30-hour-long journey to the park substation on the Nam Nern River by long-tail boat, along the way learning about upland rice cultivation and having opportunities to spot monitor lizards (depending on the time of year) and birdlife. After arriving at the park substation, visitors will be shown to their accommodation, bamboo huts close to the river, and will then be offered a lunch prepared by the village cooking group. After lunch, you will receive a briefing by park staff about the efforts in protecting tigers and their prey.

A packed lunch is included en route

At mid-afternoon, it is further sailing up the Nam Nern River upstream. After about 50 minutes, the boats will stop, and the remaining journey will be done on foot through the forest to visit a salt lick. Your local guide, a skilled hunter and tracker, explains how local people track deer and other wild ungulates. The guide points out evidence of wildlife, such as tracks or scat at the salt lick. The boats continue upriver to the dinner site, a sandy, flat bank, where the group takes a picnic around a campfire. After dinner, the guides might share with you the Khmu folktales and stories about dragons, wildlife, and ghosts. The guides educate tourists about the species of animals they might see during the spotlighting and explain the rules and expectations for spotlighting.

A local dinner is included at the camp

After dinner, depart for the night spotlighting once its total dark, floating down the river with engines off. The guides (1 per boat) use their headlamp to spot wildlife. Once they spot any wildlife, they will give the guests a sign and you can switch on your flashlight to have a better look at the animal. (Guests have required their flashlights switched off unless advised otherwise so as not to scare the animals). The guides and boat drivers communicate via hand signals to avoid talking that might disturb the animals. Animals that might be seen include Sambar deer, otters, barking deer, and various species of civets, loris, porcupine and owls.

Accommodation at an Eco-Lodge

Ban Son Koua – Nong Khiaw                                                                              [B, L, D]

This morning, right before breakfast, your local guides take you on a walk around the jungle, teaching you about the use of some medicinal plants and explaining the history of the site, which was once a major settlement during the Secret War. Return to the lodge for breakfast and then board your boats, and you will float back through the core zone at a relaxing pace with the engines off, while the guides point out wildlife along the way.

A simple breakfast is included at your booked eco-lodge

Following the arrival in the village, you will then drive 5 hours to Nong Khiaw. Just north of Luang Prabang and you enter a world of adventure, local life and an unspoiled part of Laos – accessible via the Nong Khiaw gateway. We tread carefully here; an ecological approach to guarantee the jaw-dropping beauty of Laos’ mountains, jungle and settlements of ethnic minorities, only accessible by boat. Either you prefer to move on or spend some time lazing around on the balcony of your riverfront resort peacefulness has never felt so good.

Dinner and accommodation at Mandala Ou Resort

Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang                                                                                     [B]

Breakfast is included at your booked hotel in Nong Khiaw

Today, proceed on your 4 hours’ drive by minivan back to Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang is located in north central Laos and is the capital of Luang Prabang Province. The former capital of Kingdom of Laos is a city of golden temple spires, faded French colonial architecture and diverse hill tribes. Situated on the Mekong River, the town is nestled in a stunning river valley surrounded by dramatic mountains. Luang Prabang was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 because of its well-preserved remnants of the ancient Lane Xang Kingdom, many of which date from the 13th – 15th centuries. However, it is the peaceful charm and relaxed atmosphere of the town which never fails to enchant and attracts so many visitors from all over the world.

No lunch included

On arrival, check into your hotel in Luang Prabang (not included) where the services for this tour come to an end.