How to get there
Most people will go to Nong Khiaw from Luang Prabang, the bigger city located about 140km south. There are three ways to get from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw: by local bus, minivan or by taxi. Since taxi can get very expensive and the local bus is very slow and unreliable, we recommend taking a minivan.
Even though minivans are not extremely comfortable, they are a good and cheap option that bring you to Nong Khiaw in 3-4 hours and cost around 200,000 kip (€8).
Read: Looking for an adventurous way to get to Luang Prabang? Then we recommend taking the slow boat in northern Laos
The minivans leave from Naluang International Bus Station in Luang Prabang and drop you at the Nong Khiaw bus station, which is at the edge of town. From here you can either get a tuktuk to your accommodation or walk 15-20 minutes.
You can book the minivan at a travel agent in Luang Prabang, at your accommodation in Luang prabang, or online here!
Wanting to book?
Follow the links below for all your accommodation, transport, & activity needs!
When to visit Nong Khiaw
The best time to visit Nong Khiaw is between April and June. This is when the weather is hot (but manageable) and rain is not as frequent. From end June to October, Nong Khiaw is in its rain season. But if you’re looking for colder temperatures, then November to March is another good option.
We visited Nong Khiaw in June, at the start of rain season. Even though we got lucky with clear skies and good weather in the morning, afternoons and evenings started to get quite wet. This caused muddy roads and hiking trails, so not ideal for exploring.
How long to stay
Even though Nong Khiaw is a small village, there is quite a lot to see and do in the area. We would recommend staying for a minimum of 4 days. This will give you enough time to do a 2-day tour plus have 2 days of exploring and hiking around the village.
Where to stay in Nong Khiaw
We stayed at Sengdao Chittavong Guesthouse and were very happy with it! They had different budget options available and the location was perfect right next to the Ou Nam river and close to many of our favourite restaurants. This guesthouse cannot be booked online, but you can find it on google maps here!
Is Nong Khiaw worth visiting?
Yes, Nong Khiaw is definitely worth a visit! From our month in Laos, the time we spent in Nong Khiaw was probably our favourite. The scenery is jaw dropping and it is a lot quieter than other areas like Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng. We especially loved Nong Khiaw because it is still very pure and authentic.
Best things to do
Even though Nong Khiaw is a small village, there is quite a lot to see and do in the area. These are some of the best things to do in and around Nong Khiaw!
Go on hikes
Nong Khiaw is surrounded by beautiful limestone mountains, most of which can be hiked. We highly recommend doing at least one hike to appreciate the amazing views from the top. Whenever hiking, make sure to bring enough water and mosquito repellant! These are some of the ones we did:
Som Nang Viewpoint – Easy sunset hike
Only a 30 minute hike to a platform with great view over Nong Khiaw. Bring up a Beerlao and watch the sun dip behind the mountains.
Nong Khiaw Viewpoint – Into the clouds morning hike
This is a longer hike, but the views are very rewarding once you reach the top. The viewpoint is on the same mountain as the Som Nang Viewpoint, but much higher up. It is best to go in the early morning when the temperature is cooler.
Phar Khew Lom 360 Viewpoint
This is a challenging but rewarding hike with great views. We started the climb but had to turn around halfway because the trail was too dangerous due to heavy rain the nights before. However, we heard from people who did the hike before that it is absolutely stunning. So do it if you have the chance, but please avoid if it just rained, it is extremely muddy and slippery.
Sleeping Lady Peak Viewpoint – Other side view
This mountain is located on the other side of the river, giving you views of the south. To reach the start you’ll have to walk for about 15 minutes out of town. The path is quite steep so be cautious, especially when going down. The climb to the upper viewpoint takes a little more than an hour.
Note: it is important to stay on the hiking paths, as there are still undiscovered mines in the ground.
Join a group tour
If you’re only in Nong Khiaw for a short time, the best way to see as much as possible is through a group tour. Doing a tour is also a great way to meet other travellers.
Tours can easily be booked at tour agency in town. We booked ours through NK the Local Hiker Adventure Tour (here on google maps) and really enjoyed it! Many of the activities we discuss below can be done through a tour.
Depending on the time you have, you can opt for tours of half a day or up to a week-long, during which you’ll sleep in tiny local villages around Nong Khiaw!
Rent bikes to explore
Renting bikes for half a day is a great and affordable way to explore Nong Khiaw and its surroundings. We rented ours from 4Sisters Motorbike+bicycle (here on google maps) for about 50,000 kip each. We recommend biking south, in the direction of the Phathok caves. The scenes are stunning and you can ride past several tiny local villages.
See the Phathok Caves and rice field
A little further out of town (40 minute walk or 20 minute bike) you can find caves with a very interesting history. The Phathok caves were used by the Laos communist party as a shelter from bombes dropped in the area. For about 8 years more than 300 people lived in the cave.
There are three caves that you can visit, the entrance is 20,000 kip. Near the entrance of the cave you’ll also find a rice field. After visiting, have a seat and take in these beautiful scenes with a drink.
Kayak the Ou Nam river
A fun activity is to rent kayaks for a couple of hours and to kayak the Ou Nam river. There are many different shops in town (especially along the river) that you can rent through.
Note: Check your plug before getting in, our kayak sunk in the middle of the river and we had to swim to shore…
Visit the remote Muang Ngoi
Muang Ngoi is an even smaller village upstream of Nong Khiaw. It is accessible by road, but this road is in very poor condition. We attempted going to Muang Ngoi by scooter but had to turn around because the road was washed away.
The best way to get there is by boat, either through a tour or by taking the public boat that departs daily at 11am and 2pm (not very reliable though).
Muang Ngoi is very tiny and local, but there are a few guesthouses that you can stay at. Also good to know is that there is only electricity between 6pm and 9pm. We wouldn’t recommend staying in Muang Ngoi (too long) but it is nice to walk around and get a glimpse of the authentic Lao life.
Also worth mentioning that there is a nice viewpoint and a pretty waterfall nearby (continue reading).
Find the Tad Mook waterfall
Located in the jungle, about halfway between Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi, you will find this small hidden waterfall. To get here, you can take a boat to Sop Kong and walk about 1 hour from there. Tad Mook waterfall is a beautiful little spot and a perfect place to cool down from the heat.
The hike to will lead you through rice paddies and the last bit goes through the jungle. Make sure to stop by Yensabai Organic Farm (about halfway the hike) to have a fruit smoothie while relaxing in a hammock and enjoying the views!
Phanoi Viewpoint
Near the village of Muang Ngoi you can hike to this viewpoint to admire the views over the river and village. Halfway up this hike there is also a cave to enter. Make sure to bring your phone or a torch as it is pitch black inside. The climb to the viewpoint is not too long or intense but quite steep and rocky at times.
Where to eat in Nong Khiaw
Even though Nong Khiaw is still a quiet travel destination, there are some good food options! Most of these serve local dishes, but there are also options for if you’re craving something different. These restaurants are our favourites!
Home Coffee – The best place to go for breakfast!
Mama Laos – Delicious and affordable local dishes.
CT Restaurant – The best place to enjoy a cold Beerlao while watching the sun set behind the mountains.
Pizza & Pasta – Good pizza and pasta, very nice interior design and kind French owner.
Q Bar & Restaurant – Best place to hang out and meet other travellers. They have cocktails and Western meals. There are 3 floors and a pool table too.
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