Tourcode LAO 705 - 6 days / 5 nights

Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Houay Xai - Mekong River - Pak Beng - Oudomxai - Muang Kua - Ou River - Nong Kiau - Luang Prabang

Daily departure from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang, min. 2 persons, private tour

DAY 1 CHIANG RAI - CHIANG KHONG

Pick up from the hotel or airport in Chiang Rai (on request from Chiang Mai possible) and drive to the Lao border in Chiang Khong. Day at leisure and overnight at the hotel on the banks of the Mekong River.

DAY 2 CHIANG KHONG - HOUAY XAI - PAK BENG B/L

In the morning at approx. time 08.00 pick up from the hotel and short transfer to the border crossing at the Friendship Bridge. First stamp your passport at the Thai immigration, then a shuttle bus brings you to the Laotian side (against a fee of THB 30.-) of the bridge, where you will do your passport and visa formalities at the Lao immigration. After the paperwork is done proceed to the main pier. Board the boat and enjoy an scenic boat trip down the Mekong River with some short stops on route. Late afternoon you will arrive in Pak Beng for overnight.

DAY 3 PAK BENG - OUDOMXAI - MUANG KUA B

In the morning first take a stroll over the local market, where people from the nearby hill tribe villages trade and sell all kind of goods (vegetables, fruits, handicrafts etc.). Then continue your journey on the road. Today for most of the time you will travel through a fascinating mountain wilderness and passing lots of hill tribe villages (most of them Akha), where you will stop at some of them. Time for a lunch break will be in Oudomxai. Afterwards go on with your trip through the mountains. More stops on route are possible, such as at some hot springs and at a small village, where local Whisky is produced. Finally reach the village of Muang Kua on the banks of the Ou River by late afternoon. Spend the night at a very basic, but clean hotel.

DAY 4 MUANG KUA - MUANG NGOI - NONG KIAU B

Today start a bit more slowly. Then you will board the boat and enjoy a scenic ride down the Ou River along beautiful landscapes with some bizarre limestone rock formations and small villages. Take brief stops at some of them, like at Ban Sopchem, which is famous in the area for their weaving. Lunch break will be at a river camp. Opportunity to take a bath in the river. Later take a stroll in Muang Ngoi, which is the biggest village along the river between Muang Kua and Nong Kiau. Another hour on the boat and you will reach Nong Kiau late afternoon. Here spend the night, surrounded by picturesque landscapes.

DAY 5 NONG KIAU - PAK OU - LUANG PRABANG B

After having breakfast on the veranda overlooking the Ou River continue your journey, today on the road again. First visit Thum Pha Tork, a cave with a historical background. On your further route you will see more villages of ethnic minorities and do quick stops at some of them. Later you reach Pak Ou, the junction where the Ou River flows in to the Mekong River. There you will visit the holy Thum Ting caves, which enshrine numerous Buddha statues. Lunch on route. In the afternoon arrival at the former royal town of Luang Prabang, which is also an UNESCO world heritage site. Take a sightseeing tour in the city with it's many ancient temples. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 6 LUANG PRABANG B

Time at leisure until transfer to the airport...or extend your stay in Luang Prabang, depends on your further schedule.

REMARKS/FLEXIBILITY:

• Visa for Laos available on arrival at the border crossing against a fee of US$ 40.- (bring passport pictures with you!).
• This tour is also available vise versa with start in Luang Prabang and end in Chiang Rai (or Chiang Mai). As well, on request it is possible to start the tour in Chiang Mai instead of Chiang Rai.
• Additional nights before the tour in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Chiang Khong, but also after the tour in Luang Prabang can be booked with us.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Air-conditioned transportation during the tour, English speaking tour guide, all transfers and excursions as mentioned in the above itinerary (joint group tour on day 2 during the cruise on the Mekong from Houay Xai to Pak Beng), accommodation 4 nights at middle class hotels/resorts and 1 night at a basic tourist class hotel incl. daily breakfast, other meals as shown above (L = lunch), entrance fees as per program

NOT INCLUDED:

Visa for Laos, drinks, tips and personal expenses

HOW TO GET TO CHIANG RAI:

Domestic flights from Bangkok (Thailand) to Chiang Rai by Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Bangkok Airways, Thai Air Asia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Thai Viet Jet Air. From/to Phuket (Thailand) by Thai Air Asia and Thai Viet Jet Air.