Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw

I get travel sick here at home but only once have I ever felt sick enough to be troubled travelling through Asia over a period of 20+ years . That happened to be a mini van from Huay Xai to China border. And we've travelled through Laos in local buses (non aircon) and on the backs of small and big pickups.

Also if travelling by bus or van how long is the trip and if prone to motion sickness should I be concerned?

stick to VIP type coaches if possible. i believe you'll be heading into the hills, some steep sections,
some curves, occasional rough patches where road maintenance is behind schedule.

local buses a bit more trouble for you then. tightly packed with locals, lots of stop-n-go to
pick up passengers and bags of live chickens. there will be airsickness bags in the pockets of
most seats. lots of locals getting carsick, you'll fit right in!

just checked my notes....cycled luang prabang to pakmong last july

road currently (7/2014) in good condition, only minor construction spots.
mostly following rivers/streams uphill, some short steepish climbs over and
around rock outcroppings.

not sure of the road to nong kiew, but be aware if you decide to go north
at pakmong to oudom xai. road is a total disaster! many many kilometers
of asphalt missing, potholes large enough to swallow black holes, steep
windy climbs on loose crumbly gravel.

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll guess I'll have to pack some travel sick pills.

The river has been dammed for hydroelectric power supply .. many local villages are getting power for the first time but at a cost of not being able to travel far up river anymore. No boats can take you up to NK from LP (we asked 12 months ago). Funnily enough, you can get boat/bus connection south to LP from NK though! Doubt you spend much time in the boat.

Catch the little minivan (these are the ones they sell to tourists and the wealthier locals) from the bus station (a tuk tuk can take you there in the morning). Our daughter suffers as you do, so we sympathise. Get there early for the bus, buy your ticket and sit in the van in the front seat if you are early enough. First in best seated. Just because the van takes 8 doesn't mean 8 will be sold tix - more like 15. The trip is relatively quick and scenic, without any twists and turns to set the tummy off. Daughter didn't get sick on this one (yay). If you are really not keen to try the bus, the daughter preferred to travel in the open trucks with canopy - air flowing past and many many local stops on the way. Also very social with the locals.

I didn't see any VIP large buses going through NK, just local traffic (but they might have passed during the night). The minivan will drop you off at the bus shed, and you'll pay a taxi truck upfront to drop you near the bridge, where most of the accommodation is. We stayed at the 3 story white one at the far side of the bridge, facing the river. The family owns the restaurant there next to the bridge too. That bridge is fantastic for views!

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.