Muang La Trips & Tours

An almost-forgotten corner of Laos to switch off, explore secret corners and escape.

A few days in Muang La, surrounded by the gentle burbling of the Nam Pak River and the acres of unspoilt scenery, is guaranteed to send your shoulders south and your chill-factor north. There’s not much to do in this countryside idyll and in fact, it’s overlooked by most – and that’s exactly why we would recommend a stay. As you wind through the green hills and rice paddies, it’s clear that life is unhurried and largely traditional: villagers spend their days tending to the land and hunting for food, and in the more remote Ikho and Hmong communities, the practise of spirit calling still exists. For visitors, there are plenty of trekking, hiking and biking trails to explore as well as more gentle walking paths, all of which are carefully planned and respectful to the environment and communities. In the evening, make your way down to the hot springs and join the villagers as they bathe in the warm water, float on bamboo rafts, and catch up with gossip from the neighbouring locales.

What to do in Muang La

Seclusion and serenity awaits in Muang La, which is surrounded by nothing but lush hills and rice paddies for miles. Take your time exploring the countryside on foot or two wheels - perhaps stopping to visit one of the ancient hill communities, float down river on a traditional bamboo raft, and join the local people for an evening soak at the hot springs.