Secrets of the North - 10 day

Phongsali Loop and Akha experience

from/to Luang Prabang

Highlights of this tour

• Unknown northern provinces
• Cycling in Udomxay and village visits
• Phongsali: sleepy, colonial hilltop town
• unique Akha Trekking 2 Days - village overnight
• Nam Ou green valley river journey
• Muang Ngoi tranquil, hidden paradise
  
• Muang Ngoi activity package: caves, waterfalls, mountains

 

1. Start from Luang Prabang to Udomxay (private bus)

and 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 L

 

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". We than go on to stay overnight in a wonderful and quite special Resort, the Muang La Resort. Be sure you can enjoy the warm water pools (hot spring water - sit inside, sauna available) in the evening. B-L

3. Udomxay to Phongsali - village visits, small market town

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 very simple Hotel B-L

 

4. Phongsali, the hidden mountain refuge of Northern Laos

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 even with sights over to Vietnam… Preparations for the Akha-Trek will be done today in the afternoon. Overnight in Hat Sa/or close by village in vary basic guesthouse B-L

 

5. Akha Trek and mountain world - 5-6 hrs. Trekking

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 to ascent into the mountain world which is inhabited from different ethnic groups. Our aim is to get to know the Akha people who live a very simple life here in the mountains. Their villages nestled in the high ridges of green mountains it seems as we are traveling back in time the higher we come. After some 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… Village overnight B-L-D

 

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 B-L-D

7. River of the North - Nam Ou - Rugged Mountains

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 nice Bungalows B-L-D

 

8. Muang Ngoi - jewel of nature!
River, mountains, villages, newly discovered cave...amazing Lao landscape

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 B-L-D

 

9. Muang Ngoi - Waterfall and river cruise

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 B-L

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. B-L

Link to our pictures gallery

 

Inclusions
- transportation as per itinerary (boats, minibus, walking)
- Accommodation in Guest houses and villagers home
- activities as described in itinerary
- meals as per itinerary (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner)
- English speaking guide and assisting guides where necessary
- all trekking and activity permissions and payments
- village contributions and local taxes

Not included
- personal expenses and extra meals
- insurance and tips