September – October 2006

Oudomxay Province: Heart of Northern Laos

Oudomxay Province, situated at the crossroads between Luang Namtha and Phongsaly Provinces to the north and Luang Prabang and Sayabouly to its south and east, is a fantastic place virtually untouched and unexplored by tourists with beautiful forests, ethnic Khmu and Hmong villages, rugged mountains, hot springs, caves and waterfalls. Oudomxay offers excellent one-day jaunts or 3-4 day journeys for those interested in getting away from the crowds and reaching places that few take the opportunity to discover. The Provincial Tourism Office in cooperation with DED now offers four new programs for 2006-2007. Click here for more information.

A River(s) Run Through It

With numerous rivers pulsing through its mountainous crevices and limestone gorges, Laos’ is heaven for river enthusiasts. Although the Mekong is undoubtedly Laos’ most famous river, with more than 40% of its catchment area situated within the country’s borders, there are many other important rivers including the Ou, the Nam Ha-Namtha, Lik and Som in the north, and the Hinboun and Xe Bang Fai in the central-south . The beauty of Lao rivers is that they are long and allow for multi-day journeys, and they go where the roads don't, taking one through relatively undisturbed rainforest with chances to see birds, wildlife and tucked away villages. Rivers in Laos have varying degrees of difficulty, ranging from the mellow and easy to the highly challenging and fierce. You can enjoy these scenic waterways by kayak, raft, cruise ship or traditional long-tail boat. For more detailed information about Laos’ rivers click here.