Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: NONG KHIAW
By boat
The boat landing is on the north side of the river, from where it's a 5-10min walk
to most accommodation. Boats leave for Muang Ngoi at 11am and 2pm (1hr; 25,000K); one
of the morning boats will sometimes continue to Muang Khoua (6hr; 120,000K) if there's
enough demand (usually five people). Tickets should be bought at the ticket office at least
half an hour beforehand. At the time of writing there were no passenger boats to Luang Pra-
bang (8hr; 150,000K), though services were rumoured to restart as far as the dam works at
Hat Kip, 2hr downriver, by mid-2014, where (when assuming water levels are high enough)
you'll need to change on to another boat, or take a bus to Luang Prabang; in the meantime it's
possible to charter a boat (650,000K) to Hat Kip. Before they were suspended, boats left at
11am (8hr; 150,000K); if they're running, head down to the boat ticket office the day before
you plan to travel to sign up (if there aren't enough people - usually sixteen - you'll either
have to charter or go by bus).
By bus
The bus station is situated on the northwestern edge of town, a 15min walk from the
bridge (tuk-tuk 10,000K). All buses depart from here, though a minibus comes down to the
boat landing to meet boats from Muang Ngoi, and will take passengers up to the bus sta-
tion. Most guesthouses can also book you onto minibus services, which include pick-up from
where you're staying. Buses depart for Luang Prabang at 8.30am, 10am and noon, with a
pricier minibus leaving at 1.30pm. The Oudomxai bus leaves at 11am, though note the Sam
Neua service doesn't pass through every day. Occasionally minibuses run as far as Luang
Namtha, so it's worth asking around if you want to go that far.
Destinations
Luang Prabang (3-4 daily; 3-4hr); Oudomxai (daily; 4hr); Sam Neua (usually
daily; 12hr).
INFORMATION
Services
Most of the guesthouses and restaurants have free wi-fi, but the only place to get
online without your own device is
Deen
restaurant, which has a computer terminal available
for 250K/min. There's a branch of BCEL with an ATM up on the highway, plus a second
ATM across the bridge.
GETTING AROUND
Mountain bikes
Mountain bikes can be hired from the shop next to
Coco Home
(daily
7am-6pm; 30,000K/day or 50,000K for two; 020 9800 3044), where they'll also give ad-
vice on local routes.
