NORTHERN LAOS
ADVENTURER
Luang Prabang, OudomXay and Nong Khiaw
25 October - 4 November 2026
A$2795 (twin share)
Only 6 Spots Remaining
Calling all adventure enthusiasts!
Join us for a true Journey Beyond the Guidebook when we go off the beaten path in the Northern highlands of Laos.
On this 11 Day/10 Night Northern Laos adventure, we will visit local markets, trek through rice fields and swim at waterfalls, observe daily life in remote villages and cruise the spectacular Nam Ou River on a traditional Lao boat.
Back in charming Luang Prabang, we will sample local street food, explore the bustling Night Markets, visit age-old temples and rise early to observe the daily giving of alms to monks during the morning Takbat ceremony.
This unique trip will be filled with outdoor adventures and activities while experiencing the rich culture of Laos, so if you are up for an unforgettable off the beaten path adventure, then read on for the details...
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Accommodation
- 7 nights in 4 star hotel accommodation
- 3 nights in mid-range riverside accommodation
Meals
- 10 Breakfasts
- 5 Lunches
- 4 Dinners
Transfers
- Transfers to and from Luang Prabang Airport in air-conditioned vans
- Train from Luang Prabang to Muang Xai
- Van transfer to Nong Khiaw
- Boat and van return trip to Luang Prabang
- All transfers to and from activities included in the itinerary (sometimes boats, sometimes vans)
Activities
- Street Food Discovery Tour in Luang Prabang
- Day trek to Tad Sae Waterfalls through local villages
- Morning visit to Kuang Si Waterfalls and Moon Bear Sanctuary
- Takbat Alms giving ceremony and morning Markets
- Hike up Phousi hill for views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River
- Day Trek including skybridges and NamKat Waterfall
- Traditional Khmu cooking class
- Afternoon hike up Pha Daeng for sunset views
- Day Trek to 100 waterfalls and local village
- Nam Ou River Day Cruise to Muang Noi + Sop Chem villages, including hike to Tad Mok Waterfall
- Day trip returning to Luang Prabang via Nam Ou and Mekong rivers with a visit to Pak Ou Buddha Caves
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- International and domestic flights (this is a land only trip)
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
- Any Visa requirements (some countries may require a visa for Laos)
- Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
- Airport arrival taxes
- Optional and extra activities and transport not specified in the itinerary
- Spending money and tips
Please read our full Terms and Conditions before completing your booking. By paying your deposit you agree to the
Terms and Conditions.
THE ITINERARY
Day 1 – Luang Prabang
Today you arrive in Luang Prabang, the starting point for our Laos adventure. You will be greeted at the airport by our driver and taken to the accommodation to settle in. It is preferable that you plan your flight arrival to Luang Prabang Airport before 3pm, to ensure you are on-time for our 5pm group briefing.
After our briefing we’ll get ready to walk into town for an informal welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
After dinner we return to the hotel for an early night.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 – Luang Prabang
This morning after an early breakfast, we will be picked up by our driver to visit the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls and Moon Bear Sanctuary. We will aim to get there on opening to avoid most of the crowds for the day. After 2-3 hours of swimming, exploring the falls and visiting the Moon Bear Sanctuary, we will return to Luang Prabang, where you will have few hours to relax at the hotel or explore the pretty streets or temples around the hotel.
In the late afternoon, we will meet a local foodie who will take us on a four-hour culinary deep dive into Luang Prabang's flavours from riverside restaurants, bustling night markets, hidden corners and local favourites that only open after dark. This moveable feast will offer over 15 tastings, so be sure to arrive hungry!
*unfortunately, due to the nature of street food cooking and meat in most of the dishes, this tour is not suitable for a vegan or vegetarian diet or people with severe allergies.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Luang Prabang
After breakfast we will get picked up from our hotel to embark on our first light trekking adventure to the lesser known (but equally as beautiful) Tad Sae falls. Our adventure will start in a local village where we will meet villagers from 3 different ethnic groups all living in the same village. From the village, our trekking journey starts, through the Lao countryside, with a stop for a picnic lunch in another Khmu village and then onwards to the falls. At the falls you will have a couple of hours to explore or relax in the water, before we will be picked up for our return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
This evening you will have free time to soak up the vibe of Luang Prabang’s Night Markets or enjoy a quiet dinner in one of the quaint eateries scattered around the town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 – Nam Kat
This morning we will wake before sunrise, to experience the humbling Tak Bat ritual of saffron-robed monks receiving alms from locals. We will then walk up Mt Phousi to watch the sunrise over the town. On our way back to the hotel we will meander through the vibrant morning market to observe the daily interactions of Luang Prabang’s residents as they go about their morning errands.
Around mid-morning, we will take the train to the mountainous Oudomxay Province. On arrival we will be picked up from the train station and transferred to our accommodation in the middle of a protected rainforest, where we will be based for the next 3 nights. Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort is a remote sanctuary on the banks of the Nam Kat River, offering a wealth of experiences in nature and culture. Over the next couple of days, we will be immersing ourselves in all things adventure!
Upon arrival you may choose to settle in for a quiet afternoon at the resort, or join me and others in the group on a first explore of the area during a short hike to a nearby viewpoint in the late afternoon.
In the evening you are free to have dinner at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 – Nam Kat
After breakfast we will strap on our hiking shoes and set off on our trekking adventure for the day. We will trek through the jungle and over skybridges, while our specialist guide will educate us about the huge variety of plant, and in particular, orchid species that live in this area. We will have lunch at the beautiful Nam Kat waterfall before making our way back to the resort in the afternoon.
Back at the resort, you may choose to enjoy a relaxing spa treatment at the onsite spa facility or wind down at the Yorla Bar with a drink before dinner.
Dinner will once again be at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 – Nam Kat
This morning you are free to participate in any of the optional activities on site of your choosing, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment or simply have a leisurely breakfast and relax with a book on your balcony next to the river.
*Optional activities include ziplining, ATV adventures and treetop ‘obstacle’ courses.
After lunch we will be picked up by the driver and, accompanied by the resort’s chef, we will visit the vibrant Nong Meng Da market to select fresh ingredients for our afternoon cooking class. We will participate in preparing and cooking a variety of local dishes which we will then enjoy for our dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Nong Khiaw
After breakfast this morning, we will be picked up by our driver to head to our next destination of Nong Khiaw. This pretty little town on the banks of the beautiful Nam Ou river, is my favourite place in Laos, and an adventure seeker’s dream!
Once we have checked into our accommodation, we will find a spot for a quick lunch in a local restaurant to fuel us for our afternoon hike up Pha Daeng viewpoint to watch the sunset. It is a steep hike, but the breathtaking panoramic views from the top, with the Nam Ou River snaking through the countryside, are worth every drop of sweat!
Back down in town, you’ll have the evening free to explore the streets of Nong Khiaw and find a delicious dinner in one of the many local restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 – Nong Khiaw
Today our adventure will start by taking a local boat up the Nam Ou River towards the pretty village of Muang Ngoi. Once we arrive at Muang Ngoi, we will hike to the Phanoi Cave and climb the steep track up to the Viewpoint, from where you will have spectacular views towards the village and beyond the river.
After a couple of hours, we will return to our boat and travel 30mins downstream to Sop Kem village, from where we will start our hike through beautiful rice terraces and virgin forest, to Tad Mok Waterfall. Once we reach the waterfall, we will stop for lunch and a swim in the cool water of the Tad Mok fall pool. On our way back, we will visit an organic farm where you can buy delicious refreshments, before returning to the riverbank to get into kayaks for the last leg kayaking back to Nong Khiaw.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 – Nong Khiaw
This morning we will take another boat, this time downstream on the Nam Ou River, to the small Lao village of Done Khoun. Here we will have time to meet some of the villagers, before starting our hike on the 100 Waterfalls Adventure trail. For the next few hours, we will be hiking in the jungle, over hills and through streams, and we’ll even climb up a waterfall. The hike is moderate to challenging, so sturdy shoes and a moderate level of fitness are highly recommended.
We will have lunch at the top of the falls, before taking a village trail back down into the valley.
On our return journey to Nong Khiaw, our boat will stop in at a historical cave that acted as a hospital during the war.
On our final night in Nong Khiaw, we will find a nice spot for a sunset drink, after which you are free to enjoy dinner at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 – Luang Prabang
Today we will return to Luang Prabang for our last night together as a group. However, instead of taking a 5hr van straight to Luang Prabang, we will use a combination of boats and a van with a few detours along the way, to enjoy the beautiful scenery and local culture of Northern Laos during our final day.
Our journey will start with a relaxing 2hr cruise down the Nam Ou River to Second Dam. Here our van will pick us up for a further 2hr journey to Manifa elephant camp, where we will have lunch before boarding another boat for a cruise down the Mekong River. Along this last leg of our river journey, we will visit the famous Pak Ou Buddha Caves, and enjoy sunset on the river before finishing in Luang Prabang and being transferred to our hotel.
After a quick freshen up at the hotel, we will head out to a final shared dinner in lively Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Departure
Our trip concludes after breakfast this morning, as we say our farewells and head off on our respective return journeys.
For those who wish to extend their time exploring Laos, I would suggest catching a fast train to Vang Vieng first, to explore the lagoons and adventure trails around this popular little town, before ending in the capital Vientiane.
Meals: Breakfast
Important things to note:
-
Accommodation is booked on Twin Share basis. Please ensure you are comfortable with this before proceeding with a booking. Alternatively, you can opt for the single supplement to have a room all to yourself. Should you be travelling with friends or as a couple, please note this in the booking form in the space provided for 'anything to add or ask'.
-
Our accommodations will vary in comfort levels, from mid-range to unique (but always clean and tidy). Please ensure you are comfortable with this. If you expect high-end, luxurious accommodations throughout the trip, sadly this trip is not for you.
-
This adventure is designed to ensure a good mix of activity and relaxation, but does include a lot of physical activities, such as hiking, kayaking and various boat trips. If you are looking for a lie-by-the-pool kind of holiday, this trip is unfortunately not for you.
-
Activities and itinerary order may change due to booking schedules and availability.
-
It is essential that you have a suitable Travel Insurance policy for the duration of the trip, before you head off to Laos. I am happy to assist with recommendations. Unfortunately you will not be able to join the group without personal Travel Insurance.
-
International flights are not included in this itinerary.
-
It is essential that your arrival flight into Luang Prabang is on or before the start date of our group trip. Should you wish to arrive a day or so earlier to start exploring the beautiful town of Luang Prabang, I’d be happy to assist with booking accommodation.
-
Apart from drinks specified in the inclusions, all other drinks with meals and on daytrips will be at your own cost.