LUANG PRABANG KAYAKING AND HOMESTAY TOUR ON NAM OU RIVER
Overview
This tour combines the spectacular landscape of the Nam Ou River with a visit to the renowned Pak Ou Caves and paddling on the mighty Mekong. A home stay at a Lao Loum fishing village offers you the unique opportunity to experience the local peoples’ way of living.
Tour Route Map
Day 1 – Luang Prabang Kayaking And Homestay Tour On Nam Ou River: Luang Prabang Kayaking Tours to Huay Leuang – Ban Sibounhom – Ban Had Kham
Starting the Kayaking trip in the Khmu village of Ban Houay leuang, 1 and half hour drive north of Luang Prabang. After an introduction to paddling and the basics of kayaking, we will encounter up to 5 easy rapids in the first hour. Along the way, the village of Ban Sibounhom is visited.
This Khmu village on the eastern riverbank is one of the few remaining without electricity and direct road access (route 13). A picnic lunch is prepared on a white sandbank set in beautiful scenery. After a relaxing break and a swim, the afternoon is spent paddling in a calmer section of the Nam Ou.
There’s plenty of time to watch the villagers fishing and harvesting river weed in and along the Nam Ou. The day of kayaking ends by the bridge of route 13, near the village of Ban Somsanouk or Had Kham, the Lowland village.
Homestay at Ban Somsanouk or Had Kham
Approximately: 1 ½ hour transfer /5 hours kayaking End of 1 day tour: We return to Luang Prabang from Ban Somsanouk
Day 2 – Luang Prabang Kayaking And Homestay Tour On Nam Ou River: Ban Had Kham – Pak Ou – Ban Xang Hai – Luang Prabang kayaking Tour
After an over-night at the village of Ban Somsanook or Had kham, the scenery of the Nam Ou gets more and more dramatic, with limestone cliffs bordering the river. (It takes 2 hours to Buddha cave). At the confluence of the Nam Ou and the Mekong lie the highly venerated Pak Ou Caves: two temple caves by the river, filled with hundreds of Buddha statues. 1 hour paddling further down the Mekong takes us to the village of Ban Xanghai.
Here, the production of lau lao (Lao whisky) and lau hai (Lao wine) is demonstrated… of course, you should try some! From Ban Xanghai, either a songtheaw will pick up the group or, if fit and ambitious, you can paddle all the way back to Luang Prabang.
Approximately: 1 hour transfer / 5 hours kayaking.
Note:
For Nam Ou, kayaking is recommended all year round, but more fun in the dry season. Rafting is flat.
What to bring:
Hat, sun-screen, torch, swim suit and sarong for bathing, shoes to get wet, mosquito repellent
Include :
- WaterMeals
- English speaking guide
- Transportation
