Laos forum

Or head to Sam Neua and/or Vieng Xai via the backroad from Nong Khiaw along Route l running east to juntion with Route 6.

I do have to return to Luang Prabang (flying on to Bangkok). I may want to do some trekking. I was initially interested in Phongsali or Sam Neua, but I think I would need (or want) more than a few days. I have read that you can trek to other villages from Muang Ngoi. Could I get away from the tourist area by doing this? Is it something I could do on my own, or would I need a guide? I don't speak Lao, but I am fairly comfortable in unfamiliar places (assuming I can get a decent map of the area). Also, is there good hiking I could do directly from Luang Prabang that would be off the tourist trail?

cbaumga2

The comments by 'seagypsy' are helpful - especially if you can achieve the basic criteria you need (eg. maps, etc.).

I couldn't find any maps that had sufficient detail such that I'd use them for self-chartered trekking. And, as you don't have a lot of Laos language skills, I suspect you may find yourself having orientation troubles (ie getting lost, and not being able to get out). It is for that reason I'd suggest you entertain a guide.

There's another reason to entertain a guide (aside from injecting money into the local economy - which is a good reason), and that is if you can each communicate reasonably well, the guide ought to be able to give you an insight into the local cultural / environmental issues that you'd not otherwise experience.

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Remember also that it is a one day trip to Muang Ngoi - about 5+ hours via Oudom Xai by bus/boat, or 7 1/2 hours by boat along the Nam Ou.

So, that sort of takes care of about 2 of your 3 days.

Elsewhere on Travelfish, I criticised the Lonely Planet portrayal of the scenery along the Nam Ou from a riverboat. Despite what others have had to say, the purpose in making the observation was that I spoke to people who have read Lonely Planet on this topic and all have a romantic idealised version of this being one of the last 'magical' journeys of the world. The journey is pleasant, and I enjoyed it. I was trying to say that do the journey for the pleasantness, not to fulfil a skewed portrayal fed by a reading of Lonely Planet.

I'd also suggest that if one was going to do a return to Muang Ngo from Luang Prabang , at least do one leg of the journey by boat (advisedly, the 'to' Muang Ngo leg).

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You also indicate that you'd like to get away from the 'tourist trail'.

As Luang Prabang is smack dead centre of the 'tourist trail', there is no doubt you can do trekking from there. However, it's highly unlikely you'll get the 'I'm only one of a very few that's ever been here' sort of feel (assuming that's what your 'off the tourist trail' means).

You'll probably notice in Lonely Planet that it gives Nong Khiaw a poor rap. I found the place to be less 'touristy' than Muang Ngoi. I also considered the accommodation was about equal (the positives + negatives of each place were different, but overall sort of equated).

There is (what appears to be a good) 'Eco-trekking' office at Nong Khiaw, it may be that you can organise a good trek from Nong Khiaw. On this, Seagypsy may have better knowledge.

Cheers

I agree with brucemoon that Nong Khiaw is worth visiting. However, I did think the trip on the Nam Ou was more than pleasant - I thought it was beautiful!