Southeast Asia is famous for many things, not least the array of different culinary experiences that are on offer. Tourists are already familiar with cuisines like Thai, Chinese and Malaysian, which are readily available across the globe, but the region has so much more to offer. Lesser known to many is the cuisine of Laos. Gentler, subtler and certainly less spicy than that of its southern neighbour, Thailand, Lao cuisine is in no way less tasty.

A Taste of Laos’ takes you on a journey across the country, tasting the finest food on offer, experiencing the heart of the nation’s culture and learning how to prepare Lao food for yourself. Starting in the tranquil northern riverside town of Luang Nam Tha, you will have a dinner specially prepared in authentic Northern Laos style using only local produce before going on a tour of the scenic forest and villages in the area en route to the Nam Keo Hoi waterfall. Immerse yourself even further in the local culture over the following days with treks through villages, engaging with locals as they go about their daily agricultural duties. Explore the native wildlife and lend a helping hand with communities as they prepare food, gaining hands on experience of Lao food preparation. You will also get the chance to venture out on bike journeys along the Nam Ou River‘s banks interacting with the locals on excursions to harvest regional produce, to swim in hot springs and to visit caves only accessible by boat.

Spend a day traveling to Luang Prabang along the river, passing by the incredible mountain and jungle scenery with stops of course to enjoy some of the country’s finest food. Laos‘ spiritual capital, Luang Prabang is the perfect place to take a cooking class before going on a tour of the country’s most stunning regions. The mysterious Plain of Jars, the mountains of Xiang Khouang and giant Buddhas of Muang Khoun are all breathtaking to behold. Finish your trip in the modern-day capital Vientiane for a farewell dinner in one of Laos’ finest restaurants.

Itinerary

DAY 1: HOUEXAI (arrival) → MUANG SING

Welcome to Laos. From Huay Xay border, drive through beautiful mountain scenery to the town of Luang
Nam Tha, a tranquil town nestled in the foothills of Northern Laos and surrounded by a diverse mixture of local ethnic hilltribes. Upon arrival in Luang Nam Tha, transfer directly to Muang Sing. The rest of the day is your own free to at leisure or to stroll around this small charming town.

• Overnight in Muang Sing
• N/A

DAY 2: MUANG SING → BAN SAI LECK (YAO VILLAGE)

The program starts around 3:30 PM. Make your way by Tuk Tuk or bicycle (depending on your preference) to the village of Ban Sai Leck along a main road about 5 km. We stay overnight at the village lodge provided by the village. While waiting for dinner you may walk around the village, meet the people and learn about their tradition and culture.

After dinner you will see Yao culture show and receive a massage which is traditionally given to the guests staying overnight in the village.

NOTE: we offer the package of 3D2N Akha and Yao Experience instead of Akha Experience only

• Overnight in the village
• B,L,D

DAY 3: BAN SAI LECK – BAN NAM DEAT MAI (AKHA VILLAGE)

After breakfast the next morning you will participate in activities of the family. Depending on the season you can watch or take part:
• January-March: bamboo-paper-making, planting vegetables, sowing corn, dyeing clothes, weaving etc.
• April-May: go and learn how to grow rice on mountain-slopes etc.
• June-August: go and learn how to prepare the fields for wet rice, and to plant the seedlings.
• September: plant and care vegetable-gardens etc.
• October-November: go, watch or help to harvest the mountain- and the mountain-rice or corn etc.
• December-January: take part in house building and festivals or in collecting food.
After lunch walk visit other Yao villages to see difference of nature silk knit & we will arrival Ban Nam Deat Mai “Akha Village” the second homestay of the tour around 3-4 PM.
While waiting for the dinner, you might walk around the village, meet the people and learn about the traditional Akha architecture.
When your dinner you will receive Akha activities such as: tradition & culture performance. After dinner you will receive a massage which is traditionally given to the guests staying overnight in the village.

• Overnight in the village
• B,L,D

DAY 4: BAN NAM DEAT MAI → MUANG SING

After breakfast, you might join activities of the family.
• January-May: work in the vegetable garden, sow corn etc.
• June-August: go to the paddy-fields to plant rice, etc.
• September-October: work in the vegetable garden.
• November-December: go to the paddy-field for harvesting rice etc.
The tour will finish after the lunch with the family in the field.

• Overnight in the village
• B,L

DAY 5: MUANG SING → NAMKAT YOLA PA

Today drive North takes through some of the most stunning mountain scenery you will find in South East Asia, with plenty of opportunities to stop off at the various Khmu and H’mong villages along the way. Upon arrival in Oudomxay, we will transfer directly to Namkat Yola Pa Resort, which locates 30Km from Oudomxay center. The resort is famous for its pure natural surround with the thick jungle, and especially the amazing Namkat Waterfalls, which we will explore in the next days.

Upon arrival, check in your riverside bungalow. Free for the rest of the day at the resort pool, or just relax and enjoy the sound of nature.

• Overnight in the riverside bungalow at Namkat Waterfalls
• B

DAY 6: NAMKAT (EXPERIENCE)

We depart from the resort and cycle upwards to the Namkat Waterfall. You will sense the fresh smell of nature as the road is surrounded by thick forest. The cycling trip towards the waterfall will take about 2 hours. We will park our bikes at the entrance point of the waterfall, and walk towards the waterfall by flying bridges walk. Picnic lunch will be served at the waterfall. We will spend about 1.5 hour there. After lunch we will do zip-lining back to the entrance/meeting point where we parked the bikes and cycle back to the resort.

• Overnight at Namkat Yola Pa Resort
• B,L

DAY 7: NAMKAT → NONG KHIAW

Early morning, we will take the short transfer to Muang Khua, the small town near the border with Vietnam. From there, we begin the 4.5 hours on a boat down the most beautiful stretch of the Nam Ou River. Take in the stunning scenery as the river passes by towering limestone karsts. Delve into the cultural richness of the area by visit some Lao villages along the river. Stop at Muang Noy, believed to have been built by the ancient Khmu kingdom.

Enjoy a free afternoon to explore this picturesque region at your leisure. Perhaps take a bike ride along the scenic trails around the foot of the limestone mountain.

Spend the night in a guesthouse overlooking the serene Nam Ou River.

• Overnight in a guesthouse
• B

DAY 8: NONG KHIAW → LUANG PRABANG

In the morning, visit the historical cave of Phathok. The Nong Khiaw villagers used this cave as a war shelter during the “Secret War”, to shelter people from bombs dropped in the region. It is about a 30-minute gentle walk from Nong Khiaw town and takes you through beautiful scenery. Learn more about a secret part of the Lao history and explore the historical caves with your guide. From the cave you will have a beautiful view of rice paddies and the valley. Walk back to Nong Khiaw along a small path through the rice paddies.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage City, enjoying the lush green forests and landscape. We will be able to stop off at a few villages and admire the breathtaking limestone karst scenery. We will stop at Pak Ou Village, and take the small motorboat to visit Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. We will continue the drive and arrive back to Luang Prabang at around late afternoon, check in your hotel.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang
• B,L

DAY 9: LUANG PRABANG (Leisure time)

Enjoy breakfast at hotel.

You are free to stroll around the city of Luang Prabang or just stay relax.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang
• B

DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG (city tour & visit Kuang Si waterfall)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron- clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.
ABF, we visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park, one of the must-visit spots, newly opened on January 2014. Arriving in Luang Prabang, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunrise view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River.

• Overnight in Luang Prabang
• B,L

DAY 11: LUANG PRABANG → XIENG KHOUANG (B)

After breakfast, we make our way over the mountains to Xieng Khuang, the province which is best-known for having been heavily bombed during Indochina War. But of course, it is also famous for its historic Plain of Jars. The journey takes about 8 hours and we can make some stops at villages to observe the rural life of local people, including ethnic minorities such as the Hmong people. Arrival in Phonsavanh, the capital of Xiengkhouang province and check into your hotel.
Overnight at hotel in town!

• Overnight in Luang Prabang
• B,L

DAY 12: XIENG KHOUANG (explore Plain of Jars)

In the morning you will journey through Phonsavan and the Plain of Jars.

The Plain of Jars is a huge archaeological complex littered with mysterious 2000 years old stone jars sized from 70cm up to 3 or 4 meters. Their true origin remains a mystery. It seems that they were carved into boulders. Several researches lead by the French archaeologist Madeleine Colani in the 30’s suggested that they could be old graves, but to this day they remain an enigma.

Your trip will enable you to visit the 3 sites and also discover some local villages where you can observe local village life.

• Site 1 – close to the town is settled at Thong Hai Hin and is the biggest site.
• Site 2 – is at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, “Phou” in Lao means “Mountain”.

End your tour at site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai. Site 3 is the most impressive with over 150 jars. Close to this site, you will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. On the way back, you will pass areas that were important battlefields during the American secret war. You can still see bomb craters from that time today.

Attention: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.

In the afternoon, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun. Muang Khoun one place in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.

Then return to Xieng Khouang and stay overnight.

• Overnight in Xieng Khouang
• B,L

DAY 13: XIENG KHUANG → VIENTIANE (B)

Take flight to Vientiane QV402 XKH VTE 15:40 16:10

On arrival in Vientiane, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

• Overnight in Vientiane
• B

DAY 14: VIENTIANE (orchid trek)

7:30 The car and guide will pick you up at your hotel. After around 2-hour drive, we will arrive in the village of Ban Hatkhay. Here, we will meet the local guide, the expert for Lao orchid.
Afterwards, we will drive through the small road among the paddy field to Ban Pha Say. From here, our orchid trek will start.

We move on small trails and discover shade different forest types: semi-deciduous jungles, bamboo, accompanied by two guides and an expert on orchids.

Do not be surprised by abundance of orchids in some places, all the rocks are covered!
Some biotopes are extraordinary. We will also have the opportunity to learn many things on medicinal plants and other plant families such as: Cane, the Gingers, the Dypterocarpes …

The picnic will be in the bed of a dry river any part of the year. The afternoon will end with a swim at the waterfall of Tad Say before returning to the village. Back in Vientiane expected around 18h.

• Overnight in Vientiane
• B,L

DAY 15: VIENTIANE (city tour – departure)

After breakfast we will first visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

You are then transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• N/A
• B

Inclusion