Day1: Arrival Ban Houai Xai
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After crossing the border between Thailand and Laos, check in the local guesthouse that we booked for you. At 18.00 pm, you'll catch up with your local Lao guide at the hotel. He will give you a short briefing about the itinerary for the next coming days.
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Day2: Houeixay – Vieng Phoukha
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Following breakfast, we’ll drive to Vieng Phoukha. On the way we will visit Ban Nam Khok where the local people make Lao Wisky, afterward we visit Ban Nam Chang the minorities Lantan tribe. We expect to arrive Vieng Phoukha around 1500PM.
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Day3: Vieng Phouka - Trekking (B, L, D)
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After breakfast, transfer by pick-up (or tok-tok) to Ban Nam O, a traditional village of the Khmu Kwaen ethnic groups. This is where our first village-based guide joins the group. The first half of the day follows the meandering Nam O River and its lush valley. A Lao-style picnic lunch is taken on the way when hiking across several ridges offering panoramic views onto the forests of the Nam Ha NPA. The well-worn Akha trail continues past a temporary settlement of the upland rice farmers of Ban Nam O.
The first lodge on the top of a mountain at the Akha Phouli village of Ban Nam Lo is reached by late afternoon. A traditional Akha dinner cooked by the villagers marks the end of an adventurous first day. Homestay over here.
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Day 4: Vieng Phouka (homestay) – Luang Nam Tha – Muang Singh (B, L)
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Rising early, you may be able to hear the sounds of the Black-Cheeked Gibbons. Tour of the village before setting off to a second Akha and Khmu village, Ban Taleng, where you have lunch. During this day walk through the primary and secondary forest, and discover “Pa Mai Hok”, a bamboo forest area. After walking to the rough road following the Nam Mai River, the car will pick up and takes you via Luang Namtha and continues to Muang Singh.
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Day 5: – Muang Singh (B, L)
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The next morning you will awake to the sounds of the village coming to life. The inevitable roosters probably will start crowing long before the sun is up. After absorbing our last images of the Akha people and their rare village life, we'll start walking again (about 4 hours). Our driver, who is waiting for us at the main road, will take us to Muang Singh. On the way, we will have a short visit at a Laenthen village
*Trekking grade: moderate on flat area
Distance – 4-5 hours walking (depending on weather and your physical condition)
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Day 6: Muang Singh – Oudom Xai (B, L)
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We have a long drive out of Muang Singh today.The condition of the roads in this part of the country very much depends on the weather and therefore you should be prepared for some landslides and delays. The scenery however is spectacular mostly forested with slash and burn cultivation and with many hill tribe villages along the way.
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Day 7: Oudom Xai - Local village (B, L, D)
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Climbing out of the Oudom Xai valley, we are rewarded with some amazing views. Most of the villages are inhabited by the Hmong people who are distinctive in the way they dress. On arrival in Nong Khiaw, wel'll board on a so called slow boat for our journey on the Ou River. Late afternoon we'll reach a typical local Lao village where the people live from fishery and weaving. We are guests at the houses of some villagers.
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Day 8: Village – Luang Prabang (B)
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After breakfast you'll have some time left to enjoy the village life before we board our wooden ‘sampan' and continue our trip on the Ou Rriver. Before reaching Luang Prabang, we will stop to visit the Pac Ou caves, where we climb steps up the limestone cliffs to reach the sacred Buddhist shrine. Around lunch time we will arrive in Luang Prabang. This afternoon you'll have some time to relax and unwind or to explore a bit of this world heritage town. All the main sites of interest are close together so you can comfortable wander around and visit several Wats by yourself. Don't miss the Wat Xieng Thong (the golden temple built in 1559) which is strikingly decorated in brilliant red and gold designs, with an imposing tiled roof and mosaic motifs. Late afternoon you can climb the small temple on top of Mount Phousi and enjoy fine views over the town and the surrounding hills.
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Day 9: Luang Prabang – elephant riding (B, L)
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At 09.00 am, a vehicle will pick you up from your hotel. After a half hour ride we'll arrive at a local village called Ban Xieng Lom. Here we will enjoy a scenic elephant ride of 45-90 min, depending on the trail and weather conditions. The route will give us wonderful views on the country side and will end at a waterfall. Here you can take a dip and enjoy your picnic lunch. A motor boat will take us back to the point where our car is waiting to drive us back to Luang Prabang.
Note: As just a limited number of elephants are living in this area, early booking is highly recommended.
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Day 10: Luang Prabang – day at leisure (B)
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This early morning you may want to wake up early and participate in a daily Lao morning ritual. Monks carrying their bowls, wander trough town, blessing local people who give them offers (mostly sticky rice). Perhaps you like to explore the Kuang Si waterfalls where turquoise waters cascade over limestone formations. The abundance of water forms a magnificent display of nature. Below the Kuang Si are large ponds which are perfect for swimming and cooling off under the spray. On the way you will see stupendous landscapes, teak forests and several ethnic minority villages (Hmong and Khmu). In Ban Phanom, a weaving village, you can find excellent pieces of Lao textile. Near the waterfalls, it's worth while to visit a centre where the endangered black Asiatic beers found a safe shelter.
Optional activity: Attend a cooking class
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Day 11: Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng (B)
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By sharing minibus you continue your trip today to Vang Vieng (5-6 hrs). This tiny village is settled between a spectacular spread of limestone karsts and is surrounded by green lush paddy fields. The terrace of your hotel offers splendid sun-sets amidst these magnificent natural settings.
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Day 12: Vang Vieng - day at leisure (B)
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The whole day is at leisure. You probably like to enjoy some excursions such as exploring the surrounding caves by bicycle, hiring a canoe, tubing or rafting.
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Day 13: Vang Vieng – Vientiane (B)
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Approximately a four hour drive (by shared minibus) will take you to the capital city of Laos. Vientiane is a friendly sleepy town resting on the shores of the mighty Mekong River. The city boasts oriental temples, shopping places and a bizarre Buddha park nearby, which is worth visiting.
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Day 14: Vientiane - day at leisure
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Vientiane is a friendly sleepy town resting on the shores of the mighty Mekong River. The city is blessed with temples as wat Sisaket, wat Prakeo and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country's most important monument. Also visit the Arch of Triumphe, the National museum and the ‘morning market' where you can wander around and buy silver, silk or other items you like to take back home. In the evening you can stroll along the banks of the Mekong River.
End of services.
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