Luang Prabang to Hanoi - 12 days

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12 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

2 peopleMinimum to book

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Highlights

Luang Prabang - Explore gilded temples, the former Royal Palace and the lively morning market on a cultural tour of Laos' UNESCO-listed town

Kuang Si Waterfall - Swim in turquoise jungle pools and walk forest trails after visiting ethnic minority villages en route

Nong Khiaw - Cruise the Nam Ou River, hike to Tad Mok waterfall and meet Khmu communities for insight into rural Laos

Dien Bien Phu - Reflect at A1 Hill and the Victory Museum, where trenches and exhibits recount the decisive 1954 battle

Mu Cang Chai - Wander among sculpted rice terraces, ride pillion to Mam Xoi Hill and learn Hmong batik dyeing traditions

Tu Le & Cao Pha Valley - Trek between Thai and Hmong hamlets and meet farmers producing traditional young rice, com

Hanoi - Discover the Old Quarter by electric buggy, stroll historic boulevards and visit the Temple of Literature

Halong Bay - Cruise among limestone karsts, relax on deck, join a cooking demonstration and enjoy an atmospheric overnight onboard

Tu Le & Cao Pha Valley - Trek between Thai and Hmong hamlets and meet farmers producing traditional young rice, com

Hanoi - Discover the Old Quarter by electric buggy, stroll historic boulevards and visit the Temple of Literature

Halong Bay - Cruise among limestone karsts, relax on deck, join a cooking demonstration and enjoy an atmospheric overnight onboard

Itinerary

PRIVATE TOUR: Discover Laos and northern Vietnam on a scenic 12-day journey from Luang Prabang to Hanoi. You’ll explore vibrant markets, golden temples and the turquoise pools of Kuang Si before travelling upriver to Nong Khiaw for village visits, waterfalls and limestone scenery. Cross into Vietnam to uncover the history of Dien Bien Phu, then wind through spectacular rice-terrace country in Mu Cang Chai and Nghia Lo, meeting Hmong and Thai communities along the way. Continue to atmospheric Hanoi for culture, food and local life, rounding off your adventure with an overnight cruise through the dramatic karsts of Halong Bay.

day 1 - Arrival in Luang Prabang

Meet on arrival at Luang Prabang Airport before we transfer to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

OverNight:Luang Prabang

day 2 - Exploring Luang Prabang and Kuang Si Waterfall

We begin the day with a tuk-tuk ride through Luang Prabang for an easy introduction to local culture. Our first stop is the Morning Market, where you can observe everyday life and the fresh produce used in Lao cuisine. We continue to the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace, which houses personal artefacts of the royal family.

Next is Wat Visoun, known for the distinctive That Makmo stupa, followed by nearby Wat Aham, one of the city’s key guardian shrines. We then follow the Nam Khan River to Wat Xieng Thong, the peninsula’s most impressive temple and an important example of classical Lao architecture.

We end the morning at a crafts centre on the Mekong, where you can meet artisans before enjoying lunch overlooking the river.

In the afternoon, a private minivan takes us to Kuang Si Waterfalls, with stops in Hmong, Laoloum and Khmu villages to learn about ethnic traditions. At the falls, you can swim in the turquoise pools or wander along the forest trails. The remainder of the day in Luang Prabang is at your leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Luang Prabang

day 3 - Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw

We travel north to Nong Khiaw, stopping at Ban Na Yang, a Tai Lue weaving village where local families have passed down traditional techniques for nearly 300 years. Cotton scarves, tablecloths and decorative panels are produced on wooden looms in most homes.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant before continuing to Nong Khiaw for an overnight stay.

Estimated driving time and distance: 3–4 hours, 130 kilometres

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Nong Khiaw

day 4 - River Journey and Tad Mok Waterfall

We begin with a boat ride upstream on the Nam Ou River, stopping first at Ban Houei Hoi, a lively village full of everyday rural activity. A short ride takes us onwards to Ban Sop Kong for a walk through the Khmu community.

From here, we enjoy an easy walk through rice fields to Yensabai organic farm for a brief rest. We continue trekking to Tad Mok Waterfall, where lunch is served. (Note: water flow is reduced during the dry season from January to June.)

We return to Sop Kong along the same path and cruise back to Nong Khiaw. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Boat time: 50–60 minutes each way

Hiking: 3–4 hours, Grade - Easy

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Nong Khiaw

day 5 - Boat to Muang Khua and Road to Dien Bien Phu

You may walk up to the viewpoint over Nong Khiaw in the early morning before departure.

We travel by boat along the Nam Ou, stopping at Ban Sop Jam, known for traditional silk and cotton weaving as well as its dramatic limestone scenery. The cruise continues through one of northern Laos’s most beautiful river landscapes. Near the dam, we transfer by tuk-tuk to reach a second boat that takes us to Muang Khua, with another stop at the Khmu village of Ban Phonesana.

Lunch is served picnic-style on a sandbank. On arrival in Muang Khua, we continue by private minivan to the Pang Hok - Tay Trang border for Lao exit formalities, then travel onwards to your hotel in Dien Bien Phu. Dien Bien Phu was the site of a decisive 1954 battle in which Vietnamese nationalist forces (Viet Minh) defeated French colonial troops after a long siege, effectively ending French rule in Indochina. The victory led directly to the Geneva Accords and the partition of Vietnam, setting the stage for the Vietnam War.

Estimated journey:

4–5 hours by boat, 2 hours by road to the Laos-Vietnam border, 1 hour from the border to Muong Thanh Dien Bien Phu.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Dien Bien Phu

day 6 - Dien Bien Phu to Mu Cang Chai

We begin with a visit to A1 Hill, a key battlefield from the decisive confrontation of 1954. We then explore the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum, where models and artefacts tell the story of this pivotal moment in modern Vietnamese history.

We continue with a scenic drive along Road 279, one of the country’s lengthiest routes. Lunch is taken en route before reaching a simple yet charming lodge among the rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, where you can relax for the evening.

Estimated driving time and distance: About 6 hours, 230 kilometres

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Mu Cang Chai

day 7 - Terraced Hills and Local Traditions in Mu Cang Chai

A short drive brings us to Mam Xoi Hill, where we meet a team of local drivers. A motorbike ride takes us up a narrow path to a viewpoint overlooking the terraces, a perfect setting for photography and a coffee stop.

We continue by motorbike to a hilltop hamlet, where a Hmong family introduces traditional batik dyeing.

Lunch is served locally before we head into a quiet sub-valley for an easy two-hour walk through rice fields. We return to the lodge later in the afternoon.

Please Note: rice is cultivated mainly between June and September.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Mu Cang Chai

day 8 - Walking in Cao Pha and Journey to Muong Lo

We travel south across Khau Pha Pass to the Tu Le region, celebrated nationwide for its fragrant rice.

At It Thai village, the Thai community welcomes us and introduces the traditional making of “côm,” or young rice. We learn about cultivation and processing methods before enjoying lunch with a local family.

A gentle 7-km walk follows, climbing gradually to Hmong hamlets before continuing along a scenic ridge with views across the valley. We return to the village and continue to your lodge in Nghia Lo.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Nghia Lo

day 9 - Rural Cycling and Return to Hanoi

A short scooter ride leads to a peaceful riverside hamlet. Here, basic bicycles are available for a 10-km ride along the river, passing small villages and hanging bridges.

Lunch is served in a local home before we continue the drive across the Hoang Lien Son range towards Hanoi, arriving in the early evening.

Estimated driving time and distance: About 5 hours, 200 kilometres

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Hanoi

day 10 - Hanoi City Exploration

We begin at Hoan Kiem Lake with an electric buggy ride around the Old Quarter, passing landmarks such as the Opera House, St Joseph’s Cathedral and one of Hanoi’s remaining original gates. The ride ends at Dong Xuan Market.

A pleasant walk continues along Phan Dinh Phung Avenue, shaded by tall trees and lined with historical buildings. We pause for a coffee or juice before passing the Northern Gate of the Citadel and the Cua Bac Church.

Lunch is served at a traditional rice restaurant before we visit the Temple of Literature. As we explore its courtyards, your guide shares insights into Confucian teachings and their lasting influence in Vietnam.

To end the day, you can choose between two options:

Option 1:

A relaxed urban walk through narrow alleys to a bustling street market, then along the railway to an old residential quarter. Enjoy a coffee or juice before returning to the hotel.

Option 2:

A visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex, including the stilt house and the One-Pillar Pagoda, finishing with a refreshing bia hoi beer.

Return to your hotel with the evening at your leisure.

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

OverNight:Hanoi

day 11 - Halong Bay Overnight Cruise

We drive from Hanoi to the coast (without guide). After check-in and a welcome drink at the marina, we board the traditional cruise boat for an overnight journey through Halong Bay. As we begin sailing, lunch is served and the limestone formations create a dramatic backdrop.

The afternoon is spent relaxing in a quieter part of the bay, with opportunities for swimming or sunbathing depending on the weather. You may enjoy sunset on deck, an aperitif or a short cooking demonstration before dinner.

Estimated drive: 2.5 hours, 150 kilometres

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Halong Bay

day 12 - Halong Bay to Hanoi Airport

You may join a sunrise Tai Chi session or enjoy a slower start to the morning. A light breakfast is followed by a final exploration of a quieter corner of the bay.

After checking out of your cabin, a full breakfast is served as we cruise back to port. You then disembark and travel privately (without guide) to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight.

Estimated journey: 3 hours, 180 kilometres

Meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

11 nights in 3-4 star hotels

Meals

11 breakfasts, 10 lunches & 1 dinner

Transport

Airport arrival transfer on day 1 & airport departure transfer on day 12All relevant transportation in a private, air-conditioned vehicles and some local vehicles (tuk tuk, motorbike taxi)

Others

Services of local, English-speaking guides for sightseeing and activitiesAll guided sightseeing and activities as per the itinerary

Entrance

Entrance fees and boat fees

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 26 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

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