On arrival in Oudomxay airport from Vientiane, you set off for Muang La Lodge (40mn drive) on time for a late lunch. Sitting between mountains and a river, The Lodge comprises just 10 rooms and benefits from a nearby thermal spring. A haven of peace and tranquility with a massage pavilion facing the river, a traditional scented sauna and two hot water baths filled with naturally salty water from the spring, the Lodge is without doubt the "Pearl of Northern Laos". You have free time to relax and enjoy The Lodge in the afternoon. Bicycle on the reception is free for you. In the afternoon, you can relax & enjoy the Lodge. In the evening, you take part in a Baci or Welcome Ceremony. In Laos animist beliefs still persist and one part of these beliefs is that people have 32 souls, one in each of the 32 body parts. These souls (or Khouanes) tend to escape and risk being eaten by evil spirits, creating diseases and bad luck. The Baci ceremony recalls these souls to the body.
Dinner, the Lodge hosts a display of traditional music and dance.

After breakfast, you leave the Lodge following the course of the Nam Pak River, until you a hidden valley overlooking the Nam Ko River. It seems as if you are in the middle of nowhere as you start your guided trek along a narrow mountain trail, through the lush forest. You arrive in the khamu village of Huay Ho where life flows at a relaxed pace. Your guide will explain about the life of the villagers; their animist beliefs and ceremonies and the different tools they use in the fields around the village. Later continue the trek for another 45 mins to the Lao Loum village of Ban Phongsavanh, which sits at the heart of a beautiful little valley. You set off from the village following a narrow trail which runs from the river to the mountain tops. You continue on following the course of a mountain stream, through rice fields to the summit. It will then be time for well-deserved lunch break in the lush countryside of northern Laos.

After lunch, you follow a mountain trail, pass through farms with some breath-taking panoramic views – the opportunity for your guide to tell you how locals use plants and herbs of the forest as food and medicine. The trek continues, crossing small bamboo bridges, as you descend to the Yang village of Long Ya and learn about communal activities: drying herbs & vegetables, preparing animal traps and preparing their meals using the local produce. The village is well known for the production of rice alcohol, Lao Lao and also contains a small Buddhist temple. A further 2 kilometres brings you to the hidden temple of Wat Hoytinphabath which houses a 35m long reclining statue of Buddha. Numerous effigies and symbols praising Buddha can be found in the central temple which also contain footprints of Buddha embedded in stone. The temple exudes atmosphere of serenity, in complete harmony with its natural surroundings. You leave the village following a dirt road along the River Huay Ya and can enjoy the stunning mountain scenery before you arrive back in the Lodge for a well-earned rest. Dinner at the Lodge.

Today: cooking.
An early start around 6am for the local market, accompanied by the chef of the lodge. It is a 5-minute ride to the market where you will see how select the best ingredients and also how the market itself works. After the market, you return to the Lodge for breakfast and a rest a bit. At around 10:30 am, you go to the vegetable garden with the chef to pick some of the last ingredients that you will need. With all the ingredients selected, you start to prepare 4/5 different local dishes with the chef. The class itself is very casual. Once all of the dishes are ready, you enjoy the different meals that you have prepared for lunch. Free time at leisure in the afternoon for discover the village by bicycle.
Dinner at the Lodge.

After breakfast, we walk for around 30 mins along the banks of the Nam Pak River to the Khamu village of Wang Wanh, where the villagers make sacks from the fibres of the local plants. A local family welcomes us in their rice fields surrounded by the hills and you immerse yourself in the traditional way of life of the villagers. Accompanied by your local guide, you learn all about the life of the villagers and their work in the fields, with their faithful friend - a water buffalo. From choosing the right seeds, planting the seeds, transplanting cuttings to the crucial stage of the harvest; you learn all about the life of the local farmers. After your interesting morning, it's time to relax and enjoy your lunch which is taken in the farm "sala', giving a 360° panorama of the wonderful countryside in the valley.

After lunch, you cross the Nam Pak on a bamboo raft to go to the Khamu village of Vieng Kham. The villagers are well-known for their weaving skills creating wonderful silks and sarongs. You continue on to the village of Muang La to visit the local school and the temple of Chiao Pha Kham Sing which houses a sacred statue of Buddha - a place of pilgrimage. Back to the Lodge in the middle of the afternoon to relax and reflect on your day in the Lao countryside.
Dinner at the Lodge.

After breakfast and check out, transfer to airport in time to catch your flight to Vientiane (unless you prefer a car/boat transfer to Luang Prabang – extra charges)

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