About us

Discover our story

Nong Khiaw Experience Travel was founded in 2011 by Bounhome Oudomkan. In 2016, his brother Khamfeua Oudomkan joined the company, and together they have grown it into one of the area’s leading local travel agencies. In 2024, they opened a branch in Luang Prabang to make travel to Nong Khiaw even easier and more convenient.

We are proud to be a locally owned company dedicated to creating authentic and unforgettable experiences in Nong Khiaw. By working closely with local guides, families, and businesses, we help support the community and create opportunities for the next generation through training in English and tour guiding.

The Story Behind Pha Daeng Viewpoint

Bounhome “Home” Oudomkan: Pha Daeng was the first viewpoint in Nong Khiaw that became accessible to independent travelers. When I was 18 years old, I used to guide visitors up and down the mountain for a small fee. At that time, the trail was difficult, and reaching the summit without a guide was almost impossible.

When I decided to develop the trail and open it to the public, my goal was simple: to make the beauty of Pha Daeng accessible to everyone in the safest and easiest way possible. At the same time, part of the entrance fee would go back to the local community, helping local people benefit from tourism and encouraging a warm welcome for visitors from around the world.

Khamfeua “Fuea” Oudomkan: Spending a night on top of a mountain? It sounded like a crazy idea at first. The idea came about when some of my customers could no longer find accommodation in Nong Khiaw because everything was fully booked. What did I have? A platform on top of the mountain and a few sleeping bags.

So we decided to spend the night above the clouds and enjoy sunrise without having to hike in the dark. That’s how our viewpoint camping experience was born in 2022. Today, camping on Pha Daeng remains our most popular activity and one of the most unique experiences in Nong Khiaw.

The Story Behind Ban Manda

Home: The land where Ban Manda stands today was once our family’s rice field. It has always been a very special place to me. Behind its peaceful beauty lies a tragic history. During the Secret War in Laos, my mother and many villagers spent years hiding in nearby caves, living under extremely difficult conditions and often in complete darkness.

With Ban Manda, I wanted to create a place that remembers this important chapter of Lao history, a chapter that remained largely unknown to the outside world for many years. At the same time, it is a tribute to my mother. The name “Ban Manda” means “Mother’s Home”.

Fuea: During the Covid pandemic, Home asked me to establish the War Museum and collect as many remnants of the Secret War as possible. With no tourists and little work during the lockdown, I spent months travelling through villages and searching for artifacts. But I wasn’t only collecting objects. With every piece, I also heard the stories behind it.

Villagers shared heartbreaking and often unbelievable memories of those years. Listening to their experiences inspired me to bring the museum to life and help preserve these stories for future generations.