Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

This 7-day tour starts in the beautiful city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of ancient temples, colonial architecture and undulating countryside. On this journey, you’ll meet remote hill tribes, kayak through thick jungle, hike mountainous forest and enjoy sustainable stays in peaceful villages.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area: A hike through these protected forests showcases the incredible flora and fauna of the region, and you may be lucky enough to encounter (or, at least, discover the tracks of) wild elephants, clouded leopards and tigers.
  • Hill Tribes: It's a disservice to Laos' multitude of individual cultures to group all hill tribes under one umbrella, as you'll discover through visits to anthropological museums and encounters with Tai Lue, Khmu and Akha communities, to name but a few.
  • Kayaking: The best way to explore rural Luang Namtha is with a kayaking excursion down the Nam Tha River, flanked either side by thick jungle - look out for sun bears and barking deer along the shore.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Luang Prabang

You’ll begin your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. This slow-paced city in north-central Laos was once the royal capital and many vestiges of its prestigious heritage remain. Mountainous green countryside and ancient temples characterize its terrain, with French colonial architecture, waterfalls, caves and rivers all part of its appeal. Tonight, you’ll check into your Luang Prabang hotel for the night - the luxurious French colonial Amantaka is an excellent choice. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Service: Like all other Aman holdings, Amantaka is a boutique property that features top-notch service in a contemporary, tasteful setting

History: Set in a former French hospital that was renovated, Amantaka combines yesterday's luxury with today's comforts

Location: Amantaka is located extremely close to Luang Prabang's myriad atractions, particularly its busy, atmospheric night market - accessible on foot from the grounds of the resort

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Amantaka Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel
  • Location: The resort is located a stone's throw from UNESCO heritage site Luang Prabang, which is known for its unique combination of traditional Laotian architecture mixed with French colonial influences.
  • Nature: With streams running through it and a waterfall in its center, this resort is nestled amid breathtaking natural surroundings, and outside its grounds lie mountainous swaths of jungle and unspoiled wilderness waiting to be explored.
  • Luxury: From locally sourced gourmet dishes to its indulgent spa, the Rosewood Luang Prabang is a pleasure seeker’s dream come true.
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Rosewood Luang Prabang Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Luang Prabang

Rise early this morning to see the monks on their morning alms walk through the city. This peaceful time of day is very serene, watching monks in their saffron robes on their procession around the city, collecting food offerings. Next, you’ll travel to Wat Phou Si, Luang Prabang’s highest peak. Climb the steep staircase to the summit, where you’ll enjoy unsurpassed views over the region. Back in the city, you’ll visit the Royal Palace Museum and the Silver Pagoda - both must-see sites when in Luang Prabang. After a full day of sightseeing, return to your luxury hotel. 

Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang

Day 3

Luang Namtha

Depart Luang Prabang this morning and drive for 4.5 hours to Luang Namtha, situated on the Tha River, or Nam Tha. You also have the option to fly to Vientiane, spend the night, and fly to Luang Namtha the following day. Visit the Luang Namtha Museum, where collections of anthropological importance are on display. Ethnic garb, tools, instruments, and artworks can be seen here, providing insight into local culture and history. You’ll also visit Ban Nam Dee, the Lantern Village, where you can observe ethnic tradition in action and cool down by the beautiful Nam Dee waterfall. You’ll return to Luang Namtha in the evening, where you'll spend the night at  a comfortable eco-lodge.

Hotel Options
About

Phou Villa is a top choice accommodation in Luang Namtha. Boutique and centrally located in town, Phou Villa offers comfortable rooms with twin or king beds, hardwood floors, and private bathrooms.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

Luang Namtha

Set off on an excursion into the countryside this morning, and visit remote hill tribe villages in the pristine mountain wilderness of Laos. You’ll encounter more than a dozen different ethnicities on this tour and have a chance to learn about their cultures. A highlight of the day is dinner in one of the villages, where you’ll be treated to organic local produce cooked in authentic local style. Return to your hotel in Luang Namtha.

Luang Namtha
Luang Namtha

Day 5

Luang Namtha

The Nam Tha River winds through thick jungle, and today you can explore it from a different perspective, commandeering through forests, villages and countryside via kayak. You’ll start in Ban Thai and travel downriver, with the chance to spot local fauna such as barking deer, sun bears and countless species of bird. Have an outdoor lunch on the riverbank. Return to your eco-lodge this evening.

Day 6

Muang Sing

Today you’ll depart Luang Namtha and travel an hour to Muang Sing, a lazy town in northwestern Laos. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the fresh country air with a hike through the lush protected forests of Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area, inhabited by elephants, clouded leopards, sun bears and tigers. In these mountains you’ll meet the Akha people amongst other hill tribes - each of them more than willing to show you a glimpse of Laotian rural life. Today you’ll also have the chance to visit the local markets and bargain for handicrafts, including locally-woven silk, needlepoint, and traditional clothing. In the evening, check into the Phou Lu Resort, an eco-lodge offering cozy bungalows set in tropical gardens.

Hotel Options
About

Phou Iu Resort is a basic eco-lodge in the mountainous Muang Sing District of northwest Laos, near the borders of Myanmar and China's Yunnan province. The simple guesthouse, surrounded by landscape traditionally occupied by forests and upland swidden farming, has clean and comfortable bungalow rooms built in the style of local ethnic groups, including the Tai Lue, Khmu and Akha.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Muang Sing
Muang Sing

Day 7

Departure

Have a leisurely morning before a flight to the capital or Luang Prabang, where you can connect to your departing flight.

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–2

Amantaka
Preferred Hotel

Amantaka

Amantaka is set south of Phousi Mountain and close to the banks of the Mekong River and the Luang Prabang Night Market. The resort, an old French colonial building, is surrounded by a spacious courtyard, and has 24 suites – eight deluxe suites, four pool suites, eight Khan suites, two Mekong suites and two Amantaka suites, all with spacious interior and exterior living areas. Facilities include a spa, a fitness center, a library and a boutique art gallery. Amantaka is little more than a ten- minute drive from Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ).

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Rosewood Luang Prabang
Preferred Hotel

Rosewood Luang Prabang

Located on a peninsula at the confluence of the Nam Kham and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang is known for its Buddhist temples and monasteries, preserved traditional architecture, and remaining vestiges of Laos’ French colonial period. These elements earned it the distinction of being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. The city of just under 60,000 continues to inspire awe in tourists to this day, and with the opening of the Rosewood Luang Prabang, luxury travelers have the option to visit this destination while enjoying the level of comfort that the Rosewood Hotels and Resorts brand has staked its reputation on. The 24-room, suite, villa, and tent accommodations are designed by celebrated architect Bill Bensley and combine world-class luxury with local aesthetics. Guests are invited to enjoy locally sourced Laotian meals at The Great House or a drink and view from the Elephant Bridge Bar. There is also an opulent spa on site and a centrally located swimming pool, around which guests can enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in this haven of luxury.

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Suggested Hotel For Days 3–5

Phou Villa

Phou Villa

Phou Villa is a top choice accommodation in Luang Namtha. Boutique and centrally located in town, Phou Villa offers comfortable rooms with twin or king beds, hardwood floors, and private bathrooms. Its in-house dining room serves continental and local cuisine and large windows open to the scenic landscape.

Suggested Hotel For Day 6

Phou Iu Resort

Phou Iu Resort


Phou Iu Resort is a basic eco-lodge in the mountainous Muang Sing District of northwest Laos, near the borders of Myanmar and China's Yunnan province. The simple guesthouse, surrounded by landscape traditionally occupied by forests and upland swidden farming, has clean and comfortable bungalow rooms built in the style of local ethnic groups, including the Tai Lue, Khmu and Akha. The bungalows utilize local materials and come with their own verandah looking out to the grassy resort garden. Rooms have modern bathrooms, with hot water and free Wi-Fi. Phou Iu Resort offers bicycle rental and laundry services.


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Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

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Couple from Nevada - Aman Private Jet Expedition, Spring 2017: Marcela Vanhara

Couple from Nevada - Aman Private Jet Expedition, Spring 2017: Marcela Vanhara

It wasn't our first trip with Remote Lands but again they proved they are the best! Everything ran smoothly from start to finish.

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines

Couple from New York City

Couple from New York City

It was the guides you selected in each city that made our trip so memorable. Each was superbly knowledgeable and extremely personable. They made our trip the most special event that we will cherish.

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia

Party of four from Missouri & Tokyo

Party of four from Missouri & Tokyo

We appreciated traveling in remote areas...the slice-of-life experiences made the trip worthwhile.

Laos

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