Randonnee Vietnam

Day 1: Luang Prabang – Oudomxay – Luang Namtha
In the morning, pick up at your hotel and driver to Oudomxay (approx. 4 hours). On the way, visit the Thai Dam (Black Thai) village of Ban Thabu and the H’Mong village of Ban Songcha. Continue to Luang Namtha (approx. 4 hours). En route, stop at several hills tribe villages including the Lanten village of Ban Lakkhamai. Luang Namtha Province is home to the largest concentration of Lanten villages in Laos and counts over 4,000 Lanten in its population. The National Tourism Authority and UNESCO are presently conducting an eco–tourism development project in the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area, located close to Luang Namtha. Check in at the hotel upon arrival in Luang Namtha.
Overnight in Luang Namtha

Day 2: Luang Namtha Sightseeing (B)
After breakfast, visit Luang Namtha Museum, with its collection of provincial tribal cultural artifacts, including costumes, agricultural tools and local items, as well as rare Khmu bronze drums. Transfer to the boat landing to board a long-tail riverboat for a 2-hour cruise down the Nam Tha River towards the Nam Ha NBCA. Take a walk through the jungle (approx. 20 minutes) to reach the Khmu villages of Houei Louad and Ban Sopsim, then the Lanten village of Ban Soptoud and the Thai Dam village of Ban Mai. Drive back to Luang Namtha late afternoon.
Overnight in Luang Namtha

Day 3: Luang Namtha – Muang Sing (B)
After breakfast, drive to Muang Sing (approx. 2 hours). En route, visit various hill tribe villages: Ikho, H’Mong, Thai Dam (Black Thai), Thai Daeng (Red Thai), Thai Kalom. Check in at the hotel upon arrival in Muang Sing. In the afternoon, discover the small town of Muang Sing. Since the late 16th century, Muang Sing has been a Thai cultural nexus as well as an opium trade center until the end of the Vietnam War. Visit Vat Xieng Jai and Vat Nam Keo Luang temples which display Thai Lu architectural influence.
Overnight in Muang Sing.

Day 4: Muang Sing sightseeing (B)
After breakfast, walk through the colorful local market where the local hill tribes gather daily to trade their goods. Then drive towards the Chinese border for a full day excursion and soft trek to various ethnic minorities’ villages such as Ikho (originally called Akha, which means “elder brother” in Lao), Lanten, Khmu and Mien (also called Yao - Yao women are easily recognized by their high turbans and long indigo gowns bordered by a bright pink woolen boa collar).
Overnight in Muang Sing.

Day 5: Muang Sing – Luang Namtha – Oudomxay – Pakbeng (B)
After breakfast there is an early morning departure for Oudomxay (approx. 6-hour drive). Continue to Pakbeng (approx. 2 hours) along the Beng River Valley, populated by Khmu and Thai Daeng (Red Thai), who have maintained their traditional way of life. Arrival in Pakbeng, a rustic town located on a steep hillside at the confluence of the Mekong and Beng Rivers. Check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Pakbeng.

Day 6: Pakbeng – Luang Prabang (B)
After breakfast, board a traditional riverboat for a cruise down the Mekong River to the former Royal capital of Luang Prabang (approx. 6 hours depending on the water level). On the way, stop at Pak Ou, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, to visit the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, home to hundreds of Buddha statues. Continue to Ban Xang Hai village where sticky rice wine is distilled. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang transfer and check-in at your hotel.
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