Karst peaks
Over the water.
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The Nam Ou is a broad river running between towering karst mountains in northern Laos. Calm brown water fills a deep valley, forested limestone walls rise on either side, cloud wraps the peaks in the morning, and small villages and long wooden boats line the banks. Its name means «rice bowl river». It runs 448 km from Phongsaly Province near the Chinese border to Luang Prabang Province, where it meets the Mekong at Ban Pak Ou, near the Pak Ou Caves. It is one of the Mekong's 12 main tributaries and, with the Mekong, the only natural channel in the country fit for large boats. It is home to 84 kinds of fish, 29 of them found only here. You take a boat between Nong Khiaw and Muang Ngoi Neua to watch the mountains drop to the water, and climb to viewpoints above the village to see the river curling through the valley. Nong Khiaw lies on the river about 91 km in a straight line northeast of Luang Prabang. Mornings are often misty in the dry season, and the views are best when the cloud lifts. Wear a life jacket on the boat.
Over the water.
To Muang Ngoi.
Above the village.
Nong Khiaw village, Luang Prabang Province
By wooden boats from the Nong Khiaw landing.
In the dry season, November to March.