Nong Khiaw
Nong Khiaw is a village in the Luang Prabang Province of northern Laos. It's on the Nam Ou River, where tour boats and kayaks travel. Close by, narrow footpaths wind through jungle and climb steep limestone cliffs for expansive views. Small villages dot the nearby forested mountains and rice fields.
As Nong Khiaw is located in the middle of gorgeous limestone mountains, it is a wonderful spot to visit if you like hiking or if you just want to check out the more rural areas of Laos. If you are planning to visit neighboring Muang Ngoi, then try to also spend a few days in Nong Khiaw on the way over, as there is a lot to see and do here; both in the town itself and in the surrounding villages.
Top 10 things to do in Nong Khiaw
1. Explore the Pha Tok Caves
One of the main attractions in Nong Khiaw are the Pha Tok Caves. These can be found some 2 kilometers outside of the town itself. The caves make up a section of the stunning limestone cliffs for which Nong Khiaw is famous.
These caves are also historically important as these were supposedly used as hiding places for the Pathet Lao at the time of the Second Indochina War.
Getting to the caves is an experience in itself as you will have to hike through emerald green rice paddies as well as track through thick sections of jungle. To get to the mouth of the caves, bear in mind that you will need to climb a steep staircase.
2. Go bamboo rafting
When you visit Nong Khiaw, there are a number of ways that you can experience the gorgeous Nam Ou River that cleaves through the center of town.
One of the most unique ways - however - is to sign up for a day of bamboo rafting which, as the name suggests, means that you get to sit in a raft made of bamboo which has been roped together. You will then get to float down the river and, as the rafts have open sides, enjoy unspoilt views of the surrounding countryside.
3. Travel to the local villages
One of the great joys of Nong Khiaw is that you can spend time in the town itself, or venture out into the surrounding countryside.
One of the best things to do here is either rent a bicycle or sign up for a tour that will take you to some of the local villages on the outskirts of the town which are the home of the Hmong and Khmu local minorities.
Here you can see how the locals live and work. Many of the villages sell traditional handicrafts or offer workshops such as cooking classes.
4. Climb Phadeng Peak
One of the reasons people rave about Nong Khiaw is for the chance to climb the Phadeng Peak. Bear in mind that it takes around an hour and a half to walk to the top of this mountain, and the route in parts can get rather steep.
Once at the top - however - you can enjoy the gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside and you can even watch the sun rise over the peak if you get here early enough.
Another highlight of a trip to the peak is the walk back down as you will need to follow sections of the Nam Ou River which are littered with secluded beaches.
5. Go Zip Lining
Nong Khiaw is known for its idyllic jungle which encircles the town and which is one of the highlights of a trip here.
If you want to experience this firsthand, then do not hesitate to try one of the newest activities in Nong Khiaw; zip lining.
There are a variety of different companies that now offer zip lining facilities, and the longest zip line in Nong Khiaw takes you some 400 meters through the forest canopy.
One of the most well known companies is named Jungle Fly and the money that they make from the zip line experiences is used to pay for education of children in ethnic minority villages around Nong Khiaw.
6. Try mountain biking
If you are looking to get out of Nong Khiaw then consider renting a mountain bike and cycling around the town and its surroundings.
One thing to be aware of is that the landscape around Nong Khiaw is mountainous (hence the mountain bikes) so you need to have a relatively good level of fitness in order to cycle around for an afternoon.
Some of the sights worth checking out as you cycle include the local villages which are the homes of the Hmong and Khmu communities as well as the gorgeous jade rice paddies and swathes of untouched jungle.
7. Sign up for a trek
You can trek in the local area around Nong Khiaw fairly easily, but if you want to go for a more comprehensive hike then you need to sign up for a tour.
Depending on your energy and fitness levels, some of these can last several days and will take you far out into the countryside that encircles the town.
One of the most popular treks on offer lasts for three days and takes you to Sop Jam Village where you can see a different side of rural life in Laos.
8. Have a herbal steam bath
Laos is famous for its massages and herbal treatments, which can come as a welcome relief, particularly if you have spent the day trekking to the mountains or caves around Nong Khiaw.
The traditional sauna experience in Laos is called a herbal steam bath and you will get to relax in a closed off room which is filled with steam and aromatic herbs that are said to help cleanse the body and alleviate fatigue.
Most steam bath experiences usually end with soothing body massage.
9. Hike to Sleeping Woman Viewpoint
Sleeping Woman Viewpoint is less well known than Pha Daeng Peak Viewpoint but is by no means less impressive.
It takes about an hour to reach the summit, depending on your fitness level and once at the top you can look out over gorgeous karst formations and take in the view of the encircling mountains.
This peak also allows you to look out over the river where you can spot local boats navigating the waterway.
10. Enjoy your breakfast in a local bakery
Laos - as a former French colony - has adopted the culture of delicious bread and baguettes. Also Nong Khiaw has no shortage of excellent bakeries selling next to baguettes and pastries also sandwiches for a quick lunch to those embarking on a (multiple) day trek.
A recommended bakery is the CT bakery located on the banks of the river, offering a perfect opportunity for a romantic dinner.
Before embarking on a trek please consider visiting Delilah's bakery where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast consisting amongst others of a variety of cereal and bread in which no additives are used.