Check-out from Phonethip Guesthouse ‣ Bus from Huay Xai to Luang Namtha ‣ Walking tour of Luang Namtha ‣ Dinner at Luang Namtha black market ‣ Overnight inward Adounsiri Guesthouse inward Luang Namtha
Check out from Adounsiri Guesthouse ‣ Bus from Luang Namtha to Luang Prabang ‣ Evening at Luang Prabang black market ‣ Overnight inward Kounsavan Guesthouse inward Luang Prabang
Alms-giving ceremony ‣ Walking tour around Luang Prabang ‣ Wat Mai ‣ Haw Pha Bang ‣ Wat Xieng Thong ‣ Bamboo bridge ‣ Sunset at Mount Phousi ‣ Overnight inward Kounsavan Guesthouse
Check out from Kounsavan Guesthouse ‣ Shared minivan from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw ‣ Walking tour of Nong Khiaw ‣ Overnight inward Sythane Guesthouse inward Nong Khiaw
Check out from Sythane guesthouse ‣ Boat from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi Neua ‣ Walking tour around Muang Ngoi Neua ‣ Sunset at Phanoi cave ‣ Overnight inward Aloune Guesthouse inward Muang Ngoi Neua
Day trip to Muang Ngoi countryside ‣ Tham Kang cave ‣ Check out from Aloune Guesthouse ‣ Overnight inward Rainbow House guesthouse inward Muang Ngoi Neua.
Check out from Rainbow House guesthouse ‣ Boat from Muang Ngoi Neua dorsum to Nong Khiaw ‣ Shared minivan from Nong Khiaw dorsum to Luang Prabang ‣ Overnight inward LPQ Backpackers hostel inward Luang Prabang
Check out from LPQ Backpackers hostel ‣ Shared minivan from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng ‣ Sightseeing around Vang Vieng countryside past times bicycle ‣ Nam Song river ‣ Overnight inward Malany Villa 2 guesthouse inward Vang Vieng
Check out from Malany Villa 2 guesthouse ‣ Shared minivan from Vang Vieng to Vientiane ‣ Sightseeing around Vientiane past times bicycle ‣ Patuxai gate ‣ Pha That Luang ‣ Chao Anouvong park ‣ Sunset at Hat Don Chan ‣ Evening at the Vientiane black market ‣ Overnight inward Lucky Backpackers Hostel inward Vientiane
Check out from Lucky Backpackers Hostel ‣ That Dam ‣ Wat Sisaket ‣ Talat Sao mall ‣ Local motorbus from Khua Din motorbus station to Friendship Bridge ‣ Shuttle motorbus from Lao People's Democratic Republic to Nong Khai, Thailand
Itinerary Map (click to view POIs in addition to routes)
Arrival inward Lao People's Democratic Republic from Thailand
12.25 pm - Arrival at Lao People's Democratic Republic immigration checkpoint from Chiang Kong, Thailand.
Immigration clearance. Went to the currency central to alter some coin into Laotian kips
Over on the other side, after crossing the Friendship Bridge from Thailand
Welcome to Laos, a sign of hope that my unplanned Lao People's Democratic Republic trip is gonna live an exciting one
Getting to Huay Xai
2.00 pm - Ride tuk tuk to Huay Xai, which is well-nigh 10km from the immigration checkpoint - 15,000 kip (bargained downwards from 25,000 kip)
Note: Be prepared to create practise amongst the tuk tuk mafia here, it definitely wasn't like shooting fish in a barrel to haggle downwards the price. Not alone were they difficult to create practise with, they made certain that there's alone i tuk tuk y'all could conduct hold to town at whatever given time, in addition to the other tuk tuk drivers exactly wouldn't conduct hold you
2.30 pm - Arrive inward Huay Xai (dropped off at the town centre)
Check-in to Phonetip Guesthouse - 60,000 kip per night. Staying for alone a night, shared the room cost amongst some other backpacker, so I alone paid 30,000 kip.
Inquired the guesthouse on the pricing of the 2 days slowboat to Luang Prabang, in addition to was quoted 222,000 kips for the trip. Decided to practise the motorbus trip instead, in addition to suspension upwards the journeying amongst a stopover at Luang Namtha for a black to maintain things interesting. Attempted this route past times motorbus instead of the usual, to a greater extent than pop deadening boat because it's the path less taken. Glad I did it this way, the scenery along the way is amazing!
First roadbump inward my travels around Laos, the tuk tuk mafia inward Huay Xai. Be real theatre when dealing amongst them, they're shady in addition to incredibly persistent
After well-nigh an hour's standoff amongst the tuk tuk mafia, finally they took us to Huay Xai for our agreed price. Not something I desire to repeat, but at to the lowest degree we're here
Since the tuk tuk dropped me off close Phonethip guesthouse, it's logical that this would live the start house I would inquire when looking for a house to stay. Turned out this was i of the cheapest places inward town
The guesthouse was almost total past times the fourth dimension I was done amongst my search, in addition to when I came dorsum here, in that location was alone i room left. So I had to part this room amongst some other backpacker. Not real pleasant but well, whatever
Around Huay Xai
4.00 pm - Photo walk around Huay Xai. There wasn't genuinely anything to encounter or practise inward town. Went to an ATM nearby to withdraw to a greater extent than kips for utilization subsequently inward my trip
Had java inward Dream Bakery - Ice latte (12,000 kip) & huckleberry pie (10,000 kip). Watched the sunset from the riverside before heading dorsum to the guesthouse
Dinner at a nearby eating theatre (not certain what the refer was, it was written inward Lao) - Stir fried pork amongst egg & rice (15,000 kip) & soft drinkable (5,000 kip)
9.30 pm - Return to guesthouse to educate for the side past times side day
An afternoon walk around Huay Xai. The steps seen hither Pb upwards to Wat Chomkao Manilat, a proficient house to lookout adult man sunsets, but I had a meliorate idea
Watching the locals doing aerobics, seems to live a real pop affair here
Another component division of Huay Xai, farther downwards south
Watching the Sun larn downwards amongst java inward hand. H5N1 nifty start to my Lao People's Democratic Republic adventure
7.00 am - Wake up, pack upwards in addition to check-out from the guesthouse.
Breakfast at a roadside stall reverse the guesthouse - Ham cheese baguette (10,000 kip)
8.15 am - Ride a shared minivan (arranged past times the guesthouse) to Huay Xai novel motorbus station - 10,000 kip
Note: Huay Xai has ii motorbus stations, the locals only telephone phone them 'old' in addition to 'new' motorbus stations. You tin post away conduct hold buses downwards due south from either motorbus station, but was told the buses departing from the novel motorbus station were newer in addition to to a greater extent than comfortable. Whatever alternative y'all make, the tuk tuk driver volition conduct y'all to the novel motorbus station anyways
8.30 am - Arrive at Huay Xai novel motorbus station. Purchased i way ticket for the 10am motorbus boundary for Luang Namtha - 60,000 kip
10.20 am - Board motorbus boundary for Luang Namtha
Huay Xai novel motorbus station
Waiting for my motorbus to Luang Namtha
Arrival inward Luang Namtha & Guesthouse check-in
1.20 pm - Arrive inward Luang Namtha (dropped off at Luang Namtha motorbus station, located inward Phonexay, well-nigh 5km away from Luang Namtha's quondam town, in addition to 10km away from novel town)
2.00 pm - Ride tuk tuk to Luang Namtha's novel town - 20,000 kip
2.15 pm - Arrive inward Luang Namtha novel town (dropped off close the Luang Namtha black market)
Check-in to Adounsiri Guesthouse - 50,000 kip per black (staying for 1 night). The possessor wasn't real helpful in addition to the wi-fi wasn't working, much to my dismay.
Luang Namtha motorbus station. Most frustrating affair well-nigh Lao People's Democratic Republic is how real far away the motorbus stations are from their respective towns
Adounsiri Guesthouse, a chip difficult to notice as it's located away from the primary route inward the dorsum streets
Lovely porch surface area at Adounsiri Guesthouse. An affordable in addition to okay remain but non the best around these parts
Around Luang Namtha
4.00 pm - 6.00 pm - Photo walk around Luang Namtha's novel town. To my disappointment, unless y'all were planning to larn for the organized treks, there's real picayune to encounter or practise inward Luang Namtha.
Late tiffin at Lao Lao Restaurant (nearby the guesthouse I stayed) - Fried rice amongst beef curry (15,000 kip) & soft drinkable (5,000 kip)
Booked my motorbus ticket amongst a tour means for the 9am motorbus departing for Luang Prabang the side past times side day (plus transfer to Luang Namtha motorbus station) - 120,000 kip
7.00 pm - Walked around inward Luang Namtha black market. Dinner at Manikong Cafe located reverse the black marketplace position - Spring ringlet (25,000 kip) & Namkhong beer (8,000 kip for a large bottle)
9.00 pm - Return to guesthouse
Main route at Luang Namtha's novel town. To live honest, in that location isn't plenty to encounter hither if you're gonna pass most of your fourth dimension inward town, everything exactly seem so far away in addition to non within walking distance
The Nam Tha river was the alone interesting scenery I came across piece walking around the town area
Luang Namtha's black market
Watching the sunset from the black market, interesting plenty for an level but non to a greater extent than than that
Walking around the black market. You volition sometimes encounter flocks of tourists from mainland Red People's Republic of China around, which isn't surprising, considering how unopen Luang Namtha is to the Chinese border
Spent the residuum of my level at Manikong cafe, exactly reverse the route from the black market. Okay house to conduct hold dinner, but it had wifi, exactly what I desperately needed
6.30 am - Wake up, pack upwards in addition to check-out from the guesthouse
Ride a shared tuk tuk who came to pick upwards at 7.30 am (arranged past times the tour agency) to Luang Namtha motorbus station
7.45 am - Arrive at Luang Namtha motorbus station. Board the 9am motorbus boundary for Luang Prabang
11.45 am - Stopover at Oudomxay enroute to Luang Prabang. Bought some snacks before continuing on - Bamboo viscid rice (only 2,000 kip, real cheap!)
Packed upwards in addition to ready to go. Managed to conduct hold a chat amongst these guys the black before, aside from our mutual complaint that the wifi wasn't working (lol). They are embarking on their calendar month long cycling trip around Laos, proficient luck to them!
Back inward Luang Namtha motorbus station, waiting for my motorbus to Luang Prabang
The argue why motorbus trips from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang conduct hold an absurdly long fourth dimension is because of traffic delays due to ongoing route construction, along a real treacherous route through the mountains
Arrival inward Luang Prabang & Hostel check-in
6.00 pm - Arrive inward Luang Prabang (dropped off at the northern motorbus station, located well-nigh 3km from the town centre. Very typical inward Lao People's Democratic Republic for the motorbus stations to live placed so far away from the town centres
6.05 pm - Ride tuk tuk to Luang Prabang town centre - 20,000 kip. Obviously a ripoff, but aught much y'all tin post away practise well-nigh it because the cost is already fixed. The alone proficient affair is that they volition drib y'all off at your accommodation of choice
6.20 pm - Check-in to Kounsavan Guesthouse - 48,000 kip per night. Staying for three nights (total cost - 144,000 kip). Very social house in addition to incredibly pop amongst backpackers, so the rooms larn taken upwards genuinely fast. Be certain to majority ahead to avoid disappointment. The rooms are create clean enough, but does larn stuffy during the twenty-four hours as the air-conditioning is turned off during this time. There was a swimming puddle beingness built around the fourth dimension I was there, that would've been a addition betoken had I come upwards hither when the puddle was completed
Arriving at Luang Prabang's N motorbus station, located a few kilometres away from the town centre. Very typical of Lao People's Democratic Republic to house their motorbus stations faraway so that y'all conduct hold to conduct hold their tuk tuks
Shared a tuk tuk amongst other travelers to larn to my accommodation inward Luang Prabang
Kounsavan Guesthouse, my acommodation inward Luang Prabang over the side past times side few days
Settling downwards to my rather cramped bed in addition to room inward Kounsavan Guesthouse
Luang Prabang Night Market
7.20 pm - Walk from the hostel to the Luang Prabang black market, located along Sisavangvong route (under v minutes)
Had dinner at the black marketplace position - Vegetarian buffet (15,000 kip). Very good known amid travelers, there's a broad selection of all-you-can-eat vegetarian nutrient y'all tin post away create total your bowl with. They accuse extra for meat though.
8.30 pm - Walked around the black marketplace position until closing fourth dimension before eventually returning to the hostel. The black marketplace position closes early, around 10pm
Luang Prabang's black marketplace position inward total swing
One of Luang Prabang's must-trys, the vegetarian buffet at the black market
The black marketplace position felt languid inward general, a difference from the norm where markets are unremarkably loud in addition to chaotic. The traders weren't pushy in addition to that gave me a real pleasant experience
Further downwards Sisavangvong road, exactly past times the black market. Plenty of cafes in addition to tour companies along this stretch, by in addition to large a proficient house to hang out inward the evenings
Breakfast at the hostel - Omelette & hot tea (included inward the room rate)
Did my laundry amongst the hostel - 15,000 kip
Day trip to Kuang Si Falls
10.00 am - Left for twenty-four hours trip to Kuang Si falls past times shared minivan (cost sharing amongst a grouping I met at the hostel) - 30,000 kip per person. As a contrast, it's slightly cheaper to what the hostel was charging for the same twenty-four hours trip at the time, 35,000 kip
11.00 am - Arrive at Kuang Si falls entrance. Paid the entrance fee - 20,000 kip
Upon entering, conduct hold a correct in addition to the start surface area y'all volition come upwards to is the acquit rescue centre. H5N1 release of bears tin post away live seen hither in addition to is quite a process for beast lovers
Further onwards are a release of small-scale cascading waterfalls, before coming to the primary waterfall. You tin post away trek upwards to the top of the primary waterfall to conduct hold a look. There are ii paths y'all could conduct hold to the top. The path on the correct side of the waterfall volition conduct hold y'all through the dense jungle, is steeper in addition to is thence a to a greater extent than strenuous climb. Either way, the climb takes alone 15-20 minutes. At the top, there's a viewpoint (be careful, it's slippery!), a few pools in addition to a cave (not that interesting inward my opinion)
1.00 pm - Head dorsum downwards to the lower falls to larn for a swim. H5N1 pop favorite seems to live the large puddle amongst the tree y'all tin post away boundary off from. There are restrooms in addition to changing areas so changing into your swimwear shouldn't live also much of a problem.
3.00 pm - Pack upwards in addition to caput dorsum to the entrance to ride the minivan dorsum to Luang Prabang
Entrance to Kuang Si falls
Turning correct after the gate, a few minutes on the path volition conduct y'all to the acquit rescue centre. Be careful, endeavour non to larn also acquainted amongst the bears otherwise you're gonna live spending a long, long fourth dimension here
Sighted the start laid of cascading falls, several minutes downwards the path from the acquit rescue centre
More cascading falls on the way to the primary waterfall. Some are designated no-swim zones, making proficient spots for photography, so snap away!
Bridge at the primary waterfall area. From here, y'all tin post away select which path y'all desire to conduct hold to the top of the waterfall. Remember, the correct path to the top is harder
The primary waterfall, i of the most photographed parts of the Kuang Si falls
Back inward Luang Prabang
4.00 pm - Back inward Luang Prabang (dropped off at the hostel)
5.00 pm - Decided to larn for an level stroll close the riverside. Walk from the hostel to Khem Kong route (under 10 minutes). There are plenty of riverside cafes along this road, so select whatever i to relish some drinks piece watching the Sun larn down
7.00 pm - Walk to the black market. Dinner at the sandwich stalls close the marketplace position - Chicken tuna sandwich (15,000 kip)
9.30 pm - Walked around inward the black marketplace position to practise a chip of shopping before returning to hostel
Went for an level stroll past times the riverside, alone a few minutes walk away from the hostel
Enjoying the beautiful sunset from a riverside cafe
Last chip of sunlight before the day's end. Mother nature does genuinely know how to position on a show
5.30 am - Walk from the hostel to Sisavangvong Road (under v minutes) to lookout adult man the alms-giving ceremony, a pop final result inward Luang Prabang, involving hundreds of monks from diverse temples. It unremarkably starts at around 6am every day
6.30 am - Return to hostel to larn some breakfast - Fried eggs & tea (included inward the room rate)
Woke upwards early on inward the morn to grab the alms-giving ceremony inward Luang Prabang
Walking tour of Luang Prabang
9.00 am - 12.00 pm - Walking tour of Luang Prabang. Visited the next points of involvement along Sisavangvong road:
Wat Pa Huak
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham
Haw Pha Bang
Wat Sensoukharam
Wat Sop Sickharam
Wat Sirimoungkhoun Sayaram
Wat Souvannakhiri
Wat Xieng Thong
Did alone external viewings for some of the temples I visited as in that location were entrance fees for Wat Mai (10,000 kip), Haw Pha Bang (30,000 kip) in addition to Wat Xieng Thong (20,000 kip). The ease were complimentary of charge.
First on the list. The tiny but quaint interior of Wat Pa Huak, located close the staircase going upwards to Mount Phousi
Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, supposedly i of the largest inward Luang Prabang. Didn't larn in, exactly looked at it from exterior because in that location was an entrance fee
Haw Pha Bang is real difficult to miss, it's likely i of the start temples y'all volition notice almost right away piece inward Luang Prabang. Again, I didn't larn inward because I'm a cheapskate lol
More of the Luang Prabang township farther downwards Sisavangvong road
Wat Sensoukharam. Chanced upon this house after walking almost a straight line of piece of job down Sisavangvong road
Wat Sop Sickharam is some other few minutes farther downwards the route from Sensoukharam
Next up, Wat Sirimoungkhoun Sayaram
Feeling templed out already? Wat Souvannakhiri is yet some other temple, but amongst a difference. It also houses an exhibition amongst meditation as its primal theme. Best of all, it's complimentary to enter
Last on my list, Wat Xieng Thong
Walking tour of Luang Prabang (continued)
Stopped for refreshments at Viewpoint Cafe (located at the interjunction betwixt Sakkaline & Khem Kong road) - Mango milk shiver (20,000 kip). Nice house to relax in addition to relish views of the confluence of the Mekong in addition to Nam Khan rivers
1.00 pm - Continue walking tour of Luang Prabang past times doing a photograph walk along Khem Khong route dorsum to Luang Prabang town middle (near the site of the black market). Visited parts of the Mekong 'beach'
2.00 pm - Back inward Luang Prabang town center. Continue walking tour past times doing a photograph walk along Kingkitsarath road
Crossed the bamboo span to larn to the other side of the Nam Khan river. Admission fee - 5,000 kip. Supposedly this goes to funding the costs to rebuild the span that gets swept away during monsoon flavour each year
Stopped for some other circular of refreshments at Dyen Sabai eating theatre - Watermelon milk shiver (15,000 kip)
3.30 pm - Back to hostel (under xv minutes)
Viewpoint Cafe, a cafe amongst a view situated at the confluence of the Mekong in addition to Nam Khan rivers. Good halt for a few drinks before continuing on
The Mekong 'beach'
Retracing my steps dorsum to the town middle along the Khem Khong road
The bamboo bridge. Not certain why nosotros had to pay to utilization it but supposedly they conduct hold to rebuild this each twelvemonth due to monsoon
Views of the Nam Khan river from Kingkitsarath road
Mount Phousi & dorsum to hostel
4.30 pm - Walk from the hostel to Mount Phousi (under v minutes). There are ii entrances, I opted for the primary entrance (located along Sisavangvong road). Paid admission fee halfway to the top - 20,000 kip
Climbed the stairs to the top of Mount Phousi (under xv minutes). By the fourth dimension I arrived, the house was already crowded. Do come upwards early on if y'all desire the best seats to lookout adult man the sunset. Stayed at the top until sundown before heading dorsum downwards again
7.00 pm - Dinner at the black marketplace position - Vegetarian buffet (10,000 kip)
Booked amongst a tour means a minivan transfer to Nong Khiaw departing at 8.30am the side past times side twenty-four hours - 70,000 kip (one way). Comparatively, my hostel was quoting 75,000 kip for the same trip. If y'all desire a cheaper alternative, in that location are populace buses from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw which costs around 40,000 kip. One downside to this however, is that y'all soundless conduct hold to notice your way to larn to the motorbus station in addition to purchase your motorbus ticket
Went to an ATM to withdraw to a greater extent than kips. Found that BCEL gave me the best rates for MYR
9.00 pm - Walked around in addition to did some shopping inward the black marketplace position before heading dorsum to the hostel
Staircase to the top of Mount Phousi
Views of Luang Prabang from the top of Mount Phousi
And over on the other side. Be certain to come upwards early on to reserve a spot as this house gets increasingly crowded the closer it gets to sunset
7.00 am - Wake up, pack upwards in addition to check-out from hostel
Breakfast at the hostel - Banana pancake & tea (included inward the room rate)
8.40 am - Pickup from hostel to the southern motorbus station, where nosotros waited to larn into the minivan departing for Nong Khiaw
9.45 am - Ride minivan from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw
11.45 am - Short stopover at Pak Mong
Departing for Nong Khiaw from Luang Prabang's southern motorbus station
Arrival inward Nong Khiaw
12.45 am - Arrive inward Nong Khiaw (dropped off at Nong Khiaw motorbus station). Walk from the motorbus station to Nong Khiaw town middle (under xv minutes)
Check-in to Sythane Guesthouse - 40,000 kip per night. Staying for 1 night. The room I got was surprisingly well-featured at its cost point, real proficient value for the coin inward my opinion
Lunch at Chennai Restaurant side past times side to the guesthouse - Chicken biryani (30,000 kip). Surprisingly proficient indian nutrient around these parts!
Arriving at Nong Khiaw motorbus station. From here, it's well-nigh xv minutes on pes to town. Or nether a few minutes past times tuk tuk, pay no to a greater extent than than 5,000 kip
Settling inward to my accommodation inward Sythane Guesthouse, that offered way to a greater extent than than I bargained for
Chennai Restaurant, exactly side past times side to the guesthouse I stayed at. Quite the surprise notice I must say
In & Around Nong Khiaw
4.00 pm - 6.00 pm - Photo walk arond Nong Khiaw. Spent most of my fourth dimension on the bridge, admiring the impressive views of the Nam Ou river from both sides.
There's also a viewpoint y'all could climb upwards to larn uninterrupted views of the river in addition to the surrounding solid reason side. It takes well-nigh ninety minutes to climb, less if you're physically fit. There's an entrance fee of 20,000 kip. Wanted to larn upwards the side past times side morn but was hampered past times rain, so I didn't go
7.00 pm - Back to the guesthouse. Dinner at Chennai Restaurant over again - Baingan bharta (12,000 kip)
There were a few nightlife options available (which again, is surprising given the remoteness of this place) but decided to hangout inward the eating theatre for a piece before heading dorsum to the guesthouse
A component division of the Nong Khiaw town area, exactly past times the bridge
Entrance to the Nong Khiaw viewpoint, located farther downwards due south of town. Planned to larn early on side past times side morn but it rained so, meh
The span that connects both parts of Nong Khiaw town
Other side of Nong Khiaw. The jetty, which tin post away live seen here, is where y'all tin post away conduct hold a boat to Muang Ngoi Neua
Unlike Luang Namtha, it's non necessary to larn real far to encounter scenery such as this inward Nong Khiaw. It's everywhere y'all look
More impressive scenery seen from the bridge. This towering limestone cliff dominates the Nong Khiaw landscape
10.00 am - Wake up, pack upwards in addition to check-out from the guesthouse
Walk from the guesthouse to the jetty (under 10 minutes). From this jetty, in that location are boats that run from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi Neua at 11am in addition to 2pm daily. Each trip takes well-nigh an hour
11.20 am - Ride a boat departing for Muang Ngoi Neua - 25,000 kip. The journeying along the Nam Ou river can live described as both breathtaking in addition to exhilarating at the same time. Despite some tense moments piece braving the rapids (definitely non for the faint of heart!), the hope of impressive scenery along the river solitary is worth the trip
Waiting for my boat to Muang Ngoi Neua on a misty morn inward Nong Khiaw
The boat I got had no seats, so nosotros had to sit down on floorboards. It got rather cramped within the boat as to a greater extent than in addition to to a greater extent than got on, but fortunately the journeying alone took a picayune over an hour
Best component division of the journeying was definitely the impressive landscapes along the river. Just a tip, aspect towards the left side, that's where the best parts are
Braving the rapids on the way to Muang Ngoi Neua. The sense tin post away live nerve-wracking for some
Arrival inward Muang Ngoi Neua
12.30 pm - Arrive inward Muang Ngoi Neua. Given its remoteness in addition to rurality, it's non surprising in that location are no roads to in addition to around the village, in addition to upwards until recently, in that location was no electricity either. Despite that, in that location are a surprising release of acommodations in addition to eateries here, due to growing tourism inward the area
Upon arriving, in that location volition live some locals waiting at the jetty in addition to cry for if y'all desire to remain at their guesthouses. Went amongst i in addition to checked-in to Aloune guesthouse - 30,000 kip per night. Stayed for 1 night. Loved the river view in addition to the hammocks, though the lack of wifi in addition to hot showers could live a chip of a turnoff for some
Approaching Muang Ngoi Neua from the river
Settling inward at Aloune Guesthouse. Kinda decent for the price. No wifi though, tin post away live a bummer for some
Loved the views of the river in addition to swinging inward the hammocks
In & Around Muang Ngoi Neua
Lunch at Ning Ning eating theatre - Pork fried rice (17,000 kip) & Lao java (6,000 kip)
2.00 pm - 3.00 pm - Photo walk around Muang Ngoi Neua. Walked from i halt to some other along the primary strip of the village. Did a quick photograph halt at Wad Okad Sayaram before heading to Phanoi cave
The primary strip inward Muang Ngoi Neua
Wad Okad Sayaram temple, likely the alone i inward Muang Ngoi Neua, located at the other halt of the primary strip, closer to Phanoi cave
Lunch at Ning Ning restaurant, i of the meliorate eating options here
Phanoi Cave
3.00 pm - Walk to the entrance of Phanoi cave, located to the N of the hamlet (under 10 minutes). Paid the admission fee - 10,000 kip
The uphill trek to Phanoi cave wasn't also hard, it alone took me well-nigh 20 minutes but the path tin post away live quite slippery specially if it rained earlier. Did a quick photograph halt at the cave, which was rather small-scale in addition to uninteresting. Remember to conduct hold a flashlight on y'all if y'all desire to venture deeper into the cave, it was pitch dark!
4.00 pm - Continuing on, it was some other 20 minutes farther upwards the path to the viewpoint. There are genuinely ii viewpoints, i amongst views of the river upwards north, in addition to i amongst views of Muang Ngoi Neua, both are every bit spectacular. Waited around at the top until almost sunset before heading dorsum down
This way to Phanoi cave
Past the gate in addition to going upwards the uphill path through the jungle
Inside Phanoi cave
First viewpoint I came across after reaching the top
Second viewpoint, amongst proficient views of Muang Ngoi Neua. Disappointing weather condition though
Back inward Muang Ngoi Neua
6.00 pm - Return to the guesthouse for a quick shower in addition to a chip of rest
Dinner at Riverside eating theatre (located close my guesthouse) - Vegetable curry amongst rice (25,000 kip). One of the several nightlife options inward town, in addition to likely the most happening one
9.00 pm - Walked around Muang Ngoi Neua for a chip before returning to my guesthouse for an early on night
Dinner at Riverside restaurant, i of several nightlife options inward town
Spent the residuum of my level walking around Muang Ngoi Neua's primary strip
Watching the hamlet folk endeavour their luck inward the local lottery
Breakfast at Vita Restaurant - Omelette (10,000 kip) & Lao java (7,000 kip)
7.30 am - Walked from Muang Ngoi Neua to the surrounding countryside. Followed the path going out of the village, so a dirt route going inward the southeast direction for well-nigh xxx minutes, until I reached Tham Kang cave
Quick photograph halt at Tham Kang cave. Paid the 'tourist fee' before entering - 10,000 kip. H5N1 chip larger compared to Phanoi cave, in addition to is alone slightly to a greater extent than interesting
8.30 am - 9.30 am - Crossed the rickety bamboo span to banking concern check out the surrounding rice fields nearby. The rice fields weren't as green at the fourth dimension of my visit, as it was soundless planting season
9.30 am - 1.00 pm - Back to the dirt route in addition to maintain on for some other xxx minutes to some other rice field, a lot larger than the start one, in addition to amongst many limestone cliffs dotting the landscape. Spent most of my fourth dimension photographing hither before heading dorsum to Muang Ngoi Neua
The long dirt route to the countryside
Passing tourists volition demand to pay a 'tourist fee' at this toll close Tham Kang cave
Waterlogged entrance of Tham Kang cave
Inside Tham Kang cave. Only slightly to a greater extent than interesting than Phanoi cave
The bamboo span close Tham Kang cave to cross over the river to the rice fields on the other side
Parts of the rice fields were barren as it was soundless planting flavour at the time. Villagers coming out to farm was soundless cool to encounter though
Beautiful Muang Ngoi countryside inward total view
Back to Muang Ngoi Neua
1.00 pm - Walk dorsum to Muang Ngoi Neua (under 45 minutes)
1.45 pm - Back inward Muang Ngoi Neua. Pack upwards in addition to check-out from the guesthouse. No problems at all amongst the guesthouse, it's exactly that I needed wifi to computer program my trip ahead
Extended my remain at a unlike guesthouse nearby which had wifi, Rainbow House - +1 black for 40,000 kip per night
5.00 pm - Went for an level walk along the riverside until sundown
Dinner at Riverside Restaurant again. Splurged a chip this fourth dimension since I had companionship - Mozarella mushroom burger (45,000 kip) & Lao beer (10,000 kip)
10.00 pm - Hung out at the eating theatre before returning to the guesthouse
Changed my accommodation to Rainbow House, which was exactly side past times side door from Aloune. Slightly to a greater extent than expensive but offered way to a greater extent than facilities
The room I got at Rainbow House
Late tiffin at Rainbow Restaurant. Trying out sticky rice inward a basket, a mutual local fare
Splendid views of the river from the restaurant
This was the Lao People's Democratic Republic I came to see. Stunning imagery of Muang Ngoi Neua helped past times the changing weather condition left me amongst a real lasting impression
8.30 am - Wake up, pack upwards in addition to check-out from the guesthouse
Walk to the boat purpose (located close Ning Ning Restaurant) to purchase my ticket for the 9.30am boat departing for Nong Khiaw - 25,000 kip
Note: From Muang Ngoi Neua, boats to Nong Khiaw alone run i time per day, inward the mornings, times may vary. Only exception is during high season, where in that location are boats running inward the afternoons
Breakfast at Ning Ning Restaurant piece waiting for the boat - Banana pancake (15,000 kip) & tea (5,000 kip)
9.15 am - Ride a boat dorsum to Nong Khiaw
Taking the morn boat dorsum to Nong Khiaw
Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang past times minivan
10.15 am - Arrive dorsum inward Nong Khiaw. Ride a shared tuk tuk from the jetty to Nong Khiaw motorbus station - 5,000 kip
At Nong Khiaw motorbus station, I purchased my ticket for the 12pm minivan departing for Luang Prabang South - 55,000 kip. There's some other minivan that leaves before at 10.30am for Luang Prabang North, alone costs 40,000 kips but it was already total past times the fourth dimension I got there
12.00 pm - Ride minivan from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang
Back inward Nong Khiaw, in addition to straight to the motorbus station to grab a ride dorsum to Luang Prabang
Back inward Luang Prabang
3.10 pm - Arrive inward Luang Prabang (dropped off at the southern motorbus station). Ride shared tuk tuk to Luang Prabang town middle - 10,000 kip
Check-in to LPQ Backpackers hostel - 30,000 kip per black (staying for 1 night). This was the alternative I went for since Kounsavan guesthouse was fully booked for the night. It's non a real social hostel but soundless proficient for a night
6.00 pm - Dinner at the black marketplace position - Vegetarian buffet (10,000 kip) & watermelon milk shiver (10,000 kip)
Booked amongst a tour means a minivan transfer to Vang Vieng departing at 9am the side past times side twenty-four hours - 120,000 kip
10.00 pm - Walked around the black marketplace position for lastly infinitesimal shopping before returning to the hostel
Stayed inward LPQ Backpackers for a black i time I got dorsum to Luang Prabang
7.00 am - Wake up, pack upwards in addition to check-out from the guesthouse
Breakfast at the hostel - Fried eggs amongst toast & java (included inward the room rate)
9.30 am - Pickup from the hostel past times minivan before departing for Vang Vieng. The scenery along the way is consistently beautiful, passing past times some of the most beautiful landscapes I've seen during my travels here. A item highlight of the journeying was the grasslands that goes on almost endlessly
1.30 pm - Arrive inward Vang Vieng (dropped off close the town center)
Check-in to Malany Villa 2 guesthouse - 60,000 kip per night. Staying for 2 nights (total cost - 120,000 kip). Great location (directly reverse the real pop Sakura Bar) in addition to well-featured for the price, which was an absolute steal. Rooms were pretty create clean in addition to spacious as well, all inward all non much to complain about
Arriving inward Vang Vieng
The conveniently located Malany Villa 2 inward Vang Vieng, directly reverse the famous Sakura Bar, and a proficient house to kickstart your adventures inward Vang Vieng
My room inward Malany Villa 2
In & Around Vang Vieng
2.00 pm - Rented a bike from a store reverse the guesthouse - 10,000 kip (for one-half twenty-four hours rental)
2.30 pm - Cycled around Vang Vieng, so crossed the Nam Song bridge. There's a toll fee to utilization the span - 6,000 kip (for bicycles). For pedestrians, the toll is 4,000 kip, in addition to 10,000 kip for motorcycles
3.00 pm - 6.00 pm - Cycled around the Vang Vieng countryside, amongst scenic rice fields dotting the landscape. Didn't larn all the way to Blue Lagoon, as I was to a greater extent than interested inward exploring the countryside. Stayed around until sunset before returning to town
6.30 pm - Returned to town past times crossing dorsum over the Nam Song river via the bamboo bridge
7.30 pm - Back inward Vang Vieng town, after I returned the bike to the shop, went in addition to had dinner at Otherside Restaurant - American fried rice (25,000 kip) & Lao beer (8,000 kip)
10.00 pm - Walked around Vang Vieng before returning to the guesthouse
Cycling around Vang Vieng
Nothing is complimentary inward Laos, fifty-fifty the bridges conduct hold tolls
The Nam Song bridge
The Nam Song river in addition to the surrounding landscape as seen from the bridge
Beautiful countryside on the other side of the Nam Song river
Stayed until sunset to larn this shot. If I had to select one, exactly i photograph to stand upwards for Laos, this would live my pick
Across the bamboo span in addition to I'm dorsum inward Vang Vieng town
One of the few minimarts inward Vang Vieng. Funny affair is they are to a greater extent than mutual hither than the ease of Laos
Dinner in addition to an level spent at the Otherside Restaurant
Breakfast at the nearby sandwich stalls (in forepart of the Roung Nakhon Palace hotel) - Hotdog bacon sandwich (20,000 kip) & java (5,000 kip). Plenty of stalls hither in addition to is incredibly pop amongst tourists.
One of the many sandwich stalls inward Vang Vieng. Loving the diversity in addition to how large the portions of these sandwiches are, exactly can't halt eating them!
River Tubing
10.00 am - Went to the tubing rental purpose in addition to rented a tube (including tuk tuk transfer to the tubing starting point) - 55,000 kip (+60,000 kip deposit which volition live returned to y'all after y'all provide your tube)
Ride tuk tuk to the tubing starting point
10.30 am - Arrive at starting point. Start of tubing.
3.00 pm - End of tubing. Return tube to tubing rental office
At the tubing rental office. Paid upwards in addition to waited a chip for a tuk tuk to conduct us to the start point. Let's larn tubing!
The tuk tuk brought in addition to dropped us off at the tubing starting point
There are soundless leftovers from Vang Vieng's quondam political party days along parts of the river. From jumping platforms to ziplines to abandoned shacks, many of them are disused in addition to inward a province of disrepair
Beautiful scenery seen along the Nam Song river. The river flows real slowly, so if you're tubing, aspect to stare at the same scenery for quite some time
Scenery finally changes after an lx minutes or so later. There's non much shade from the Sun piece tubing, so conduct plenty of sunblock
Candid shot of my tube
NOOO! Exactly my thoughts when I saw the halt point
Back inward Vang Vieng
3.30 pm - Back to guesthouse for a shower in addition to rest
Dinner at the same sandwich stall - Chicken omelette bacon sandwich (20,000 kip)
Book amongst a tour means a minivan transfer to Vientiane departing at 9am the side past times side twenty-four hours - 40,000 kip. The tour means at grand Mart (opposite Roung Nakhon Palace hotel) gave a proficient cost for the transfer, highly recommended!
11.00 pm - Head over to Sakura Bar for a belatedly nighter before heading dorsum to the guesthouse
Spent my lastly level at Sakura Bar, Vang Vieng's liveliest nightspot
7.30 am - Wake up, pack upwards in addition to check-out from the guesthouse
Breakfast at the same sandwich stall nearby - Bacon omelet sandwich (15,000 kip)
9.00 am - Pickup from the hostel past times minivan. Depart for Vientiane
Arrival inward Vientiane
12.15pm - Arrive inward Vientiane (dropped off at the metropolis middle close the national stadium)
Walk to my accommodation inward Vientiane (under 10 minutes). Check-in to Lucky Backpackers hostel - 40,000 kip per black (staying for 1 night). The house is non also bad, it's located quite unopen to the black market, I justice it's proficient plenty for a night's stay
Rented a bike from the hostel to start touring around Vientiane - 10,000 kip (for one-half twenty-four hours usage)
Arrival inward Vientiane. The street pictured hither is Rue Setthathilath, i of the primary tourist streets inward the city
Checked inward to Lucky Backpackers Hostel, my accommodation inward Vientiane for a night
My dorm inward the hostel, proficient for a night's stay
Cycling tour around Vientiane
1.30 pm - Cycle from the hostel to Patuxai gate (under xv minutes). Short photograph halt at Patuxai gate before continuing on. There's a viewpoint at the top of Patuxai y'all tin post away climb upwards to. Good spot to larn a bird's optic view of Vientiane. There's an admission fee of 3,000 kip
2.45 pm - Continue on to Pha That Luang, widely regarded as the most of import national monument inward Laos, which is another xv minutes from Patuxai gate
3.00 pm - 5.00 pm - Arrive at Pha That Luang. Paid the entrance fee - 5,000 kip. Stayed around until closing time, at 4pm, so visited some of the temples around the surface area before continuing on
Cycled from Pha That Luang to Chao Anouvong common (under xxx minutes).
5.30 pm - 7.00 pm - Walked around the riverside area, so caput over to Hat Don Chan to lookout adult man the sunset over the Mekong river
Dinner at a eating theatre close the riverside - Grilled chicken & sausages, seafood fried rice & watermelon milk shiver (75,000 kip)
8.00 pm - Walked around the black market. Did some lastly infinitesimal shopping until almost closing fourth dimension (10pm), before returning to the hostel
Candid shot of my pinkish bike inward forepart of the Patuxai gate
Pha That Luang, widely regarded as the most of import national monument inward Laos
Wat Thatluang Neua are some of the interesting temples around Pha That Luang that are worth visiting
Cycling dorsum along Lane Xang Ave. The large light-green edifice on the left is Talat Sao Mall
Chao Anouvong statue at the common of the same name
Interesting sand sculptures at Hat Don Chan
Watching the Sun laid over the horizon of the Mekong river that separates Lao People's Democratic Republic on the right, in addition to Thailand on the left
Spent the residuum of my level at the black marketplace position inward Chao Anouvong park
8.00 am - Wake up, pack upwards in addition to check-out from the guesthouse
Breakfast at the hostel - Fried eggs amongst toast & tea (included inward the room rate)
9.15 am - Walk from the hostel to Talat Sao mall (under xxx minutes). Did quick photograph stops at That Dam in addition to Wat Sisaket along the way
10.00 am - 11.00 am - Walked around Talat Sao mall in addition to did some lastly infinitesimal shopping
That Dam, located non far from Talat Sao mall
Quick detour to Wat Sisaket before heading to Talat Sao mall
Talat Sao Mall from the outside
Spent my lastly few hours inward Talat Sao mall before moving on to Thailand
Vientiane to Thailand using the DIY method
Earlier, I did inquire the hostel I stayed on the pricing for transfers to Nong Khai (Thailand) in addition to was quoted 50,000 kip. Not the cheapest but fortunately there's an easy, cheaper way to larn to Nong Khai from Vientiane
11.05 am - Walk from Talat Sao mall to Khua Din motorbus station (under v minutes). Waited for well-nigh xv minutes so got onto motorbus #14 boundary for Buddha Park - 6,000 kip
12.00pm - Hop off at Thanaleng friendship bridge
Immigration clearance. Changed all my kips dorsum into thai bahts at the currency exchange
12.20 pm - Ride shuttle motorbus from Lao People's Democratic Republic to Thailand via the friendship span - 4,000 kip
Khua Din motorbus station, located behind Talat Sao Mall
Bus #14 from Khua Din volition drib y'all off at the friendship bridge
Taking the shuttle motorbus across the friendship span to Thailand
Shuttle motorbus from Chiang Kong, Thailand via Friendship Bridge to Laos ‣
Tuk tuk from Friendship Bridge to Huay Xai ‣
Sunset at Huay Xai ‣
Overnight Phonethip Guesthouse inward Huay Xai
Walking tour of Luang Namtha ‣
Dinner at Luang Namtha black market ‣
Evening at Luang Prabang black market ‣
Boat from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi Neua ‣
Sightseeing around Vang Vieng countryside past times bicycle ‣
River tubing for one-half a day ‣
