The far north - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 280

By boat The Nam Tha is navigable from Luang Namtha all the way downriver to Houayxai
from about July until November or December. Passenger boats no longer travel this route, so
you'll need to charter your own. The most convenient option is to speak to one of the better
tour operators in town, such as Green Discovery , which offers packages starting at $122 per
person (based on six or more people travelling), or one million kip for the whole boat. You
may get a slightly better price if you charter a boat outright directly with a boatman; the boat
landing is behind The Boat Landing guesthouse, about 6km south of the new town. The jour-
ney takes two days, overnighting in Ban Khonkham at the boatman's house. Note that the
boats travelling on this route have no roof, so be prepared to get a little wet. In the dry sea-
son (roughly January to June), the Nam Tha is unnavigable from Luang Namtha, and trips
start downstream at Nalae, 70km south (3hr by road). Buses run to Nalae (en route to Vieng
Phouka), but your best bet is still to speak to someone at Green Discovery to arrange boat
transport.
INFORMATION
Tourist office The tourist office (Mon-Fri 8-11.30am & 1.30-4pm; 086 211534,
luangnamtha-tourism-laos.org ) is situated one street east of the main road, behind the night
market. As well as organizing treks and tours they can provide information on self-guided
walking and cycling trips from town, plus bus and air timetables.
Online Forest Retreat runs a useful website and blog about the town and environs ( luang-
namthaguide.com ) .
GETTING AROUND
Bytuk-tuk Most tourists stick to the new town, where most of the tourist accommodation is
found. Should you want to go further afield, there're always a number of tuk-tuks hanging
around on the main road.
Bybikeandmotorbike Many of the guesthouses and several rental shops on the main street
rent out bicycles and motorbikes, including Namtha Vehicle Rental Service, just north of Ma-
nychan (local bike 10,000K; mountain bike 15,000K; 125cc motorbike 40,000-60,000K).
TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
Though Luang Namtha has a few cowboys, there are some excellent outfits (all operating
from offices on the main strip) running reliably well-organized and ethical treks, which bene-
fit the local villagers, as well as tourists. Not all the trips leave daily, and you'll probably find
that your choice is limited by those that have already been signed up for by other travellers
- be sure to arrange one as soon as you arrive or, better still, book in advance. Note that for
all treks and activities, the price you pay is dependent on the number of people on it, and you
should make sure that if you're visiting a local village, a percentage of the money you pay
goes towards supporting the community.