DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG -
PAK OU - PAKBENG
Upon leaving the town, we board Nava
Mekong boat and cruise up on the Mekong River to Pakbeng,
a lively village situated at the junction of the Mekong
River and the small Nam Beng River. The Hmong and Thai
ethnic people are frequently seen on the main street of
Pakbeng and small vendors along the street sell local
textiles and handicraft. Along the way, we visit the
mysterious of Pak Ou Caves. These caves are crammed with
thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various
shapes and sizes, all brought here by devoted villagers.
O/N at Villa Salika. (L,D)
DAY 2: PAKBENG - HOUEI
XAY - CHIANG KHONG
The morning market of Pakbeng also
attracts a wide array of hill tribe people who converge
from the outlying valleys and hillsides to sell their
goods and buy provision. After an enjoyable walk around
this congregation we re-embark on our boat for a trip
towards Houei Xay, a border town close to the famous
Golden Triangle. The pace is very relaxed, a perfect way
to observe rural life close up. We stop over at Ban
Houeilampen to visit the Hmong hill tripe people. They are
very poor, but have an interesting culture and a colorful
history. The trip ends arrival at Chiang Khong.(B,L)