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We are back in South East Asia, settled in Chiang Mai for the moment, but we can’t help our thoughts turning to Laos, just six hours away and one of our favourite Asian countries.
Laos isn’t undiscovered but it certainly receives far fewer visitors than its neighbour Thailand. The strange thing is that everyone who does visit sticks to the exact same route – Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane. While those places have their attractions, for us the highlights of Laos were found in less visited places further north, in quiet riverside villages overlooked by craggy green mountains. While there are some exciting activities we mostly enjoyed soaking up the very chilled atmosphere and beautiful views. We found Laos wonderfully relaxed, friendly and easy to travel around, without the hassle you find in more touristy countries.
If you are thinking of visiting Laos we encourage you to think beyond the obvious places and try some of our favourite destinations in northern Laos.
The Gibbon Experience
Many people enter Laos from Thailand at the Chiang Khong/Huay Xai border, but most don’t bother staying in town but instead hop on the two day slow boat to Luang Prabang. That’s a shame as they are missing out on one of the highlights of Laos and one of our favourite travel experiences.
Huay Xai is a sleepy river town (Laos has a lot of these!) and we enjoyed relaxing there for a few days. It’s also the headquarters of the Gibbon Experience, a conservation project that gives visitors the opportunity to get a monkey’s eye view of the rainforest via a network of ziplines and treehouses. This is no ordinary touristy ziplining tour though – you spend two nights sleeping in treehouses in the middle of the rainforest, far away from civilisation.
We were taken deep into the jungle by bumpy pickup truck and onwards on foot. When we reached the ziplining network we were given our harnesses, shown how to use the ziplines and dropped off at our treehouses. Then we were left alone to explore the forest. At first we were terrified – the ziplines are long and incredibly high up, and we’d been left without supervision. We had no choice though as the only way to get to your treehouse is to swoop in. Soon we were zipping around like pros, flying through the air and enjoying the exhilarating feeling of freedom as we soared far above the trees.
The project is run in collaboration with local villagers so they can create an income from tourism rather than logging and poaching, in order to protect the forest, and its inhabitants the endangered black gibbon. This isn’t a wildlife watching trip though. The joy is in being in the jungle, sleeping in a treehouse and listening to the incredible night sounds. Gibbon sightings are rare and you won’t see one while zipping around, but we did get lucky with a glimpse when sitting peacefully in our treehouse. In the morning you’ll be woken by the gibbon’s strange cries.
The Gibbon Experience is a unique place and one of our most memorable travel experiences.
How to get there: From Chiang Rai in Thailand it’s a two hour bus trip to Chiang Khong where you can take a brief boat trip over to Huay Xai. The Gibbon Experience only take limited numbers so you’ll need to book in advance.
Luang Nam Tha
Our main reason for visiting Luang Nam Tha was to trek to one of the hilltribe villages in the area. We’d heard the treks were far less touristy and better run than the ones you find around Chiang Mai in Thailand. Well, I don’t know how bad those are but we were very uncomfortable with our experience.
Despite choosing one of the best respected tour companies, our guide knew very little about the Akha village we visited and we had no interaction with the villagers. Instead we walked around the human zoo while the villagers stared at us staring and snapping photos of them. They weren’t hostile but they certainly weren’t friendly. It was fascinating to see the village but it wasn’t worth the feeling that we were intruding. We’ve realised that these types of tours aren’t for us.
Despite this we loved Luang Nam Tha. It’s a small, quiet, dusty town by a river and surrounded by mountains. There isn’t much to do besides trekking and kayaking, but we loved hiring bikes and cycling around the local villages. It has a decent tourist infrastructure but is not at all overdeveloped and not on the beaten track. It’s a great place to relax for a while.
Where to stay: We loved Zuela Guesthouse. It’s friendly, very clean and the dark wood rooms are fantastic for the price – 60,000 kip (US$7.50). We also enjoyed the food at the attached restaurant and there is free wifi.
How to get there: After the Gibbon Experience rather than going back to Huay Xai we were dropped at a small village Ban Don Chai where we waited for quite a while for the bus to Luang Nam Tha. The road was new though and a very smooth journey. From Huay Xai the bus takes four hours.
Nong Khiaw
Nong Khiaw is a small riverside village that is becoming quite popular with backpackers as a place to relax and enjoy the dramatic views of limestone mountains. You can rent a cheap wooden bungalow overlooking the river and take in the views from your balcony or if you are feeling more energetic there are a few activities to try. Caving, kayaking and rock climbing are all possible, or you can explore the surrounding countryside of limestone peaks, waterfalls, green rice paddies and simple thatched houses on bike or foot.
We took a walk to the Tham Pha Thok caves and had them to ourselves. The huge network of caves was inhabited by villagers during the second Indochina war and it was interesting to clamber down bamboo ladders and explore the various “rooms”.
Where to stay: It’s a small place so it’s easy to wander around and find a place you like. Most accommodation is simple bamboo huts with verandahs to enjoy the views. If you want to splurge then Nong Khiaw Riverside has beautiful big bungalows for $40.
How to get there: From Luang Nam Tha we took the bus to Udomxai, changed to another bus to Pak Mong, and from there took a shared jumbo to Nong Khiaw (about 8 hours in total). You can continue on to Luang Prabang in 4 hours.
Muang Ngoi Neua
If you are looking for an even slower pace then take a boat an hour down the Nam Ou River from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi Neua. The village is only reachable by boat so has an isolated air about it, despite becoming more popular with backpackers. There is limited electricity, no internet, telephones or even cars, and accommodation is basic wooden huts overlooking the river. You can wander down the one orange dirt road and mingle with locals, perhaps joining them in a game of petanque.
There are a variety of activities on offer in the surrounding countryside– trekking, tubing, caving and kayaking, or just enjoy the views from a hammock.
Where to stay: Choose from a range of simple bungalows.
How to get there: You can only reach Muang Ngoi by boat. The nearest access point is Nong Khiaw one hour away and you can continue on to Muang Khua (4-5 hours) and get even more off the beaten track. We found the boat cramped and uncomfortable but the scenery is gorgeous and it’s interesting to observe village life on the banks of the river.
Note: We visited Laos in April 2008 so things may have changed since then. April is the hottest month and the air is smoky from farmers burning the forest, so our photos don’t do justice to the beautiful scenery. The best time to visit is the cooler dry season from November to February although we still loved our trip in April.
I like to read Never Ending Voyage articles regarding living in Asia.
When you stay in Huay Xai next time make sure you visit these guys: Daauw Home, Project Kajsiab Laos. They are two minutes up the temple stairs from the mainstreet. We had a genuine local experience living and working with the local villagers from the mountains for about a week here! The cultural exchange and genuine hospitality is amazing here and they also have delicious food served at the restaurant with a campfire, surrounded by nature of the temple hill just above the main street. Local mountain food as well as pizza’s from their woodfire oven. After a few days you feel you are part of the family here and we cried our eyes out having to leave these wonderful people each of them with their own life story of struggles, survival and blossoming up. Check out their website or look at their facebooksite or youtube movie
We will be in Thailand and Laos for about five weeks starting mid-July….getting excited! Any feedback on vaccinations? We are super healthy, fit, take loads of vitamins/herbs, eat organic, etc..so the idea of putting these serums in my body does not sit well. Don’t want to be foolish but also do not want to be “sold” on needing everything the CDC says!
We always take the recommended vaccinations. Details are in this post: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/practicalities-of-being-a-digital-nomad-part-1/
Hi
Do you still think the gibbon experience is worth for 300$ for 2 nights!!??. I was thinking about it but I think that price is crazy specially in laos. Is about half a month travel budget in laos?
Thanks for the blog btw is very interesting.
I do think it’s worth it as it’s a unique experience and we haven’t found anywhere like it in the world. We budgeted for experiences like that separately from our daily expenses and we never regretted spending the money on interesting activities.
I am heading into SE Asia on January 20th with Laos as a high priority! Hopefully i can have half as good a time as what you had, i will be taking some advice and will be trying my best to get off the beaten track!
Cant wait, and hopefully i can come back and tell you what a wonderful time i had, i am keeping a journal, maybe i will share some of that! Hah! Many Thanks!
Well, I found you guys when I was doing some internet research, staying in San Poncho, Mexico. We have been to Sayulita and did a day trip to SP and loved it…anyway, ended up coming across your blog….and think what you guys are doing is so awesome….and brave!! :) Our 22 yr old daughter and her friend are heading to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in Jan….I am excited and nervous for them…this is a BIG trip and they are new to travel. They well be going for 3-4 months. I have heard so many stories…..laos and cambodia aren’t safe etc….as world travelers, what advice would you give them? I sent her your link, and told her to follow you guys. I love looking at all your pictures and travel information…you truly are an inspiration – best wishes and enjoy Chiang Mai for the winter – blessings
Gina
SE Asia is perfect for first time travellers. It’s culturally fascinating, inexpensive and easy to travel around. We have never felt unsafe here at all. There are a few tourist scams but they are so easy to avoid if you just read a Lonely Planet guide before you get here. In Thailand especially we recommend avoiding the tourist buses and getting the local buses which are actually much nicer and safer, especially if you get a VIP bus. I hope they have a wonderful trip!
I want to sleep in a treehouse. What a great trip.
I just passed through Laos and I can easily see why these little places can be ones favorite. I did happen to go to Muang Ngoi Neua and absolutely loved it! Was only able to spend about 3 days there so all of them were spent trekking to the small villages just outside of this one. The waterfall, cave and little creeks were very lovely. A few people I met along the route there and I started hiking down the road and spent much of my time at a smaller village called Chantanohm Village where I ate some fresh fried rice…talk about delicious! Also if you take a day to hike about 4 hours further you can get some breathtaking views of the rice fields along the mountainside! :-D
I ran across your website today while research Laos for my upcoming travels. I noticed you traveled through Laos in April, which is the time of year it looks like I will be there. I was curious if you could give me any idea of the landscape at that time of year — I’ve seen such amazing photos of Laos’ green mountains and winding rivers, but I’m becoming concerned that perhaps the landscape will be quite burnt out and brown. As I am an avid photographer, I’m trying to weight my options.
Itinerary-wise, I’m planning to stay in the northern region, entering from Huay Xai, traveling as far south as Vang Vieng, and exiting through Na Maew to Vietnam. I appreciate any insight you could provide. Thanks in advance!
The landscape is still quite green at that time of year but the haziness in the sky from the farmers burning crops makes photography tricky. It’s still worth going though.
Reading this article has really helped us with our itinerary for our 2nd trip to Laos! On our last visit we did the usual places that you mentioned, but wanted to get ‘off the beaten track’ this time and explore northern Laos. I just wish I saw this post earlier, as we’re planning on getting to Laos tomorrow from Chiang Khong and may have left it too late to do the Gibbon Experience in a few days!
Have a wonderful trip Eloise and hope you manage to get a place on the Gibbon Experience!
finally someone putting where the places are
Gibbon Treehouse seems to me a good experience, thanks for your photo, this is the first time in my life i see it. Good luck to you – nice couple ( Erin + Simon) . Have a long lasting love life!
Great pictures and fun post…as others have said, the Gibbon Experience looks amazing! I heard about it last year and it jumped Laos up my travel list many spots!!
It’s definitely a good reason to visit.
Wow, great post. Laos is such an amazing place and should be on more people’s bucket lists!
Thanks Grace. I agree!
This time next year I’ll hopefully be walking similar paths!
My ex raved about the Gibbon Experience for months after she came back from her SE Asian tour. Looks like another ringing recommendation from you two as well.
Definitely – it’s an amazing and unique experience. Hope you make it there.
Thank you so much for writing this. I’m currently planning my first trip to SE Asia as a lone traveler and I am trying to decide how to split up my 8 weeks or so between Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. I have heard that Laos is more laid back than its neighbors, which would be good for me. Any suggestions for lone female travelers?
Laos is definitely very laid back although we are finding northern Thailand relaxed too. I would recommend keeping your plans flexible so that you can stay longer in the places you like and move on when you don’t like some where. It’s always so hard to know before you get to a place if you’ll like it or not.
I LOVED reading about the Gibbon Experience! I went zip lining in Costa Rica and it was one of my most enjoyable life experiences. I’m not scared of heights and always wanted to fly. This trip sounds like a dream come true! The best part was hearing about how the local people are making an income from the Gibbon Experience rather than logging etc. Through the Ripples project, my husband & I (both vegetarians too) are trying to preserve native habitat in Arkansas. Safe travels to you both!
It sounds like you would love the Gibbon Experience. It’s not like any other zip lining I have done as the lines as sooo long and high up, plus you sleep in a treehouse! Good luck with your project – it sounds fantastic.
I absolutely loved Laos and didn’t spend enough time there. I made it to Nong Khiaw and it was a great experience. Next time I go there I want to spend a lot more time exploring the north of Laos. Thanks for the suggestions.
Glad you made it to Nong Khiaw though – it’s a gorgeous, relaxing place.
The Gibbon Experience looks awesome. Cannot wait to visit Asia in about 12 months time after we are done with your home country! Cheers Cole
Excellent! Hope the British winter isn’t too bad for you.
This looks awesome! Definitely something we’d love to try if/when we make it to Laos. Thanks for sharing!
Hope you make it to Laos Bret!
I’ve always been intrigued by Laos, specifically because its a lesser known country and it seems so much more chill than its neighbors. I’d love to try the Gibbon Experience and I’ve heard about it from another blogger, but was informed that it can be very expensive. Do you guys think its worth the expense?
It is expensive but for us it was worth it as it was such a unique and special experience. We had an “activities” budget on our last trip so we didn’t mind paying. We paid about 100 pounds each for 2 nights but it may have gone up since then.
Just came back from the 2-day “express” Gibbon Experience trip. If the three day is too expensive for your budget or you’re tight on time this is still well worth it. It’s not listed on their website but you can just email them for information. I just showed up the morning of and managed to join the tour leaving that day (as a solo traveller) and a couple on the trip had booked the night before so last minute bookings are possible.
The gibbon experience should be renamed “The Tarzan experience”. How cool is that!
That’s a great suggestion! We loved playing tarzan for a few days. It does more accurately describe the experience as many people go in expecting to see loads of gibbons and often don’t see any. You certainly won’t see any when zipping around – we had to sit quietly in our treehouse to spot one.
I know so little about Laos but your description and activities inspire me to add it to my wish list. Love the sound of some quiet, non touristy biking.
There are some great opportunities for hiking too.
Very cool — you really were off the beaten path in Laos. What a great experience, but I can understand why you felt uncomfortable in Luang Nam Tha — I certainly would under the circumstances.
Some people do have good experiences on those treks but we quickly realised that we aren’t comfortable with “go and see the hill tribes” tours.
Great guide to Northern Laos! The gibbons experience reminds me of an elephant trek we did in a village in Laos, except we booked that directly by showing up and there was no tour company. It was run by villagers and we had a lot of interaction with them. Very rustic but an amazing experience (although we did not actually see any elephants!)
That sounds like a great experience Leslie. Even if we hadn’t seen any gibbons we would still have loved the experience – glad it was the same for you too.
So nice, I would absolutely love to spend some time in that little village and explore their culture and lifestyle.
We really recommend it. Laos is such a chilled out place with very friendly people.
These are excellent recommendations and in fact, I am writing this using the free wi-fi at the Zuela restaurant in Luang Nam Tha :) We’re very much looking forward to Nong Khiaw, it looks beautiful!
Yay! I’m so glad the wifi works for you. The food at Zuela was great – I remember it as being one of the better places for vegetarians in Laos. Have a great time.
I was in South East Asia for 6 weeks in 2009 and am still kicking myself for not making time for Laos. Sounds fantastic!
It’s a good excuse to go back!
Hey guys, Yes, Laos is great, we also loved Nong Khiaw and the 4,000 Islands. We came into Laos from Cambodia and right away the differences were evident from the people, the scenery, and the food.
Cheers,
Shawn
Glad you enjoyed it too Shawn. We’ll have to make it down to the 4000 Islands next time.
Laos is definitely one of my favorite countries in SE Asia, to my shame, I didn’t actually venture north of Luang Prabang. Seems like I should’ve, well, now I know for my next trip, for there will be a next trip to Laos. I did however go south, and for example I spent three days motorbiking around the Bolaven Plateau, which I really enjoyed! Such nice landscapes and friendly people there.
Laos is so long and thin that it can be hard to include the north and south in one trip. We didn’t make it further south than Luang Prabang, but hope to next year. I really want to do that motorbike trip!
Yeah, it’s a surprisingly long country. But I definitely recommend motorbiking in south Laos; here is a link to the trip I did there on a motorbike: Stupid or Lucky, Making It Through the Bolaven Plateau on a Motorbike … I do recommend being careful if you’re doing the trip in the rainy season, as not all roads are that great!
Can’t wait to do the motorbike trip, although possibly not in the rainy season! We (well, Simon) is getting in lots of motorbike practice in Chiang Mai so we’ll be more confident to tackle the rougher roads in Laos.
Hey, so glad you ran this post – Northern Laos, and sometimes Laos altogether, is too often overlooked! We stayed in Luang Nam Tha before going to Huay Xai and loved it. It’s a shame you had a bad experience with the Akha village, we had a similar experience in Chiang Rai at a ‘village’ populated by Burmese refugees – very superficifial. In Luang Nam Tha however, we went on a trek with a local lad and two other people – his parents lived in a village which was a two day walk through the jungle and he knew loads about the area, the environment and even all the strange berries we could eat! Great fun. Actually shed a tear when we left Laos, still miss it now!
I’m so glad to hear you had a positive trek experience! That sounds fantastic and more what we were looking for. How did you arrange your trek? We went with Green Discovery who had a good reputation, but didn’t live up to it for us.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while but this is my first comment :)
This looks wonderful, can’t wait to spend some time in Laos in a few months. The Gibbon Experience looks especially interesting to me. How much did that cost?
Hi Ruth, thanks for commenting – it’s always nice to hear from our quiet readers :)
The Gibbon Experience was one of our favourite travel experiences ever. It is expensive, but worth it for us. We paid about 100 pounds each for 3 days/2 nights, but that was 3 years ago so I don’t know if the prices have gone up. They don’t seem to list the price on their website so it’s best to email them.
I lived in Laos for 4 years and it was the most wonderful experience of my life.