Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by admin
Nong Khiaw viewpoint also known as the Phadeng peak should be on the must visit places in Luang Prabang or Laos. And honestly, it should be on the list of everyone because it has the most breathtaking views from the top. This detailed guide tells you how can one plan for hiking in Laos.
Before I conquered the Phadeng peak, I realized that very few people know about this trek and very less has been written. Hence I am writing an in-depth hiking guide with the hope that it will help you plan properly.
If you are wondering about the things to do in Luang Prabang then Nong Khiaw must be certainly added.
Table of Contents
Nong Khiaw Location
Nong Khiaw viewpoint is located in the town of Nong Khiaw, a small tranquil village on the banks of Nam Ou river in northern Laos. It is about 150 km – 3-hour drive from Luang Prabang. You need to hire a taxi to reach this place.
Best time to trek Nong Khiaw Viewpoint
Time-wise, obviously in the early morning so that you can avoid the heat and humidity. Season wise in cooler months – between October to February. I trekked in the month of July and it was slippery, humid and very difficult.
Planning the Nong Khiaw Viewpoint Hike
I suggest that you dedicate 1 night and 2 days to the hike. Leave from Luang Prabang on day 1 in the afternoon and reach the early evening to Nong Khiaw. Watch the sunset from the bridge and catch an early dinner. Rest well.
Start at 5:30 am towards Nong Khiaw viewpoint.
What to wear and carry?
Clothes: Comfortable hiking pants and sweat absorbing t-shirt. You can keep a spare t-shirt to change once you reach the top as you will be dripping wet. You’ll probably need a light jacket in the cooler months.
Shoes: Good grip hiking shoes and socks
Water and snacks: I drank 2 litres of water while climbing up, so plan accordingly. Light snacks like sandwiches, fruits, chocolates and nuts are what you should keep as you’ll need them to reward your body after the steep hike.
Camera: DSLR for still landscape shots, GoPro for the stunning timelapse and a Drone should do the trick. Divide the gadgets amongst your group, otherwise, it will get really heavy to carry all this to the top. If you are going solo I suggest you make a difficult decision and just take one of these.
Where to stay in Nong Khiaw?
I stayed at the Nong Kiau Riverside and it had amazing views from the room.
The hike to Nong Khiaw Viewpoint
The starting point is near Nong Khiaw bridge – about 300m. Pay an entry fee of 20,000 kip per person and do not forget to ask for walking sticks from the starting point. Trust me you will need them.
We had a local guide with us who said we could finish the hike upwards in 45 – 50 minutes. But since it had poured the day before so the entire trek path was extremely muddy, messy and slippery. It took us almost 2 hours.
Luckily there were bamboo rails and ropes to hold on to and pull yourself up where it was extremely steep and slippery.
After reaching the top, the view was surreal. The clouds were playing peek-a-boo with the mountains showing a hint of Nong Khiaw village at the bottom. We spent some time having our breakfast and taking loads of photos and making videos.
After almost an hour, the clouds starting clearing out and we could see the gorgeous Nam Ou river and Nong Khiaw bridge amongst the mountains. It was absolutely incredible.
Interested to know about more such treks in Laos? Check one from Luang Namtha.
Tips for Sustainable Trek:
- Carry a bag to store the wrappers, bottles, plastic packets. Ideally, dispose of it in waste bins after reaching back to Nong Khiaw.
- Do not throw leftover food at the top of the peak. Just carry it back down.
- Avoid carrying liquor – it harms your health while trekking
- Be careful at the rocks above. The edges are sharp and make sure you don’t topple in order to get the perfect photo from the top.
Read more Luang Prabang posts
Disclosure: I was invited by Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) and Luang Prabang Tourism Board on a FAM trip. However all opinions are unbiased and of my own.
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18 comments
The Nong Khiaw viewpoint looks like the bomb. That trail sure looks muddy and very steep. Hiking sticks seem like a great idea. I love seeing the valley floor covered in a blanket of clouds.
It was my best hike view ever 🙂
The view from the top is fabulous. And the mist does add to the romance of the place. Did you find the hike challenging?
Yes it certainly was as it rained the other day and it was super slushy.
I do like to hike some but usually do day hikes. I have to say those views are amazing! I love the vibrant color of the water against the mountains and the sky! Although you recommend 1 night/2 days, is it possible to do it in one day or is that really pushing it?
You can do it in one day if you hike later in the day. But I don’t know if you’ll get the same cloud view as in the early morning. Also the weather would not be so pleasant during afternoon for a hike.
We only got to Vientiane on our 2017 trip to Lais. When we return to Luang Prabang, will try to see this only 3 hours away.
Trust me you will not be disappointed 🙂
OMG, that picture of coming down the mountain is not for the faint of heart. LOL 😉 Looks like a beautiful spot and the pictures are surreal. Thanks for sharing and mentioning the GoPro which I always forget that I own and need to start using.
So cool to find a post about Nong Khiaw! I have visited Nong Khiaw in December 2017. Took a stop of a few days there on my way from Sapa in Vietnam to Luang Prabang in Laos. Hiked the viewpoint and enjoyed the mesmerizing views from the top. The hike wasn’t difficult but some parts of the hike were slippery like you mentioned. I hiked in December and the weather was perfect for hiking – neither hot, nor cold.
The view looks absolutely incredible … as does the muddy slip and slide! 😉 I see the bomb and the notation it was one of the most bombed areas in Laos … presuming all the ordinance has been cleared and there is no worry of stumbling across some unexploded bits?
Somehow Laos go left out when I did Vietnam and Cambodia last year. I absolutely loved Vietnam, for its nature activities, and Laos is also on the same lines. I am definitely hiking up the Long Khiaw Viewpoint when I visit Laos. Loved this helpful post and the pictures are so good.
Good to know that Arnav. Laos deserves to be seen and hopefully you can make it there next time 🙂
Lovely article. This viewpoint remains one of my favourite ones ever!
[…] Picture by Ketki of Ecokats. Read more on hiking the Nong Khiaw View Point […]
Local guide was taking the piss if he said 45 minutes. I recall being told that the quickest, young local boys running with no equipment, will do best time about 40 mins. We took about 2 hours too with the halfway pause and were exhausted. Next time will be sure to have better shoes, a rucksack and go earlier, but a great view.
Haha, tell me about it. The guide who came with us was in flipflops too and gave me such sad looks when I panted!
[…] peak is of the popular hiking trails near Luang Prabang in Laos. The peak is also known as Nong Khiaw viewpoint offers stunning views of Nong Khiaw village and Nam Ou river from the top. Nong Khiaw is 150 km […]