Luang Prabang Trekking
 

We* are considering giving up one night of comfort in our hotel (Lotus Villa) in favor of doing a 2 day/1 night trek. Several companies (Green Discovery, Treasure Travel, Tiger Trail) seem to have variations on the same theme: Hiking from town to town, an overnight homestay in one of the villages, some time on the river, and sometimes also a visit to Tad Sae waterfall or Pak Ou caves. Does anyone have any experience doing this with these or any other outfits?

*me, wife, and 13-year old son

It is easy to visit the Pak Ou caves and the waterfalls, no need for a tour company to "help" you with that. The question is whether you want to spend two days walking and an overnight in a village. You won't be getting of the tourist track that close to LP, but maybe that's ok with you.

Green Discovery have a good reputation but I would avoid Tiger Trails. We had numerous problems with them both in the booking process and on the actual tour. Trekking through the villages is great and I am sure your son would love it but be aware that on a 2 day trek you won't get too far from LP and, as Kathie says, from other tourists. I have to say I was less than impressed with Pak Ou and Tad Sae. Have you thought about an elephant trek as an alternative?

Two years ago, we did 2 days and a night at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center near Lampang. We loved our "mahout training," but I thought we should try something new. If we're not really getting off the tourist track, then maybe we should stick to a day trip to the villages (and come home to our nice hotel room for the night).

I've trekked with Green Discovery and was very impressed. (This was at Luang nam Tha not Luang Prabang though).

I wonder how many other tourists you would actually see on a trek. I suspect not many but I may be wrong. The people in the village would be fairly used to westerners though and probably see you as opportunity to make a sale.

However, the lanten village i stayed in was just the opposite. I went for a wander round the village at 5 pm and all the locals were out of sight in their houses. While they were not unfriendly they kept very much to themselves.

As has been posted, you do not need a guide for a visit to the Pak Ou caves. Just head down to the wharf and bargain with a boat owner.
I have had a number of dealings with Green Discovery and frankly am not impressed with them at all. They have also had some negative feedback on another travel site.
I would recommend Exotissimo. My 89 yo mother visited Laos in 2008 and again in 2009. Exotissimo tailored a trip to suit her perfectly; they emailed me with suggestions and were very helpful whenever I dropped in to see them here in Vientiane.
If you look at the Trop Adviser site, you will see that one particular guide, ($60.00 pd), has been very highly recommended by a number of people. He arranges trips to outlying villages and is apparently very accommodating. You might want to look up his details.

zainib,

I've been reading your old post about Ephesus. I have a quick question for you, could you please check that forum? Sorry for the intrusion and thanks!

pasqualino--done!

I did a 2 night/3 day trek with Tiger Trails a few years ago and loved it. We were definitely off the beaten path - we didn't see another tourist for the entire 3 days. Stayed in 2 different villages, and enjoyed every minute of it.