In summary
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Sports
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Duration14 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationAsia / Laos
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions6190.48 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
This trip is an immersion in the mountains and countryside of northern Laos. We explore authentic villages on foot, nestled amidst mountains and limestone karsts, between rivers and bamboo groves; the locals welcome us for a night or a cup of tea. In Vientiane, we visit Patuxai, the Laotian Arch of Triumph, and the Vat Ho monastery-palace. Our journey begins in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. We continue our trek to Luang Prabang, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Southeast Asia. After this essential stop, we travel along the Mekong River to Pakbeng, where we hike through fields and forests, meeting mahouts and their elephants. We then continue our journey towards the northern mountains to explore the Muang La region. We trek for three days, from Akha villages to Khamu villages, through a landscape of ridges, undergrowth, bamboo groves, and rice paddies. We stay with local families for an unforgettable experience in the heart of the daily life of these hill tribes. Next, we travel down the Nam Ou River to Muang Ngoi, a charming village from where we hike among rice paddies, karst formations, and villages. We end the trip with a lovely hike to the Khuang Si waterfall, located just a few kilometers from Luang Prabang.
The highlights
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The time spent with the inhabitants of traditional villages of the ethnic groups of Northern Laos.
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Beautiful hikes in the heart of the Laotian mountains.
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Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 10 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 222 m
- Average daily descent: 236 m
Management
French
Program
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Paris - Vientiane
- Transportation Plane - 14h - 10300km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
International flight with a stopover to VientianeDay 1 -
Vientiane
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 9km
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We are met at Vientiane airport by our French-speaking guide and transferred to our hotel for check-in. Depending on our flight schedule, we depart for an initial walking tour of some of the iconic monuments of the Laotian capital: Patuxay, Vat Ho Phra Kheow, Vat Sisaket, and Vat Si Muang. At the end of the day, we enjoy a stroll along the banks of the Mekong River. Dinner is at a local restaurant.Day 2 -
Vientiane - Visit to Luang Prabang
- Transportation TER / Metro / Tram - 02h30 - 311km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After an early breakfast, we'll transfer to Vientiane train station and depart by train for Luang Prabang via the newly constructed railway line, which allows us to reach the former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in just two hours. We'll then transfer to our hotel and embark on a full-day walking tour of the city, situated on the left bank of the Mekong River. Our visits will include the Royal Palace, now the National Museum, and Wat Xieng Thong, the Temple of the Royal City, a vast complex of sacred buildings and a jewel of Lao art, considered the most beautiful temple in the city. We'll continue with Wat Mai, a sanctuary with a five-sided roof topped by three parasols, built in the late 18th century. Finally, we'll visit Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in the city, unlike any other, with its wooden balustrade windows inspired by the Khmer temple of Wat Phou. We then enjoy a free evening to stroll at our own pace through the night market that sets up every evening on the main street of Luang Prabang. Dinner at your leisure.Day 3 -
Mekong River Cruise - Pak Ou Caves - Pakbeng
- Transportation Boat - 08h - 470km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Boarding a traditional boat to travel up the Mekong River to Pakbeng. Thus begins the exploration of the banks of the Mekong, the legendary river that flows through China, separates Laos from Myanmar and Thailand, plunges into Cambodia, and empties into Vietnam. The scenery is magnificent. The main artery of communication between the north of the country and Luang Prabang, it is a busy waterway lined with villages. At the confluence with the Nam Ou River, we visit the sacred caves of Pak Ou, populated with Buddha statues (this visit will take place on the return journey on day 11, if we are traveling on a public boat). The caves offer a magnificent view of the Mekong. Arrival in Pakbeng in the late afternoon. Transfer and check-in at our guesthouse. The rest of the day is free for a stroll through the villages. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 -
Pakbeng: morning with the elephants - Drive to Oudamxay.
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 142km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Our morning will be dedicated to meeting the ancient and faithful inhabitants of Laos: our venerable and respected friends, the pachyderms! We'll cross the Mekong River in a dugout canoe and reach the elephant camp, where the mahouts will show us around. With them, we'll set off on a beautiful walk through the lush vegetation and surrounding bamboo forest. Upon our return, relaxation awaits after the exertion! We'll witness the elephants bathing in the river, a heartwarming moment of connection between animal and keeper. Lunch will be at the park restaurant, followed by a transfer to Muang Xay, a major road and trade hub in northern Laos, at the crossroads of routes between Luang Prabang and China, Vietnam, and Thailand. We follow the Nam Beng River valley, passing through predominantly rural landscapes (rice paddies, but also many vegetable and fruit crops mainly destined for the Chinese market), as well as numerous villages of ethnic minorities, primarily Lao, Khmu, Hmong, and Tai Lue. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay in a guesthouse.Day 5 -
Muang La - trek in Akha and Khamu villages - Ban Seng Kham Neua.
- Transportation Minibus - 02h30 - 80km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Accommodation Staying with a local resident
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we travel by private vehicle to the town of Ban Sinxay. From there, we embark with our local guides on a three-day trek through the mountains of Pongsaly province, passing through small, traditional Akkha and Khamu villages. We arrive in the afternoon at Ban Seng Kham Neua, an Akkha village. We settle into our homestay and then stroll through the village, discovering its traditional activities. Dinner and overnight stay at the homestay.
Day 6 -
Ban Seng Kham Neua - Ban Koknioo
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We are accompanied by a team of porters for this beautiful day of trekking. We walk through a landscape of small mountains, forests, and cultivated fields, along the hillside. We have a picnic lunch along the way in a large Akha village before continuing our hike alongside a river. We arrive in the afternoon at the Khamu village of Ban Koknioo. Dinner and overnight stay with a local family.Day 7 -
Ban koknioo - Muang Khua - Muang Ngoi
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 150 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, we hike for about three hours through rice paddies and grain fields. We then drive to Muang Khua. After lunch at a local restaurant, we take a boat trip on the Nam Ou River to Muang Ngoy. We pass through beautiful scenery and observe scenes of daily life. We arrive in Muang Ngoy in the late afternoon.Day 8 -
Muang Ngoi – Ban Kiookhan
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we'll hike to Tham Kaang Cave, which was used as a shelter by locals during the Indochina War that began in the 1960s. We'll walk through rice paddies, admiring beautiful countryside landscapes and karst cliffs. We'll stop in a Khmu village for lunch, giving us a glimpse into local life. After lunch, we'll cross a small river several times. Then, we'll ascend under a bamboo canopy. This challenging climb makes the day a bit more demanding than the previous ones, but the reward at the top is a stunning 360° view of the surrounding mountains. You'll spend the night in a charming little Khmu village.Day 9 -
Ban Khioukhan – Muang Ngoi – Nong Khiaw.
- Transportation Minibus - 02h - 65km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast at a local's home. Then, we resume our hike to meet the inhabitants of another village of the same ethnic group, nestled on the banks of the Nam Ou River. This hike offers beautiful panoramic views of the mountains and the Nam Ou River. At the end of the hike, we board a small traditional boat to reach Muang Ngoi. Lunch is served during the journey. Once in Muang Ngoi, we change boats to reach Nong Khiaw. Towering karst peaks and vertiginous cliffs line the Nam Ou, creating breathtaking scenery. We enjoy this beautiful spectacle as we cruise along the peaceful Nam Ou.Day 10 -
Nong Khiaw - Luang Prabang
- Transportation Minibus - 04h
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Breakfast at the hotel, then we'll head to Luang Prabang. We'll make a detour to Ban Pak Ou to explore its sacred caves. Lunch at a local restaurant. We'll visit the villages of Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek: two small traditional weaving villages where a few small workshops also produce mulberry paper crafts. At the end of the day, we'll start a pétanque tournament with the locals and friends. Be warned, the Laotians are formidable players! Dinner will be prepared by a local family at Lang Ban Garden, then we'll return to our accommodation.Day 11 -
Luang Prabang - hiking villages and Kuang Si waterfalls - Luang Prabang
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Early in the morning, at sunrise, those who wish can witness the monks' procession as they collect alms from the faithful. After breakfast, we depart by vehicle for the Hmong and Khamou village of Ban Long Lao. We hike for approximately four hours through fields of grain, rubber plantations, and forests to reach the Kuang Si Falls. Lunch is at a restaurant at the foot of the falls, a popular spot with locals. There's also the opportunity to swim in the crystal-clear pools downstream from the waterfall. After this idyllic and invigorating break, we return to Luang Prabang. Evening and dinner are at your leisure.Day 12 -
Luang Prabang - Vientiane - International Flight
- Transportation Plane - 16h20 - 10200km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Free morning, then transfer to Luang Prabang airport to catch a train to Vientiane. In the afternoon, visit That Luang, then transfer to the airport according to your return flight schedule.Day 13 -
Arrival in Paris
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrived in Paris on day 14.Day 14
Note
Accommodation
Price details
The price includes
- International flights departing from Paris
- Air taxes
- Land transport
- The accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
- Full board except for the meals not included in the program
- The excursions detailed in the trip itinerary
- Entry to the sites mentioned in the program
- Supervision by a French-speaking tour guide
- The service of a logistics team for the trek
The price does not include
- Visa fees
- Drinks
- The optional meals mentioned in the program (approximately €8 to €10 per meal)
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the management team
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag liner.
- A sleeping bag (useful from November to March for nights spent with locals). Comfortable, the right size for you, with a side zipper for easy opening. Nights can be chilly (0 to 10°C) in December, January, February, and March at higher altitudes in the north.
- A toiletry bag and bath towel.
- Sunscreen cream (face and lips).
- Mosquito repellent cream or spray.
- Headlamp, with spare batteries.
- A water bottle with a minimum capacity of 1.5 liters, lightweight and insulated.
- Pocket knife, preferably multi-purpose.
- Toilet paper + lighter.
- Moistened "Calinette" type towels.
- Plastic bags for waterproofing your belongings.
- Earplugs.
- Notepad or travel map.
Clothing to bring
- A pair of walking shoes. They are a walker's best friend. They must have three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support.
- A pair of light shoes or sandals to put on during stops in towns and villages.
- Pairs of socks for hiking.
- Trekking trousers.
- Loose cotton trousers and light shirts.
- Lightweight t-shirt with short and long sleeves.
- Underwear.
- Fleece jacket and windproof jacket. Best worn in the evening, especially during December, January and February.
- Rain cape.
- Hat for sun protection and/or scarf.
- Good sunglasses.
They traveled with us
