Luang Prabang Travel Forum

Hi,

I will be in LP next week and will be using it as a base for the next 5 days. Am planning to visit Pak On cave and probably a short tour around the city. Is there any other places that I can visit that is "off the beaten track" for overnight i.e. small villages, homestay etc around LP? If yes, how can I arrange it.

Many thanks.

Once you arrive in LP, you'll have a choice of quite a number of local travel agencies or adventure agencies from whom you can book overnight backpack trips to surrounding villages, etc. One of the larger agencies is All Lao Travel which is on the mainstreet amdist all the other agencies and I've used them quite a bit. They even have an elephant camp if you want go by such and overnight, too.

While the Pak Ou Caves are an OK trip, I highly recommend a trip to either or both Khoang Si or Tad Se Waterfalls. Bring some swimming trunks for a cool refreshing dip amidst the mulitple pools.

And since you've got 5 days, you might consider a trip to NOng Khiaw or Moung Ngoi villages which is approx. 3.5 hours by bus or songthaew from Luang Prabang. The setting along the Nam Ou River is highly picturesque and you can take a boat from Nong Khiaw upstream to Moung Ngoi--both of which are popular with the backpacker crowd. More basic accomodations--ie. no hot water or aircon at Moung Ngoi.

I agree with the previous post. Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi Nuea aren't exactly off the beaten track but are quiet and pleasant. You do have the option of trekking from Muang Ngoi.

Muang Ngoi:
http://www.travelsinasia.com/Laos/MuangNgoiNuea.html

Thanks guys. If I were to travel from LP to Nong Khiaw (by boat) and continue to Muang Ngoi, how long would it take me to travel back to LP from Muang Ngoi? Is there a direct boat or bus from MN to LP? I will be departing Laos from LP.

Many thanks in advance.

I can't say how long by boat. By road 4 hours to Nong Khiaw and one hour more up the river to Muang Ngoi.

Oh....er.....you did say off the beaten track, there are no roads to or from Muang Ngoi Nuea!

Kuang Si Waterfall, really good. Entrance Fee: 20,000kip