First steps in Laos

Welcoming at Chiang Rai Airport by a local driver, then drive to Chiang Khong, the Thai side of the border. Crossing of the bridge above the Mekong. Welcoming on the Laotian side by your guide, he will assist you with immigration formalities. Settlement at the hotel.

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Meals : -, -, D  //  Night : charming hotel

Itinerary : Chiang Rai - Houay Xai

Cruise and night on a Mekong beach

Cruise day on the Mekong on a private traditional slow boat. The Mekong is the ideal transportation way through mountains covered with vast jungles. Visit of different villages Hmong and Lao Loum. Arrival at a beach on the banks of the Mekong to set the tents in the late afternoon. Preparation of campfire and barbecue. Dinner on the beach around the fire. Unforgettable evening under the stars.

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Meals : B, L, D  //  Night : tent on a beach

Itinerary : Houay Xai - Mekong Beach

Activities : 6-7h cruising

Sanctuary caves of PakOu

Fold back the tents and continue your adventure on the Mekong to Luang Prabang. On the way, visit of a fishing tribe village and the PakOu cave which host thousands statues of Buddha. Arrival in Luang Prabang by the end of the afternoon.

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Meals : B, L, -  //  Night : charming hotel

Itinerary : Mekong Beach - PakOu - Luang Prabang

Activities : 6-7h cruising

Visit of Luang Prabang, its temples and markets

At sunrise, volunteers can attend the traditional ceremony of almsgiving to the monks (without guide). Cultural tour of the city by minivan with the guide: morning market, Royal Palace, Vat Mai temples, Vat Sene, Vat Xiengthong, Vat Visoun. Walk through the historic district, local markets and shops. Climb up the 328 steps of Mount Phousi to admire the magnificent panorama. Visit of the night market in the main street.

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Meals : B, L, -  //  Night : charming hotel

Itinerary : Luang Prabang

First ethnic encounters

Departure from Luang Prabang by private minivan on a northern road to reach the Nongkhiaw area. Visit of ethnic villages (Tay Lue, Tay Dam, Khamu). A mountain trail, through millet and rice fields, offers breathtaking panoramas. Arrival at the Hmong village in the late afternoon. Dinner and stay overnight in the village.

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Meals : B, L, D  //  Night : homestay

Itinerary : Luang Prabang - Hmong Village

Jungle trek in Hmong country

The trekking day begins on a trail dotted with crossings of millet fields cultivated by the tribes living in altitude. 3 hours of climbing up to reach a Hmong farm isolated from everything. Epic jungle trek and bamboo forest offering magnificent views on the surrounding mountains and a passage through a chaos of rock. Arrival at the Hmong farmers village. Dinner and stay overnight in the village.

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Meals : B, L, D  //  Night : homestay

Itinerary : Hmong village - Hmong village

Activities : 6-7h trekking (1000m downhill)

Immersion in the villages and hike in the heart of the rice fields

Way down the mountain on a small country trail to the NamOu River. Traditional wooden boat ride to reach a small village of weavers. Then go downstream the river to dock in the village of Muang Ngoi. 1h30 walk in the rice fields dotted with karst mountains. Visit of the ThamKang Cave and arrival by late afternoon in a village of the Tay Ead tribe. Dinner and stay overnight in the village.

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Meals : B, L, D  //  Night : homestay

Itinerary : Hmong village - Muang Ngoi - Tay Ead village

Activities : 3h hiking + 40mn cruising

From Nongkhiaw's countryside to Luang Prabang

Morning walk in the heart of the Laotian countryside, then get on on board of your traditional boat and go down the Nam Ou River to Nongkhiaw. Wy back to Luang Prabang by minivan. Arrival by the end of the afternoon.

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Meals : B, L, -  //  Night : charming hotel

Itinerary : Tay Ead village - Nongkhiaw - Luang Prabang

Activities: 1h30 walking

Hiking at KuangSi waterfalls

At sunrise, volunteers can attend the traditional ceremony of almsgiving to the monks (without guide). Then, departure by minivan on the mountain tracks to reach and visit a village of the Hmong ethnic group. Hike in nature for 3h to reach the spring of the impressive Kuang Si waterfalls located in the jungle. Afternoon free at the waterfall, swimming, exploring, visiting the bear sanctuary.

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Meals : B, L, -  //  Night : charming hotel

Itinerary : Luang Prabang - KuangSi

Activities : 2h30 hiking

Karst mountain landscapes and local markets

Scenery of fabulous mountains on the road up to 1,200 meters above sea level, visit of villages and small local markets including the one specialized in vegetables at Phoukhoune. Arrival at Vang Vieng in the afternoon and canoe trip on the Nam Song River. This small town is located in an exceptional setting of karst mountains and rice fields.

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Meals : B, L, -  //  Night : charming hotel

Itinerary : Luang Prabang - Phoukhoune - Vang Vieng

Activities : 1h canoeing

Departure for the capital and lunch on a lake

Discovery of Tham Chang, one of the largest caves in the region. Then, departure for Vientiane, the capital of Laos. On the way, visit of a fish market, the beautiful Nam Ngeum Lake, and a salt extraction site. Arrival in Vientiane by the end afternoon.

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Meals : B, L, -  //  Night : hotel in city center

Itinerary : Vang Vieng - Nam Ngeum Lake - Vientiane

Visit of Vientiane, capital of Laos

Visit of the Laotian capital and its many temples: the Vat Sisaket, the Temple of Emerald Buddha HoPraKeo, the famous Stupa of That Luang, the Vientiane Patuxay Arch of Triumph and the Vat Simeuang, which is the most religiously animated temple of the city. Discovery of Thongkhankham vegetable market and walk along the Mekong river by the end of the day. It is the place where local people gather at sunset.

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Meals : B, L, -  //  Night : hotel in city center

Itinerary : Vientiane

Breakfast of day 13 included