Welcome to Laos! Upon arrival, proceed through immigration and customs. Then, head to the arrival area to meet your private guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. 

After breakfast, start your day by exploring the historic and charming town of Luang Prabang. Begin your journey by visiting famous temples like Wat Xieng Thong, a 500-year-old temple showcasing the classic Luang Prabang style, and nearby temples like Wat Mai and Wat Sene.

As you wander through the small side streets, back alleys, and temples, your guide will provide insights into the daily lives of the locals, allowing you time to connect with Laotion way of life. With your guide, explore the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum), which exhibits relics from Laos' royalist past, and Phousi Mountain, which offers breathtaking views of the city after a climb of 328 steps.

In the afternoon, depart through Laos' scenic countryside to Pak Ou Caves, a sacred site perched high above the Mekong River, located 27 miles (43km) outside Luang Prabang. Along the way, you can visit local villages, including Ban Sang Khong, a charming silk-weaving village with centuries-old techniques, and Ban Pak Ou. Board a boat to reach the Pak Ou Caves. Over 3,000 Buddha images are in the caves, some adorned with semiprecious stones. After exploring the caves, return by boat to Luang Prabang, cruising along the Mekong, enjoying the river life, and savoring Lao snacks.

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver. The day will start at the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center, a museum about Laos' ethnic minorities. Then, drive through the countryside, visiting Hmong, Khmu, and Lowland Lao villages to explore their diverse lifestyles, traditions, and religions.

The Lowland Lao of Ban Sa-aat lives by the Mekong and its tributaries, and in cities, they speak Lao closely, similar to Thai spoken in Thailand. Ban Pano is home to the Khmu people, Northern Laos' original animist inhabitants who speak an Austro-Asiatic language. In Ban Long Lao, the Hmong and Khmu people live peacefully together; the Hmong, the latest settlers in Laos, build mountain-top villages and practice shifting cultivation. Local guides in Ban Pano and Ban Long Lao will show you traditional houses, dresses, and crafts. The villagers appreciate the additional income and are proud to welcome visitors. Next, visit Kuang Si Waterfall, where crystal water forms turquoise pools—remember to bring a bathing suit for a swim! Also, stop by the nearby Sunbear Refuge to learn about the poaching of these endangered animals.

Following this, visit the Buffalo Dairy Farm, known for its sustainable approach to local farming. This will include a guided farm tour, learning about their community work, feeding and bathing buffaloes, watching a milking demonstration, and feeding chickens, pigs, and rabbits. Bottle-feed calves, then relax in the cafe with the 'cake of the day,' ice cream, and tea or coffee before returning to your hotel in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, prepare for your pick-up from your hotel in Luang Prabang or the town. Your journey begins as you head to the nearby village of Xieng Lom. Upon arrival, you can have a refreshing coffee or tea while your guide briefly introduces elephant behavior and interaction.

Next, a quick boat ride across the Nam Khan River will bring you to the majestic elephants eagerly awaiting your arrival. You can have the chance to meet these gentle giants, feed them special treats, and begin an instant friendship. Then, set off on a 2-hour trek through the enchanting Lao jungle, passing traditional farms and the picturesque Huay Nok stream. Keep an eye out for the elephants playing joyfully in the water as you walk alongside them on a small dirt path. The experience will evoke a deep understanding, respect, and care for these magnificent creatures.

As the trek ends, bid farewell to the elephants with a few more treats, hugs, and memorable moments before enjoying a fulfilling lunch. Then, it's time to head back to Luang Prabang with the opportunity to ask your guides any remaining questions.

Please note that, in alignment with our animal welfare policies, we do not support elephant riding, and this option is not available during the trek. The Manda Lao Therapeutic Trek is a shared excursion with other travelers. If you prefer a private excursion, please talk to your Trip Planner. 

This afternoon, prepare for your transfer to Tha Heua Mai pier for a private Mekong Sunset Cruise. Your boat awaits to take you on an upstream voyage along the Mekong River toward the Nam Khan confluence. Along the way, immerse yourself in the charm of the villages and communities of Luang Prabang, and even cross the river to visit Wat Long Khoun and stroll to Wat Chomphet on the opposite side. After the visit, return to your boat and savor the breathtaking sight of the sun setting over the Mekong River — an ideal moment for a refreshing drink if you haven't indulged already!

If you're in the mood for more, additional drinks such as red wine, chilled Beer Lao, and soft drinks are available for purchase on board. Don't miss out on relishing some delightful street food at the night market with your guide before concluding your evening and returning to your accommodations (food & drinks at your own expense) in Luang Prabang.

After enjoying breakfast and checking out of your hotel, transfer to the Luang Prabang train station for a high-speed journey of about 1.5 hours to Oudomxay in central Laos.

Upon arrival at Oudomxay train station, meet your local guide and driver and transfer approximately 40 minutes to your lodge, situated beautifully in a protected forestry area along the Nam Kat River. Along the way, stop at Ban Longya village, one of Oudomxay's oldest Tai Lue villages, to explore and meet locals. Take a short walk to Paradise Mountain, revered for its three sacred Buddha footprints.

Passing other ethnic villages like Khummu, Thai Dam, and Thai Lue, arrive at Ban Kat to experience the Tai Dam lifestyle and taste Lao alcohol produced daily by locals. Proceed to Ban Poung Hieng, a Khummu village, before reaching your accommodations.

Settle into your rooms for a relaxing evening at Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort. 

Nestled atop the Nam Kat River and surrounded by tranquil trees and rippling waters, Nam Kat Yorla Pa offers relaxation after wild forest adventures. This luxurious eco-tourism destination combines elegant accommodations with warm hospitality, catering to adventurers and those seeking peace. The region of Oudomxay boasts a rich ethnic culture, from Khmu settlers to Hmong tribes, with nearby villages and traditional activities like the Baci ceremony. The protected forest around the resort is a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna, including freshwater fish, butterfly colonies, and a symphony of birds, creating a continually evolving natural wonderland.

Start your day with breakfast and meet your guide for a full-day excursion to explore the northern countryside and villages near Muang La. Travel by vehicle towards Pak Khai, taking in scenic views of the Nam Pak River, terraced rice fields, and riverside villages. Upon reaching Pak Khai, walk along a mountain trail beside a meandering stream through lush vegetation.

During your morning walk, take the opportunity to interact with local farmers who cultivate rice fields and engage in small-game hunting and fishing in mountain streams. After the walk, enjoy a two-hour forest hike to Ban Phavie, a picturesque Khamu village atop a hill, where you can have a picnic lunch prepared by the lodge.

In the afternoon, explore the village, meet locals, or take a short walk to a nearby waterfall for a refreshing swim if the weather permits. Return to the Nam Kat Yorla Pa resort by car in the late afternoon for a relaxed evening.

Today marks the beginning of your journey to Luang Prabang with a stay in Nong Khiaw. After enjoying breakfast, venture on a roughly three-hour drive to Muang Khua, a village near the Vietnamese border and Dien Bien Phu. Once you reach Muang Khua, board a privately chartered riverboat for a scenic five-hour cruise down the Nam Ou River to Nong Khiaw. The boat provides comfortable covered seating as you pass through Northern Laos' most breathtaking river landscapes. A picnic lunch will be served during the cruise.

Due to ongoing dam construction halfway down the Nam Ou, transfer around the dam by local truck and continue on an identical boat on the other side.

Arrive in Nong Khiaw this afternoon. Then, transfer by tuk-tuk to your accommodation for check-in. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and unwind.

Enjoy breakfast and leisurely explore Nong Khiaw in the morning with your guide by walking or bicycling and visiting the local village. In the afternoon, a three-hour transfer will take you to Luang Prabang for your overnight stay.

After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure until it's time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Goodbye, Laos!