Trip valid: 01 Nov 2011 to 31 Oct 2013

Duration: 7 Days

Main Activity: Kayaking

Trip Type: Small Group Holidays

Suitability: All Levels 

Location: Northern Laos

Best time to travel: October to Feb

Supported: None

Product Code: IDT-ALAC005

Guaranteed to depart: From 2 pax

TRIP INCLUSIVE:

v      Private transportation as per itinerary.

v      Accommodation in tent.

v      Experienced English speaking kayaking guide.

v      Back up boat.

v      Kayak, paddles, helmets and life ackets.

v      Simple first aid kit.

v      Sightseeing entrance fees.

v       

TRIP EXCLUSIVE:

v      International flight to/from Laos

v      Laotian visa. Visa on arrival can easily apply upon arrival at Laos international airport. A 6 months valid passport is required and a photo is needed.

v      Accommodation in Luang Prabang pre & post trip.

v      Travel Insurance. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home.

v      Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)

v      Tips for guide, driver, porters. We recommend 3 USD/person/day for guide, 2 USD/person/day for driver and 2 USD/person/hotel when you check in/out.

v      Beverage and alcoholic drinks.

v      Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.

Day 1: Luang Prabang – Muang Kua

We meet at your hotel in the morning and then head north to Oudom Xai and Muang Kua. Although it is a lengthy transfer, you will witness some very picturesque countryside in Laos’ northern mountainous region. Along the way, we will stop regularly to visit local ethnic minority villages and gain some knowledge of their culture. There will also be great views of the Nam Bak river valley. Enjoy lunch enroute. We get to Muang Kua at the end of the day and spend our first night at a simple guesthouse.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Standard Guest House

Day 2: Muang Kua on the Nam Ou – first camp

Following breakfast, our guide will do a kayaking presentation about various techniques you should know.  We then embark for an easy paddle on the Nam Ou River. The landscape is great and we will stop at some of villages to meet and interact with hospitable ethnic monitory groups.  We get to our campsite in the afternoon, and you will have leisure time to stroll around, swim or fish before dinner. Sleep in tent.

Kayaking: about 25 km / 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tent

Day 3: Second Camp – The Beach 

After a wholesome breakfast, we get back in the water and pay a visit to Ban Hardgya, a typical Lao fishermen village. 55 Lao families live here and it is the biggest village we will see along the river until we reach Muang Ngoi. You will see a small temple (with 5 monks), a school and a hospital ward.  In the afternoon we will arrive at our second campsite, known as the Nam Ou River sandy beach. Near the camp you can relax by going fishing or swimming. (B,L,D) 

Kayaking: about 25 km / 6 hours

Day 4: The Beach – Muang Ngoi

Today the most challenging part of the tour, as we paddle through some rocky regions.  Afterwards we will reach Muang Ngoi, where we can sleep in a comfortable bed, take a warm shower and eat in restaurants. Quite a change from the previous few days! Overnight in simple bungalows. 

Kayaking: about 25 km / 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Simple Bungalow

Day 5: Muang Ngoi – Nong Kiau

This part of the river allows us to pick up quite a bit of speed and the diversified landscape will seemingly rush by. When we arrive in Nong Kiau, we will be able to soak up the ambiance of this small village, which posses as a bridge over the Nam Ou. Our accommodation has a wonderful view of the river and the mountains. Diner will be held on a small terrace so we can enjoy the natural surroundings. (B,L,D)

Kayaking: about 20km / 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Nong Kiau Riverside Resort.

Day 6: On the Nam Ou South from Nong Kiau

This will be our last journey on the Nam Ou and we will be far away from civilization. The day is reserved for enjoying the nature around us as your guide brings you to our final camp – a secluded sandy riverbank. 

Kayaking: about 25km / 5-6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tent

Day 7: Nam Ou – Pak Ou cave – Luang Prabang

We have to paddle a little bit until we can reach a place where our driver is able to pick us up. Next will be a visit to the remarkable Pak Ou caves, which are home to both thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues and stunning river views. We will arrive in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and then you have leisure time for the rest of the day.   (Pick up at: Ban Houay Khang or Pak Nga)

Kayaking: about 15-20 km 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

1. What experience do I need to go kayaking with The Indochina Trekking Company?

None! Many of our guests have never been in a kayak before. You do not even need to know how to swim. We supply a life jacket in your size. A short demonstration is given at the dock on use of equipment and safety.

2/ What kind of kayak do The Indochina Trekking provide for kayaking holiday.

Our equipment is state of art kayak. We use Seaward kayaks (single and double composite), which were imported from Seaward Kayaks Manufacturing Ltd in Canada.

Seaward handcrafts its kayaks using only the highest quality materials. Its proprietary lay-ups consist of premium grade cloths and roving materials. The finest resins are hand laid throughout the fiberglass, Kevlar and Carbon. This ensures the correct resin-to-material balance and creates superior strength and flexibility.

A combination of lightweight and a solid hull encourages paddlers to extend their abilities with greater confidence. Interior and exterior seams of the kayaks are fiberglass, with the outside seams receiving two extra layers of gel coat. The extra time taken to build a fiberglass outside seam ensures that the deck and hull remain bonded together and allows Seaward to offer customized seam colors.

Fiberglass bulkheads and unidirectional reinforcement of the deck and hulls also add to the strength of all Seaward Kayaks. All the composite bulkheads are fiber-glassed in place to create a 100% watertight seal.

3. Do we have to learn the "roll over" technique?

Absolutely not. It is an extreme rarity that someone on one of our tours manages to turn over their kayak. Our guides are trained in rescue techniques and can have a guest back in their boat quickly. But more importantly, our guides are trained to use foresight to avoid any problems.

4. What are the weight, height, and circumference restrictions for kayaking?

If you are over 6'2", you will probably not fit in a sea kayak. If you are not certain, drop by and we will sit you into a kayak and see how you feel. If you have back problems, you may not wish to be sitting in this position for 3 hours. A guest must fit in our extra large life vest to be eligible for a kayak tour, kayak rental. A guest must easily slip in and out of the sea kayak for safety reasons.

5/Are there age limits for the kayak trips?

Children ages under 10 years old are not recommended on our kayaking tour.

6/ How much paddling will we do on the kayak tour?

Sea kayaking distance is best measured in hours rather than miles. We usually paddle from two to six hours each day but this can be influenced by several factors: weather, tide and currents, and how much kayaking time the group wants. We start off each kayak tour with a planned route, but there is always some flexibility available. In fact, remaining flexible in your plans is key to enjoying any outdoor adventure

7/ Is sea kayaking a safe activity?

In our 10 years working in the industry, we have not seen anyone has ever sustained a serious injury on any kayak trip. Your safety is our number one concern. In general, sea kayaking is safer than most other outdoor pursuits - even bicycling!

8. What do I need to bring kayaking?

Things to bring: A hat, sunglasses, sun scream, binoculars if you have them, a camera if you wish, water bottle in plastic container, a snack and wear shoes you wouldn't mind getting wet such as a Teva style or old tennis shoes.

9/ When is the best time of year to go on a kayaking adventure?

All of our kayak trips we offer in Northern Vietnam are scheduled during the summer and fall (April to October) as the climate is cool and sea is calm.