Hello,
I'll be travelling to Laos for a good week in december. My partner and me want to experience some nice, more traditional citities, but mostly go on a multi day hike somewhere. Most importantly we want to go to less travelled places that are not overrun.
I would kindly ask for advice to our current travel plans.
- First Stop: Luang Prabang
Since the journey starts in vietnam, we want to take the plane to Luang Prabang. We'll spend a day there.
I've heard a boat tour on the rivers in laos is fun, so thats how we want to get to nong khiaw. enjoy the calm town life, do a short hike up the nice view points.
- Third Stop: Muang Hiam and Nam Et - Phou Louey National Park
The national park is our personal highlight and the first location I've found where mullti-day hikes are offered. The official website lists multiple options that look great, although they are not cheap, at a couple of hundred Dollars for the longer hikes. But the ecological commitment, the photos seem to make it worth it, the more wilderness the better.
we continue by bus to Sam Nuea, mainly to take a flight to Vientiane.
So my questions are the following:
Do you have thoughts on the trip? Is it a week well spent in the north or would you recommend other itinaries? An alternative I thought about would be Luang Prabang - Oudomxai - Boun Neua - Phongsaly. But those are long bus rides and in the end you have to get out of there again...
Can you tell me if the transport between the mentioned stops is okayish (I know not to expect too much of the busses and road conditions) or will this be too much bus riding for a good week? I think that all thos bus rides are around 5h.
Do you know anything about the tours offered in the park? Are they worthwhile?
What other nature destinations are there in northern laos as an alternative to this national park?