Upon leaving the town, we embark on Luangsay boat and cruise down on the Mekong River to Pakbeng, a lively village situated at the junction of the Mekong River and the small Nam Beng River. The Hmong and Thai ethnic people are frequently seen on the main street of Pakbeng and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and handicraft. We stop at Ban Houeilampen to visit the Hmong hill tripe people. They are very poor, but have an interesting culture and a colorful history. O/N at Luangsay Lodge. (L,D)

The morning market of Pakbeng also attracts a wide array of hill tribe people who converge from the outlying valleys and hillsides to sell their goods and buy provision. We visit this congregation and board our boat towards Luang Prabang. Along the way, we visit the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves. These caves are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought here by devoted villagers. The trip ends after arrival in Luang Prabang. (B,L)