High water season, August to January:

DAY 01 Mountain bike and trek your way to your Khmu village homestay (L, D)

We’ll meet early morning to size up on our quality mountain bikes and then ride out of town heading north along the Mekong River. After crossing the old communist bridge, make a stop to visit Xieng Lek Village, famous for its mulberry paper and weaving. Next, turn up the Nam Xuang River going past villages and beautiful countryside scenery. The pavement ends and it’s then off-road into the countryside up and down hills past rice paddies and local villages.

We'll ride through vast rice paddies and jungle dotted with Lao Leum, Hmong, and Khmu villages with locals tending to the daily activities of Lao agrarian life. The last leg of today's ride will take us along the Nam Khan River.

Onward, we are bound for the banks of the Nam Khan River and our Tiger Trail Adventure Camp. We’ll stop for a break to take in the grandeur of a view to the jungle and a towering rock face where we will enjoy our lunch. Cross the river by boat and begin a 1.5-2 hour trek from the Adventure Camp, traversing rice paddy fields and terraced slopes toward the peaceful village. Arrive in the afternoon with ample time to relax and explore this beautiful Khmu village homestay nestled in the foothills of a steep, jungle-covered mountain.

DAY 02 Jungle and rice paddies trek to Hmong, Khmu villages and homestay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we’ll begin our biggest day of trekking on one of the most spectacular and challenging trails in the area. Your efforts are well rewarded as we hike through karst limestone mountains on trails used by locals in their daily life.

We visit villages along the way and learn about the various traditional aspects of the minority cultures of Hmong and Khamu tribes. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at a large hill-tribe village where we stay tonight. Total walking time is approximately 5 hours under normal conditions, longer and more challenging under wet conditions. This trail is true adventure and not for the faint of heart. Bring weather-appropriate gear and enjoy this spectacular trail.

Day 03 Tad Sae Waterfall (seasonal) and Nam Khan River kayaking (B, L)

After breakfast prepared by your guide and farewells to new Khmu friends, trek off the mountain for about 1.5 hours to the famous Tad Sae Waterfalls. We'll have plenty of time to hang out and enjoy the numerous cascading falls and jungle scenery. There are also zip lines above the waterfall and elephants on-site. There’s plenty of time if you want to visit the elephants or fly through the canopy of trees on the zip-lines (both optional and paid on the spot separately).

Return by boat downriver where we’ll gear up, give safety and equipment briefings, then begin the kayaking stretch of your tour. The river is easy to paddle and offers a few grade 1-2 rapids suitable for even beginners and enjoyable for all.

The countryside on our paddling trip from Ban Houy Yeng to Gang Noon is dense with banana and teak trees, rice paddies and terraced pineapple plantations. Pass handfuls of isolated Lao Loum and Theung thatched-roofed villages, and don´t be shy to practice your Lao by shouting out a sabaaidii at the smiling children... after about 3 to 4 hours along 19 Km, we arrive in Luang Prabang in the afternoon for return transfer to Luang Prabang city.

Low water season, November to July:

During the low water season the itinerary remains the same as above with the following few exceptions to accommodate natural changes in water levels and availability of trails that otherwise might be too wet during the wet season.

Day 01

With drier off-road conditions, we can enjoy an extended 37 km mountain bike ride on/off-road along the Mekong River and then through beautiful countryside riding through villages, rice paddies, and jungle.  We'll cross a river by small boat with our bikes and end at our Tiger Trail Adventure camp at the Nam Khan River.  This route goes through a weaving village, but not to Wat Phon Phau or Henri Mohout's grave.

Day 02

The second day is the same as above.

Day 03

If the water at Tad Sae waterfall is too low we’ll spend less time there. Instead, we’ll start kayaking from near the waterfall on a scenic 16 km section of the Nam Khan River.

Services

Included Travel Services

• All road and boat transfers
• Equipment (kayaks, dry bags, helmet, life jackets...), biking rental fees
• English speaking guides with license and Helping guide(s) if needed
• Fresh food and drink (water, tea, coffee)
• Entrance fee and permissions and village project contributions
• Village Trekking activities, Kayaking activities on Nam Khan river
• Government Taxes

Not Included Travel Services

• Tips
• Specialty drinks