Laos Nam Tha Explorer Tour Itinerary
Multi-Activity Holiday Through Northern Laos and the Nam Ha Protected Area
For prices and more details about this trip please visit the Laos Nam Tha Explorer trip page
All activities on this tour require no previous experience and although included, are optional. Lost Earth Adventures provides all instruction, equipment and plenty of staff, as well as alternatives to planned activities. Please see the info section on the trip details page for this tour’s grading.
Welcome to Laos! Luang Prabang is World Heritage listed, and for good reason. The former royal capital has outstanding examples of temples and traditional Laos architecture, alongside buildings with a distinct European flair, reminiscent of when Laos was part of French Indochina. Combine this with a fantastic night market, great food and friendly locals and you’ll understand why we love this town as much as we do!
You’ll be picked up at the airport by your guide and taken to your guesthouse. In the evening we’ll have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Learn to Cook Authentic Laos Food – Not to be outshone by other SE Asian countries, Laos cuisine emphasizes simple, fresh, local ingredients to produce incredible tastes and a variety of different dishes. Famous for their use of sticky rice as a staple in many meals you will also undoubtedly master this accompaniment, along with other Laotian classics like pho, Lao larp (a traditional salad) and curry paste. A cooking class will include a visit to a local market to choose your ingredients before preparing your own Laotian feast. Bring your appetite!
Visit the 7-tiered Kuang Si Waterfalls – Spend a relaxing day at the impressive 7-tiered, 50m high Kuang Si waterfalls. Surrounded by lush green jungle the waterfalls are an absolute treat to explore. Swim in its refreshing turquoise lagoons or if you like you can hike to the top of the falls. This is paradise!
*The choice of activity is yours and is included in the price of the tour.
We’ll take a scenic drive up to the northern mountain town of Luang Nam Tha. Luang Nam Tha is a quiet town close to the Chinese border, home to over 24 different ethnic groups and is situated just outside of the Nam Ha Protected area.
We’ll depart Luang Nam Tha, taking a local songthaew into the Nam Ha Protected Area, where we will begin our trek.
The trek starts in the forest and our local guide will be able to show us about the food available in the forest that we will be able to use for our lunch and dinner – things like banana flower, edible rattan and bamboo as well as fresh herbs are readily used in local cuisine. We’ll stay overnight in the park at a village home stay.
The next day we will arise early and hopefully we’ll be able to spot wildlife and the abundance of birds in the area. The trekking continues through thick forest, along the Nam Ha river and through lush rice paddies. We’ll also pass through an ethnic Khmu village and a Lanten village meeting people and learning of their cultures. We’ll stay overnight in a Lanten village home stay.
We trek for approximately 5-6 hours per day, and kayak downstream for about 4 hours on the final day. The trekking is through undulating terrain, mainly through lush forest and verdant rice paddies.
Day 7 – Luang Nam Tha to Nong Khiaw
We drive to Nong Khiaw; a sleepy town along the Nam Ou nestled between majestic 5000ft high limestone mountains. We spend the night in wooden huts next to the quiet river.
Seek out the caves where locals hid during the Vietnam War or hike through the forest to a beautiful viewpoint or alternatively, this is the perfect spot to sit back and watch the world go by. You are also free to take a bicycle exploring the countryside, rice fields and surrounding villages.
Day 9 – Spectacular River Journey to Luang Prabang
We continue our adventure onto one of the most spectacular river journeys in the country, converging onto the Mighty Mekong – the lifeline of Laos. After stopping at the holy Pak Ou Caves, we’ll arrive in the UNESCO-protected ancient capital, Luang Prabang.
We’ll have a farewell dinner in the evening.
Unfortunately it’s the end of this adventure! You’ll be provided with transport to the airport after breakfast. See you next time!
For prices and more details about this trip please visit the Laos Nam Tha Explorer trip page