Eager for some adventure and sustainable tourism? Northern Laos is where you need to go. Trek deep into the highlands and experience ethnic hill tribe culture in its rawest and most authentic forms amidst sweeping sceneries of verdant vegetation and cascading waterfalls.

Arrive in Luang Nam Tha a quiet town dotted with pagodas, ethnic villages and lush paddy fields and spend your night at The Boat Landing Guest House, an exemplary model of an eco-lodge. This should energize you enough for the six hour trek to Muang Sing, a remarkable repository of ethnic tribes and culture, including the Akha, Hmong, Kamu, Iko and Lantaen minorities.

From Muang Sing, you will be initiated into the Akha Experience, a culturally and environmentally sensitive trek created and owned by eight Akha villages. You will almost become an Akha tribesperson as you will interact with and them and even sleep in their villages.

You will definitely pass through some prime natural scenery, with visits to the bustling morning markets yield rewarding insights into local culture. You can witness tribal minorities trading fresh produce in their resplendent traditional costumes, or sample a bowl of local noodle soup, among the cluster of food stalls.

Sail down the Mekong River, where a stay at Kamu Lodge surrounded by the rustic Lao countryside makes unforgettable moments. Visit the Pak Ou Caves famed for its gold-lacquered Buddha statues before ending your trip in Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival in Laos, a private ride through the spectacular mountain vistas leads you to Luang Nam Tha. As you drive along, your guide will give you an overview of northwestern Laos, an area that is home to rich demographics and biodiversity. En-route, a stop at Vieng Phouka introduces you to the Kamu tribe followed by lunch in a local restaurant. A leisurely afternoon awaits you in Luang Nam Tha, where you can walk or bike around the peaceful town or sample the delights of Northern Lao cuisine in the comfort of your eco-lodge.

Overnight at The Boat Landing Guest House and Restaurant in Luang Nam Tha.

After breakfast, an early departure leads you to Muang Sing for the Akha Experience. In this ecotourism trek lasting 2.5 days, the villagers will induct you into their culture and environment so you have a chance to view and participate in their day-to-day activities.

Begin your adventure with a trek to Ban Lao Khao village. As you make your way through the pine forest, engage in bird watching, forage for local plants, and dine by the Nam Keo Noi waterfall. Upon arrival in the village, learn the local legends and listen to traditional music before dining on a delicious meal cooked by your village hosts. (Today's trek is approximately 6 hours)

Overnight at Ban Lao Khao Lodge in Ban Lao Khao.

After breakfast, start the day with a walk to Ban Phou Yae. The trek passes through a landscape of old secondary forest with opportunities to collect bamboo shoots and medicinal herbs with the village guides. En route, try your hand at the local activities of cotton spinning, making children's toys, riding a water buffalo or planting rice.  Interact with locals along the way, learning more about the traditional Akha lifestyle and culture. (Today's trek is approximately 5 hours)

Overnight at Ban Tamee Lodge in Ban Tamee.

Head to several villages to learn about the Akha's centuries old traditions of rice pounding and cotton weaving, the very technique used to make their colorful garments. Depart to Ban Piyer where you will enjoy an Akha cooking class and sample your creation. You'll have time to admire the people's craftsmanship at a handicraft shop before the transfer back to Muang Sing.

Overnight in Phou Lu Guesthouse in Muang Sing. 

At your own discretion, rise early and head to the local market, a popular meeting point for the local ethnic hill tribes to trade their fresh produce or handicrafts. Sitting with the locals amongst the food stalls for an early meal of "khao soi", or noodle soup, completes the countryside market experience.

After breakfast, depart Muang Sing for Pakbeng, in which the roads wind through the mountains with barely any traffic. Along the way, stops are made at an ethnic village, followed by lunch in Oudomxai and a short climb up to the summit of Phou That. Arrive in Pakbeng in the afternoon.

Overnight at Pakbeng Lodge in Pakbeng.

Today, a cruise downstream leads you to Kamu Lodge at Ban Gno Hay village. The boat ride along Mekong River offers an enriching insight into the ways of life of the riverside communities. Upon arrival at the Kamu Lodge, you will be greeted with welcome drinks. At this rustic lodge, you can unwind in a self-sufficient lodge set in tranquil natural surroundings.

Overnight at the Kamu Lodge in Ban Gno Hay.

An interesting day awaits you after breakfast. The Kamu has developed an array of activities to capture the original Lao experience. You can choose to plant rice with the Kamu villagers, pan for gold in the Mekong, explore the forest for herbs or trek to a stunning waterfall nearby. In the afternoon, depart for Luang Prabang by boat. En-route, stop at the legendary Pak Ou Caves, a local pilgrimage site in which thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed within the limestone caverns.

Overnight at Villa Say Kham in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, you are free to spend the morning at your own leisure until your transfer to your next destination.

Laurent Granier
Exotissimo Travel Laos General Manager

If you really want to discover Laos from the inside out, then I would highly recommend the Authentic Laos Soft Adventure tour.

I went with my wife, sister, and a friend and we all had the opportunity to interact with the people and immerse ourselves into the lifestyle of the locals outside of the major tourist areas like Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

The villagers prepared us an authentic Laotian candlelit dinner which we had amidst the beautiful countryside night. We also took time to relax in an herbal sauna and tried our luck with a game of Petanque.

The best way to enjoy this tour is to be open-minded and take occurrences as they come. Events outside of your itinerary can occur in Laos because of the country's alluring nature and the local's hospitality towards tourists. Some of the more enjoyable experiences are the unplanned ones such as a spontaneous chat with a passerby. If you want a true definition of adventure, then your time in Laos can surely define it.

A tropical island would definitely be the next stop in my vacation plans. South East Asia offers some of the best escape paradises in the world complete with relaxation time by the beach and enlightening opportunities to discover the varying landscapes and interesting people that reside in these islands.