There are two ways to travel between Nong Kiau and Luang Prabang. The one is by road, the other by river. Buses leave from Luang Prabang Northern Bus Station in the morning around 8.30 and then again around 10.00 and 12.00. Schedules tend to fluctuate, so please check before travelling.
The river trip, at the other hand is by far the most interesting. It is more expensive, but it's worth every penny it cost. Tickets are sold in Luang Prabang by various travel agents, and boats can be chartered exclusively at the boat pier in Luang Prabang. Boats leave from the boat pier in the morning. Boats from Nong Kiau to Luang Prabang leave in the morning as well. Boat departures depends on the number of passengers and in the low season they sometimes have difficulty filling up, which means that you will have to charter or partly charter the boats if you wish to go.
There are bus connections to and from Udom Xai, Muang Vieng Kham and Sam Neua. Boats connect Nong Kiau with Muang Ngoy and Muang Khua through a part of the river that runs through some of the most amazing gorges in the country. To Muang Khua a boat will have to be chartered in most cases as there is little traffic on this part of the river.
From Udom Xai there are connecting buses to Luang Nam Tha and Muang Sing. From Muang Khua public boats departs daily to Had Sa and Phongsali. Is unpaved and access is occasionally interrupted during the height of the rainy season. During the second half of July, all of August and first half of September, bus services can be irregular.
Otherwise the bus leaves Dien Bien Phu 5.30 AM and arrives early enough to catch a boat to Nong Kiau. A river journey on the top of an adventurous bus journey ensures that this day has been packed with amazing impressions.
For Google Earth:
20° 34' 17.41" N
102° 37' 05.52" E
Elevation: 365m