Thank you so much for your ideas.

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Just for you guys that have been wondering, it is still NOT POSSIBLE to cross from Laos to Myanmar BUT may be possible from Myanmar to Laos, if you have a Lao visa in advance.

I tried to cross with my wife, who is Lao, from the Muang Mom International Port in Ban Mom, Bokeo Province but was refused. I was told by the Lao police officer manning the customs post that they have upgraded their systems to process international travellers and that he had the capability to stamp me out but that the Myanmar side could not process my passport therefore he would not stamp me out and directed me instead to the Sam Liang Kham river crossing at the casino in Laos crossing to Sop Ruak in Thailand from where we had to travel to Mae Sai and Tachilek.

I forgot to confirm this but I very much doubt they issue Lao visas on arrival at the Muang Mom International Port.

When we got to Tachilek, we were prevented from onward travel because they took my took my wife's passport at the bridge. I had a visa but she did not. (I thought she had a free pass as is usually the case for ASEAN nationals but in Myanmar this is not the case.)

However after knocking around in Tachilek for a few days I was able to establish that the reason the crossing is not yet open to foreigners is more likely political rather than a technical issue. I asked about the Wan Pong Port at the Myanmar border post and was told not to go there, that this was a 'restricted area.'

In fact, as I was informed by a rather chatty tuk tuk driver who took me out past the airport and about as far as possible before hitting a checkpoint on the way to Kengtung, that the Wan Pong port area is under the control of the Shan State Army and not the Burmese government.

Therefore, IF you are able to find someone or some way to get you there, they will quite possibly stamp you out, because they would like to have recognised authority there. Possibly what happened with the other guy who was refused entry to Laos, who knows? He probably didn't have a Lao visa in his passport.

I believe if you have a visa in advance, Muang Mom International Port is open to arrivals by boat from China, and if you were able to leave Myanmar with a stamp somehow and had a visa in advance they would let you in. The good thing is if it fails you are not completely stranded because you can always get a boat to Thailand, there are plenty in the area...

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Also note that it's possible to extend a visa in Laos, which is generally cheaper than leaving and coming back if you only want to stay on for an extra week or two.

And its also cheaper than overstaying which costs $10 a day .

Thanks so much for the insight! It sounds like it should not be a problem for us.

Cheers!

As above, you're very unlikely to have any problems. They're very laid back in Laos. Just make sure you have enough USD for the visas.

Also note that it's possible to extend a visa in Laos, which is generally cheaper than leaving and coming back if you only want to stay on for an extra week or two.

I have no experience riding a motorbike in Laos, so can't help with that.

I've never been asked for a "community fee" or anything similar, nor have I ever heard of such a thing in Laos. The only time I've paid money in villages has been when I've spent the night there, and felt it was appropriate for my hosts.

Interesting villages are found just outside of both Luang Namtha and Muang Sing. I found more traditional, basic villages in Muang Sing, which on the whole was less developed (and less touristy) than Luang Namtha on the two occasions that I've been. My last trip was in 2014. Given the proximity of China, it wouldn't surprise me if there have been notable changes since I was last there.

I don't know what to say about trails: villages aren't particularly difficult to find if you start walking out of town. Don't expect to follow "standard routes". If you can, get a hold of an older LP guide (the one from roughly 2010/2011 is excellent), which should have lots of good ideas, even if it's a bit out-of-date.

Hi Giora, I see that you are quite familiar with the Luang Namtha and Muang Sing area. My girlfriend and I would like to hike around there on our own through some nice forest/jungle and to visit some ethnic villages without going through a tour agency. We also don’t mind paying a community fee directly to the villagers if needed to visit certain villages. Could you offer some advice on how and where to access these trails? We are thinking of renting a motorbike as well to ride around and visit some villages.

Thanks!

Yes,I agree with Dave...no problem.They want your money,they are happy for you to come back when you want,as long as you pay ;-)