Northern Mountain Trail – Laos to Thailand

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Luang Prabang - Luang Namtha and Villages - Chiang Rai (Thailand)
Duration:
4 days / 3 nights
Price:
From £ 585.- per person (excluding flights)
When to go:
November - May

Trek through the mountains and stay at home with the locals as you cross from Laos into Thailand. It’s a remote and heart-warming journey to the Thai border. You’ll cross gushing streams on bamboo rafts, hike through thick jungle and enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal with your host family. During this trip, you’ll trek through rice-bowl valleys, follow hilly ridges and explore the forests of the Luang Namtha Protected Area. At the end of your adventure, you’ll cross the border into Thailand and continue to Chiang Rai.

Day 1 – Luang Prabang – Luang Namtha

You’ll set off early this morning for your minibus journey to Luang Namtha in Northern Laos. This unexplored province is rich in local culture and carpeted in thick forest. It’s a bumpy but beautiful trip that will take most of the day, but the gorgeous views will completely outweigh any discomfort. You’ll spend the night in a simple but comfortable hotel in Luang Namtha.

Day 2 – Luang Namtha – trek – village homestay

Today, you’ll trek to remote villages tucked away in the Luang Namtha Protected Area. The trek starts in the village of Ban Nam Leu, home to people of the Lanten tribe. You’ll hike steeply uphill, following overgrown jungle paths and passing through dense forest in various stages of regeneration. We’re currently working with the villagers to conserve and regenerate the forest, so feel free to ask your guide all about it.

After a quick, simple lunch, you’ll make a sharp descent into a small Laotian village that will be your home for the night. You’ll enjoy a home-cooked, well-earned dinner with your gentle hosts after an energetic day. The accommodation is very basic, consisting of a wooden hut with a floor-mat and a mosquito net.

Day 3 – Village homestay – trek – Luang Namtha

After breakfast, you’ll continue your trek, taking a scenic route through the forest along the banks of the Nam Ha River. Monkeys have been reported in this area, so if you walk quietly and luck is on your side, you may see them swinging amongst the branches overhead. Along the way, you’ll stop for a traditional Laotian lunch served on banana leaves.

Afterwards, you’ll cross the river on a bamboo raft and trek through ancient jungle alongside gurgling streams. Finally, you’ll walk between the rice paddies to the banks of the river and return to Luang Namtha either by boat or by săwngthăew (converted pick-up truck). You’ll spend the night in the same simple guest house as before, so you’ll feel at home right away.

Day 4 – Departure from Luang Namtha – Chiang Rai

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to your friendly hosts and continue over the border into Thailand to Chiang Rai. On the other side of the river, you’ll arrange your free 15-day Thailand visa and set off with your freshly stamped passport. Remember to bring two passport-sized photos for your visa.