Destinations

1. Phongsali Province
Phongsali province the most remote in northern Laos is surrounded on three sides by China and Vietnam. The Phu Den Din National Biodiversity Conservation Area along the Vietnamese border with mountains as high as 1950m with over 70% forest cover is home to the asiatic black bear, bantang, clouded leopard, elephant, guar and tiger.

The capital Phongsali, can be reached from Muang Xai with buses leaving once a day. Phongsali has a year round cool climate with temperatures as low as 5 degrees Celcius at night. Rain can be heavy - bring a jacket and warm clothes.

Muang Khoa is a small town situated on the junction of Route 4 and the Nam Ou river. The journey to Muang Khoa along route 4 from Udomxai takes about four hours. It is possible to travel up river to Phongsali from here, or down to Luang Prabang. 

2. Luang Namtha Province

Located in the northern part of Laos, Luang Namtha shares its northwestern border with Myanmar and its northeastern border with China. The province is mountainous, home to large numbers of minorities.

The Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area is located in the southwest of Luang Namtha - a pristine habitat of dense tropical rainforest covering almost all of the protected area.

UNESCO are funding a ecotourism project in Luang Namtha that will be capable of sustaining sustainable development in the province. The concept of the project is to provide education, conservation, management and sustainable economic benefits for the local population.

The province is home to a 39 minorities the largest number in the country.

2.1 Luang Namtha - Getting There
+ By Air
Lao Aviation flies to Luang Namtha from Vientiane, Houay Xai and Luang Prabang - for flight information, please click here for LaoAviation's flight schedule.

+ Buses run from Houay Xai, Muang Xai and from the Chinese border at Boten.

+ From China:
It is possible to enter Laos at Boten from Mengla district in Yunnan province on the Chinese border. You will need a visa in before entering Laos. From Boten, the capital Luang Namtha is about three hours away.

2.2 Luang Namtha - Out and About
Muang Xing
The town of Muang Xing lies on the river plains of the Nam La to the northwest of Luang Namtha. The town is a historic centre that was formerly an outpost of the Sipsongpanna Empire based in southern Yunnan in China. The town is home to a number of ethnic minorities as well as lowland Lao, Tai Lue, Thai Neua and Thai Dam. The town of Muang Xing has a number of guesthouses where trekking and hiking trips can be arranged.

Other activities in the province include trips to many ancient temples in the region and minority villages.

3. Bokeo Province
Bokeo province is the smallest province in the country and borders Thailand and Myanmar. This is the Lao side of the 'Golden Triangle'. The province has 34 ethnic groups, the second most ethnically diverse province in Laos. The photo shows a group of Akha (Ikaw or Kaw) people from the Golden Triangle area taken in 1900.

Huay Xai is the border town with Thailand, the city is busy and prosperous.

Located in the center of Huay Xay is Chomkao Manilat temple. The view from the the temple hill over Houy Xay city,the Mekong river and surrounding mountains is a definite reward for making it up the many steps.

3.1 Bokeo - Huay Xai - Getting There
+ Lao Aviation flies to and from Luang Prabang, Udomxai, Luang Namtha and Vientiane. Click here for Lao Aviation's domestic timetable.

+ Slow boats travel between Luang Prabang and Houay Xai via Pakbeng. Taking a slow boat is an adventure for seasoned travellers only. Expect no toilets, no comfort and expect to take your time. This is the real way to see old Indochina. The journey either way takes two nights.

+ Speed boats run on the same routes but will take just a few hours - you will pay accordingly. The journey is fast and furious and not for the faint of heart.

+ Buses run between Huay Xai, Luang Prabang, Udomxai and Luang Namtha.

+ From Thailand:
Huay Xai is reached by ferry from Chiang Khong in Thailand. This boreder entrypoint does not currently issue visas on entry. Unless you are travelling with a pre arranged tour, a visa in advance will be required.

Chiang Rai airport in Thailand is served regularly by Thai Airways International. Chaing Rai airport is an hour or so away from Chiang Khong.

3.2 Huay Xai - Out and About
The most lucrative occupation in Bokeo is gold panning and digging for precious stones, which visitors can see at Ban Namkhok (the Lu Village), 6 km from the town and at Ban Houi Sala (the Hmong Village), around 18 km from Huay Xai.

Golden Triangle
Located about 80 km to the North-west of Houeixay. Visitors can see the beautiful panorama of the border areas of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

Forespace
Forespace is a new National Tourism Authority Bokeo province and French private investment venture. This ecotourism project, in the Nam Kan pretected area will be a major international attraction for visitors and will provice one of the longest, most interesting forest canopy walks in the world. There are ten walkways planned along with bungalows and an information centre.

4. Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the jewel of Indochina, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. The ancient royal city is surrounded by mountains at the junction of the Mekong and its tributary, the Khan river. In the centre of the city is Mount Phousi with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills. Luang Prabang is a city where time seems to stand still. As part of the UNESCO plan, new buildings have been limited and development must be in keeping with this magical place.

Luang Prabang is small, and just about everywhere can be reached by foot. Walking and travelling by bicycle is the best way to see this tiny city.

4.1 Luang Prabang - City Sites
Luang Prabang has dozens of temples and religious sites, both large and small. The best way to see these sites is by foot or by bicycle. The biggest concentration of temples is in the old quarter, much of which forms a peninsula between the Mekong and the Khan rivers. In between temple visits, there are many small restaurants perched high on the banks of the Mekong where you can watch life go by at a very slow pace.

Wat Xieng Thong - is situated 300m south of the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers and was built in 1560. The temple is the most stunning in Luang Prabang, richly decorated with coloured glass and gold.

Mount Phousi and Wat That Chom Sii - situated 150m and 300 steps up above the peninsula with spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. The climb is tiring, but the views from the top are certainly worth it. From the top, you can see the old Royal Palace, now the Palace Museum, the rivers and surrounding villages. The temple has a gold spired stupa that can be seen from most parts of the city.

The Royal Palace, now a museum houses a collection of artefacts belonging to former rulers of the Kingdom of Lane Xang. Photography is not allowed in the museum.

4.2 Luang Prabang - Getting There
+ Lao Aviation flies to Luang Prabang from Vientiane, Houay Xai, Phonesavanh, Luang Namtha and Oudomxai.

+ Slow boats travel between Vientiane and Luang Prabang and between Luang Prabang and Houay Xai. Taking a slow boat is an adventure for seasoned travellers only. Expect no toilets, no comfort and expect to take your time. This is the real way to see old Indochina.

+ Speed boats run on the same routes but will take just a few hours - you will pay accordingly. The journey is fast and furious and not for the faint of heart.

+ Buses run from to Luang Prabang from Vientiane's Nong Duang Market three times a day. The service takes between eight and 14 hours. There are also daily buses to Luang Prabang from Xiang Khouang and Oudomxai.

Important Note:
Visitors travelling by air will automatically register with immigration police at Luang Prabang airport. All other visitors must register with immigration police on arrival and departure in Luang Prabang. Failure to do so will result in a stiff fine and you may have to return back to Luang Prabang to complete formalities. Your hotel or guest house will assisit you with the formalities.

4.3 Luang Prabang - Out and About

Pak Ou Caves
Situated 25km upriver from Luang Prabang at the confluence of the Ou and Mekong rivers are two caves, Tham Ting and Tham Phun, that house countless numbers of Buddah images that have been left over hundreds of years by devotees. The caves are best accessed by boat from LuangPrabang, either a slow boat, that takes about two hours to reach or by speedboat.
Perhaps the most enjoyable way to visit the caves is to take your time and enjoy a quiet lunch at the caves - there is a covered rest area there where you can relax, enkoy lunch and take your time overlooking the Mekong river.

Ban Xang Hai
Near Pak Ou caves, downriver towards Luang Prabang is the village of Ban Xang Hai, famous for its manufacture of rice whiskey. The villagers carry water from the Mekong and use it to soak rice in large jars which sit for several days. The fermented rice yields alcohol which can be drunk as a cloudy liquid, or distilled to make a fire water.

Kuang Si Waterfalls
About 30km south of Luang Prabang, passing through many ethnic minority villages are the magnificent Kuang Sii Waterfalls. There are trails all around the falls and visitors can swim in the lower pools. The falls has a covered area for eating and there are several stalls serving simple Lao food and drink. A full day should be allowed for a trip to the falls.

Ban Phanom Village
About 30km south of Luang Prabang, passing through many ethnic minority villages are the magnificent Kuang Sii Waterfalls. There are trails all around the falls and visitors can swim in the lower pools. The falls has a covered area for eating and there are several stalls serving simple Lao food and drink. A full day should be allowed for a trip to the falls.

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