When the water is high enough, open- topped, long tail passenger boats navigate the Nam Tha river in Laos between Pak Tha (where the Nam Tha feeds into the Mekong River) and Luang Nam Tha. This is a beautiful two-day river trip, but one that will be terminated forever if a planned damming of the river goes ahead.
Nam Tha River Trip
Along the way you can stop off and visit Tham Davadeung. a cave complex containing a large Buddha and several caverns. The cave is a short hike from the village of Ban Mo on the western bank of the river about a third of the way between Pak Tha and Luang Prabang.
Places to Stay & Eat
Whether you manage to charter a boat for the entire trip, or have to change boats in Ban Na Lae, you will have to spend at least one night along the way.
Most travelers stop over in Ban Na Lae. a charming village with two guesthouses (one near the boat ‘landing. the other at the local market) and a noodle shop.
Nam Tha River Trip
In Ban Peng you can stay at Dr Singkham’s house For around US$1.50, or US$3 including two meals. Some boat pi lots can also arrange for you to stay in their villages for similar or lower rates.
Nam Tha River Trip
Getting There & Away
Because so many foreigners enter Laos via Huay Xai in the north, more people take this trip upstream from Pak Tha (about 36km via the Mekong River from Huay Xai) to Luang Nam Tha rather than vice versa although the reverse direction is faster and less expensive.
So far speedboats aren’t allowed on the Nam Tha. This appears to be more a case of squelching competition than harboring concerns about noise pollution or safety, but the absence of speedboats makes the Nam Tha trip all the more pleasant.
