North - East Laos 8 Days

HIGHLIGHTS 
Explore the enigmatic Plain of Jars, the third UNESCO World Heritage site in Laos. Visit Tham Piew Cave and see the weaving villages on the way to Sam Neau. Experience Vieng Xai caves, one of the hardest to reach corners of Laos, home to one of the country’s most important historic sites Discover the caves at Viengsay and the role they played in the Communist led revolution. Experience the Nam Et Narn Night Safari.

Our tour guide pick you up from hotel in Luang Prabang and start the 8 hours road trip. on the way we have a short break at Phoukoun Strawberry Farm with a great view and we will enjoy the lunch in Here.
Around 5pm we arrive Phonsavan, the name meaning the "hills of paradise", the capital of the Xieng Khouang Province. In the afternoon, take an orientation tour around the town and have the option to visit the thought-provoking UXO Information Centre, run by British organization MAG (Mines Advisory Group), which has been helping to clear Laos' unexploded ordnance since 1994.Overnight: Hotel in Xieng Khouang.
Meals included: N/A.

Today you will explore the 3 clusters of mysterious stone jars which make up the intriguing Plain of Jars. Despite being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019, very few visitors travel to this mysterious megalithic site - so once you make it, you're treated to arguably one of Southeast Asia's quietest UNESCO sites. Nobody knows how long the jars have actually been here or what they were used for; some speculate they are funeral urns dating back some 2,000 years. Another theory says that they were probably made to contain and transport "Lao Lao", a glutinous wet rice which is boiled with yeast and left to ferment in large jars. It is believed that they were prepared for a huge celebration, which, for some reason was disrupted whilst the jars were being transported, as other jars in smaller quantities can be found on two other sites close by. Despite being one of the most strategic battlegrounds of the Indochina War, most jars were unharmed and remain a complete mystery even today. Spend time discovering the plain of undulating green fields where the 300 giant stones jars are scattered, from the Site 2 to 3, and the Site 1 at last. You will also have opportunities to visit a small monastery in Ban Xieng Di, pass areas that were important battlefields during the American war, and observe Xieng Khouang's local village life at Ban Napia - nicknamed the "War Spoon Village". Later in the afternoon, drive back to your hotel in Phonsavan, where the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel in Xieng Khouang.
Meals included: Breakfast

Early breakfast at the hotel and then head to Sam Neua. The route is packed with dramatic beauty and often described as "a journey of a million turns". En route stop and visit Tham Piew Cave in Muang Kham District. Tham Piew is a vast cave that served as a shelter for the local community seeking refuge from the bombing campaigns that were designed to contain the Marxist Pathet Lao. It is a tangible reminder of an atrocity that took place during a secret war. You will also visit villages of Hmong and Khmu on the way, whose main income is from weaving. As traders employ villagers for production in almost each house there will be family members working on looms. Learn more about this traditional handcraft. Late in the afternoon, you'll arrive in Sam Neua, literally "northern swamp". This capital city of Houaphan Province is one of the country's least visited travel destinations by Western tourists. Spend the night in a simple guest house. 
Overnight: Hotel in Sam Neua.
Meals included: Breakfast

Following breakfast at the hotel, drive to Viengsay, a narrow valley peppered with spectacular limestone peaks and caves. Visit some of the impressive historically important, and well-preserved, caves. Firstly, stop at Kaysone Phomvihane, one of the Pathet Lao leaders who later became the first prime minister of Lao PDR. Then pay a visit to Prince Souphanouvong's cave. Known as the ‘The Red Prince", he lived with his family in one of the caves and as a nationalist fought against the French. After lunch, set off on the drive to Son Koua Village in Muang Hiam (formerly Viengthong), the gateway to the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. 
Overnight: Hotel in Muang Hiam.
Meals included: Breakfast

Deep in the northeast of Laos lies Nam Et-Phou Louey, home to some of the most remote wilderness in Southeast Asia. Due to the near inaccessibility of the park, wildlife is left relatively undisturbed and as a result, gaur, sambar deer and white-cheeked gibbon have been spotted in recent years. Today you will take part in the Nam Nern Night Safari that provides one of the few opportunities in Laos to view rare wildlife. This tour has been designed to create a direct link between conservation and tourism so that the money you pay has a positive impact on encouraging local people to protect endangered tigers and other wildlife. Start the adventure by boat upstream toward the park substation, along the way you will spot colorful bird life, the best in Indochina. On arrival, enjoy a lunch prepared by the village. Later, receive a briefing by park staff about the efforts to protect tigers and their prey. In the middle of the afternoon, travel a further upstream for the night safari. Your guide will explain how local people track deer and other wild species. The boats will continue upriver to the dinner site, a sandy, flat bank, where a dinner will be prepared for you around a campfire. After dark you will board your boat and float down river with the engines off. There is only one light per boat which is used deftly by the guide to avoid scaring any wildlife. If you are fortunate you may spot Sambar deer, otters, barking deer, various species of civets, Slow Loris, porcupine and owls (hogbadgers, Asian golden cat and wild dogs have also been seen). 
Overnight: A Simple Lao-Style Hut in Nam Et National Park.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. 

Rise early this morning to explore the jungle. The local guide will take you on a walk around the jungle, teaching you the use of medicinal plants and explaining the history of the site, which was once a major settlement during the Secret War. Return to the main hut for breakfast and to pack up your kit in preparation for your boat journey back to the village at a relaxing pace with engines off, pointing out birds along the way. Continue by road to Nong Khiaw, arriving there around sunset. Today's journey (approximately 6 hours) is a long one through one of the most remote areas of Laos, but there is some wonderful scenery along the way. 
Overnight: Hotel in Nong Khiaw
Meals included: Breakfast.

A small rustic town, Nong Khiaw's managed to escape the influx of tourism that nearby areas have seen, and visitors can still take in the sights while enjoying the sounds of birds singing and cicadas chirping. Enjoy breakfast overlooking the river as the mist hangs in the valley then head out with your guide to the village of Muang Ngoy, an isolated fishing village, to trek and kayak along the scenic Nam Ou River. Ride a traditional boat upstream on the Nam Ou River for 45 minutes. You will have opportunities to see buffaloes bathing in water, local people fishing and children swimming in the river. It is an idyllic location and surely gives you a sense of peaceful serenity. En route, stop at a small Khmu village of of Ban Sopkonh where you can learn about local people's way of life. Then trek through local farmland and rice paddies to the start of the jungle and discover the beautiful limestone Tad Mook Waterfall. Relax and enjoy a refreshing splash in this perfect setting where picnic lunch will be held. Return to the Nam Ou River to continue your journey by kayak. On the last section of the river paddle through some easy rapids on the approach to Nong Khiaw. 
Overnight: Hotel in Nong Khiaw.
Meals included: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch. 

Day 8: Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang – Departure. 

End Point Luang Prabang After breakfast, enjoy the scenic ride from Nong Khiaw back to Luang Prabang, where your journey ends. Depending on flight schedules, it may be necessary to book a day-use hotel/ another overnight stay or excursions in Luang Prabang (at additional charge). 
Meals Included: Breakfast.

No of Pax	1 Pax	2	3	4	5	6-8	9 – 12	Single charge
4 - 5 star hotel	1855	1065	872	775	717	678	614	126
3 star hotel	1575	995	802	705	467	608	544	84

 
Hotels & Locations

Phonesavan	Xam Neua	Hiam	Nong Kiew
1. Anoulack Khenlao hotel	1. Xayphasouk Hotel	1. Ouksakhone Guest House	1. Nam Ou view Villa
2. Xieng Khouang Hotel	2. Keochinda II Hotel	2. Dork Khoun Thong Guesthouse	2. Nong Kiau Riverside
3. Phouluang Hotel		3. Dokchampa Guesthouse	4. Nam Ou river lodge

 





Package included:
+ Accommodation optional 
+ Private transfer on tour and pick up, drop off (Airport/train station)
+ Speaking English tour guide - experience guide
+ Daily bottle of mineral water
+ Masks and hand sanitizer (Not required to )
+ Meals as mentioned
+ All entrance fee on tours

Package excluded:
+ Drinks
+ Tips
+ Travel insurance
+ Flight from Vientiane to Phonsavan
+ Laos arrival and departure air-tickets
+ Personal expense and others not mentioned

Plain of Jars, Sam Neua, Nong Khiaw Trekking Tour, Phonsavan Tours, Xieng Khouang Tours, Hotel in Phonsavan, Hotels in Nong Khiaw