This is how our trip went 2 days and 1 night in Muang Ngoy. And, as a bad experience always generates good advice, you will see that it is important not to go there for just one night ...
From Luang Prabang to Muang Ngoy - The dream vacation ...
Because Westerners are not used to improvisations and approximations, because we believe that nothing is simpler than to organize a short stay of 2 days… Inspired by stories from blogs and travel forums, here is how I 'imagined organizing my trip to Muang Ngoy from Luang Prabang :
- Taxi for Nong Khiaw (3h) along the road along the Nam Ou river. We will pass and stop as we wish in the villages of Tai Dam, Ban Khok Line or Ban Hat Kho.
- Arrive in Nong Khiow for lunch.
- Then traditional boat bound for Muang Ngoy (2 hours of navigation).
- Discovery and walk in the village and night in Muang Ngoy.
- The next morning, boat for a short trip of 2 hours upstream of the Nam Ou.
- Visit of the weaving village of Ban Sop Jam through the magnificent gorges that crisscross between karst mountains ...
- Return to Muang Ngoi at the end of the morning then navigation back to Nong Kiaw (2 hours of navigation) + return to Luang Prabang by Taxi (3 hours).
Our journey to Muang Ngoy - The harsh reality ...
- Public van (4h drive) for Nong Khiaw - Departure at 9:30 am from the Naluang Minibus Station in Luang Prabang (+856 71 212979) minivanstation@hotmail.com. Price 70 LAK (€ 000 per person).
- We will follow the Nam Ou river without stopping in the villages of Tai Dam, Ban Khok Line or Ban Hat Kho.
- Arrive at Nong Khiaw van station at 13:30 p.m.
- Tuc Tuc to the pier (€ 2);
- There, we wait for the departure of the boat scheduled for 14:30 p.m. but postponed to 15:20 p.m. We learn that for the next day, there is only one boat returning from Muang Ngoy and for a return at 9:30 am !!!
- Then slow boat to Muang Ngoy (1h of navigation).
- Arrival at destination at 16 p.m.
- The time to check-in at our guesthouse and put down the luggage and it was already almost dark ...
- The next day, departure at 9:30 a.m. by the only boat that connects Muang Ngoy to Nong Khiaw.
- Arrival in Nong Khiaw at 10:45 am to take the van to Luang Prabang.
- But all the vans being full, we find ourselves obliged to wait for the next one announced to us at 11:30 am or 13:30 pm ...
- 13:40 pm: we finally set off in a van for 3 hours on the road in very uncomfortable conditions (super tight, with chickens at our feet…).
- 17:20 p.m .: Arrival at the minivan station in Luang Prabang. We still have to take a tuc tuc to our guesthouse ...
Muang Ngoy - My regrets
Even if the stroll along the water on the Nam Ou river was a lovely moment of appeasement and pleasure for the eyes, even if the village is full of charm and is located in a magnificent setting, I must admit that I regret having lost 2 full days in transport to enjoy the site only a few short hours ... Unfortunately, I could not add a night because I had already taken the plane ticket to Pakse for the next day.
A wise tip for a successful stay in Muang Ngoy: Plan a minimum of 2 nights on site!
Muang Ngoy - My favorites
Because everything is never totally screwed up, because there are always nuggets that brighten up and make bad plans more joyful, here are my 2 favorites:
Our accommodation at Ning Ning Guesthouse with its beautiful terrace facing the Nam Ou river with a magnificent view of the mountains. The place is incredibly beautiful, calm and conducive to meditation or contemplation or a good aperitif !!!
The good little restaurant that we chose at random and that I particularly recommend for its delicious dishes and its enchanting and romantic setting: Riverside Bar / Restaurant - Main Street, Muang Ngoi Neua +856 20 23 377 877.
And my circuit continues in the direction of the South until the