Northern Laos Adventure

Highlights

• Discover the ornate temples and architecture of UNESCO World Heritage Listed city, Luang Prabang
• Kayak along the Nam Lik
• Explore vast caves throughout the countryside
• Cycling on paths through the jungle and limestone peaks of Vang Vieng
• Village to village trekking off the beaten path
• Explore the spectacular Kuang-Si Waterfall and swim in its aqua blue pools

Experience Level

None – 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 entertaining alternatives to planned activities. Please see the info section above for this trip’s grading.

Want more adventure? Combine this tour with one of our other trips to South East Asia

Dates and Prices

Land Only Price £1195

Allow £500-600 for return flights from London or Manchester. Add an extra £90 for return flights to Vientiane (if you choose the flying option). For information on flying in South East Asia visit our flight information page.

We accept foreign payments, please click here for details.

There are no other hidden costs. This is the full amount of your holiday.

Flights

For all of your flying requirements please click here.

1% of the price listed will be donated to our charity ‘Share the Load Foundation’. For more information about this charity, and what your money will be used for, click here.

For a full list of what is included download the trip dossier (PDF 0.6MB)

Dates

We can run this tour as a private trip at any time you like as long as there is a minimum of 2 people in your group. We also have set departures so you can join with a tour on the dates listed below. The best time to travel to Laos is from November to April. Contact Us for more information.

Deposit

Deposit of £200 per person secures your place on the trip and the balance is due 60 days before the start of the tour. Monthly payment plans can be set up on request. If you book less than 60 days before the start of the trip then the full amount is due immediately.

How do I get a discount?

That’s Easy!

The more people you book at the same time the more of a discount you will get. 4 people you get 5% off. Then you get another percent off for every person above that. So, for 5 people you would get 6% discount, 6 people 7% and so on.

If you are coming on a second or third tour you will get a loyalty discount of 5%

Will there be any surcharges or price changes?

We do not impose ‘local payments’ or have any hidden charges. There is a guaranteed ‘no price increase’ in the trip price after you have paid your deposit.

Optional Extras

Single Traveller?

We don’t charge a single supplement fee if you’re a solo traveller. Our prices are based on staying in twin share rooms with a member of the same sex or your partner. If you wish to stay in your own room there will be a £100 charge for this trip. In some circumstances single rooms may not be available for example when we stay in the villagers homes whilst trekking there is limited accommodation. We will always try to meet your requirements. The £100 must be paid with the final balance.

If you want to arrive early or depart later then we can arrange accommodation and transport for you. Please contact us with any requests.

Activities

Activities mentioned in the itinerary though not included in the total price are readily available in the places we visit. Your tour leader can help you arrange these. Listed below are some activities available and a general price guide.

• Tubing £3
• Caving at Vang Vieng (entrance into cave) £0.50-£1 + small fee (£0.50 for local guide – optional)
• Bicycle rental (various locations) £3-£6
• Motorbike rental (various locations) £5-£15 – depending on size/type of bike
• Thai Massage £3-£7/hour
• Massage/Sauna (Luang Prabang) £3-£5/hour
• For more ideas of what’s available, visit our Day Tours and Extensions Page

Itinerary: 10-Day Northern Laos Adventure

All of our itineraries are meticulously researched and well planned. They are designed to give you the most amounts of fun and excitement, whilst also giving you ample time to relax. Lost Earth Adventures takes the hassle out of organising your trip, leaving you to sit back and enjoy your adventure!

• Day 1: Arrive Bangkok A free day to explore this iconic capital (overnight train)
• Optional – Take a flight to Vientiane and we’ll pick you up at the airport and provide accommodation in Laos for no extra charge. This will save you the overnight on a train.
• Day 2: Vang Vieng (free day) An afternoon to explore this laid back adventurer’s enclave
• Day 3: Cycling around Vang Vieng Ride on trails through lush jungle, surrounded by impressive limestone mountains
• Day 4: Kayak the Nam Lik A scenic kayak leads to an exciting but optional grade 2 rapid finale!
• Day 5: Luang Prabang Discover why this town is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site and wander through its fantastic markets
• Day 6-7: Village-to-Village Trekking Trek beyond the beaten path, staying in local homestays with indigenous Laotians.
• Day 8: Explore Kuang Si Waterfalls Swim in the cascading turquoise pools and marvel at the 7-tiered waterfall at Kuang Si
• Day 9: Private transport to Vientienne Overnight train to Bangkok
• Optional – Take a flight to Bangkok and we’ll drop you off at vientiane airport and provide accommodation in Laos for no extra charge. This will save you the overnight on a train.
• Day 10: Arrive in Bangkok Depart for home

See a more detailed itinerary for this trip.

Photos

Click on the arrows below to take a photographic adventure through Northern Laos.
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Trip Grading

This trip is considered to be easy/moderate. Whilst trekking in Laos, you will need to carry a small bag with enough clothing for 2 days. The terrain varies through jungle and open paths. It has a moderate level of ascents and descents. However, it can get quite hot and humid at times. We trek for a maximum of 5 hours per day. There is one grade 2 rapid while kayaking, whilst the rest of the time we are on calm water. The rapid can easily be walked around if you do not want to paddle through it.

We use the best safety gear (helmets, life jackets and equipment) and qualified guides. You must be comfortable and able to swim in water above head height.

The cycling is on dirt roads with little traffic through the countryside with little ups and downs and is suitable for anybody that can ride a bicycle. If you are an experienced rider there are options to challenge yourself.

As with most things, a certain degree of fitness will make this trip more enjoyable. No previous experience is needed for any of the activities provided on this holiday. It is important to know that on this trip we travel into fairly remote areas with limited infrastructure and facilities, particularly in Laos, where the tourism industry is in its infancy. This is part of the joy and reality of adventure travel in developing countries.
See here for more information on Laos and Thailand.

What’s Included

• English speaking local guide while in Laos
• Transportation as described in itinerary
• All activities mentioned – biking, trekking, kayaking and caving
• Some but not all meals (for example lunch while biking and kayaking is included, as well as 4 meals while trekking)
• Accommodation for duration of tour, not including Bangkok (accommodation ranges from guesthouses in Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang and a simple room in a local homestay while trekking to 2 nights in an a/c sleeper train from Bangkok to Vientiane). If you choose to fly into Vientiane then you receive 2 nights guest house accommodation instead of the train journey.
• Guides will check in daily with our UK office to get regular bespoke weather updates and confirm locations
• Financial protection: we are a fully bonded and insured UK based tour operator
• Pre-departure support and advice by email, phone and face to face meetings in York if you would like. After booking with us we will send you a highly informative and comprehensive trip information pack
• Remote medical support from specialist doctors
• Our guides and porters are paid fairly and properly equipped
• T-shirt
• If you’d like to meet some of our team and experience our services beforehand you can join us on one of our UK adventures.

What’s Not Included

• Items of a personal nature, such as drinks and souvenirs
• Meals not mentioned in “What’s Included”
• Visa for Laos (available to buy on arrival at the border for $30-45 USD – depending on nationality)

For a full list of what is included download the trip dossier (PDF 0.6MB)
 

What Our Guests Say

Just a note to say thank you for a wonderful trip to Laos. We are very glad to have found you and had an amazing and profound experience. Somdy was great and we also thoroughly enjoyed the cooking class in Vientiane – would warmly suggest that you include it in your future Laos itineraries. We will also check out some other trips with you for future travels and recommend you to our friends. Once again thank you and well done. Warm regards, Branislav and Gail

Read more reviews about our trips and adventures.