Nong Khiaw Information

The Jewel of North Laos…

also known as Nong Kiaow, Nong Khiau, Nong Khiaw, Nong Kiao along the Nam Ou river

Mr. TONY WHEELER, the Lonely Planet founder with Fair Trek on Tour

The little town of Nong Khiaw on the banks of the beautiful Nam Ou River is the new destination for the “Fair Trek” initiative! The magnificent sceneries and wonderful limestone mountains make Nong Khiaw (Nong Khiau, Khiaw, Kiao) a hidden gem, just three hours north of Luang Prabang. Nong Khiaw (Nong Khiau, Khiaw) impresses every visitor with its backdrop of imposing Limestone Mountains, the truly picturesque Nam Ou river views and a great variety of activities in nature. If you wish to get a more in depth picture of what Laos is really like…you should come and explore this area.

The region around Nong Khiaw offers a great selection of activities and tours which include interactive village tours, hiking, cycling, kayaking, camping and, of course experiencing the local culture and traditions. All activities are created on the philosophy and guidelines of community-based and pro poor tourism approach which helps villagers to receive an alternative income through tourism activities any time guests visit their communities.

Funding systems have been created with the income generated through the tours according to the “Fair Trek” principles. Every guest going on tour is giving back to the locals and already after a few months of "Fair Trek" involvement, new jobs have been created and families receive an income when guests are visiting the area.

According to the “Fair Trek” guidelines, a village fund has been set up and local taxes are ensuring the beneficial profits of the whole community and the government at the same time. Our presence in the Nong Khiaw area has already in the first year led into a positive situation for the region and villages we work with. The income generated through tourism has statistically increased significantly since Tiger Trail Travel has started the "Fair Trek" project in this region.

Newly discovered Waterfall in Laos, 2008

Laos Video "The 100 Waterfalls" from Nong Khiaw, North Laos

"Tiger Trail Travel" is the first operator surveying this area around Nong Khiaw intensively in cooperation with the local government and the local tourism department, always keeping in mind to create responsible tours and opportunities for travelers to make a difference while using our services in this region.

In cooperation with organizations we are able to receive facilitation and support for our ongoing endeavors to ensure responsible tourism being practiced on a daily basis. Our cooperation with the and the local communities, we are also able to support- through the sales of local products, which creates

Culture preservation, awareness, old weaving patterns in modern use, presents, decoration, everyday use materials and traditional tools made from rattan, bamboo, cotton and others…buying for fair prices and being on sales in our own office and our gallery shop.

Our "Fair Trek" tour services in Nong Khiaw include:

Trekking and hiking tours from half day to 3 day treks around Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw River tours and kayaking activities

Bamboo workshops and river raft workshops

Camping tours in combination with hikes, cave visits and river activities south of Nong Khiaw

Cycling tours and combination trips all around Nong Khiaw

Weaving and cotton workshop tours multi-day stays in villages

Natural dyes and study trips about weaving and traditional

Volunteer programs for village lodges, village libraries, construction programs

Visitors benefit from the amazing sceneries and great surrounding nature as well as the ethnic diversity …in this region. The communities in the region welcome tourists and are excited about all the enterprises that “Fair Trek” is willing to support/provide the communities with in the future.

Whether you only have a few days to spare and want to get out off Luang Prabang, or want to use these places as a stepping stone to a more in-depth exploration of the north, Nong Kiaow and Muang Ngoi are both great destinations.

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