Tat Sae Waterfalls

Start with a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Luang Prabang, relax in a comfortable van as you travel through scenic countryside to Ban Xang Hai, where you begin your 14-kilometer bike journey along the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers to the Nam Ou Bridge. Ride through lush, scenic countryside on a well-maintained Trek Merlin 7 mountain bike. A truck will accompany you along the way, so you can cycle with peace of mind. Two-thirds of the route is unpaved and flat except for a 100-meter climb up and down. Admire rice fields, charming villages, and colorful temples along the way. Stop at villages, rice paddies, a primary school (weekdays only), and a market for a glimpse into local life. After your bike ride, you can shower, change, and refuel with a delicious buffet lunch at Manifa Elephant Camp before heading back to Luang Prabang. After lunch, you can choose to extend your tour and add on an afternoon activity. This includes kayaking on the Nam Ou and Mekong rivers (visiting the Buddha caves of Pak Ou) and a 1.5-hour sunset cruise back to Luang Prabang.

Start with a morning transfer from your hotel in Luang Prabang 25 minutes out of town to the adventure camp. Cross the Nam Khan River by boat to the trailhead and begin the hike through rice paddies and middle canopy. Your first stop will be a Khmu village named Ban Houay Fai where your guide will introduce you to the local life and customs. Continue along ridges, limestone grottos, and rocky slopes for lunch at a Hmong village known as Ban Thin Pha, which gives this trail its name. Experience a variety of flora and fauna in the mountains and valleys, and weave your way through paddies and countryside. Stop, look, listen, and ask your guide about the life teeming around you. Chat with villagers and ask questions about life in Laos before ending the trek in the riverside village Ban Houay Yen. There, a boat will be waiting to take you down a beautiful stretch of the Nam Khan with a stop at the Tad Sae Waterfall. Relax and soak in Tad Sae Falls before returning by boat and vehicle to Luang Prabang. By choosing this adventure, you are contributing funds to support the local communities you visit. The total trekking distance is about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), which takes about 4-5 hours through deciduous forest and farmland with elevations of 300-900 meters (984-2953 feet). During the low water season from February to July, the itinerary is the same with the exception that the Tad Sae Waterfall can be very low or dry and may be omitted. You can choose to take the tour in a public, small group or in a private group.

DAY 1 Start the tour with hotel pickup at 8:00 AM and head off for the Longhurst trail, one of the most spectacular trails in the area. The trail has steep jungle-covered mountains on one side and a spectacular view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River on the other side. You'll cross the Nam Khan River by boat and begin the ascent into the mountains. The trail is an invigorating and sometimes challengingl hike going through canyons to remote villages and small lakes. The full-day hike spans 13km, normally taking 6 hours with breaks included. Under wet conditions, the hiking can be 7-8 hours. You’ll arrive at the Khmu village in the evening for an authentic cultural homestay and a well-earned meal prepared by your guide. Enjoy exploring the village with your guide, have a drink with the locals, and enjoy this incredible night deep in the mountains. DAY 2 Enjoy breakfast and set out for a 1.5 to 2-hour trek through the rice fields and forest. Then make your way up the hillside to a Hmong village of "Ban Tin Pha" , a wonderful place with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.  Afterward, continue the trek downhill to a village along the river, "Ban Houay Yen". Here you will board a local boat for a relaxing ride on the Nam Khan to the Tad Sae waterfalls.  Lunch will either be served at the village before the boat ride or at the waterfall as preferred. If you want to cool off after all the trek, take a swim in the pools at the base of the falls or relax in the shade. End the tour by taking the local boat to a camp and then driving back to the town.

Start this tour with a hotel pickup from Luang Prabang with a drive from Luang Prabang on a short scenic ride south to the banks of the Nam Khan River. From there, cross the river by boat and then start an easy-to-medium 1.5-hour trek. Hike through jungle, forest, bamboo, and paddy fields and alongside streams to a small Khmu village at the base of limestone mountains. The guide will show you around the village to admire the beautiful bamboo woven houses and meet the locals. Don't hesitate to talk with the locals as the guide is happy to act as an interpreter. By choosing this adventure, you are contributing funds to support the local communities you visit. After exploring the Khmu villages, hike for another 1.5 hours to the Tad Sae waterfalls. Depending on the season, you can enjoy the impressive sight of the high waters or the inviting clear, turquoise waters at the rainy season's end. Enjoy a refreshing swim and explore the surrounding Tad Sae area. Please note that in the low water season (from March to August), Tad Sae Waterfall is dry and not visited. From the waterfall, take a boat ride to the Adventure Camp to begin your kayak adventure down the Nam Khan River. After a short safety review, the guide will teach you how to paddle if it is your first time. Embark on an exciting river journey through the beautiful Nam Khan River Valley's lush jungle as you observe locals engaged in everyday activities. While kayaking, you may stop on the many white-sand beaches to relax, swim, and explore. Also, visit the famous Henri Mouhot's resting site accessible from the river. Kayaking conditions vary between easy to medium and total time is approximately 2 hours, depending on river conditions.  Finally, end the tour with a late afternoon return drive to Luang Prabang City.