4-Day 3-Night Phongsaly Trekking Tour: Ancient Tea Forests, Akha & Phunoi Villages in Northern Laos
Multi-day tours
International tour
Experiential tour
Mountain climbing tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Oudomxay, Laos
Oudomxay
Phongsaly
Komen
4N3Đ (Participation Duration)
Car,Train,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
Phongsaly is the northernmost province of Laos, a land of rugged mountains, a cool climate year-round, and ethnic communities including the Akha, Phunoi, Tai Lue, and Hmong who still preserve their traditional way of life. It is a destination for those who want to explore a pristine Laos with very few tourists.
The program begins in Oudomxay (which has a high-speed train station), following mountain roads to Phongsaly town at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters, with Chinese–Lao-style tile-roofed earthen houses and Mount Phou Fa overlooking a sea of clouds. You will visit Komen Village, famous for its centuries-old ancient tea forests and traditional tea-making methods, then trek for 2 days through Akha and Phunoi villages, stay in homestays, and learn about their culture, clothing, and beliefs.
The tour requires good physical fitness and an adventurous spirit; the roads are long and accommodation is basic, but the experience is exceptionally authentic.
The program begins in Oudomxay (which has a high-speed train station), following mountain roads to Phongsaly town at an altitude of approximately 1,400 meters, with Chinese–Lao-style tile-roofed earthen houses and Mount Phou Fa overlooking a sea of clouds. You will visit Komen Village, famous for its centuries-old ancient tea forests and traditional tea-making methods, then trek for 2 days through Akha and Phunoi villages, stay in homestays, and learn about their culture, clothing, and beliefs.
The tour requires good physical fitness and an adventurous spirit; the roads are long and accommodation is basic, but the experience is exceptionally authentic.
Meeting point:
View on map
Ga tàu cao tốc Muang Xay (Oudomxay) hoặc khách sạn tại Oudomxay
Đón tại ga Muang Xay (tàu cao tốc Lào – Trung, khoảng 1 giờ 30 phút từ Luang Prabang) hoặc khách sạn ở Oudomxay; kết thúc tại ga Muang Xay.
Detailed itinerary
Morning (08:00): The guide will pick you up at Muang Xay Station or your hotel in Oudomxay, departing for Phongsaly (approximately 6–7 hours) via mountain roads and villages.
Noon: Have lunch along the way.
Afternoon: Arrive in Phongsaly town, stroll through the old quarter, and climb Mount Phou Fa to watch the sunset.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight in Phongsaly.
Noon: Have lunch along the way.
Afternoon: Arrive in Phongsaly town, stroll through the old quarter, and climb Mount Phou Fa to watch the sunset.
Evening: Dinner. Overnight in Phongsaly.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Breakfast, then transfer to Komen Village to visit the ancient tea forest, learn about traditional tea roasting methods, and enjoy a tea tasting.
Noon: Lunch in the village.
Afternoon: Trekking for approximately 3–4 hours to an Akha village.
Evening: Dinner with the host family. Overnight stay in a homestay.
Noon: Lunch in the village.
Afternoon: Trekking for approximately 3–4 hours to an Akha village.
Evening: Dinner with the host family. Overnight stay in a homestay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Have breakfast, then trek through forests and cultivated fields to a Phunoi village (approximately 4–5 hours).
Noon: Have a picnic lunch.
Afternoon: The vehicle picks you up and takes you back to Phongsaly town, visiting the Phongsaly Ethnic Museum (depending on opening hours).
Evening: Have dinner. Overnight in Phongsaly.
Noon: Have a picnic lunch.
Afternoon: The vehicle picks you up and takes you back to Phongsaly town, visiting the Phongsaly Ethnic Museum (depending on opening hours).
Evening: Have dinner. Overnight in Phongsaly.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning: Have breakfast and visit Phongsaly morning market. Depart for Oudomxay.
Noon: Have lunch en route.
Afternoon (around 16:00): Arrive in Oudomxay. The vehicle will take you to Muang Xay Station or your hotel, marking the end of the program.
Noon: Have lunch en route.
Afternoon (around 16:00): Arrive in Oudomxay. The vehicle will take you to Muang Xay Station or your hotel, marking the end of the program.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tour price includes
• English-speaking guide and local trekking guide
• Private round-trip vehicle between Oudomxay and Phongsaly, with transfers according to the itinerary
• 3 nights (2 nights in a Phongsaly hotel/guesthouse, 1 night in an Akha village homestay)
• Meals according to the itinerary: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
• Community fees and tea tasting in Komen
• Bottled water
• Private round-trip vehicle between Oudomxay and Phongsaly, with transfers according to the itinerary
• 3 nights (2 nights in a Phongsaly hotel/guesthouse, 1 night in an Akha village homestay)
• Meals according to the itinerary: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
• Community fees and tea tasting in Komen
• Bottled water
Tour price excludes
• Laos visa and train ticket to Oudomxay
• Single-room supplement
• Drinks not included in the itinerary and gifts for the villages
• Tips for the guide, driver, and host family
• Travel insurance (insurance covering trekking activities is recommended)
• Single-room supplement
• Drinks not included in the itinerary and gifts for the villages
• Tips for the guide, driver, and host family
• Travel insurance (insurance covering trekking activities is recommended)
Cancellation policy
Cancellation 7 days or more before departure: 100% tour refund.
Cancellation 3–6 days before departure: 50% tour refund.
Cancellation within 3 days of departure or no-show: non-refundable.
In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or attraction closures required by the authorities, we will assist with changing the date or refunding the unused services.
Cancellation 3–6 days before departure: 50% tour refund.
Cancellation within 3 days of departure or no-show: non-refundable.
In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or attraction closures required by the authorities, we will assist with changing the date or refunding the unused services.
Other notes
Safety: some rural areas of Laos still contain unexploded ordnance (UXO) from wartime; always stay on marked paths and follow your guide’s instructions.
Currency: the Lao Kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai Baht, but you should exchange some money into Kip for spending at markets, small shops, and in rural areas.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; guides speaking Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Thai, and other languages can be requested (please notify us when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest, based on private tours for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visas: international visitors need a Laos visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at international airports and international border crossings); citizens of ASEAN countries are visa-exempt according to regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
Phongsaly is cold during the dry season (approximately November–February), so bring warm clothing. The mountain roads are long and winding; those prone to motion sickness should bring medication. Landslides may occur during the rainy season, and the itinerary will be adjusted when necessary.
Illustrative photos: Phongsali province 003 – Christian Pirkl, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Village - Nam Ou – GuillaumeG, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phongsali province 013 – Christian Pirkl, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Currency: the Lao Kip (LAK) is the official currency; many places accept USD and Thai Baht, but you should exchange some money into Kip for spending at markets, small shops, and in rural areas.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; guides speaking Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Thai, and other languages can be requested (please notify us when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest, based on private tours for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visas: international visitors need a Laos visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at international airports and international border crossings); citizens of ASEAN countries are visa-exempt according to regulations. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
Phongsaly is cold during the dry season (approximately November–February), so bring warm clothing. The mountain roads are long and winding; those prone to motion sickness should bring medication. Landslides may occur during the rainy season, and the itinerary will be adjusted when necessary.
Illustrative photos: Phongsali province 003 – Christian Pirkl, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Village - Nam Ou – GuillaumeG, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phongsali province 013 – Christian Pirkl, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $560 |
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