Under Your Own Steam Tour

Day 1   Luang Prabang: Arrival and Orientation Tour

Catch your flight – Laos Airlines QV634 departing Bangkok at 10:25 & arriving in Luang Prabang at 12:05.  After your arrival in Luang Prabang, you’ll be picked up from the airport and driven to the main part of town for a quick orientation tour. Your guide will give you an introduction to the city, showing you the main roads, some restaurants and the night market area, before dropping you off at your hotel to check in.

Meals Included: None

Overnight at Maison Dalabua Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 2   Luang Prabang: Morning Alms and City Tour by Bicycle

Wake up at sunrise to give the monks morning alms. You’ll be accompanied by your guide who can demonstrate the proper method of alms giving and explain this daily Buddhist ceremony. Return to your hotel for breakfast.

Today you will explore the city by bicycle. Following your guide, travel through town along the main roads and go off the beaten path through alleys and side-streets. Ride along both the Mekong and Nam Khan roads to take in the views and stop at temples and national landmarks along the way. Enjoy lunch at the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center, which is located on the Mekong River surrounded by a beautiful garden and a number of different artisans. After lunch, visit the temples on the outskirts of town and then end your afternoon by leaving your bikes behind and climbing Mt. Phou Si to see a sweeping view of the city.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Maison Dalabua Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 3   Luang Prabang: Day Trek to Kuang Si Waterfall

You will be met at your hotel and driven out to the countryside mountain village of Ban Long Lao, where you’ll visit Hmong and Khmu villages before starting your 3 to 4 hour hike through farming fields and mountains. You will be accompanied by a local guide and trek along mountainous paths through stunning scenery until you reach your final destination – the Kuang Si Waterfall. Here you can enjoy a well-deserved swim and lunch.  If you desire, you can also visit the Kuang Si Butterfly Park and the Free the Bears Projects to learn about these local organizations plight to educate on and protect native species before returning to Luang Prabang by minivan in the afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Maison Dalabua Hotel – Deluxe Room

Day 4   Luang Prabang: Life Along the Mekong

Today you’ll escape the tourist hubs in town and see Luang Prabang through local eyes. First, you will drive up the Mekong to the village of Pak Ou. From here board a small boat and take a tour of the local fishing area, checking traps with fishermen along the way and collecting any fish you might find. You will then cross the Mekong to visit the small village of Ban Mueng Keo, known for its production of local whiskey. Here you will be able to watch a demonstration of the whiskey-making process by a local Lao Lao Whiskey producer and, if you’re up for it, sample the finished product for an early morning boost. Afterwards, you will go a bit up river to the quaint 120 year old village of Ban Kok that only received electricity 5 years ago and is only accessible by the river. Take a stroll with the chief of the village before joining him for a home- cooked Lao lunch in his humble house.

Please note: A portion of your tour fees will go into a Ban Kok fund set up to help the village and its primary school and the students with needed materials and supplies.

From here you will travel downstream to visit the Pak Ou Caves, famous for the thousands of Buddha statues left inside by pilgrims. Board your long-tail boat for a scenic ride on the Mekong until you reach the small weaving village of Ban Phone Xay, where you’ll enjoy a weaving demonstration and have a chance to purchase handmade items directly from the source. Learn the story behind who really makes the beautiful textiles sold at the night market – at the end of the day you’ll be the only tourist in town who knows the real story behind the bottles of Lao Lao, the grilled Mekong fish, and the night market!

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Maison Dalabua Hotel – Double Deluxe Room

Day 5   Luang Prabang to Luang Namtha

Depart after breakfast for the full day drive north through winding, mountainous roads. Pass through local villages and stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Udomxai. Continue your drive through the afternoon, arriving in the early evening at your riverside eco-lodge, The Boat Landing. Enjoy dinner at the lodge restaurant, which serves some of the best food in northern Laos.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at The Boat Landing – Suite

Day 6   Luang Namtha: Ban Nam Yang Trek in NPA

After breakfast your guide will meet you at your hotel and drive you to Ban Nam Yang, the starting point of your trek. You have two choices for today’s trek: a 3 ½ hour trek or a 2 ½ hour trek – you will visit the same stops on both trek choices. Regardless of which path you choose, this easy trek will take you through the protected forest and upland fields to the top of the mountain. Once you reach the top, you will stop of a picnic lunch and scenic view. Continue downhill towards a stream, walk along the road until you reach an Akha village. You will have the opportunity to learn about Akha culture and perhaps receive a demonstration on their bird calling skills. Continue your trek to the Black Thai village of Nam Ngaen and learn about how they make their whiskey. If there is time, you will then stop to see That Poum Pouk Stupa on your way back to town.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at The Boat Landing – Suite

Day 7   Luang Namtha: Nam Tha Insight

Today you’ll explore Luang Namtha from another perspective, kayaking along the Namtha River. You will paddle along the Nam Ha Protected Area on the Nam Tha River which has a few exciting, but safe rapids (the season determines the class). You will reach the ethnic village of the Lanten group at Ban Sope Dute.  Afterwards you will continue on until you find a nice spot to stop for a picnic lunch at one of the riverbank beaches and give your arms a rest. After lunch, you’ll continue rowing until you reach the ethnic village of Ban Sop Sim Noy.  Retire your paddles where the Namtha and Nam Ha rivers converge and head back to dry land by either a van or in traditional motorboat operated by local (this option is only available in the rainy season).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at The Boat Landing – Suite

Day 8   Luang Namtha to Luang Prabang

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and get an early start on the mountainous roads back to Luang Prabang. Take a rest stop in Udomxai for a local lunch and a stretch. Continue driving through the afternoon, returning to Luang Prabang in the early evening.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Maison Dalabua Hotel – Double Deluxe Room

Day 9   Luang Prabang: Departure

You will be transferred to the Luang Prabang airport in time for your flight – Laos Airlines QV633 departing Luang Prabang at 07:40 & arriving Bangkok at 09:20.

Meals included: Breakfast

Tour Rate Starting at: $2,235 per person based on two people traveling (double occupancy) with $1,520 single supplement

Price includes:

• Air tickets Bangkok – Luang Prabang – Bangkok
• Boat tickets as specified above
• Accommodation as specified above
• Air-conditioned car/van with driver
• Licensed English speaking guides
• Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
• Meals as specified in itinerary, including water

Price excludes:

• Personal expenses
• Visa fees
• Airport tax
• Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Tips