Laos brown ethnic pattern

Muang La Lodge

In memory — 2008-2022

Muang La Lodge is no longer offered by Asia Safari. The adventure we led there came to an end after the flood of late August 2022: it is no longer possible to book a stay at the lodge through our agency. This page keeps the memory of the place and of the people who brought it to life. For a stay in the region today, see our hotels in Oudomxay and Luang Namtha.

Muang La Lodge, a wood and bamboo house on the banks of the Nam Pak river, Northern Laos
One of the wooden houses of Muang La Lodge, on stilts in the tropical garden
A River view room at Muang La Lodge, wooden walls and paper lanterns
A Garden view room at Muang La Lodge, exposed timber frame and paper lantern
The garden of Muang La Lodge, its brick paths and water lily pond
The bamboo bridge of Muang La Lodge over the Nam Pak river
The swimming pool and the bar in the middle of the island, at Muang La Lodge
The natural hot water pools of Muang La Lodge and their wooden walkways
The natural hot bath of Muang La Lodge, lit by candles
The sala of Muang La Lodge, open onto the Nam Pak river and the morning buffaloes
The sala of Muang La Lodge facing the mountains at sunset
The bar of Muang La Lodge, its earthen counter under the thatched roof
The restaurant terrace of Muang La Lodge, set facing the Nam Pak river
Breakfast at Muang La Lodge, served facing the valley
Dinner by lantern light on the terrace of Muang La Lodge
The garden of Muang La Lodge lit by lanterns at nightfall
The cooking class at Muang La Lodge, market vegetables and the lodge's apron
The temple of Muang La and its golden nagas, a short walk from the lodge
A mountain village in the Muang La valley, Oudomxay province
Water buffaloes on the pebbles of the Nam Pak river, below Muang La Lodge

Our little gem in Northern Laos. Opened in 2008 on the bank of the Nam Pak, in the province of Oudomxay, Muang La Lodge was for fourteen years the address we loved most in Northern Laos. Ten rooms only, spread across small, typically Lao wooden houses: local wood treated with scented essential oils, white walls, waxed parquet floors and 1930s furniture made by craftsmen from Oudomxay. Every room had its own private terrace, overlooking the garden or the river and its hot spring. No TV in the rooms: people came here for the silence.

The garden planted with tropical species, the swimming pool and bar in the middle of the island, the Lao sauna and the millennia-old hot baths, the sala facing the setting sun, the original works by Lao artists and the fabrics woven in the neighbouring villages: everything had been designed so that comfort would never take precedence over the place itself.

More than a hotel, a human adventure. We dreamt it up and built it ourselves: Jean-Paul Duvergé and Touny, the founders of Asia Safari, after five years spent exploring the north of the country. It was our first hotel creation, and from the very first day we wanted the villagers to be part of the daily life of the house. A baci ceremony, the morning market, the Pha Singkham Buddha temple, Khamu, Hmong and Akha villages, bike rides through the valley: the journey began at the garden gate. It was the address for connoisseurs, those who wanted to go further in their discovery of Laos.

Late August 2022. The flood swept through the valley: mudslides, a displaced riverbed, land wiped clean. Muang La Lodge as we had known it did not come through it, and the Asia Safari adventure at Muang La Lodge ended there. What we keep are the faces, the lantern-lit dinners and the misty mornings over the Nam Pak — and this page, for those who stayed with us.

THE LODGE, AS IT WAS

For the record, what the house offered its guests until 2022.

THE ROOMS

  • 2 “Twin Garden View” rooms
  • 4 “Double Garden View” rooms
  • 4 “Double River View” rooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • Telephone
  • Air conditioning and fan
  • Terrace

LODGE FACILITIES

  • Restaurant
  • Swimming pool and bar in the middle of the island
  • Garden
  • Millennia-old hot spring
  • Traditional Lao sauna and baths
  • Sala
  • Massage area

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

  • Breathtaking view over the Nam Pak River
  • Peace and quiet
  • Many experiences offered around the lodge

HOTELS IN OUDOMXAY AND LUANG NAMTHA

For a stay in the region today, discover our addresses in Oudomxay and Luang Namtha.

Namkat Yorla Pa Resort, our favourite in Oudomxay
Pou Villa Resort, our favourite in Luang Namtha
Mittaphap Hotel in Oudomxay

Follow our adventures

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive all our travel news.

    Why choose Asia Safari for your trip to Laos?

    With Asia Safari, you plan your tailor-made trip directly with a local English-speaking team. Our agency has been based in Vientiane since 2002. Its founder, Jean-Paul Duvergé, has worked in Laos since 2000. Our guides are Lao, our accommodations are hand-picked, and each itinerary is tailor-made. The result: a vibrant, fair trip, without unnecessary frills.

    • Local English-speaking agency: we speak your language and know the country from the inside
    • Zero intermediaries: you deal directly with the local team
    • Truly tailor-made: no fixed catalog — each trip is unique
    • Since 2002, Asia Safari has been creating tailor-made journeys in Laos, drawing on the experience its founder has gained in the country since 2000.

    How does our tailor-made service work?

    1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
    2. We send you an initial response within 24 working hours, followed by a detailed proposal within 48 working hours of receiving the necessary information: your itinerary, accommodation and a quote specifying the services included.
    3. We refine the proposal together, adjusting the itinerary, accommodation and activities to suit your expectations and budget.
    4. We coordinate the services included in your itinerary on the ground: guides, transport, accommodation and activities.

    When to visit Laos?

    From November to February, the weather is generally drier and temperatures are milder. March and April are often hotter. The rainy season, from May to October, brings lush green landscapes; we adapt the itinerary and transport to local conditions.

    The cost depends on the length of your trip, the season, the number of travellers, your accommodation and the services you choose. We prepare a personalised quote based on your wishes and budget, specifying the services included and any expenses to budget for separately.

    Entry requirements depend on your nationality, the length of your stay and your point of entry. Depending on your circumstances, you may apply for an e-Visa or a visa on arrival. The tourist e-Visa allows a stay of 30 days and can only be used at designated entry points. We help you check which procedures apply to your trip.

    Yes. We adapt the pace, destinations, accommodation and activities to your children’s ages and your family’s wishes. We focus on a balanced itinerary, with time to rest and suitable journeys between stops.

    Yes. You can plan your trip in English with our local team. Depending on your itinerary, we arrange visits with English-speaking guides and the support you need during your stay.

    A few days allow you to explore Luang Prabang and the surrounding area. Allow around ten days to combine Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane, or 15 to 18 days to include southern Laos. We adapt the itinerary and journeys to the time you have available and your preferred pace.

    Laos, the heart of your Indochina tour

    Laos is often the surprise of a trip: uncrowded, authentic, with a quiet beauty. Asia Safari makes Laos much more than a stopover — we make it the central experience of your stay, before or after Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.

    Our travel ideas for Laos and neighbouring countries

    Laos + Cambodia: from the temples of Luang Prabang to Angkor, shape a journey combining cultural heritage and Mekong scenery. A visit to Tonlé Sap can complement the itinerary, depending on your interests and the time available.
    Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
    Northern Laos + Yunnan: from the landscapes of Yunnan to the mountains of northern Laos, the Laos–China railway can connect some of the stops on your journey. We plan the route with you, in either direction.
    Grand Indochina Tour (40 days): Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand — a memorable trip for life.

    Tips for preparing your multi-country tour

    Visas: each country has its own rules — Asia Safari guides you through all procedures.
    Duration: we adapt the number of stops to the time you have available. For a trip combining two countries, we consider the regions you want to explore, travel between destinations and your preferred pace.
    Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
    Budget: the cost of a multi-country trip depends on its length, the season, the number of travellers, accommodation and transport between destinations. We prepare a personalised quote specifying the services included and any expenses to budget for separately.

    We can combine Laos with Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand or Yunnan in China. We design the itinerary around your dates, interests and arrival point, then select connections suited to the route and each country’s entry requirements.

    To explore several regions in Laos and either Vietnam or Cambodia, allow around 15 to 18 days. A shorter combined trip is possible with fewer stops. Allow several weeks for a grand tour of multiple countries. We adapt the route to the time you have available and your preferred pace.

    Yes. We arrange the transport included in your itinerary: airport transfers, road journeys, trains, boats and domestic flights, depending on the programme. Your quote specifies the services included and any expenses to budget for separately.

    Absolutely. Asia Safari welcomes solo travelers as well as couples, families, or small groups of friends. Each trip is designed for you.

    Yes. Whether you prefer an active trip or a more leisurely pace, we design your itinerary with you, based on your interests, mobility and preferred level of comfort.

    Our Story

    Jean-Paul Duvergé has worked in Laos since 2000. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari in Vientiane to design tailor-made trips in Laos and Indochina. Today, the agency’s French-Lao team plans each itinerary with its travellers and coordinates arrangements on the ground with its local guides and partners.

    What sets us apart

    A team on the ground: based in Vientiane, we plan your trip using our knowledge of Laos and information from our local partners. We take the seasons, travel conditions and accommodation into account when designing your itinerary.
    We speak your language: our team supports you in English, from planning your trip to assistance during your stay. English-speaking guided visits are arranged according to your itinerary.
    Direct contact with our team: you speak with the people who plan your trip and coordinate its organisation on the ground. Your quote specifies the price of your trip and the services included.
    Tailor-made journeys: our suggested itineraries are starting points. We adapt the destinations, pace, accommodation and activities to your dates, wishes and budget.

    Our commitment

    We give preference to local accommodation providers and partners. When visiting villages, we take care to respect residents and their customs. Our approach also aims to help preserve the cultural and natural sites that make Laos special.

    Asia Safari is a local agency based in Vientiane, Laos. Founded in 2002 by Jean-Paul Duvergé, it has a French-Lao team that plans and coordinates your trip on the ground.

    You can contact us through the questionnaire on our website, by email or by phone. We send you an initial response within 24 working hours, followed by a detailed proposal within 48 working hours of receiving the necessary information.

    Yes. We design tailor-made trips for families and groups of friends, adapting the itinerary to the number of travellers, their shared interests and budget. For larger groups, we review your plans on request.

    Asia Safari accepts international bank transfers. Payment terms (deposit, balance) are specified in your personalized quote.

    Our local team can be contacted seven days a week during your stay. If anything unexpected happens, we assess the situation with you and coordinate any necessary adjustments with our partners on the ground.

    Laos in figures

    Laos covers 236,800 km² and had a population of around 7.9 million in 2025. Its capital is Vientiane, its official language is Lao and its currency is the Lao kip (LAK). Theravada Buddhism is the main religion. The country is in the UTC+7 time zone.

    Laos must-sees

    Luang Prabang: Former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its golden temples, French colonial houses, and gentle way of life make it an undeniable favorite.
    Vientiane: The human-sized capital — That Luang, Patuxai, and the banks of the Mekong are worth a visit.
    Vang Vieng: Surrounded by limestone karsts, ideal for kayaking, caving, and hiking.
    Southern Laos and 4000 Islands: Champassak, the Vat Phou temples (UNESCO), the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong islands.

    Lao culture

    Theravada Buddhism has an important place in Laos, alongside a variety of cultural traditions. In Luang Prabang, the monks’ morning alms round is a religious ritual to observe with discretion and respect. Boun Pi Mai, Lao New Year in April, and Boun Ok Phansa, which marks the end of the Buddhist rains retreat, are among the events that shape the year.

    Nature and biodiversity

    The forests and protected areas of Laos are home to a variety of wildlife, including Asian elephants, gibbons and sun bears. Rivers, mountains and plateaus offer many opportunities to explore nature.

    We plan your itinerary with local conditions in mind and explain the precautions relevant to your planned journeys and activities. Before departure, also consult official travel advice, which outlines the risks in different regions.

    From November to February, the weather is generally drier and temperatures are milder. March and April are often hotter. The rainy season, from May to October, brings lush green landscapes; we adapt the itinerary and transport to local conditions.

    The official currency is the Lao kip (LAK). Bring cash in kip for everyday expenses and stays in rural areas. ATMs are available in the main towns and cities; card acceptance varies by establishment.

    Before departure, check that your routine vaccinations are up to date. Additional vaccinations, including hepatitis A, and any preventive malaria medication should be discussed with your doctor or a travel vaccination centre, based on your health and itinerary. Also take precautions against mosquito bites.

    A few days allow you to explore Luang Prabang and the surrounding area. Allow around ten days to combine Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. A more extensive itinerary into central and southern Laos requires more time: we adjust its length to your interests and preferred pace.