After meeting your guide at the airport, kick off this five-day tour of Laos with a riverside lunch in the capital, Vientiane, before heading on for the day's second flight to Luang Namtha in the north of the country. There's time for some hilltop tribe visits to Ban Sop Toup - the village of the Lantern hill tribe where you can take a stroll around and even participate in some of the villagers - activities, such as bamboo paper making. Back to Luang Namthai in the evening to stay at your riverside resort.

This second day will see the tour move an hour away to Muang Sing, a picturesque village 1 hour away on the Laotian-Chinese border. On the way, there's chance for more hilltop tribe visits, as well as an interesting stop-off to see a Hmong kindergarten at Ban Paknamwa, and the Leu Temple in Muang Sing town. A host family will serve you a traditional lunch, and you can also try your hand at making yellow noodles (Kao Soy) at Ban Lao Neu. Take a look round the town's museum and visit the Yao tribe before bedding down for the night at your resort in Muang Sing.

The morning excursion out of Muang Sing takes you to Muang Long Town to see the Kui Sang tribe - the only one of its type in Luang Namtha Province, and one which showcases some unique styles of dress, accessories and hairstyles. Take lunch in Long Town before heading on to see the famous Akha Pu Li tribe on the way back to your resort.

Enjoy an inclusive breakfast at Phou Lu 2 Resort in preparation for the short flight back to the capital, Vientiane. You'll arrive in good time for lunch in the city, and the rest of the day can be spent exploring the best of what Vientiane has to offer -don't miss the lively night market by the river, and be sure to sample some of the exquisite French-Laos restaurants and cafes that line the pretty streets of the compact city centre.

An inclusive breakfast is served at Settha Palace, your hotel for the previous night. Afterwards, it's time to pack your bags and head for the airport (via private transportation), which marks the end of this five-day tour of Northern Laos.