Start/End: Houay Xay/Luang Prabang Route: Pakbeng - Nam Kat - Luang Prabang
Duration: 07 Days 
Theme: Authentic, Mountain & Minority, Culture and Heritage, Nature & Discover 
Tour type: Private tour Tour schedule: Daily departure 
Tour guide in:
English, Français Embark on an unforgettable seven-day journey through northern Laos, where stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and thrilling adventures await. From a serene cruise along the Mekong River from Houay Xay to Pakbeng, where you’ll visit hill tribe villages, to a stay in the eco-paradise of Namkat Yorla Pa, this itinerary offers a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration. Experience ancient temples, vibrant markets, and the diverse traditions of the Khmu and Thai Leu people. Marvel at the natural wonders of Kuang Si Waterfall and enjoy panoramic views of Luang Prabang from Mount Phousi. Each day brings new discoveries, culminating in a peaceful farewell with a traditional alms-giving ceremony.
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.
Start the visits with the former Royal Palace, now transformed into the National Museum, which houses a precious collection of royal and religious artifacts tracing the history of Laos.
Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, the city's most iconic and photographed temple, remarkable for its elegantly sloping roofs and golden mosaics depicting scenes of Laotian life.
Next, visit Wat Visoun, recognizable by its watermelon-shaped stupa—a symbol of harmony—and one of the oldest temples in Luang Prabang.
At Wat Aham, a small and intimate temple, you’ll discover the guardian spirits of the city and the animist elements that remain deeply rooted in local culture.
We’ll ascend Mount Phousi to explore its sacred gilded stupa and enjoy panoramic views of the city, the sunset, and the Mekong River.
Towards the end of the day, enjoy free time to stroll through the night market, where ethnic minorities display their handmade crafts. The peaceful atmosphere, hanging lanterns, and fragrant spices create an unforgettable setting.
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time to relax before being transferred to Luang Prabang airport for your departure.
Traveling with more than 8 people? You can select a different group size in the next step.
Group Size 9+
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival in Vietnam and contain a minimum of two blank pages.
French citizens, as well as nationals of 12 other countries (including Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain), may enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 45 days. If you plan to stay longer, or if your nationality is not eligible for this exemption, please check with the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or feel free to contact us for further information.
International flights are not included in the price of our tours. You are free to choose and book the flights that best suit your needs and schedule. If you wish, our travel consultants can assist you in finding the best available options.
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Please check whether your credit card already provides coverage and consider purchasing additional insurance if necessary.
Spring (February to April) and autumn (September to December) are the most pleasant seasons to visit Vietnam, with mild weather and limited rainfall. However, the country stretches over more than 1,600 km, and weather conditions vary significantly. Vietnam can be visited year-round:
Please pack clothing suitable for each region according to your itinerary.
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The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US dollars and euros are sometimes accepted in hotels, but this is not guaranteed.
Tip: Avoid using old, damaged, or torn banknotes, as they are often refused for payment.
If your tour includes domestic flights, the exact schedules, flight numbers, and relevant details will be provided in your travel documents.
Please arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, bringing your passport and electronic ticket (or booking reference).
Baggage: Checked baggage allowance generally ranges between 20 kg and 23 kg, depending on the airline. Cabin baggage is usually limited to 7 kg.
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The risk of malaria is very low in Vietnam’s main tourist areas, including Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and the tourist areas of the Mekong Delta. No malaria prophylaxis is generally recommended for these regions.
However, if you plan to travel to remote rural, forested, or mountainous areas (for example, Muong Te in Lai Chau, certain border or isolated areas of the northern highlands, or deep areas of the Mekong), you should consult a doctor or a travel medicine clinic to assess the need for preventive treatment.
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Please take a moment to carefully check the signs at the arrival exit. If you have any difficulty locating our driver, do not hesitate to contact our assistance team, available 24/7, at the following number:
+84 382 536 266 (direct call or WhatsApp available).
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Note: At some airports, several drivers may be waiting at the exit. If you do not immediately find our representative, please remain in the meeting area and contact us — we will assist you promptly.
Our small-group tours generally bring together between 4 and 7 participants. You will travel alongside people from diverse backgrounds, with different nationalities, cultures, and ages. This is a great opportunity to share experiences, exchange perspectives, and build meaningful connections throughout the journey.
To ensure that all planned activities run smoothly, punctuality is essential. Please respect the schedules communicated by your local guide to guarantee an enjoyable and seamless experience for the entire group.
For group tours, room allocation is based on the gender indicated on your passport. By default, you will share a twin room with a traveler of the same gender.
You will be accommodated in a single room in the following cases:
In both cases, a single supplement applies. Please contact your travel consultant to check availability and the exact supplement amount.
Note: This supplement does not apply to train cabins, which include four berths per compartment.
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