realalaskan
longtail driver
Posts: 7

#1 Posted: 12/11/2007 - 08:10


Flew into Luang Prabang from Chiang Mai last year. Didn't get to spend enough time. Going back in January. Looking for information on traveling upstream from LP to Hat Sa on the Nam Ou River. Road connection to Phongsali and back to LP. Have any of you done this loop? I understand it takes about a week. Feedback?

somsai
noodle lady
Posts: 50

#2 Posted: 15/11/2007 - 09:33


I’ve only done the Muang Khua to Hat Sa portion of the river and then the road. I’d use the search function on the Thorn Tree lonely planet, the river has been discussed often.

In general the river gets traffic up until the backpacker town of Ngoi Nua, then things thin out. People say the portion of the river between Ngoi Nua and Muang Khua is one of the prettiest in Laos. Parts of the river where there isn’t much traffic because it’s cheaper and faster by road, you might have to hire a boat yourself, and being on a six day schedule is a horrible way to start looking to hire a boat. Much better to have the option of just hanging out an extra day to see what happens.

I liked Muang Khua. A lot. Many find it less than interesting. If you are pressed for time at the end there is a direct bus Phongsali to Vientiane, probably slightly more than 24 hrs.

realalaskan
longtail driver
Posts: 7

#3 Posted: 17/11/2007 - 01:39


Thanks, Somsai. Your input is helpful and appreciated. Further research has led me to much of the info you reference. Our schedule is very fluid so am not locked into any set time to be anywhere, other than visa requirements. The search continues. Once we get to LP we will have to decide where to go from there.