Your journey begins at 10:00 am from the Houay Xay pier, where you’ll board a shared cruise along the mighty Mekong River. This scenic 6-7 hour cruise takes you on a slow, relaxing journey to the charming town of Pakbeng. As you glide downriver, you'll pass traditional scenes of daily life—locals farming, fishing, and building wooden houses—while spotting water buffaloes, goats, and other animals along the way. The cruise offers breathtaking views of mountainous jungle landscapes.

Onboard, enjoy complimentary fresh fruit, tea, and coffee. You can also purchase local snacks and alcoholic beverages. A buffet lunch featuring freshly prepared local delicacies is included.

During the cruise, you'll stop at a small hill tribe village, where you’ll observe villagers going about their daily routines—washing clothes, caring for animals, and preparing rice for evening meals. This self-sustained community thrives through mutual support, exchanging goods like rice, eggs, and vegetables for labor on farming or house-building projects.

Upon arrival at Pakbeng Pier, you’ll disembark and transfer by local transportation to Le Grand Pakbeng Resort, where you'll stay for two nights.

We will travel 17 km north of Pakbeng along a red-soil road to visit Khmu villages. Along the way, you'll enjoy spectacular views of jungle-covered mountains, small rivers feeding the mighty Mekong, bamboo forests, and rice fields, where hardworking locals go about their daily routines.  

In the first village, Ban Lai, you'll experience rural life where buffalos, pigs, chickens, and dogs roam freely. Your guide will introduce you to the customs of the Khmu people and explain the differences among Laos' three largest ethnic groups. You'll have the opportunity to visit a cattle farm, explore small vegetable gardens, and interact with the curious locals as you capture photos of village life.  

Next, you'll visit Ban Kham, the last village along the red-soil road. This village is known for its traditional bamboo houses built on stilts. Families live on the upper floors, while the space underneath is used for animals and tools, including large wooden mortars and pestles for processing food—a tradition passed down for generations. Here, you can participate in hands-on activities like gold panning or rice peeling with the villagers.  

In the afternoon, you'll return to Pakbeng town for lunch. Afterward, you'll visit Wat Sichomjeng, a beautifully decorated temple adorned with colorful artifacts, ancient murals, and sculptures. Next, you'll explore Wat Kokkor, a 400-year-old temple offering both historic artifacts and stunning views of Pakbeng town.  

You'll stop by the local market, where residents from across the district come to shop. You'll find an array of local foods and products, including dried buffalo skin, local tea, saltpeter, fresh vegetables, fruit, fish, and poultry—everything essential to daily life in Laos. 

We’ll head to Muang Xai, a provincial town in Oudomxay.  On the way, we'll stop at Ban Yor, a model Lao village with a rich cultural heritage. Founded in 902 by Thai Leu settlers who chose the area for its fertile valley and warm climate, Ban Yor is now home to 135 families and 682 residents. Despite having electricity, the village retains its traditional charm and way of life. Here, you'll see villagers immersed in their daily routines—women spinning and weaving cotton grown nearby and men skillfully knitting fishnets.  

Northern Laos has a long history of pottery-making, thanks to abundant clay deposits. Though pottery production has declined in recent decades, villagers still craft simple bowls and jugs using traditional methods, without electricity or modern machinery.  

You can choose to have lunch in Oudomxay or enjoy a simple meal at a local restaurant in Muang Xai before continuing to Namkat Yorla Pa, a luxury eco-resort.  

Namkat Yorla Pa is a protected forestry area along the Nam Kat River in Oudomxay province, one of the most stunning and sought-after eco-tourism destinations in Laos and Southeast Asia. Here, you’ll experience the wonders of nature, diverse flora and fauna, ethnic culture, and thrilling adventures, all in a serene, picturesque setting.  

Spend the afternoon at your leisure—relax by the pool, take a complimentary bike ride along paved trails, explore the surrounding forest, or unwind on the restaurant’s balcony, listening to the sounds of nature and watching the gentle stream flow by. 

We’ll depart from the resort by car and take a short walk to the Information Centre. From there, you’ll begin a trek to the stunning Namkat Waterfall, crossing suspension bridges along the way and enjoying spectacular views of the Namkat River below.  

At the waterfall, we’ll take a break for a relaxing lunch amidst the natural surroundings.  

Afterward, the adventure continues with an exhilarating zip-lining experience. Feel the thrill of soaring through the trees at high speed! For those who prefer not to zip-line, an alternate walking route back to the meeting point will be arranged.   

If you're interested, you can also choose other optional activities, payable on-site.

Transfer to the train station at 11:00 am. The train departs from Oudomxay to Luang Prabang at 12:34 pm, with a travel time of approximately one hour.  

1:23 pm: Arrive at Luang Prabang station, where your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

We’ll drive to the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfall, where you can cool off in its turquoise pools or stroll along scenic forest trails. You’ll also have the chance to visit the nearby bear sanctuary, managed by Free the Bears Fund Inc.

Visit the Royal Palace Museum, which houses fascinating artifacts from the city's royal era. Discover Luang Prabang’s oldest and most impressive temples, including Wat Xiengthong, famous for its sweeping, low-hanging roof that exemplifies classical Lao architecture, the striking stupa of Wat Visoun, and the peaceful shrine of Wat Aham.

We’ll ascend Mount Phousi to explore its sacred gilded stupa and enjoy panoramic views of the city, the sunset, and the Mekong River.

Visit to the vibrant Night Market, offering a beautiful array of handmade textiles crafted by local artisans and hill tribe communities around Luang Prabang.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to relax before being transferred to Luang Prabang airport for your departure.