Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Laos – Houayxay – Pakbeng – Nong Khiaw – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang
100% customisable for you
Fish out your lightest clothes and head to the airport – your escape to northern Laos starts today. After breezing through security, settle into the lounge for some complimentary nibbles before takeoff. Flights to Thailand’s Chiang Rai connect through Bangkok and take around 15 hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to slip into holiday mode.
Once you’ve landed the following morning, meet your private driver for the transfer to Chiang Saen, a charming town perched on the Laos border. Check in for an overnight stay here, then drop your bags and scope out your suave new digs.
Before dinner this evening, work off any residual jetlag with a Lanna massage. An integral part of northern Thai culture, this traditional massage helps release muscle tension and stiffness, particularly in the feet, legs and lower back. Now that’s how you kick off a holiday.
Wake up bright and early this morning for Tak Bat, a traditional almsgiving ceremony where hundreds of monks line up at the break of dawn to collect food offerings.
After attending this sacred ritual, grab your bags and meet your private driver for the hour-long journey to Houayxay, a town on the Thailand/Laos border.
Here, meet a local guide to hop in a boat and enjoy a private cruise along the Mekong River. Along the way, wind past a scenic mix of reed beds, banana groves, sugar palms, rice fields, vegetable gardens, sandy beaches and traditional houses mounted on stilts.
Stop in a charming village to rub shoulders with the locals before climbing back onto the boat for lunch. After some more cruising, disembark and strap in for another private transfer to the small village of Pakbeng.
When you reach your hotel, check in for one night, dine on a delicious dinner and sink into a plush stack of pillows to rest up for the adventures of tomorrow.
Tuck into a tasty breakfast this morning before donning your sunnies and hitting the streets. The land around Pakbeng is home to a thriving Khmu (pronounced kuh-moo) community, making it ideal for an introduction to this indigenous ethnic group.
Stroll along Pakbeng’s main street and visit its lively market, then meet a friendly local guide to delve into the surrounding hillside. Once you’ve racked up some stellar step counts, stop in a traditional Khmu village to meet a few of the locals.
Then, sit down for a picnic lunch on the banks of the nearby river before walking to a second village. After learning more about Khmu culture here, return to Pakbeng to visit the 400-year-old Wat Kokkor Temple in time for sunset. Cameras at the ready...
This morning, enjoy breakfast overlooking the misty valley before checking out and meeting your private driver for the four-and-a-half-hour journey to Nam Kat, a forested area perched on the river of the same name.
After arriving, settle in for two nights cosied up against the rainforest. Then, following some post-car-journey stretching, indulge in some downtime by hopping in the pool or strolling around the gardens to work up an appetite for dinner this evening.
Fuel up on a hearty breakfast this morning before stepping out to meet a local guide for a journey through the Nam Kat Yorla Pa protected area.
Trek between a series of striking centuries-old trees before sitting down to enjoy a picnic under the canopy. Suitably satiated, continue on to find a hidden waterfall where – once your stomachs have settled – you can cool off with a refreshing dip.
Dry off and return to your hotel this evening to celebrate your active adventure with a cheeky pre-dinner cocktail. You’ve certainly earned it…
Wake up bright and early this morning to check out and hop in a car for the private transfer to Nong Khiaw, a four-hour drive away. Don’t hesitate to request some road trip tunes once you’ve set off – our expertly curated destination playlist provides the perfect jungle soundtrack.
When you pull into your next hotel, check in for two nights, divvy up the sides of the bed, freshen up and head out.
The rest of today is yours to spend as you please. If you’re tired from your travels, take it easy by enjoying the facilities at your hotel; if you’re raring to go, explore your new surroundings with a gentle stroll or a bike ride along the winding trails.
No matter how you choose to spend the afternoon, just be sure to end the day with yet another mouth-watering meal. Food comas pending...
Luxuriate in a leisurely breakfast this morning before grabbing your sun caps and setting off on a boat trip down the Nam Ou River. At 278 miles long, this is one of the most important waterways in Laos – besides the Mekong, of course.
Cruise along the water until you reach the village of Muang Ngoi, nestled against dramatic limestone cliffs and lush green hills. Hop out and continue on foot here with a stroll around the rice paddies.
Then, duck into the Tham Chang Cave, a historically significant site that served as a shelter for villagers during the First Indochina War. Afterwards, head to the remote rural hamlet of Ban Na before returning to Muang Ngoi.
Round out your riverside wanderings this afternoon by scaling the Pha Noy Viewpoint – a hilltop lookout. Your efforts will be rewarded (phew) with a sweeping panorama over the surrounding mountains. Time to take one for the photo wall.
Bid the forest a fond farewell this morning as you buckle up for the three-hour-and-45-minute trip south. Along the way, you’ll pass through more of the Laotian countryside before reaching the traditional village of Ban Muang Keo.
When you arrive, settle in for the night at another charming hotel before venturing back out for an afternoon centred around local farming and Laotian cuisine (yum).
Accompanied by an expert local guide, immerse yourself in the surrounding landscape on a stroll through the paths around Ban Muang Keo before heading to a vegetable garden to learn about traditional agriculture.
Having acquired some super niche knowledge, slip away to the kitchen to prepare a meal using locally sourced ingredients. After tasting the fruits of your labour, end the day with a preparation of religious offerings for tomorrow morning’s Buddhist ceremony.
Rise, shine and dine this morning before heading out to explore the centre of Ban Muang Keo and the nearby Pak Ou Caves. Not to spoil anything, but you’re in for a real treat.
Start by heading to the local temple to present the offerings you prepared last night to the local monks. Then, stretch your legs on a walk through the town to meet the locals and learn about their daily lives.
Afterwards, visit a beach along the Mekong River to enjoy an aperitif and a tasty traditional lunch. Suitably stuffed, embark on a gentle half-hour walk to the Pak Ou Caves, where you’ll find hundreds of Buddha statues and a striking view of the river.
Once your camera roll can take no more, return to Ban Muang Keo and meet a private driver for the hour-long drive to Luang Prabang, where you’ll check into the final hotel of your trip. This calls for a drink, don’t you think?
The next few days are yours to soak up the culture of Luang Prabang, Laos’s former royal city. Awarded UNESCO status in 1995, it’s home to dozens of temples and religious sites – Wat Sensoukharam and Wat Xiengthong being the big hitters.
When you’re not gazing up at the glass and gold grandeur of these storied sites, venture into the surrounding area to explore waterfalls and rural villages, such as Ban Xieng Men. Here, you’ll find – lo and behold – even more temples, including Wat Chompet and Wat Long Khoun.
Back in Luang Prabang, the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum) is another must-see. And don’t forget to sample some local sweet treats between your wanderings – khao pard (a dessert made from rice flour, coconut milk and pandan) is sure to be a winner.
Indulge in a slow start this morning with a bountiful breakfast, then make the most of your final afternoon in Laos by grabbing your swimsuits and heading out to the Kuang Si Waterfall.
This multi-tiered waterfall is known for its stunning turquoise waters and naturally formed limestone basins. Sink into these peaceful pools today before drying off and visiting a local dairy farm.
Then, celebrate the end of the day – and the end of your trip – with a glass of wine at sunset and a tasting of some of the farm’s products. It doesn’t come much better than this.
Sadly, your escape to northern Laos comes to an end today. After one last mouthwatering meal, grab your bags, check out and meet your private driver to transfer to the airport for your return flight.
The journey back connects through Bangkok and takes a day, so you’ll be spending the night on board. You’ll arrive home the following evening, ready to regale friends and family with tales of your blissfully crowd-free adventure.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
