Muong Ngoi (Ban Ngoi Kao) is a picturesque village on the bank of Nam Ou River,
approximately half way between
Luang Prabang and Muong Khoua. This isolated village
nowadays is a relaxing getaway spot, where visitors can enjoy the rural life and
scenery as well as exploring the natural beauty.
What to do?
Highlights of visits at Muong Ngoi are treks through jungles to villages, natural
beauty of rice fields, caves and waterfalls. Home stay can all be enjoyed against
a backdrop of jungle and mountain.
When to go?
The best time to visit overall is the cool season, between November and February.
Don't forget to bring warm clothes as it does get a wee chilly.
The rainy season
begins in May and ends in October. It is a beautiful time of the year to visit with
every thing so lush and green. However, it does make travel a bit uncomfortable
with muddy roads and land leeches.
Travel Tips:
Prepare suitable shoes for easy trekking as you will cross many streams, go through
mud and take your shoes off and on when visiting the local houses.
Also, in rainy seasons, nylon stockings are recommended as a barrier that leeches cannot penetrate.
The accommodation is very basic bamboo huts on stilts with no hot water. There is
only electricity from 18:00 to 21:00 by generator.
Getting there: From Luang Prabang:
-Take 3-hour bus drive to Nong Khiaw, then 01-hour
boat trip on Nam Ou river to Ban Ngoi Kao.
-Or by boat (6-7 hours) on Nam Ou River
upstream to Ban Ngoi Kao (via Nong Khiaw).
From Muang Kua:
-Take 4-5 hour boat trip
on Nam Ou River downstream to Ban Ngoi Kao. From Oudomxai:
- 5 hours on bus to Nong
Khiaw, then continue 1 hour by boat on Nam Ou River to Ban Ngoi Kao
