Laos along the Mekong

HOUESSAY – PAKBENG
The day after your arrival, after a good night in Chiang Rai, head to the Houessay border crossing early in the morning, where our French-speaking guide awaits on the Laos side.
Here begins the descent of one of the world’s most famous rivers: the Mekong. Along the way, you will have numerous opportunities to stop and meet the different peoples living along the banks of “the Mother of Waters”.
Lunch on board, prepared by the boatmen.
Arrival at Pakbeng at the end of the day, a village in northern Laos and a major trading hub: goods arrive and depart here bound for or coming from Thailand, Burma, and even China.

MUANG LA
Departure to explore the Muang La district. After a 4.5-hour drive, we reach Oudomxay province in central-northern Laos. The region is rich in mountain landscapes and home to numerous ethnic minorities.
You will take superb walks exploring the nature surrounding your resort. From the intense green of the rice paddies to the dense forest beyond, these 2- to 3-hour walks will be true “nature breaks”.
On a trek along small green paths winding alongside streams, you will meet local farmers working in the rice paddies and learn their methods of cultivating the land, fishing, and hunting small game. At the end of the path, you will reach cool waterfalls where you can relax in clear waters, soothed by the gentle breeze and the calm of the place.
You will also spend a day by 4×4 visiting Ikho and Hmong villages, two communities typical of Laos. You will first visit a beautiful, completely isolated Ikho village. This community, originating from Yunnan and Tibet, has remained highly traditional. We will then head to the Hmong village of Ban Tauser. This ethnic group, originally from China and Mongolia, will show you their customs and the important place animals (pigs, buffalo…) hold in their way of life, along with the care they give them. A few minutes from the village is a viewpoint offering a 360° panorama of the region—unique.
Three-night stay on a half-board basis at a high-end resort.

CRUISE TO NONG KHIAW
Departure for Muang Khua, the starting point of your cruise on the magnificent Nam Ou River. Along the way, we will visit a Tai Dam village where we will discover the traditional methods of making local rice alcohol. About two hours after leaving Muang La, you will arrive at Muang Khua, where you will begin a superb cruise. This river descent, from Muang Khua to Nong Khiaw, is without doubt the most beautiful in the region! Aboard our boat, you will discover numerous villages and magnificent landscapes, including karst formations that seem to rise majestically from the water, bringing this pleasant cruise to a stunning close.
Arrival at Nong Khiaw in the late afternoon.

LUANG PRABANG
This morning, we continue down the Nam Ou to the point where it joins the Mekong. This will be an opportunity to watch gold panners and the many fishermen who make their living from these wild waters. Before reaching Luang Prabang, we stop at the famous Pak Ou Caves, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and the Mekong. These sacred caves house hundreds of Buddha statues left by Laotians over the centuries. Lunch is at your own expense at one of the many restaurants overlooking the Mekong. We continue our cruise on to Luang Prabang.
At first light (before breakfast), we watch numerous monks crossing the old town to collect alms from villagers—a striking sight.
After breakfast, we visit the National Museum (former royal palace) of Luang Prabang, followed by Wat Mai, Wat Manorom, and Wat That Luang, where the highest dignitaries of the Royal Family were once cremated.
We pass by Wat Xieng Thong, certainly the city’s most beautiful temple, located at the northern tip of the peninsula. We will then walk from temple to temple, observing Laotians going about their daily lives, before finishing the day at the top of the popular Mount Phousi to watch the sunset. The climb of over 300 steps is rewarded with a unique viewpoint over the city.
In the evening, we can visit the night market, where many villagers come to sell their handicrafts and the fabrics for which Luang Prabang is renowned.
The following day, we leave the peninsula to visit the Kuang Si Falls. As refreshing as they are beautiful, they are one of the favourite spots of Luang Prabang locals. Couples and families also come here to picnic and relax during the hottest part of the day.
Three-night stay.

PAKLAY
We continue our descent aboard the same boat that brought us to Luang Prabang. In this little-visited stretch, the Mekong is particularly beautiful. Numerous villages line the river, as, like many Laotians, these villagers live off the Mekong and its generosity. You will have the opportunity to see how fishermen have learned to work the river.
On arrival at Paklay, we prepare mattresses and mosquito nets, as the night is spent on board—a fitting occasion to watch one of the finest sunsets, seemingly sinking into the Mother of Waters.

VIENTIANE AND BUDDHA PARK
The descent continues. We stop at Lao Loum villages as we draw closer to the plains. The Mekong once again forms a natural border with Thailand. The villages where we stop are lowland Lao villages, where Buddhism has an increasingly strong presence and temples become more numerous.
On arrival in Vientiane, we prepare for the evening: a dinner show with traditional music and dance.
The next morning, we visit the Thong Khan Kham market and several temples of great importance to the city.
In the afternoon, we leave the city via the Tha Deua road, which leads to Wat Xieng Khuan Park, or “Buddha Park”, located 25 km from the capital—a site dedicated to the city’s guardian spirit.
We then return to Vientiane for your final evening.

Summary:
– 1 night in Pakbeng at a charming 3-star hotel
– 3 nights in Muang La at a high-end 4-star resort
– 1 night in Nong Khiaw at a typical 2-star hotel
– 3 nights in Luang Prabang at a 5-star boutique hotel
– 1 night aboard a boat on the Mekong
– 2 nights in Vientiane at a charming 4-star hotel