2-week photography tour of Laos
This 2-week photography immersion tour of Laos takes you from Luang Prabang into the remote northern mountains. Capture the beauty of the UNESCO-protected city of Luang Prabang considered by many as the centre of Lao culture. Nestled in a mountain valley at the confluence of the Mekong and Khan rivers, the city offers a fascinating glimpse into the Buddhist religious practices and traditional lifestyle of the north. Beyond the town we will delve deeper into the extreme north of the country, spending time with the local hill tribes in homestays in remote villages. Learn about life far away from the modern world and shoot the different tribes in their traditional dress. Among others, you’ll be meeting the Akha, Hmong and Pulinoy people and gaining a privileged insight into life in the verdant mountains of Northern Laos.
Services
Included:
- Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary based on two people sharing a twin/double room throughout
- Daily breakfast, some lunches & dinners as per itinerary
- Private AC minivan transfers in city & SUV 4x4 in remote areas
- All sightseeing, entrance fees and English-speaking guide services as detailed in the itinerary + 1 professional Lao photography guide throughout
- Water & cold towels during transfers & tours
- All local government taxes
Excluded:
- Laos tourist visa - available at the border for 40 US$ per person
- International, regional & domestic flights
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, gratuities, etc.
- Entrance fees & excursions outside of itinerary
- Travel insurance
Optional:
- No optional services.
Itinerary at a Glance
Luang Prabang
Arrival & First Portraiture Shoot
Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall
Long Exposure at Kuang Si Waterfall
Luang Prabang - Oudomxay - Nam Kat Yorlapa
Journey to Nam Kat Yorlapa
Nam Kat Yorlapa - Muang Xay - Muang La
Lao Hill-Tribe Villages
Nam Kat Yorlapa - Phongsaly (Lao Sen)
Village Homestay
Phongsaly Laosen – Boun Tai (Akha Tribe)
Tribal Lifestyle Photography
Phongsly Bountay - Nong Houm (Akha Tribe)
Life in the Akha Tribe
Phongsaly Nong Houm (Akha Tribe)
Deep in the Mountains
Phongsaly Nong Houm – Seng Kang Kao
The People of Seng Kang Kao
Phongsaly Seng Kang Kao – Boun Nuea
On to Boun Neua
Phongsaly Boun Nuea
Ancient Trees & Landscapes
Phongsaly - Oudomxay - Nam Kat Yorlapa
Leaving the Wilderness
Nam Kat Yorlapa - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang
Pak Ou Caves by Boat
Luang Prabang Departure
Airport Transfer
Detailed Itinerary
Luang Prabang
Day 1: Arrival & First Portraiture Shoot
Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, you’ll be welcomed by your guide who will assist you with transfer to your hotel.
After check-in and some time to relax head out for lunch at the Silk Road Café.
After your meal, meet a local Lao photographer who will introduce you to his work before you spend the rest of the afternoon on a photography shoot. You’ll be working on portrait and still-life photography capturing imagery documenting the lives of local people working in the cotton weaving, bamboo weaving and silk dyeing trades. Later, set up for a sunset shoot at Vat Prabat Tai.
Dinner will be at the Dyensabai restaurant where you'll tuck into a Lao-style BBQ dinner.
Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfall
Day 2: Long Exposure at Kuang Si Waterfall
For early risers, there is a special dawn outing to watch the monks collecting alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot through the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful and serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. You’ll have the chance to capture some wonderful shots using both wide and narrow apertures. Then walk through the morning market for some more colourful photo opportunities.
After a relaxed breakfast head off on a landmark shoot as you take a tour of the city. Visit Huean Chan Heritage House and learn about Lao ethnic people at The Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre.
We’ll head out of town for your lunch then after your meal try your hand at long-exposure photography at Kuang Si Waterfall.
Return to town for dinner at Coconut Garden Restaurant.
Luang Prabang - Oudomxay - Nam Kat Yorlapa
Day 3: Journey to Nam Kat Yorlapa
After breakfast, leave Luang Prabang by minivan to travel to Nam Kat Yorlapa in Oudomxay.
En route stop at Ban Na Yang Tai to meet the Lue Ethnic Tribe and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue your trip to Nam Kat Yorlapa arriving in time for dinner at your hotel.
Nam Kat Yorlapa - Muang Xay - Muang La
Day 4: Lao Hill-Tribe Villages
Today we travel to Meuang La to visit the sacred Phasingkham Buddha Temple and the hot springs by the Namphak River.
Continue on to Aa No Village visiting Kok Mai Ngai Village and the Akha tribe along the way.
Upon arrival at Aa No Village, we take a short break for lunch and then begin a village tour. Your local guide will share insights into the Akha’s culture and traditions and you’ll also have the chance to see textile weaving in progress.
In the afternoon we visit Tauser Village of the Hmong hill tribe before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Nam Kat Yorlapa - Phongsaly (Lao Sen)
Day 5: Village Homestay
After breakfast, leave Nam Kat Yorlapa by 4x4 (SUV) and drive further into the jungle-clad Northern mountains to Ban Laosen.
You'll be spending the next week in this region staying at local homestays and getting to know the different tribes and villages of the area as you stay as guests and share meals with them.
Phongsaly Laosen – Boun Tai (Akha Tribe)
Day 6: Tribal Lifestyle Photography
Today you'll head to Boun Tai. Spend time in the village talking to the local people and learning about their lives. You will be able to use the skills and techniques learnt to shoot some wonderful ethnic lifestyle photography. Your meals will all be served at one of the family houses in the village.
Phongsly Bountay - Nong Houm (Akha Tribe)
Day 7: Life in the Akha Tribe
Today we head to Nong Houm set amongst verdant green rice paddies. The Akha tribe live very close to nature and to their traditions. The people still dress in colourful traditional clothing and there will be many photo opportunities during your stay here.
Phongsaly Nong Houm (Akha Tribe)
Day 8: Deep in the Mountains
Spend a relaxing day in this beautiful village learning about the way of life here so far removed from the modern world.
Phongsaly Nong Houm – Seng Kang Kao
Day 9: The People of Seng Kang Kao
Today we head to Seng Kang Kao to meet a different ethnic tribe with a unique traditional dress. There will also be the chance to shoot some mountain scenery along the way.
Phongsaly Seng Kang Kao – Boun Nuea
Day 10: On to Boun Neua
We continue on to Boun Neua. Here you might like to head out into the farmland with some of your local hosts and join in with tending the crops, harvesting and foraging. There will be plenty of chances to pick up your camera too.
Phongsaly Boun Nuea
Day 11: Ancient Trees & Landscapes
Today we head to the larger town of Phongsaly where you will be staying in a local guest house. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to engage in landscape photography. You will also be visiting an ancient tree thought to be over 400 years old.
Phongsaly - Oudomxay - Nam Kat Yorlapa
Day 12: Leaving the Wilderness
After breakfast, leave Phongsaly by 4x4 (SUV) and drive back to Nam Kat Yorlapa. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant then check in at your hotel. The rest of the day is left free for you to relax and enjoy the swimming pool.
Nam Kat Yorlapa - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang
Day 13: Pak Ou Caves by Boat
After breakfast, you’ll set off for Luang Prabang by minivan stopping for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. In the afternoon, visit the Pak Ou Caves by boat and enjoy a river cruise back to Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang Departure
Day 14: Airport Transfer
After breakfast at your hotel transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
