Muang Ngoy
Ultimate Guide - Best Things To Do
Muang Ngoy, also spelt Muang Ngoi, is a small and picturesque village in northern Laos, nestled along the Nam Ou River. Accessible only by boat, Muang Ngoy is known for its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful nature, jungle trekking, kayaking and gives an impression of traditional Lao village life.
The village literally consists of a few streets, only unpaved paten. Cows, chickens and other animals roam the streets. And there are no cars driving either. It is really quite impressive to get a glimpse into the life of a small village.
There are many activities to do in this village. You can also explore the area on foot or do multi-day jungle trekking. Guides will take you through picturesque landscapes, rice fields and minority villages. There are also many river activities.
- Explore more about Muang Ngoy
✅ Best Things To Do
❗Other important things
1. Homestay Mr. Kee
My very best and unique experience in Muang Ngoy was the homestay. This one was in one of the small villages nearby. I stayed with a local family.
There you could do activities like hiking, fishing, bird hunting or help the family cook. Also, the children in the village loved having us around. So we played a lot with the kids. In the evening, we joined in the family dinner, sat around the campfire (or their outdoor kitchen) chatting and then went to bed early.
Only to be woken early again the next day by the animals. It really was a once in a lifetime experience and so unique to get to know the culture.
- 📍 Location: Mr. Kee Homestay
- ⏱️ Opening hours: Every day
- 💰 Price: Vary
2. Trekking around the area
The area is safe so you can go out on your own! You can explore the surrounding area on foot and visit local villages and various caves and viewpoints. It’s fun to explore on your own. Do keep in mind hikes of more than 2 hours. Besides, there are of course very many organised tours that can also offer this. And even multi-day treks in the jungle. You can book these tours online or locally through your accommodation.
3. Tham Kang Cave
A small entrance fee of a few thousand kip is required for acces the cave. There is a pool aswel so you can have a refreshing dip.
4. Boat trip
The Nam Ou river flow is absolutely beautiful. The views from the river is breathtaking. You can rent a boat and go along the river. To visit the small beaches on the riverbank. See the locals fishing and enjoy a refreshing swim.
5. Go to Nong Khiau
The little town Nong Khiauw is 1,5 hours from Muang Ngoy. You can do a day trip but remind yourself the last boat back is at 14:00.
✈️ How to get there?
The only way to get to Muang Ngoy is by boat. Which takes about 1.5 hours. This boat leaves from Nong Kiauw. The departure times are 11am and 2pm. To get to Nong Kiauw, you can take a bus from Luang Prabang. This one takes about 4 hours. If you take it early in the morning, you will still be in time to take the boat to Muang Ngoy.
🛵 How to get around?
So it is a very small village accessible only by boat. So there are no cars in the village and also only few motorbikes. The only way is to get around on foot. Because the village is so small, this is really doable. You can also create your own little hike by visiting the even smaller local villages nearby such as Huay Bo Village or Ban Na Village.
Where to stay?
There are a few guesthouses and hostels in Muang Ngoy. I stayed in this amazing wooden hut with riverview. It was a beautiful place and really quiet and serene. This was Veranda Guesthouse another recommendation is Nicksa’s Place.
☀️ Best Time to Visit
The best time to travel in Muang Ngoy is from November to February. Don’t go in burning season.
Where to eat?
- Nicksa’s Place – The restaurant offers a very nice and relaxing view onto the river.
- Penny’s Place – They offer a buffet! And a nice place for a few drinks
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