Major city · Laos
Nong Khiaw
Spend 2 days: day 1 explore Phadaeng Viewpoint and nearby caves; day 2 do the 100‑waterfalls trek or a boat trip to Muang Ngoi.
Nong Khiaw is a small riverside town in northern Laos, reachable by road from Luang Prabang (3‑4 h). Its limestone cliffs host several viewpoints and treks, the most popular being the 100‑waterfalls hike. Two nights let you see the main viewpoints and take a day‑trip to Muang Ngoi.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- LPQ
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Laos ↗Get the visa only from the official government e-visa portal or at the airport or border desk; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Laos ↗Carry Lao kip in small notes; small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash-only, and Thai baht or US dollars are only accepted at some tourist businesses.
- Laos ↗At dawn alms-giving, watch from across the street, keep quiet, never use flash and never touch a monk.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Nong Khiaw191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nong Khiaw, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Lao kip (LAK) in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and food stalls.Laos-wide
- SIM or eSIMUnitel, Lao Telecom and ETL sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport registration required.Laos-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill water everywhere.Laos-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up or leave LAK 10,000–20,000.Laos-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/E/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Laos-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; keep an eye on belongings, especially in crowded buses, and verify boat schedules in advance.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop at bus stops and markets.Laos-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 190 fire · 195 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckGovernment offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 23:30 — check).Government offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 11:30 PM — check).Laos-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLPQ Luang Prabang International Airport (About 3–4 h by road to Nong Khiaw).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; rent a bike (≈10,000 kip) from Riverside Bungalows or Delilah’s to reach trails and the east‑side villages.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café2,000–3,000 kip
- BeerBeer (local)3,000–4,000 kip
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk‑tuk ride 2 km (1.2 mi)Tuk‑tuk ride 1.2 mi (2 km)10,000 kip
A day, not counting the bed: Budget 30,000–50,000 LAK · Mid 50,000–80,000 LAK · High 80,000+ LAK
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LPQ Luang Prabang International Airport (About 3–4 h by road to Nong Khiaw)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nong Khiaw: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable; rent a bike (≈10,000 kip) from Riverside Bungalows or Delilah’s to reach trails and the east‑side villages.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Muang Ngoi
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Boat from Nong Khiaw landing, departs 10:30 or 14:30Boat from Nong Khiaw landing, departs 10:30 AM or 2:30 PM
Check boat availability; may require extra fee if passenger count low.
100‑Waterfalls trek
goDoor to door: Full‑day (≈8 h)
Guided trek organized by local agencies, start from town edge
Book with a reputable operator; price ~150,000 kip per person.
Pha Tok Caves
goDoor to door: ≈30 min each way
Walk or bike 2 km (1.2 mi) east of town, then climb stepsWalk or bike 1.2 mi (2 km) east of town, then climb steps
Entrance 50,000 kip; bring torch.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bamboo Paradise
Budget bamboo bungalows, river view, 30,000 kip low‑season.
Nam Houn Guesthouse
Mid‑range bamboo bungalows with private bath, 60,000 kip.
Nong Kiau Riverside
Up‑market riverside bungalows, 240,000 kip single, 350,000 kip double, breakfast included.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- 30,000–50,000 LAK excl. bed
- Mid
- 50,000–80,000 LAK excl. bed
- High
- 80,000+ LAK excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | 2,000–3,000 kip |
| Beer (local) | 3,000–4,000 kip |
| Tuk‑tuk ride 2 km | 10,000 kip |
| Entrance to Phadaeng Viewpoint | 50,000 kip |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus and minivan schedules are approximate; allow extra time for delays.
- Boat services to Muang Ngoi run only when enough passengers gather; may require extra fee.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
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Nong KhiawNong Khiaw
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ກະລຸນານຳຂ້ອຍມາຍັງທີ່ນີ້To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
US consulate in Vientiane; other embassies in Vientiane.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Luang Prabang → Nong Khiaw (minivan): ≈50,000 kip, 3.5–4 h (check times)
- Boat to Muang Ngoi: ≈25,000 kip, 1 h (check availability)
Say or show
- ຂໍອະໄພ — Excuse me / Sorry (kho a-pai)
- ເປັນບໍ່? — How much is this? (pen bo?)
- ສະຖານີກະດານແມ່ນໃສ? — Where is the bus station? (sa-tha-ki-gan mae nai?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nong Khiaw. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid May–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Nong Khiaw
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