Nong Khiaw, Laos

Nong Khiaw is the perfect retreat into Northern Laos’ breathtaking beauty. Situated on the Nam Ou River, which later joins the Mekong, Nong Khiaw may feel a million miles from the busy streets of Luang Prabang but in reality, it’s only a 4-hour bus journey!

Spend your days hiking to one of the many dramatic viewpoints or wile away the time swinging in a hammock. Alternatively, you can explore by bike, kayak, or even ATV! This small riverside town is bursting with charm and has activities to suit every kind of traveller. 

Backpacking Nong Khiaw, Laos – Travel Guide

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Nong Khiaw Map and Resources

Best Time to Visit Nong Khiaw

The best time to visit Nong Khiaw is from November to February (dry season). During this time, temperatures are in the mid to high twenties during the day – but it feels chilly in the morning and evenings when the sun is hidden behind the mountains! Overnight, it can get cold too, so you’ll want at least a jumper if you’re out after dark! There is little to no rain during the dry season and it’s not too hot and sticky for trekking either!

During March and April, the mercury rises and the area becomes hazy thanks to burning season. It can be uncomfortable to trek around Nong Khiaw at this time – especially with all the dust and dirt sticking to your sweaty legs! 

May to September is rainy season. Even getting to Nong Khiaw at this time can be difficult as flooding is common in Northern Laos. If you do make it, prepare for rainy mornings but generally cool and dry afternoons. Many of the hiking trails can be extra challenging at this time of year due to sticky mud or even landslides. The advantage is that accommodation is usually cheaper and rarely booked up in advance. 

October can be a good time for budget travellers to visit Nong Khiaw. The rains tend to be diminishing and prices are still low. However, the roads and hiking trails are likely to be in their worst state before the yearly repairs begin. 

Where to Stay in Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw is a small place. It takes around twenty minutes to walk from one end of town to the other. There are a few distinct areas to stay and where you choose can make a difference to your experience. 

• West Side of Town – Close to the bus station, the west side of Nong Khiaw is quieter than the east but still close to plenty of local restaurants and only a short walk to tour agencies and viewpoints. 
• East Side of Town – Close to the bridge, the eastern side of Nong Khiaw is a little more lively, with more restaurants and even a couple of bars and coffee shops. There are plenty of tour agencies here too. 
• Along the Nam Ou River – Across the bridge and along a dirt road to your left, you’ll find an array of accommodation options offering everything from budget tents to bougie bungalows – all of which offer amazing views of the river. The further out of town you are, the quieter your stay will be but there are very few food options down this way, so you might need to journey a little further for dinner! 

Best Accommodation in Nong Khiaw

Eco Farm Stay and Hostel – The Backpacker Choice

Popular among backpackers and budget travellers, Eco Farm Stay and Hostel is over the bridge and on the outskirts of town. With private rooms, as well as mixed and female-only dorms, Eco Farm Stay offers a quiet but sociable stay for budget travellers in Nong Khiaw. 

Rooms are basic and the WiFi is essentially non-existent but the hostel is in a beautiful location! 

Nong Khiaw Ing Ing Mountain View – Budget-Friendly Guesthouse 

For simple but clean and budget-friendly private rooms, look no further than Ing Ing Mountain View. The owners are lovely, willing to assist with booking tours and onward transport and giving great food recommendations! 

Breakfast isn’t included but it’s cheap and filling – the perfect way to start your day. 

Meexok and Amanda – Mid-Range Guest House

Just a five-minute walk from the bus station, Meexok and Amanda offers spotless private rooms with either a garden or mountain view. Rooms are spacious and include a fridge as well as everything you need for hot drinks. The ensuite bathrooms are well looked after and the WiFi is excellent! 

Nong Khiaw The Float House – Luxury Floating Bungalows

Located on the far side of town along the Nam Ou River, The Float House is close to a 40-minute walk from the bus station. It’s one of the few properties in town I recommend getting a lift to reach – thankfully, the property provides a regular shuttle service! 

These beautiful bungalows float right on the Nam Ou, offering amazing views of the limestone mountains reflecting in the water. The outside decking offers a beautiful spot to relax and you can even swim – right from your back door! 

Breakfast is included with all rooms. 

Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos

Nong Khiaw is an outdoor lover’s dream. Tourism in the town has grown around the adventure industry and trips centre around trekking, kayaking and camping. As such, there is plenty to keep you busy during your stay!

Trekking in Nong Khiaw

With more trails than you can shake a stick at, you will not be left wanting when it comes to the trekking experiences on offer around town. From half-day walks in the countryside to multi-day jaunts that overnight in local villages, there is something for everyone. Wander around town and check out the tours different agencies have on offer! 

‘100 Waterfalls Tour’

Claiming to be one of the best hikes in Laos, and only ‘recently discovered’, the 100 Waterfalls tour takes you upriver along a series of stunning cascades. Be prepared to get wet as you’ll probably be wading in the river for some of the tour! Every tour agency in town offers this trip, so shop around to grab the best deal.

Viewpoints 

Nong Khiaw is home to several stunning viewpoints, each varying in elevation and trekking difficulty. Some are challenging scrambles over rocks and tree roots, while others are relatively gentle walks up well-graded steps.

Some of our favourite viewpoints in Nong Khiaw are:

Som Nang Viewpoint 

The most accessible viewpoint in Nong Khiaw, Som Nang offers great views over the town and some of the best photo opportunities of any viewpoint in the area! The route up is relatively easygoing with good steps cut (and sometimes actually concreted!) into the mountainside. It takes 30-60 minutes to reach the top, depending on your fitness level. There are plenty of benches and places to rest on the way if needed. At the top, you’ll find a wonderful built-up area to take photos and chill out while enjoying the view! 

Access to Som Nang was 40,000 kip (approx. $1.80USD) per person in early 2025. 

Sleeping Lady Viewpoint 

Marked on Google Maps as Sleeping Lady Viewpoint, on the entry sign as Nang None Viewpoint and on the ticket as Phar Nangnon Viewpoint (confusing, right?), this is a more challenging trek that delivers impressive views of Nong Khiaw and the surrounding valley. 

In places, it’s more of a scramble than a hike but there are handy ropes and bamboo handrails to help you along. It takes around an hour to reach the very top but there’s a lower viewpoint a short detour off the trail after about 15 minutes. This trail is hard-going, so make sure you’re wearing good footwear and bring plenty of water! 

Access to the Sleeping Lady Viewpoint was 30,000 kip (approx. $1.40USD) per person in early 2025. 

Pha Daeng Viewpoint 

Visible from Som Nang Viewpoint, Pha Daeng is higher, harder to reach and offers a different perspective of the town. The climb takes around an hour depending on your fitness level but if you need to stop en-route, there are plenty of places to do so. 

The route is steep but relatively easygoing most of the way with steps cut into the mountainside. Closer to the top, it becomes more challenging and some light scrambling is required. Thankfully, there are ropes and handrails when you need them! 

Access to Pha Daeng Viewpoint was 40,000 kip (approx. $1.80USD) per person in early 2025.

Phou Chalang Viewpoint 

A long walk awaits those who want to make it to the top of Phou Chalang Viewpoint. The peak is around 8 km from Nong Khiaw itself and the walk culminates in a continuous climb from the village of Ban Had Sao. The whole route is along dusty (or very muddy in rainy season) dirt roads, so it’s not the most interesting hike. 

The monotonous climb is hard on the legs but the views at the top are astounding. There’s a beautiful viewing area and even a bar if you’re there in the evening. You can stay overnight at the exceptional campsite at the top which offers delightful views of sunrise and sunset. It’s also possible to take an ATV or tractor to the top of Phou Chalang! Both the drive and camping can be booked with DK Camping & ATV Adventure Tours. 

Phanoi Caves and Huaytor Waterfall

On the way to Phou Chalang viewpoint, you’ll go past a ticket booth for the caves and waterfall. While not a necessary stop en-route, this makes for a fun detour through rice paddies and beautiful wooded areas. But beware, combining the waterfall, caves and viewpoint makes for a long day of walking – well over 22 km in total!

Kayaking

What riverside town would be complete without kayaking? Rent one for a few hours or a few days and paddle your way to neighbouring villages, some of which can only be reached via the water.

Visit Pha Tok Cave

During the Second Indochina War, this cave was used to shelter villagers and fighters. Only 2 km from town, it makes for an interesting sight for those interested in the brutal history of this Asian nation.

Head Off Cycling

Renting a bicycle and riding down the many tracks and trails is a great way to spend a day. Ride out to waterfalls and villages or just admire the scenery from two wheels.

Get Off the Beaten Track in Muang Ngoi 

A 90-minute boat journey upstream from Nong Khiaw, Muang Ngoi is a backpacker’s dream. Small, quiet and surrounded by beautiful countryside, you could lose a lot of time enjoying the ambience of this laidback town. It’s only recently been connected by a ‘road’ to the outside world but there is no public transport running along the dirt track. Consider visiting for a couple of days to really get a feel for the place! 

Food and Drink in Nong Khiaw

Nong Khiaw isn’t exactly a foodie’s paradise but there is a reasonable selection of cafés and restaurants on offer. Lao food is most common but you’ll also find a relatively good number of Western dishes – and there are a couple of places serving great Indian cuisine too! 

Home Laos Restaurant 

A friendly place for a local dinner, Home Laos Restaurant is located around halfway between the bus station and the bridge. The menu is extensive, perhaps overly so, but the food is tasty and prepared quickly. 

Gustoso Cantina 

Closer to the bus station than many travellers tend to walk, Gustoso is the perfect stop after hiking up to the Sleeping Lady Viewpoint – you’ll need a good meal to recover! With a range of local and Western food on offer, Gustoso has something for everyone – if you’re missing home, the wood-fired pizzas are excellent and the crispy chicken burgers will leave you wanting more! 

Mountain Restaurant 

While Mountain Restaurant offers Western meals, you’re only really going for the local dishes. Freshly cooked with just the right amount of spice, a meal here is a wallet-friendly treat! Try the Laos mountain sausages and you won’t be disappointed – just remember to order rice to accompany the meal or you’ll be leaving hungry! 

The Trio Bar

Good coffee, great cocktails, nice Western meals, excellent bread and a selection of local options too, The Trio Bar is a great spot for travellers looking to unwind for an hour or two. Just don’t expect speedy service! 

Chill & Grind Cafe

A great spot for breakfast, either Western or Lao, as well as nice coffee. The views could be better but the service is on point (unusual for Laos) and the staff are super friendly! 

Getting Around Nong Khiaw

Getting around Nong Khiaw is easy – walk. The town is small, so there’s very little reason to use motorised transport. If you’re staying near the bridge, getting a tuk tuk from the bus station isn’t the worst idea especially if you’re travelling with heavy luggage. The tuk tuks know when minibuses full of travellers will arrive, so they’ll be there waiting for you. As of early 2025, a ride from one end of town to the other was about 40,000 kip (approx. $1.80USD). 

Bicycles and scooters are commonly used by travellers wanting to explore further out of town. You can find these available for rent throughout Nong Khiaw. 

How to Get to Nong Khiaw

Minivan: The best way to reach Nong Khiaw is via public transport. Minivans go direct from Luang Prabang’s minibus terminal and tickets can be arranged at most guesthouses, hostels and travel agencies in the town. These cost 165,000-200,000 kip in early 2025. 

Bus: If, for some reason, you don’t want to take the direct route, you can get a public bus from Luang Prabang to the town of Pak Mong. From there, you can pick up a tuk tuk to complete the journey. 

Where to Go Next:

• Muang Ngoi: Located further up the Nam Ou, Muang Ngoi is a poorly kept secret for travellers wishing to get off the beaten path. It used to be without power or road access, which drew in more adventurous travellers. While it does now have both of these, it is still a dream destination for those who wish to relax in one of the most scenic and peaceful villages in all of Southeast Asia.
• Udomxai: The largest city in Northern Laos makes for more than just a transport hub to get you to the farther-flung reaches of the countryside. With some beautiful nature to be explored, this place should not be neglected!
• Luang Namtha: Fast becoming a traveller favourite thanks to the amazing trekking opportunities, Luang Namtha is 6-7 hours by minivan from Nong Khiaw.