Northern Laos Jungle And Tribes

Pick up this morning will be at 07:00 from the hotel. Take a short drive to the pier to board a private boat for the tour to Pakbeng. Two stops will be made en route, the first being 2 hours upstream at the Pak Ou Caves. Locally referred to as Tam Ting, these two caves are carved out of towering limestone cliffs and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. The second stop is at the village of Ban Baw, where it is possible to witness the processing of traditional rice alcohol. Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch onboard as the boat continues to cruise along the scenic Mekong River. Late this afternoon, reach the town of Pakbeng. Located halfway between Houay Xay and Luang Prabang this small town is lined with wooden houses along a steep street on the hillside. Depending on the river's current, the boat may reach Pakbeng in time to watch the sun set over the river. Overnight in Pakbeng

Begin the day by crossing the river to Mekong Elephant Camp to view and assist with bathing the Elephants. The camp's pool is designed to allow all 8 elephants to bathe at the same time. For those who would prefer to not take part, they can view the elephant bathing from a nearby platform. After bathing, visitors are helped on to the Elephants backs to begin the trek. The trek starts off with a ride down the river bed surrounded by bamboo plants and then continues into the forest. Wind through the surrounding foliage, riding along paths connecting various different villages. There will be a chance to guide the elephants along the path, taking them down to the river to feed. The trek will also train in the basic mahout techniques. Alternating between walking and riding on the back of the elephant, the trek passes through countryside typical to this region of Laos. The valleys provide panoramic views over several alluvial plains where sweet corn and tobacco grow along with traditional houses and gardens. The view then opens out to the surrounding countryside. Return to the Mekong Elephant Camp and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Pakbeng.

This morning, enjoy breakfast overlooking the Mekong before heading away from the river towards Oudomxay. This is a reasonably straight forward journey, where the landscape is covered with a variety of agricultural farming. There will be a chance to stop at the Ban Yor Pottery village en route along with a few photo stops. Upon arrival in Oudomxay, enjoy lunch followed by a walk up the town's highest temple, Wat Phu Tat, to get a panoramic view of the surrounding town and countryside. The rest of the day is spent at leisure. Overnight in Nam Kat Yola Pa Resort

After breakfast, visit the famous 400-year-old tea plantation, located in the village of Ban Komaen, about a 30 minute drive south of 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. These are regularly cut and kept to a reasonable size by the 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 passes through more recent tea plantations and offers a stunning view of Phongsaly and surrounding mountains. In the village a newly built tea-tasting shop serves food and sells the 400-year-old tea. You can also explore the temple with its characteristic Buddha statue with big ears. Next take a 4 hour drive to Muang Khua with a stop en route to have lunch in a local restaurant (not included). Upon arrival, check-into the hotel until dinner. Tonight’s dinner is included at a local restaurant, overlooking the Nam Ou River. Overnight in Muang Khua.

After breakfast, board a private longtail 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 while cruising downstream. In the late afternoon, reach the destination of Muang Ngoi, famed for the dramatic limestone mountains which surround it. Disembark and check in to the accommodation on the banks of the Nam Ou River. Overnight in Muang Ngoi

First thing in the morning, take a fishing boat about 15 minutes downstream to Ban Sopkhan, a Lao Loum village. After visiting the village, begin a 2 hour trek through rice fields to Ban Pha Yoong (a Hmong ethnic village), and Ban Tad Lene (a Khmu village). After a picnic lunch, continue trekking to the village of Ban Sopkong. From Ban Sopkong, float downriver to Nong Khiaw by boat. Overnight in Nong Khiaw

After breakfast, the guide and private driver will provide a transfer back to Luang Prabang which will take approximately 3 hours. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or wander around the town before the trip back home. Overnight in Luang Prabang