You are then transferred to Thailand’s border for crossing out of the country. Take the shuttle bus from Chiang Khong to Laos’ border gate (our driver will buy a shuttle bus ticket for you). After Laotian customs formalities, our tour guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to the Houexay Pier. This morning, you will board a slow boat to Pakbeng. The ride is unhurried and laid-back, and passes through spectacular scenery as you chug along through the mountains of Udomxai Province.
Your lunch is served on board.
This journey gives wonderful insight into the importance of the river to the survival of the Lao people – not only as a means of transportation, but for irrigation, fishing and the shipping of goods to areas inaccessible by road. During the cruise, you will stop in a village of Khmu People located on the banks of the river.
 
Arrive at your hotel in Pakbeng after a 10-hour cruise.  
 
Overnight in Pakbeng
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Optional Morning Almsgiving
For early risers, there is a special dawn visit to watch monks collecting alms.  As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Pakbeng residents.  It is a beautiful and serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laotian people.
 
Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Today, you will have one day to visit Pakbeng.
In the morning, start on a drive from your hotel to visit Khmu Villages like Ban Houy Sengkham, Ban Souksai and Ban Lai, where you will have the opportunity to observe their ethnic traditional lifestyle. A simple rustic village that is continuously building and growing, there are signs of modern buildings appearing here, however the old traditions are kept. During your time in the villages, our guide will introduce you to traditional customs of the Khmu People and how they differ as the majority of three ethnic groups in Laos.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
 
In the afternoon, you will take a short excursion to the little hill town of Pakbeng, stopping along the way to visit the Wat Chomjeng Temple and the Wat Kokkor Temple.
 
You will then explore a local market where all the inhabitants of Pakbeng District come to do their daily shopping, You will see a variety of local foodstuffs and products including dried buffalo skins, local tea and saltpeter among chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit…., everything needed for daily life in Laos. Enjoy a Tea/coffee break by yourself at the local restaurants by the Mekong Riverside. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
 
Overnight in Pakbeng
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at your hotel.
You will head north towards the Oudomxay region
On arrival at Ban Yor’s cultural village, you will walk around the Khmu village. You will have time to stroll through this village which specializes in weaving and pottery.
Continue on the road to Nam Kat Yola Pa Park. You will arrive at your resort after about a four-hour drive. Check in at the hotel.
You will hop on a bicycle to check out this nice resort and visit the adjacent Khmu Village. The Khmu Tribe of Laos is prevalent in this area and is part of the Forest Area Conservation Ecological Tourism program (FACET). Khmu families from the area were invited to move here for free. They are able to live off the land and work in the Resort and Park. By providing these facilities and jobs, the local Khmu no longer need to rely on the jungle to feed themselves, thus protecting the very vulnerable Laotian wildlife. They are also able to protect the jungle itself by providing all the resources and materials needed for families to survive.
 
Free time to relax and swim.
Overnight in Nam Kat
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will take a short electric car ride on narrow winding roads through the thick forest. You will start trekking in the jungle for about 500 meters to a panoramic view of Phu Toh Hin. Continue with the electric car ride, and then trek about 1km to reach the waterfall via small paths and narrow bridges suspended in the trees. At the waterfall, you can relax or swim in the cool waters before returning to your resort.
Free time to relax and swim.
 
Overnight in Nam Kat
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, you are transferred to Luang Prabang. Arrival in Pak Ou Village where the Nam Ou River meets the Mekong River.
You will then take a boat across the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.
Afterward, continue the journey down to the city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This former royal capital, with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrops retains a unique charm rarely found in all of Asia.
 
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast.

Today, spend a full day trekking (join tour) through foothills of beautiful limestone mountains surrounded by a vast green jungle to visit local H’Mong and Khmu Hill Tribe villages, only accessible by small hiking trails that have helped preserve their remote authenticity. Highlights of the trip is trekking through the vast jungles with exquisite flora and fauna to access the local hill tribe village, where you will soak in the local lifestyle. Cap off your adventure at the beautiful Tad Sae Waterfall. Feel free to take a refreshing dip in its cool waters or stand under the waterfalls gentle flow or take your time to meditate and admire the stunning beauty of this rarely seen natural treasure. Back to Luang Prabang
 
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 
Note:

 

After breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel.
This morning you will visit the picturesque Kuangxi Waterfall. Follow the unpaved trail as it gradually climbs through the forest to reach different levels of natural blue pools, some are shallow and one central pool has a rope swing. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible, although between November and January the water temperature is quite cold. Take a leisurely hike through the natural park past the Asian Bear Rescue Center, home to more than 20 Asiatic Black Bears rescued from dire circumstances. Stroll along the wooden viewing platform and watch the adorable animals as they lazily lounge or play together or search for food. Before returning to Luang Prabang, we will stop to visit the Butterfly Park (closed from 15Apr– 30 June; 01-14 Sep & 01 Jan every year), whose mission is to create a research Center to study and publish data on Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation.
 
In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walk through the peaceful tree-lined streets to admire some of Luang Prabang’s famous temples, including Wat Xieng Thong, a great masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood featuring traditional Lao style; Wat Aham, widely known as the “watermelon stupa”, due to its distinctive round shape; Wat Vitsoun, Luang Prabang’s most ancient temple which housed the Prabang Buddha's ancient statues and steles.
You will then ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. 
Walk to the colorful night market in town. It’s an amazing sight and offers the most extensive collection of handicrafts made by local ethnic groups in the country.
 
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Meals: Breakfast