Nong Khiaw on the Nam Ou, surrounded by limestone mountains

Nong Khiaw lies on the banks of the Nam Ou and is surrounded by high limestone mountains. The river and mountain scenery give the destination two clear points of reference. Experiences in and near Nong Khiaw include boat trips on the Nam Ou and hikes, including the nearby 100 Waterfalls Trek. When choosing a holiday rental, it helps to first decide on the pace you want for your trip: would you like to include a hike in the surrounding area, or set aside time for a trip on the river? This makes it possible to plan your stay around your own interests in scenery and outdoor activity.

Hiking in the jungle valley

The 100 Waterfalls Trek, near Nong Khiaw, leads into a jungle valley with waterfalls, streams, limestone formations and forest. It combines hiking, walking through streams and waterfall climbing; the experience along the way therefore involves more than simply viewing waterfalls. Streams, rock formations and forest are also part of the valley’s natural scenery. This combination makes the trek an active outing in which movement and landscape go hand in hand.

Another named destination is the Pha Kao and Pha Noi Trail and Viewpoint. The authors of Adventures of Jellie described it as the most difficult and longest hike they had undertaken in Nong Khiaw. This assessment reflects their personal experience and is not a general difficulty rating. When choosing hikes, you can therefore treat their judgment as the authors’ account of their experience, rather than as a general ranking of the trails.

Boat trips and travel planning

Nong Khiaw is also a starting point for boat trips on the Nam Ou. These can last from a few hours to several days. If you are considering a specific trip, check its current availability and planned duration in advance.

Choose a holiday rental based on your travel plans

The possible duration of boat trips makes a practical difference to planning your stay: a trip lasting a few hours takes a different amount of time from a tour lasting several days. When looking for a holiday rental, it is therefore worth first deciding how many days you want to spend in Nong Khiaw and which excursions fit into that timeframe. A multi-day trip takes up a larger part of your travel plans than a shorter outing; a hike in the surrounding area offers a different focus.

A different focus within the wider destination of Louangphabang

Within the wider destination of Louangphabang, the city of Luang Prabang offers a distinctive cultural focus. It lies on a peninsula formed by the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the combination of traditional Lao architecture and urban structures with European colonial architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries. Wat Xiengthong was built around 1560 and is considered a classic example of the Luang Prabang style. Thus, alongside Nong Khiaw’s river and mountain scenery, Louangphabang offers a distinct architectural dimension: while Nong Khiaw is associated with the Nam Ou, limestone mountains, and hiking or boat trips, Luang Prabang is defined by its peninsula setting and architectural history.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pak Long, Luang Prabang, Ban Sai, Ban Nasang, Ban Xiang-Nouak.

Back to the main travel overview: Louangphabang.