9DAYS / 8NIGHTS

DAY 1 - LUANG PRABANG - ARRIVALArrive in Luang Prabang. Your guide and private car will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Welcome to the spiritual capital of Laos!Enjoy free time at leisure or may like to take a walk around the town.Overnight in Luang Prabang Distance and journey time:Luang Prabang Airport – Luang Prabang (4 km): 15 minDAY 2 - LUANG PRABANG - PAKBENG (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you will leave for a cruise on the mighty Mekong River to reach the small town of Pakbeng.You will stop en route to have lunch in a local village alongside the river.You should arrive in Pakbeng around 2pm. At halfway between Houay Xay and Luang Prabang Pakbeng is an ideal stop for slow boats on their way to Luang Prabang. The town is built with wooden houses along a steep street on the hillside and has a tranquil laid back vibe.The rest of the day is free at leisure.Relax and watch the sunset along the Mekong from your balcony.Dinner and overnight at Pakbeng Distance and journey time:Luang Prabang – Pakbeng by boat (130 km): 5 hours

DAY 3 - PAKBENG - ELEPHANT CAMP - MUANG LA (B,L)

For early risers visit the morning market where residents of the nearby villages and hill tribes gather to buy and exchange their goods.After breakfast, take a long boat and cross the river to reach the elephant camp located at the opposite side of the Lodge.Upon arrival you will get an introductory tour of the camp. Your guide will teach you about elephants and how this camp is trying to protect the animals while educating the visitors. Then you will participate at the elephant’s daily bath which lasts about 30 minutes. The camp's pool is designed to allow all 8 elephants to bathe at the same time.After the elephant bath, you will assist to the elephant show during 30 minutes. It will show you the strong relation that exists between an elephant and his mahout.Then, you will take the boat to return to the lodge, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch.After lunch at the lodge, you will leave for Muang La. On the way, you can observe the local rural life, local markets on the side of the road, clear views on corn and banana plantations and amazing views over the mountains.You will pass through the provincial capital, Oudomxay. Once a very sleepy town, this has become an important trading hub and shows the changes which are happening rapidly in the region. This makes the final leg of the journey, away from the busy town and in to unspoiled nature, all the more exciting. The contrast also highlights just how special the experiences are in the remaining wilderness.Arrive at Muang La Resort in the late afternoon. Check in, relax and enjoy the views. Facilities include a spa, sauna and steam room (it does get cold in

the evenings here, especially November – March). The resort is built next to a natural hot spring and they fill a small pool every evening with water from the hot spring. Evenings are a real treat here, with 5 course set menus combining Asian and European influences, to be enjoyed by candle-light with the sounds of nature.Dinner and overnight in Muang La Resort Distance and journey time:Pakbeng – Muang La Resort: 4-5 hours

DAY 4 - MUANG LA - MEET THE ETHNIC GROUPS OF NORTHERN LAOS (B,L,D)

This full day tour includes no ‘real trekking’, only walking through and between villages. Travelling by 4x4 is the only way to cover enough ground and climb the steep mountains in order to reach the most untouched and fascinating villages in the region. Speak to your guide to check if there are any special markets or festivals happening today, as the itinerary can sometimes be flexible.Set off after breakfast to visit an entirely isolated Ikhos village. This ethnic group originates from Tibet and Yunnan and these villagers have seen very few foreigners. You may notice a different atmosphere here compared to other villages which are more used to seeing visitors. Your guide can teach you about the daily life of the villagers and how they still follow ancient customs passed down through the centuries.Here you are more than 1,000m above sea level and the views are magnificent, making it great picnic spot.After lunch, you leave the village walk for approximately 45 minutes to the Hmong village of Ban Tauser. The remote route to the village takes you to a viewpoint with a stunning 360° panorama. The Hmong originate in the high

steppes of Tibet and you will learn about their way of life, including the great importance of their livestock.Return to the resort at the end of the day.Dinner and overnight at Muang La Resort

DAY 5 - MUANG LA - PHONGSALY (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you will depart for Phongsaly. The road is in good condition and at mountains’ slope. You will see beautiful landscapes, banana plantations, local rural life in the villages that bordes the road and panoramic views over the surrounding mountains. You can ask your guide to stop whenever you want to take pictures on the way.You will stop at Ban Bountai around 12:30 and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. You can also visit the local market.Continue to Phongsaly for about 4 hours. You will arrive around 16:30 and check-in at your hotel. Phou Fa Hotel is the former Chinese consulate and the best hotel in town.Then, your guide will accompany you for a walk through the streets of Phongsaly. The charm of the town is made by the narrow paved streets borded by traditional Chinese houses in wood. Your guide will explain you more about the history and culture of this multicultural city and the harmony that reigns between Lao people and Chinese immigrants.You will also visit a Chinese temple where you can enjoy a nice view over a small pond and Phongsaly. Then walk to the quiet Wat Keo, where the

monks are playing petanque or football in the evening.After your tour, you will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.Overnight in Phongsaly Distance and journey time:Muang La Resort – Phongsaly: 6-7 hours

DAY 6 - PHONGSALY - 3 GREENS TREK (B,L)

Today, you will discover Phongsaly’s evergreen forest, green tea and green Lao whiskey.After breakfast, you will leave walking from Phongsaly on a track with stunning views over endless mountains.After 3-4 hours, you will have lunch in a whiskey-producing Phunoy village and enjoy your first green!Then enter the jungle forest on an adventurous path climbing up into the mountains. After walking through tea plantations reach the mountain ridge offering you a stunning 360-degree view (as far as China to the west and Vietnam to the east!). Continue on a small jungle path and reach the top of the Phu Fa Mountain (1625m – 400 steps) overlooking Phongsaly Town.Enjoy the relaxed descent to the town through the forest.The rest of the day is free at leisure.Overnight in Phongsaly Distance and journey time:Boun Neua – Phongsaly (42 km): 1 hour

Trek: 6 hours – Level: easy to moderate

DAY 7 - PHONGSALY - 400 YEARS OLD TEA PLANTATION - MUANG KHUA (B,D)

After breakfast in town, you will to the famous 400-year-old tea plantation, located in the village of Ban Komaen, about 30 minutes south from Phongsaly.According to some tea experts, this village has some of the oldest tea trees in the world. The large root system of the old trees extends deep into the mineral-rich soil and gives ‘Phongsaly Tea’ its specific aroma and taste. The oldest trees stand 6 m high with a stem up to 30 cm in diameter. There are regularly cut and kept to a reasonable size by Phunoy people, climbing to pick the precious leaves. They then process and sell this rare tea in cigar-shaped tubes.The road to Ban Komaen is passing through more recent tea plantations and offers a stunning view on Phongsaly and surrounding mountains. In the village a newly built tea-tasting shop serves some food and sells the 400-year-old tea. You can also have a look to the temple and its characteristic Buddha statue with big ears.After the visit, you will drive to Muang Khua for about 4 hours.Stop en route to have lunch in a local restaurant (not included).Arrival in Muang Khua and check-in at your hotel.

A dinner is included at Sayphoun restaurant, which has a nice view over Nam Ou River.Overnight in Muang Khua Distance and journey time:Phongsali – Ban Komaen: 30 minBan Komaen – Muang Khua: 4 hours

DAY 8 - MUANG KHUA - NONG KHIAW (B)

After breakfast at Sayphoun restaurant, you will board a private long tail boat for a cruise down one of the most scenically beautiful stretches of river in Laos. Compared to the Mekong, the Nam Ou is considered more dramatic and wild and also has far less traffic.Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way and spot various local villages as you cruise downstream.In the late afternoon you will reach your destination of Nong Khiaw, famed for the dramatic limestone mountains which surround it. Disembark and check in to your accommodation on the banks of the Nam Ou River.For the most adventurous, take a short walk down over a bridge before beginning the hike up Phou Pha Deang mountain. The trek will take you around two hours to reach the peak however once there you are rewarded with some truly stunning views! You will rest for a while before starting the descent back down to Nong Khiaw.

Enjoy some time at leisure and don’t miss sunset over the river from your balcony.Overnight in Nong Khiaw Distance and journey time:Muang Khua – Nong Khiaw by boat: 5 hoursTrekking: about 3 hours – Level: intermediate

DAY 9 - NONG KHIAW - LUANG PRABANG (B)After breakfast, your guide and private driver will transfer you back to Luang Prabang, taking approximately 2.5 hours.A transfer to the airport is included for your onward flight. Rates vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs

Our Services Include: Hotel accommodation in shared twin/double room with daily breakfast. Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicles. English speaking local guide (for other languages supplements apply) All entrance fees as indicated in itinerary.

Our Services do not Include: International and domestic flights (quoted separately). Meals other than mentioned above. Camera/video entrance fees. Personal expenses Travel insurance, tips, visa Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.