Northern Laos

The mountains of northern Laos, centered on the World Heritage–listed old town of Luang Prabang and the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang, with the Nam Ou gorge, slow boats on the Mekong and ethnic minority villages each adding their own character.

This region follows the official northern (Upper Laos) division of Laos, assigned by whole province: the 8 provinces of Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Luang Prabang, Houaphan, Xayaboury and Xieng Khouang. Note that it differs from the existing "Classic Northern Laos route": that route includes Vientiane and Vang Vieng, which officially belong to central Laos.

Highlights: in the old town of Luang Prabang (a World Heritage Site), Wat Xieng Thong, sunset from Mount Phousi, the dawn alms-giving ceremony and the night market, plus Kuang Si Falls and the Pak Ou Caves nearby; the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang (a World Heritage Site); the karst gorges of the Nam Ou at Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi; jungle trekking in the Nam Ha National Protected Area in Luang Namtha; the two-day slow boat on the Mekong from Huay Xai in Bokeo to Luang Prabang; the Vieng Xai Caves in Houaphan; and the old tea plantations and ethnic minority villages of Phongsaly.

Classic itineraries: 3 days in Luang Prabang, plus 2–3 days in Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi, and 2 days at the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang, 7–9 days in total. If entering from China or Thailand, you can take the "Huay Xai slow boat–Luang Prabang" route.

Getting there: the Laos–China Railway links Boten, Luang Namtha, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, and there is a direct international train from Kunming to Vientiane. Luang Prabang International Airport has international flights, and in the mountains minibuses are the main option.

Good to know: Xieng Khouang has a lot of unexploded ordnance left from the war, so walk only on marked paths.

Destinations

Itineraries