Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

With bookend tours of current and ancient capital cities, you will learn of Laos’ history and culture through ancient architecture and modern urban life. A three-day trek through the jungle with a night spent beneath stars and canopy, scenic vistas, and traditional village visits will give you a taste for the authenticity of rural life. After traveling by foot through the jungle, take in the scenery from a higher vantage point atop an elephant! A two-day boat tour of the North’s main aquatic artery, the Mekong River, provides a rare window into the flow of life. This 10-day, action-packed tour is the perfect combination of relaxation, exertion, adventure, cultural immersion, and unforgettable moments. 

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 Park: Trek to and camp in the heart of the jungle at Nam Ha National Park, known for its biodiversity and remote tribal communities.
  • Mekong Cruise: The "Mother River" winds through six Asian countries and you'll experience its power and beauty on a two-day boat excursion from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang via Pakbeng.
  • Luang Prabang: This ancient capital is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site of Indochinese-style villas and tranquil temples tended to by orange-robed monks, best explored during the sunset calls to prayer.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Vientiane

Upon arrival in Vientiane, a car will be waiting to take you to the luxurious Settha Palace Hotel. Check in, freshen up and take the rest of the day to enjoy the hotel’s amenities or explore the surroundings. Consider going for a dip in the gorgeous hotel pool and a delicious meal at La Belle Époque.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Based in the epicentre of the city, just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Vientiane's commercial district, there’s plenty to keep guests occupied while staying in Laos’ beautiful capital city. History: The building that houses Settha Palace was constructed in the earlier years of the last century, and has been restored to its former glory, maintaining its French Colonial appearance. The family who originally owned the hotel are back in possession of it, after the regime change in 1975, and have spared no expense in restoring it to its natural brilliance. Service: With 24-hour concierge service, plus a sophisticated limo service, guests will feel like the VIPs of Vientiane while staying at this hotel.

See Hotel
Settha Palace Hotel Preferred Hotel
About

The former home of a famous Lao writer, the Lao Poet Hotel offers a fresh spin on 1930's Indochine design and boasts the only rooftop swimming pool in Vientiane. The property is comprised of 55 guest rooms and suites over eight floors, all featuring glamorous "urban jungle" decor; bursts of purples, greens and blues, and plays on texture with plush bedding and traditional textile rugs.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Luang Namtha

Enjoy a leisurely morning before an afternoon flight to Luang Namtha. If you prefer to forego the relaxation, take a guided tour of the COPE Centre, busy markets and other sites of Vientiane. Your northbound flight will take you to Luang Namtha, and a short drive will take you to your hotel. Take the rest of today to enjoy as you please, preparing for the action-packed days ahead.

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.

Luang Namtha
Luang Namtha

Day 3

Nam Ha National Bio-diversity Conservation Area

After breakfast, your personal guide will prep you for your multi-day trek through the Nam Ha National protected jungle. Begin at Khmu village and follow a trail that leads to a ridge. Continue along this trail which passes through forest and upland rice fields as you learn from your guide about how Remote Lands' local office is working together with the local villages to protect and regenerate the forest. The trail brings you through a local village where you can stop at the market for a look before descending down to the banks of the Nam Ha River. Here you will rest for the night at a local homestay. Share a hearty traditional meal with your local hosts.

Hotel Options
About

There is no better way to really get the sense of life in a community than to eat, talk, share and stay with the locals. The lesser explored landscapes of Laos is home to stunning scenery and welcoming, hospitable people.

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

Continue your trek today as you head off through the forest along the banks of the Nam Ha River. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the deers and monkeys that live in this part of the forest. Your trek will bring you to a village by the afternoon where you can meet with villagers and enjoy a picnic lunch together. After, cross the Nam Ha River and enter the Nam Ha Protected Area. The trail follows a stream through dense jungle. Keep an eye out for the local fauna. Eventually the trail opens to rice paddy fields before you reach the Nam Tha River. Here, cross the river in a traditional wooden canoe to return to Luang Namtha.

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.

Luang Namtha
Luang Namtha

Day 5

Houay Xai

After breakfast, take a 2.5-hour drive to Huay Xai, stopping along the way to explore villages inhabited by some of the region's ethnic minorities. Among other stops is the famous Kao Rao Cave, which will leave you in awe. Check into the Riverside Houay Xai Hotel by late afternoon. The evening is yours to take in the sunset, enjoy a drink at one of the local riverside bars and relax.

Hotel Options
About

Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Riverside Huayxay is a basic yet comfortable hotel offering cozy, air-conditioned rooms with cable TV. Each room is appointed with a small seating area, a mini fridge, and private bathroom with shower.

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 6

Pak Beng

Enjoy breakfast before boarding a boat on the Mekong River to Luang Prabang via Pakbeng. The Mekong is one of the largest, longest rivers in the world and boasts a fascinating history. A source of life, sustenance and transport, it is a bustle of constant action. Take in the stunning and ever-changing scenery along the river. Spend the night at a local hotel.

Hotel Options
About

Le Grand Pakbeng offers a touch of luxury to Pakbeng’s rustic outdoors. This boutique resort set along the Mekong river offers 45 villas and suites with private terraces and Jacuzzi.

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.

Pak Beng
Pak Beng

Day 7

Luang Prabang

Board a boat and continue your cruise to Luang Prabang. Arrive at the ferry landing in the late afternoon. Check in to your luxury hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

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

See Hotel
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.
See Hotel
Rosewood Luang Prabang Preferred Hotel

Day 8

Luang Prabang

Enjoy majestic and regal Luang Prabang, a city whose unique history has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit palaces and monasteries and get swept up by the enchantment of antiquity preserved. After a traditional lunch of Luang Prabang specialties, head to Tai Lue, famed for textiles and weaving. Take a refreshing break from touring at the scenic Kuang Xi Waterfall and its crystal clear surrounding pools. Fit in a few more sites and close the day watching the sunset over the city from the top of Mount Phousi.

Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang

Day 9

Luang Prabang

Begin the day with a therapeutic hike through the jungles with an elephant from the local elephant sanctuary which strives to rehabilitate retired elephants saved from logging camps. Feed the elephants treats by hand and follow them to their favorite watering hole for bathing time. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Day 10

Your journey across Laos' picturesque countryside and bucolic towns has come to a close. After breakfast, spend your time at leisure until your private transfer to the airport for your journey home. 

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Settha Palace Hotel
Preferred Hotel

Settha Palace Hotel

The historic Settha Palace Hotel is centrally located in Vientiane within walking distance of the Mekong River, Thatluang Stupa, Namphu Fountain, and other cultural highlights. Built in French colonial style circa 1932 and restored and reopened in 1999, the hotel has 22 rooms and three suites, all featuring rosewood four-poster beds and armoires, and WiFi connectivity. For dining, La Belle Epoque offers French cuisine, and the Sidewalk Café is a pleasant open-air venue offering Asian and international dishes. Amenities include a spa, pool and Jacuzzi; however there is no fitness center. Additionally, there is a business center with Internet and fax services. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from Wattai International Airport and a 25-minute drive to Thadeua, where there is a border bridge to Thailand.

See Hotel
Lao Poet Hotel

Lao Poet Hotel

The former home of a famous Lao writer, the Lao Poet Hotel offers a fresh spin on 1930's Indochine design and boasts the only rooftop swimming pool in Vientiane. The property is comprised of 55 guest rooms and suites over eight floors, all featuring glamorous "urban jungle" decor; bursts of purples, greens and blues, and plays on texture with plush bedding and traditional textile rugs. In addition to the rooftop pool, there's the Poet Spa and sauna. For dining, guests can choose between the lobby restaurant or rooftop pool deck, where menus mix Lao dishes with Western favorites. In particular, the rooftop deck is the best place to enjoy a signature cocktail when the sun is setting.

Suggested Hotel For Day 2

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 3

Homestay

Homestay

There is no better way to really get the sense of life in a community than to eat, talk, share and stay with the locals. The lesser explored landscapes of Laos is home to stunning scenery and welcoming, hospitable people. The family-run homestays in these rural areas are a window into the local lifestyle and guests are treated as part of the village, included in activities and festivities and given the opportunity to cook and eat authentic food and sleep in a simple, humble but charming wooden home. While rustic, visitors will be comfy and cozy with their own mat, blanket and pillow. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay with locals in almost untouched communities is a memorable experience, not to be missed.

Suggested Hotel For Day 4

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 5

Houay Xai Riverside Hotel

Houay Xai Riverside Hotel

Located on the banks of the Mekong River, Riverside Huayxay is a basic yet comfortable hotel offering cozy, air-conditioned rooms with cable TV. Each room is appointed with a small seating area, a mini fridge, and private bathroom with shower. Complimentary wifi is available in public areas and there is a 24-hour front desk as well as in-house restaurant serving local dishes.

Suggested Hotel For Day 6

Le Grand Pakbeng

Le Grand Pakbeng

Le Grand Pakbeng offers a touch of luxury to Pakbeng’s rustic outdoors. This boutique resort set along the Mekong river offers 45 villas and suites with private terraces and Jacuzzi. Interiors are furnished with local artworks which complement the scenic views of the river and surrounding mountainside. Guests can take advantage of Pakbeng’s sleepy village vibes and rural panoramas while sipping cocktails at the poolside bar or enjoying a local meal at Le Bistro Lounge.

Suggested Hotels For Days 7–9

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).

See Hotel
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.

See Hotel

Similar Itineraries

All Itineraries
Multi Country
Ultra Luxe
Intrepid
Classic Laos

Classic Laos

Travel Laos from north to south on this classic 8-day journey that will take you to the country’s must-see spots. Visit charming Luang Prabang, swim in gem-colored waterfalls, shop boutiques in the capital and countryside, bike around villages in Champasak, and kayak in Don Khone.

Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Price Per Person
From $8,700
See Itinerary
Ancient Laos: A Journey Back in Time

Ancient Laos: A Journey Back in Time

Laos’ colorful history is only a holiday away on this 9-day luxury tour. Discover the ancient capital of the country as you stroll through old-world Luang Prabang and compare it to the country’s more modern capital of Vientiane. This French-Asian fusion culture is a historical, culinary and architectural treat. 

Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Price Per Person
From $4,700
See Itinerary
Behind the Scenes in Northern Laos

Behind the Scenes in Northern Laos

Be captivated by Northern Laos on this 8-day luxury voyage. You’ll stay in a comfortable eco-lodge and luxury accommodation, hike steep mountains, interact with locals in a remote village, trek through thick jungles, and ride an elephant along the mighty Mekong river in charming Luang Prabang. 

Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Price Per Person
From $4,200
See Itinerary
Beyond Luang Prabang: Exploring Northern Laos

Beyond Luang Prabang: Exploring Northern Laos

Spend 7 days in Laos’ stunning Northern region, where you’ll visit ancient UNESCO-listed temples, hike a mountain, kayak down a river keeping an eye out for exotic wildlife, and sit down to a traditional village dinner, all while staying in some of the best hotels in Laos, like Luang Prabang’s Amantaka.

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
From $3,400
See Itinerary
Capital to Ancient Capital: A Glimpse of Northern Laos

Capital to Ancient Capital: A Glimpse of Northern Laos

Take in the stunning scenery and encounter friendly locals on this whirlwind 5-day adventure through Northern Laos. You’ll sleep in luxury along the banks of the Mekong river, ride an elephant bareback, and explore the cultural wonders of charming Luang Prabang, where you’ll stay in one of Laos’ best hotels.

Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Price Per Person
From $4,300
See Itinerary
Classic Southeast Asia

Classic Southeast Asia

This 20-day classic journey to Southeast Asia is a great way to experience the best of what this diverse region has to offer. With an extended trip, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the cities, villages, and beaches of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Duration
20 days / 19 nights
Price Per Person
From $21,000
See Itinerary
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.

Travelogues

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

What Others Say

Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.

Peter & Maria, London

Peter & Maria, London

We are very seasoned travellers and Remote Lands certainly delivered on our recent trip to Indochina.

Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam

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

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

More Testimonials
Press
Travel + Leisure
Financial Times
The Wall Street Journal
The New York Times
Departures magazine
Condé Nast Traveler