Nam Ou experience 7 days

Day 01: Luang Prabang – Arrival

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting and take you to the hotel for check in. 

Luang Prabang. Set in Laos's northern mountains, at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang reflects an intricate blend of French and Buddhist influences. The city is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and has been named "The best-preserved city in Asia".

Free time after checking in hotel. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 02: Luang Prabang – City Discovery – Kuang Si Waterfall (B)

Today, we spend a full day exploring the key highlights that make the elegant tranquility of the charming town of Luang Prabang. Visit the Royal Palace featuring the combination of the French beaux-arts styles and traditional Laos architecture. The palace is now turned to a National Museum (close every Tuesday) boating the precious collections of the Royal artifacts. Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk on through the peaceful tree-lined streets to admire some of Luang Prabang’s famous temples including Wat Xieng Thong, a great masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood featuring traditional Lao style; Wat Vitsoun, the most ancient temple of Luang Prabang, was built with simple architecture and housed the Prabang Buddhas ancient statues and steeles.

Continue then with a drive through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings or explore the surrounding dense jungle on foot. For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where beautiful views await.

These waterfalls cascade down a multilevel limestone formation creating a series of turquoise blue pools perfect for swimming on a hot day (if swimming, please dress modestly).

On the route back, make an optional visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary, housing 23 Asiatic Bears which were rescued from poaching. Additionally, make a stop at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park where beautiful gardens are filled with hundreds of butterflies.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 03: Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw (B)

After breakfast in Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will provide a hotel pickup and a 2.5 hour transfer to Nong Khiaw. After checking in the hotel,  free at leisure.

In the afternoon, visit the historical cave of Phathok. The Nong Khiaw villagers used this cave as a war shelter during the “Secret War”, to shelter people from bombs dropped in the region. It is about a 30 minute gentle walk from Nong Khiaw town and leads through beautiful scenery. Learn more about a secret part of Laos’ history during this guided cave exploration. From the cave, enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding rice paddies and valley. Walk back to Nong Khiaw along a small path through the rice paddies.

Enjoy a sunset over the river with a choice of local restaurants within walking distance.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Day 04: Nong Khiaw – Boat & Waterfalls (B. L)

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the river as the mist hangs in the valley.

This is a fantastic half day scenic trek suitable for all ages. Experience the stunning Nam Ou river by long boat passing villages surrounded by cast rock mountains. You trek an easy walk to the hidden Tad Mok Waterfall where you can have a refreshing swim. You will visit a delightful and friendly local Khmu village.

We’ll start with a traditional boat, complete with a roof to shade against the sun and any rain, riding upstream on the Nam Ou for 40 minutes. Surrounded by mountains and passing villages nestled in the forests, you will see Buffalo bathing in the river, people fishing and often children swimming in the river. It is an idyllic location and will give you a sense of peaceful serenity and you enjoy your boat ride.

You will visit the Soap Khong Village, a small Khmu village where you can learn about their way of life. Then we’ll trek through local farmland and rice paddies to the start of the jungle and discover the beautiful limestone Tadmod Waterfall. You can relax and enjoy a refreshing splash in this perfect setting where we will also serve you lunch.

After spending 30-40 minutes here we head back to the village along a small dirt road arriving at the river where we take a 5 minute boat ride to another small Khmu village, Huay Hoy.

We then take the boat for 35 minutes back to Nong Khiaw.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

Day 05: Nong Khiaw – Pak Ou Cave – Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast, travel by private car towards Luang Prabang. Just after a dam, guests can take a boat for a cruise down the spectacular Nam Ou River and enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. Cruising down the river, guests can watch the local fishermen and the lifestyle of the riverside residents.

Stop for a visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong rivers. Locally referred to as ‘Tam Ting’, these two caves are carved out of towering limestone cliffs and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues.

Continue downstream for another two hours to Luang Prabang, check in at the hotel and enjoy your free time.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 07: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the morning free at leisure until transport is provided to the airport for departure flight.

List of our hotels:

The hotels offered by Horizon Vietnam Travel are classified from 02 to 05 stars at the international standard, and comfortable with all the required services.

+ Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are correct, clean, and equipped with a bathroom, satellite television, and air conditioning.

+ Superior category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious, and the services and facilities are more numerous.

+ First class category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious and have a wide choice of quality services.

+ Deluxe Category: 4-5 stars. Hotels are of excellent comfort and have a wide range of excellent services. (swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi…).

+ On the other hand, we have developed fair tourism, through contact with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with the locals and sharing their daily life. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well insured and with the best possible conditions.

Our services include:

• Private transportation with air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in the planned hotels or similar in the program with daily breakfast as mentioned 
• Meals are provided in local restaurants of typical Vietnamese cuisine (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner included)
• The English-speaking guide for each city.
• All entry fees to tourist sites
• All the permission to enter the tourist areas
• Boat tours as described in the program
• 02 bottles of mineral water of 0,5 (l)/person/day
• Other services as mentioned in the program (bicycle, boat trip, etc...)
• All fees for all other services as clearly described in the program above.

Our services exclude:

• Airfare on all domestic and international flights (quote separately)
• Drinks and surcharge for special requests on foods and meals
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time & other personal expenses
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Surcharge for other language-speaking tour guides (upon request)
• Travel insurance 
• Vietnam visa stamping fees 
• All other services are not stated in the program.

More information:

Horizon Vietnam Travel gives you an estimated price per person on our website for the group of six people in low season with standard 2 and 3-star hotels.

The price of this trip varies according to the services chosen (category of accommodation, activities during the trip,...), the tourist seasonality of the year (Christmas and end of year holiday, Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam), the booking delays and especially the number of participants of your group you wish to travel with.

Please note that Horizon Vietnam Travel only organizes private "tailor-made" trips for groups from 2 persons. We generally propose an offer including all the services on the spot from your arrival until your departure.

Depending on your wishes and your budget, this tour can be adapted and modified in terms of duration, content and departure date.

HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL calculates its prices as closely as possible in order to guarantee you the best price/quality ratio.

Our advice: the earlier you book, the better your chances of getting good rates, especially for air services, think about it!

Note: The price of international flights is not included in this estimate.

Please note that this tour is only a first draft and you can also customize it according to your wishes. We remain at your disposal to build your trip perfectly to your expectations and your budget

To obtain a detailed and personalized estimate, please contact us to request an estimate.