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Located in the beautiful northern region of Laos lies Nong Khiaw, a sleepy town nestled between two majestic mountains on the banks of the Ou River. This picturesque landscape provides a peaceful backdrop for a plethora of activities. From climbing mountain peaks to relaxing herbal steam baths, Nong Khiaw offers it all. If you are looking to explore this stunning region of Laos, here are the best things to do in Nong Khiaw, how to get there and where to stay!
Nong Kiau, Laos
Nong Khiaw’s location is idyllic. Nestled between two mountains and the center divided by the mighty Nam Ou River, it’s a place where dreams are made of.
Tourism is well on its way here and Nong Khiaw, sometimes also referred to as Nong Khiew, counts multiple tour agencies, a plethora of guesthouses, and a bunch of tasty restaurants. Yes, this is the north of Laos but, if you’re looking for seclusion, this is not the place to be anymore.
However, Nong Khiaw will surely capture your heart if you love the outdoors and are keen on going on an adventure! There are various mountain viewpoints across town that you can climb, you can kayak the Nam Ou River or hike to various waterfalls.
But, before I get into the details of all the activities on offer in Nong Khiaw, here are some things you need to know regarding conscious and ethical travel in this charming small town.
Nong Khiaw is lovely and you can still witness authentic Lao life here but there were a few things that were also a little bit worrying at the time of my visit.
The main thing was that children were asking the tourists for money on the streets. Even while holding the hands of their parents, they just stopped on the street, asking you to give them money.
Another sad thing that one of the restaurant holders told me is that almost every building in Nong Khiaw has been bought up by rich Chinese businessmen. The Laotians living in Nong Khiaw now have to pay rent to the Chinese and who knows what other plan they might have with Nong Khiaw.
As a conscious traveler, it’s important to take these things into account when traveling to Nong Khiaw. Don’t give the children money. Even though they might be poor, that’s not the way to help them and it’s not a good idea to make them used to it.
Secondly, try to spend your money as locally as you can. Eat at local restaurants, stay in a homestay, and make conversations with local Laotians who speak a bit of English to learn about their situation.
Aside from that, Nong Khiaw is absolutely worth a visit!
Nam Ou River
If you are wondering what to do in Nong Khiaw, I’ve got you covered! Nong Khiaw’s location between limestone mountains and the views dominated by the Nam Ou River are sensational. Here are the 15 best things to do in Nong Khiaw!
Nong Khiaw’s center is a perfect size. It’s big enough to wander around but small enough to explore all of it on foot. The scenic views on the Nam Ou river are incredible, especially at sunrise and sunset.
The center of this cute town
Boats go up and down the river and hill tribe people come down from the mountains and row their boat across the river to sell their goods on the market. You can sit and watch daily life pass by for hours here, without getting bored!
Most people stay on the touristy side of town on the east side of the river. But it’s also worth it to explore the “real” center of Nong Khiaw. The small streets between the bus station and the bridge are where true local life is happening away from the tourist spots.
One of the main attractions in Nong Khiaw is climbing one of the beautiful limestone mountains and Pha Deang Peak is the most scenic one. The starting point of the trail is called Nong Khiaw Viewpoint Trail Entrance and Ticket Office on Google Maps.
The best view in town from Phadeng Peak
Climbing up the peak takes about one and a half hours if you have a normal level of fitness and the entrance fee at the ticket booth is 40 000 kips. There are a few resting areas on the way with benches and bins.
Bring enough water and maybe a snack because there’s no possibility to buy this on the way!
Pha Deang Peak is a community project and a part of the money funnels back into the local community. Do be aware to stay on the path when you hike up the mountain. In the area are still unexploded bombs, like in many locations in Laos and Cambodia.
Pha Tok Caves
The Pha Tok caves are located a little bit out of the center of Nong Khiaw, around two kilometers from the bridge. The Pha Tok caves consist of three caves that were of significant importance for the Phatet Lao as a hiding place during the Laotian Civil War.
The caves themselves aren’t that impressive and you mainly come here for the history behind the caves and the beautiful rice paddies and mountains that surround the caves. The entrance fee is 20.000 kips (March 2024).
At the start of my walk, a man started to follow me to the caves. I kindly said that I didn’t need a guide and he took off but I heard from other people that he joined unwantedly and asks for money afterward.
Note that the caves are not that well maintained. There is little to no light inside the caves, so a flashlight comes in handy. The caverns do contain signs with a little information in English but as said, you will need a flashlight to read them.
The first cave is easy to find and will require you to walk up a steep staircase. To find the second and third cave, you will need to engage in some hiking through jungle and banana plantations first.
Aside from Pha Tok, there are more caves in Nong Khiaw. There’s a second cave site in Nong Khiaw called ‘Pha Kuang Cave‘ and another one outside of the center in the direction of Na Khon Village called ‘Phar Noi History Cave‘.
→ Also read: Tham Chang Cave: Everything You Need to Know
There are many ways to enjoy the Nam Ou river in Nong Khiaw. Swimming after a fun day of hiking is one of them but you can also opt to rent a kayak or a boat.
Nong Kiau riverside, Laos
Kayaks can be rented at various travel agencies in Nong Khiaw and even some of the guesthouses have kayaks for rent. Do note that the current can sometimes be strong so watch out that you don’t go too far downstream.
Another way to explore the Nam Ou river is to hire a local boatman for the day to take you around the area. You can arrange a tour with a tour agency but a private boat is more comfortable because you can put together your own itinerary.
Nearby local villages
There are a dozen of local villages around Nong Khiaw and cycling around is one of the best ways to explore them. Do note that you will need good mountain bikes with gears to explore the area.
The region is pretty hilly and, aside from the main road in Nong Khiaw, the streets are not in the best shape.
The most fun roads and villages are the ones located at the banks of the Nam Ou in the direction of Muang Ngoi.
For a traditional Lao experience and to relax after a long day of hiking and cycling, try a herbal steam bath in Nong Khiaw.
There is a little place on the main road that is called Traditional Lao massage & herbal steam sauna on Google Maps. It’s very local but you are warmly welcomed and the place is cozy and clean.
Herbal steam baths are possible every evening between 6 and 8 P.M. and only cost 20.000 kips. A good Lao massage costs 90.000 kips.
Sabai Sabai is another massage parlor with a steam bath in Nong Khiaw but I heard mixed stories about their service.
Local broom making, Laos Nong Khiaw
As you walk through the streets of Nong Khiaw and also in the surrounding villages you can witness broom making, one of the main livelihoods of the local Hmong villages.
The brooms are made from local wild grasses that are first dried before they get attached to a stick. Afterward, they are distributed all over Laos!
Tad Mook waterfall
One of the best things to do in Nong Khiaw is to visit Tad Mook waterfall. Tad Mook waterfall is located in Sop Kong village around 15 kilometers from Nong Khiaw.
The location of this waterfall is stunning and the road to get there from Sop Kong village is one of the most scenic in the area through beautiful rice fields and past meandering g streams.
The entrance fee is 10 000 kips and the money goes towards the local community of Sop Kong. The best way to get to Tad Mook from Nong Khiaw is by taking a tour or renting a private boat. Alternatively, you can also ask the boat that goes to Muang Ngoi to drop you off in Sop Kong for 30.000 kips and hike back to Nong Khiaw afterward.
Renting a motorbike to ply the route is also possible but note that there are a lot of potholes on the road to Sop Kong and that it can get very dusty. Getting to Sop Kong by motorbike is easy. You just need to take the road that starts at Joy Restaurant and Sunrise Bungalows on the east side of the river.
→ Also read: Kuang Si Waterfalls: Heaven on Earth in Laos
Morning market
A great way to experience the local culture of the north of Laos is to visit the local market. Early in the morning, you can hear boats cross the Nam Ou river. These are the hill tribe people that come to Nong Khiaw town to sell their goods on the morning market.
Morning market
At the market, you can find regular things like fruit and vegetables, local cakes and soup and noodles but also a few things that might shock you like rats on a barbeque and poisonous spiders for sale.
The market is more elaborate during the weekend, including extra stalls with clothing and household gear. The morning market is located on road 1C near the bus station.
→ Also read: Luang Prabang Night Market: All You Need to Know
Advertised everywhere in Nong Khiaw by tour agencies is a boat trip plus a hike to the 100 waterfalls in Don Khoun, a village about 15 kilometers downstream from Nong Khiaw. It is only accessible by boat so you will need to book a tour to get there.
As I was traveling on a budget and since there were so many other activities on offer in and around Nong Khiaw, I decided not to go on this tour. Therefore I can’t attest to what the experience is like and what the quality is of this tour.
I did compare prices though in Nong Khiaw and, from what I saw, it’s worth it to shop around. Prices are based on how many people participate in the tour so the more people, the less you will need to pay!
Muang Ngoi, Laos (southeast Asia)
I can highly recommend exploring Muang Ngoi for longer than one day but, if you have little time on your hands, taking a day trip is a great option.
Muang Ngoi is a small Laotian village, about a one-hour boat ride upstream on the Nam Ou River. although it has a pretty isolated location, it has already become a well-known spot on the banana pancake trail and you will find a dozen of guesthouses and restaurants here that cater to tourists.
However, that doesn’t take away the charm of the surrounding area. In Muang Ngoi, you can enjoy similar activities as in Nong Khiaw. There are a few interesting viewpoints and caves, you can explore local villages, hike to Tad Mook waterfall or chill on Nam Ou beach.
Nong Khiaw, Laos
One of the most memorable days I spent in Nong Khiaw was hiking to the nearby village of Ban Had Sao in search of the Had Sao waterfall. It led us through some wonderful mountainous scenery and there was not a soul around.
Secret waterfalls near Ban Had Sao village
We weren’t able to find the waterfall (I think it dries up in the winter) but luckily we met a local hunter who showed us the way to another waterfall further down the road that was hidden in between banana plantations.
You can’t compare it to the beautiful waterfalls around Luang Prabang like Kuang Si Falls and Tat Sae waterfalls but the hunt for the waterfall and its off-the-beaten-path location made for an amazing day of hiking.
It’s too long to explain how to get there in this post but you can contact me through my contact page if you want to know its location!
→ Also read: An Easy Guide to Vang Vieng’s Kaeng Nyui Waterfall
Rice fields
If you want to delve deep in the local Lao culture and agritourism then visiting Yensabai Organic Farm comes in highly recommended. Located on the way to Tad Mook waterfall, hidden between beautiful rice fields, this farm focuses on sustainable living in all its forms.
Yensabai organic farm, Laos
Travelers who want to visit Yensabai farm can participate in a variety of ways. You can just pop in for a coffee at the café after visiting Tad Mook but also contribute as a volunteer, sleep at the farm or camping site, or take a cooking class.
They donate 5% of their profits to the local community of Sop Kong. You can find more info on the website of Yensabai Organic Farm.
The area around Nong Khiaw with its scenic mountains and small local villages, many of them only accessible by boat lends itself well to multi-day trekking adventures.
Multiple travel agencies in Nong Khiaw offer two, three, or four-day adventures. During these trekking adventures, you will hike from one local village to another, stay in small homestays and explore caves and waterfalls along the way.
Entrance of Sleeping Lady Viewpoint
Aside from Pha Daeng Peak, there are a few other viewpoints to explore around Nong Khiaw. Located close to the bus station, you can find the Sleepy Lady Viewpoint and close to the river Som Nang Viewpoint.
At the time of my visit, there was some construction going on at the viewpoints. There are plans in the making to create tours with overnight stays at the top of the viewpoints. Something to look forward to!
Note that the start of the trails are not always that clear and that they are certainly not always visible in Google Maps! Pha Noi and Pha Khao are two more viewpoints that are not visible on Google Maps. You can find the start of the trails near 4 Sisters Motorbike and Bicycle Service!
Nong Khiaw is easy to reach by bus from various locations in the north of Laos. Do remember that the roads in the area are not the best. Expect a lot of dust and potholes!
There are e few buses a day that ply the route from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw. The most comfortable one is the minibus that leaves every morning at 9.30 A.M. It takes four hours to get from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw.
Tickets can be booked on 12GoAsia or through your accommodation. If you book through your accommodation a pick-up is included in the price.
You can reach Nong Khiaw from Luang Namtha by minibus. The minibus leaves every morning at 9 A.M. It’s possible to also reach Nong Khiaw by taking a bus first to Oudomay and from there a connecting bus to Nong Khiaw.
Tickets can be bought at the bus station or through your accommodation.
From Sam Neua there is a daily bus to Bokeo that make stops along the way. it leaves at 11 A.M. Tickets can be bought at the bus station or through your accommodation in Sam Neua.
Muang Khua is a small city north of Nong Khiaw. It is served by buses that come from Vietnam and is a transit hub for travelers entering Laos. From Muang Khua, you can take a boat to Nong Khiaw, which also stops in Muang Ngoi.
Here are the websites I personally use whenever I travel to Laos:
Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses, homestays or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in Luang Prabang
12GO and Bookaway: The best transport websites for long-distance buses and train travel in Laos
Loca: Uber and Grab don’t operate in Laos but Vientiane has its own ride-hailing app called Loca!
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Vientiane or Luang Prabang
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from a Kuang Si waterfall cruise to a private cave and jungle trekking in Vang Vieng!
Get your Visa for Laos online through the Evisa website. Do note that you cannot enter just any border with the Evisa. You can fly with an Evisa into Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse and cross three borders with Thailand. They don’t accept the Evisa when you want to cross a land border coming from Vietnam, Cambodia, or China. It’s best to contact the Laotian embassies in these countries to obtain a visa.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is without a doubt Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Get access to mobile data straight away when entering the country with a Laos E-sim or an Asialink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries.
The long bridge in the middle of town
One thing that’s great about Nong Khiaw is its relatively small size. The town center and nearby attractions are easy to explore on foot and you can rent a mountain bike to visit places that are a little further afield.
Various locations and villages are only accessible by boat. You take a tour, hire a private boat or kayak to these places.
Nong Khiaw has become a well-known spot along the tourist trail. It doesn’t see as many people yet as places like Vang Vieng and it is still less developed but guesthouses tend to fill up in high season and it can be difficult to find a place to stay.
Accommodation options near the river
Note that a lot of guesthouses cannot be found on Booking or Agoda yet. If they are sold out, you’ll have to go back to how backpacking was in the old days and look for a room at your arrival (which is in my opinion still a better option!).
At the time of my visit, most of the rooms online were sold out so I had to hunt for a place after arriving on the bus from Luang Prabang. I found a room at Pho Sai River View Guesthouse, a simple guesthouse on the banks of the Nam Ou River. The room had everything I needed, a good bed, a hot shower, and a lovely terrace with a magnificent view but it was a bit basic and I saw better options around.
Although most restaurants and tour agencies are located on the other side of the bridge in Sop Houn, it’s much more relaxing to stay by the Nam Ou River on the other side of the bridge.
Nong Khiaw Riverside Resort is a good option if you like to have a little bit more (rustic) luxury.
→ PRO TIP: Read my complete packing list for Laos for conscious travelers!
Laotian vegetable Suzy (coconut soup)
Several local restaurants in Nong Khiaw are a delight to eat at! Here are my favorite restaurants in Nong Khiaw:
While not exclusively plant-based, these restaurants are the best choices in Nong Khiaw for vegans traveling through Laos.
Beers, soft drinks and Western-style snacks are also easy to find in Nong Khiaw and you can find Oreos here if you fancy a vegan cookie.
The best time to visit Nong Khiaw is from November up until March. Outside of these months, it can get very hot and especially very wet. The north of Laos can receive up to 600 milliliters of water per square meter in July and August.
I visited Nong Khiaw in January and the weather was perfect for hiking. During the day time, the temperature was hovering around a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius, and in the evenings it quickly cooled down to 15 degrees or even less.
There is a lot to do in and around Nong Khiaw and you can easily spend a week here, exploring all the viewpoints, caves, and the Nam Ou River. I stayed for five nights but could’ve easily stayed longer if my visa had been valid for longer than 30 days.
Five nights is long enough to get a feel for the town, visit at least a few viewpoints, and go on a waterfall trip. But, traveling slower would even be better in my opinion. That way, you might get the chance to get up and close with the indigenous people that live in the surrounding mountains and learn about their way of life.
To conclude, yes: Nong Khiaw is absolutely worth visiting. If you want to discover the beauty of northern Laos, Nong Khiaw is the perfect place to explore.
From kayaking on the river to climbing Pha Daeng Peak, this charming town offers an abundance of exciting activities that will fill your itinerary. Make sure to add this small town to your list of must-see places in Laos and enjoy these 15 best things to do in the area!
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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