Luang Prabang overland journey to Muang La Resort

• Activities:

  Visit Hmong people's villages, head through countryside, get to Muang La Resort, arrive at Oudom Xai, explore the land, reach to oasis, relax.

• Meal:

  Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

Start your journey into northern Laos this morning. With your driver you are following the mighty Mekong into the north of Laos. The mountain road climbs into regions above 1400m and along the way you can visit numerous villages of the Hmong people. After a local style Lao lunch, you continue your journey through spectacular countryside. The total distance today is about 200km and it takes close to 5 hours to get to Muang La Resort. On arrival at Oudom Xai, you can stretch your legs and stroll through the food market – the meeting point of the various peoples of the region. Finally, after a short 30 minutes drive you reach the unique oasis of Muang La Resort – "The pearl of the north". After checking-in, you can enjoy the naturally heated, warm water spa, have a traditional Lao sauna or try one the different massages available. Dinner and overnight in Muang La Resort

Muang La Resort – Explore the unusual

• Activities:

  Explore Pak La village, capture the good views, watch people's daily life, visit Pha Chiao Sing Kham temple, discover Muang La Resort's surrounding areas.

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

In the morning you leave to explore the village of Pak La, located next to the Resort. The panoramic views across the Nam Pak River, the beautiful terraced rice fields and salt fields make for an interesting and picturesque experience. You can watch the customs and daily life of the ethnic Khmu people (2-3 total hours of walking). The site of Muang La is dominated by the temple of Pha Chiao Sing Kham, which houses a sacred Buddha statue. An old story tells the statue "appeared" over one hundred years ago on the temple site and so the temple is now a sacred place of pilgrimage. Lunch is taken at the Resort. In the afternoon you set off for a superb trip to discover the natural beauty surrounding the Muang La Resort. From rice fields to the surrounding lush, green forests, this short trek is a great opportunity to explore the local environment. You return to the resort late in the day. Dinner and overnight in Muang La Resort.

Muang La Resort : Special Soft Adventure

• Activities:

  Visit the Ikhos and Hmong ethnic groups and explore their life, join

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

In the morning, depart in a 4x4 to visit two ethnic groups: the Ikhos and Hmong. The route you will take offers unforgettable scenery and views from 1000m above sea level. First you visit an isolated Ikhos village. This ethnic group, native of Yunnan and Tibet, still lives according to traditional ancestral customs. Next, you set off on a 45 minute walk to the Hmong village of Ban Taus. This ethnic group is native to Tibet and you learn the importance of animals to the local people and the resulting care that they give to their livestock (buffaloes, pigs ...). A few minutes from the village, you will find a magnificent 360⁰ view across the region – truly unforgettable. Back to the Resort in the afternoon. In Laos visitors take part in the ceremony of "recall of souls": the Baci ceremony is designed to guard against this eventuality and originates from animist believes. Family & friends gather in a room where an altar is built. From the altar, cotton strands radiate symbolizing the ties with the world of souls. Cakes, fruit, liquor, incense sticks, candles, silver are all used to encourage the souls to return home. A wise old sage officiates, surrounded by family and guests and using ritual formulas, he encourages the 32 souls to return to their original habitat and benefit from the offerings. The ceremony is followed by a meal in a local household. This traditional meal shared with our guests is embellished with local cider: the Lao Hay. Just one more truly unforgettable experience!
 Overnight at Muang La Resort.

Muang La Resort to Muang Khua, Nam Ou river journey down to Nong Khiaw

• Activities:

  Leave for Muang Khua, discover villages and landscapes, arrive at Nong Khiaw, relax at Mandala Nam Ou Resort.

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

You leave by road to Muang Khua (2 hours drive). This descent of the Nam Ou River from Muang Khua to Nong Khiaw is undoubtedly the finest in the region! You have the opportunity, from the comfort of your luxury boat, to discover many villages and beautiful limestone (karst) cliff landscapes which seem to rise majestically from the river itself. Lunch is a picnic barbecue on one of the natural beaches along the river. You arrive at Nong Khiaw in the late afternoon to sleep at the magnificent Mandala Nam Ou Resort, the best place in town. Overnight in Nong Khiaw Mandala Nam Ou

Nong Khiaw Overland Trip to Pak Ou Caves, end of journey in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  Cruise along Nam Ou, explore cultures and villages, visit Pak Ou caves, back to Luang Prabang.

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch

• Included:

We continue our exciting Lao journey either by cruise on the Nam Ou or via a scenic road that gives opportunities to explore more of the local area's cultures and villages. A visit to the Pak Ou Caves, is included on the way back to Luang Prabang. This famous site is revered by all Laotians and houses hundreds of decorated statues of Buddha. After time to explore the caves, you continue your journey on the Mekong to your destination at Luang Prabang