Phou Iu Travel and Ecotourism Laos likes to welcome you to the province of Luang Namtha and thank you for choosing one of the most beautiful and diverse destinations of Laos. Tucked away in the mountainous northwest, Luang Namtha is best known for the excellent ecotourism activities available in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, an ASEAN Natural Heritage Site.

Also of special interest are the historic towns of Muang Sing and Vieng Phoukha with their colourful markets, the impressive river journeys on the Nam Tha and Nam Ha between Xieng Kok and Houi Xay and the Mekong River with some of the country's most beautiful stretches.

If you enjoy cave exploration, multi-day forest trekking, visits of ethnic villages, kayaking trips, mountain bike excursions, or professionally-guided customized ecotourism, you can arrange all these activities through Phou Iu Travel and Ecotourism Laos. There are also a number of significant archaeological sites in Vieng Phoukha.

Your stay in Luang Namtha is mutually beneficial for both you and your hosts. We request you to respectfully observe Lao customs when visiting Buddhist temples or participating in local religious ceremonies or rituals. Please keep in mind that Luang Namtha is a living cultural landscape with over 20 different ethnic groups, all with their own distinct language and customs. While the people living here warmly welcome visitors, they kindly ask that you make an effort to be culturally sensitive, always keep yourself cool, and set a good example for Lao youth by dressing modestly and not using illegal drugs.

While in Luang Namtha, we suggest that you test some of our delicious local food. Try rattan or bitter bamboo shoot soup, served throughout the province, Khao Soi (Soft noodle soup) in Muang Sing, Lao Hai (rice wine fermented in an earthen jar) in Vieng Phoukha, and if you are visiting the area in March or April, pick up a jar of delicious forest honey.

Support indigenous artisans by purchasing one or more of the many types of handicrafts produced here. Tai Dam silks, Khamu basketry, Akha jewellery, Hmong embroidery and Lanten bags and paper are some of the most sought-after items.

As there are major festivals almost every month of the year and a variety of landscapes that change throughout the rainy, cool and dry seasons, it is always a good time to visit.

Which tours are available?
Phou Iu Travel and Ecotourism Laos is the owner of the Phou Iu Bungalows in Muang Sing, Phou Iu Bungalows in Luang Namtha, Manychane Restuarent in Luang Namtha and Eco-Trek Muang Sing with branch offices in Luang Namtha, Vieng Phoukha, Long and Nalae.  They offer a large variety of adventure-jungle trekking, kayaking, multi sport and boat tours, as well as jungle camping, easy-adventure biking, motor-biking and tours by car. Tours are designed to last from 1 to 11 days, including overnight stays in private homes or lodges in ethnic villages. Some tour activities are by foot, bicycle or boat, others include travel by tuk-tuk, bus or four wheel drives. Homestay packages within Luang Namtha and Nam Ha National Protected Area are also offered.

What should you know?
All tours include an English-speaking guide, drinking water, meals, transportation, as well as a gift for those villages we’re visiting but don't stay overnight, to ensure that they receive some benefit from our visit.

It is strongly recommended to visit all, mentioned places with a qualified guide as the villages have only recently started to receive tourists, and negative impacts can occur quickly. The organized tours ensure that a fair price is paid to the villages, and that every family can take part in the home stay rotation system. Please make sure that you respect the culture and traditions, and take every opportunity to support the people. A good way to offer support is by purchasing products directly from the villages, such as handicraft.

Tours can be arranged for various group sizes, from 1 up to 10 people. The difficulty of the tours ranges from easy to difficult (!! you still have to specify each tour concerning difficulty! so please select the tour that best fits your needs. Specific requests such as schedule, customized routes, or diet may be accommodated, so don't hesitate to ask!