Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw (Nong Kiau or Nong Kiew) is a beautiful rustic little town on the bank of the Ou River in Laos. It is squeezed in between some of the most fantastic limestone mountains north of Vang Vieng.

Many travellers pass through on the way up river to the even more isolated Muang Ngoi, but Nong Khiaw has a plenty of charm, a decent range of accommodation, plus conveniences such as 24 hour electricity and a

connection to the road network for those interested in exploring the surrounding area.

Get in

Buses from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw. It costs 40'000 or 50'000 Kips. It takes around 4h. (March 2016) One tourist bus at ~9am from the southern bus station for 50,000, two local buses at ~11am and ~2pm from the northern station for 37,000 Kip.

Buses from Udomxay to Nong Khiaw are scheduled 1 time daily if passengers enough every (3-4 hours) but may not run on time, or at all, during the low season (depending on passenger numbers). It is possible to negotiate a fare on either the Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang bound bus and disembark at Pak Mong (where the highway turns south). From here a tuk-tuk will take you the last hour or so to Nong Khiaw for around 30,000 kip per person.

Get out

Nong Khiaw bus station : the bus/minivan station in Nong Khiaw is on the edge of town on the western side of the river.

Buses from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang run daily at around 09:00 & 11:00, price is 45,000 Kip. It takes 4 hrs.

Non A/C minivans or songteaw from Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang (northern station) leave at 8:30, 10:00, 11:00 (this bus starts at Muangnoi and can fill up fast) and costs 37,000 Kip per person (as of Feb 2016). Go to the bus station at least 45 minutes before departure to buy your ticket. A/C minivans leave at 13:30 for Luang Prabang (southern station) and cost 55,000 Kip (LAK). Best to pre-book this bus before 11:30 (as of Feb 2016).

Private minivan to Luang Prabang can cost as low as 500,000 kip, especially if drivers have empty returns.

Buses from Nong Khiaw to Udomxay run daily at around 09:00 & 11:00, price is 45,000 Kip. It takes around 4 hrs.

Buses from Nong Khiaw to Luang Namtha: first take the bus to Udomxay and then change bus Luang Namtha, this gives you a quite late arrival in Luang Namtha. It costs 40,000 kip to Udomxay.

Buses from Nong Khiaw to Muang Khua or Phongsali: first go to Udomxay (11:00), then change bus to Muang Khua.

Buses from Nong Khiaw to Vieng Thong and Sam Neua (near Viengxay and Vietnam border): the bus starts originally from Luang Prabang and you have to be on call around 12.30 +!

Buses hardly ever run on time. Buy your ticket in advance and leave your name!

Boat from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi Neua, daily at 11:00 and 14:00, it costs 25.000 kip & takes 1 hour.

Get around

Nong Khiaw is simple in layout and small enough to walk around. It's possible to rent a bike at the Riverside Bungalows and Delilah's to explore the 2 roads and surrounding area.

A large concrete road bridge connects Nong Khiaw on the western side of the river with the village of Ban Sop Houn on the eastern side of the river, where many of the river-view bungalows are found.

See

Over the course of the last couple of years a number of tour operators have opened their tour office in Nong Khiaw so there is suddenly something more to see. They will bring you out for various trips, hikes, river tours, bamboo raft workshop and village stays. Some of the tours can be found online.

• Pha Tok Caves, (about 2km outside town on the far side of the river from the boat landing and bus station). This cave set high in a limestone cliff sheltered villagers and Pathet Lao fighters during the Second Indochina war. The caves are accessed via steep concrete steps, and inside a few signs identify points where command posts were stationed. Entrance fees are collected at the bottom where you can also borrow a torch. The trail to the cave passes through many rice paddies and a small section of jungle. If you ask the people at the "ticket desk", you should be able to arrange a boat ride back to Nong Khiaw from a local. For 2 people in the very small canoe type longtail boats that can seat max 2 people plus driver the price is around 50,000 kip. 5,000 kip.

Be careful with "guides" who try to show you the second (there is 2 caves there) cave after you visit by yourself the first one. He will ask to you tips (50'000-80'000kip) for his help (that you don't need for sure). To see the second cave by yourself take the little pass at your left when you are at the entry of the first one.

Do

Walk around the village enjoying the village feel with great views over the Nam Ou River. There is a small temple complex in the centre of town.

Walk or bicycle on the dirt road behind the Riverside resort for some scenic views and nature.

Rated one of the best hikes in Laos is the is the "100 Waterfalls" trek operated by Tiger Trail and Fair trek initiative, some of their treks go to the interactive culture lodge.

• Green Discovery Laos is Laos' pioneer in Adventure Travel and Ecotourism since 2000. They offer far more than 100 unique tour programs all around the country, involving trekking, kayaking/rafting, cycling and rock climbing.

• Phone Travel is the only tour agency in town run by local people. Located just in front of Sabai Sabai massage. They can organize a range of activities and treks. Recommended are the bamboo rafting (one day) and the trek to Sop Jam village with Mr. Mang as your guide (2 or 3 days).

Rent a mountain bike and push eastwards to remote Khmu and Hmong villages. Since there are is a lot of going up and down it makes sense to rent a mountain bike. Across the street from Delilah's restaurant (on the main street next to the bridge) there is a small bike rental shop which rents decent mountain bikes for 30,000 kip per day (Feb 2015). Riverside Guest House rents mountain bikes for 50,000 kip and city bikes for 10,000 kip.

Go for an herbal steam bath or massage at Sabai Sabai (25,000kip).

Phadeng Peak. Take the steep trail up to the viewpoint for a wonderful 360° view on the nearby valleys. Access off the main road (look for signs or ask). It costs 20,000 kip (you can ask for a walking stick) and takes 1-1.5 hours to reach top. Fantastic sunset view; but bring a torchlight to come down because it's not very easy descending. If you plan to do the hike in the morning, you will be able to see the sun rising from the clouds covering the surroundings of the river each morning. Ticket checking goes from 06:00-16:00 (as of Feb 2016).

Next to the bridge, there are several small beaches where tourists can enjoy the sun and take a cooling swim in the Nam Ou River.

Source http://wikitravel.org/en/Nong_Khiaw