Jungle Trails & Mekong Tails – Laos Adventure

Our car from Bountai will arrive at Ban Namly around noon, marking the starting point of our trek.

Today's journey involves hiking along the newly constructed tractor road to reach Ban Mokkoknoi, the village of the Loma tribe. This village offers a unique opportunity to observe the distinctive living style of the Loma community. The overnight stay is arranged with a local family in Akha Loma.

The trekking duration for this segment is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, with a moderate difficulty level, ensuring a balanced and culturally enriching trek through the picturesque landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at a homestay in Ban Mokok Noi

Following breakfast, our trek proceeds to Ban Mokkok Luang, another village of the Akha Loma tribe. Today's trek presents a more challenging hiking experience. Enjoy lunch at Ban Mokkok Luang before navigating small paths across mountainous terrain with varying elevations.

The journey leads us up and down, eventually reaching Ban Chapiew Noi, Chapiew Luang, and Ban Chapiew Mai, villages of the Akha Erpa situated in more remote areas. The day concludes with an overnight stay at Ban Chapiew Luang.

This segment of the trek spans approximately 4 to 4.5 hours and is classified as difficult, promising an adventurous and physically demanding experience through the scenic landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at a homestay in Ban Chapiew Luang

After breakfast and taking the time to explore the local living style, our trek kicks off early. Today's journey presents a more challenging terrain compared to the previous two days. The trek guides you along mountain paths with varying elevations, navigating through both ascents and descents.

The trek concludes at Ban Moucheekang, a village belonging to the Akha Mouchee tribe. Following the trek, we proceed with a private car heading towards Bountai or Phongsaly. En route, there is a fantastic opportunity to visit villages such as Akha Cherpia and Akha Poulee. The trip concludes upon arrival in Bountai, marking the end of our adventurous journey.

This segment of the trek spans approximately 4 to 5 hours and is classified as difficult, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience through the diverse landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight at a guesthouse in Boun Tai

After breakfast, we will drive to Muang La, where we set off to visit villages of the Ikho, H'mong & Khamu people; three of the many ethnic groups in Laos.

Your route climbs to 1,300m above sea level and offers some magnificent views of the stunning mountain scenery.

We will first visit a Khamu village before driving further into the mountains to an isolated Hmong village.

This ethnic group originates from the high steppes of Tibet and you will learn about their way of life; the importance of their livestock pigs, buffaloes...) and the care that they give to their animals.

From the H'mong village, you can choose to do an optional short walk of 30 minutes which will bring you to the first Ikho village.

This ethnic group originates from Tibet and Yunnan Province in China. You learn about the daily life of the village and how the villagers still follow customs passed down through the centuries.

You take your picnic lunch, enjoy the amazing surroundings and continue to visit more Ikho villages along the way, before heading down to Muang La.

From here, we will transfer to Muang Xai to spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight in Muang Xai

We depart early this morning for our journey to Luang Namtha. These back roads are a perfect way to venture off the beaten track and explore the real Laos.

We see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are in theirs.

The drive can be challenging on some parts of our journey due to poor road conditions; however, the verdant and rugged mountain scenery, combined with the colorful local population, makes for a memorable experience. 

Along the way, we have the chance to visit the intriguing Pra Xing Kham Temple with its sacred Buddha image. The 400 years old legendary statue is said to have many supernatural powers and is widely worshipped among the faithful local Buddhists.

On arrival, we check in at a very simple hotel and take a walk to explore this picturesque hill town. Overnight in Luang Namtha

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Luang Namtha

Start from our office at 8:30 AM, visit ethnic minority groups located on the bank of the main road from Luang Namtha to Muang Sing, such as: Lanten, Khmu, Hmong, Akha, Tai Dam and Tai Lue. Lunch will be provided at the Pha Yuang waterfall, and after lunch, a short walk to visit the waterfall. Next, continue to Muang Sing town, the home of history, culture and tradition. The trip will arrive Yao Eco-lodge of Sai Leck Village around 4:00 PM. While waiting for dinner, you might walk around and learn about their way of life and traditions, etc. After dinner, you will receive a massage, which is traditionally given to guests.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at a homestay in Ban Sai Leck

Departure from Muang Sing at 8:00 AM on the dirt road Muang Sing-Long town visit different tribes on the bank of the way such as: Akha, Musur, Hmong, Tai Lue they are still live a very traditional lifestyle, visit Long town valley, continue to Xieng Kok where Lao-Myanmar border and back to stay overnight in Phou Iu II bungalows in Muang Sing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Muang Sing

Early morning, we will visit the fresh morning market, where we will see more different ethnic minorities selling their vegetables and NTFPs (Non-Timber Forest Products), which were collected from their upland farms and in the forest. During the city sightseeing tour, you can see the former French Fortress and visit the Museum (open from Monday to Friday, only). After a short break, we will continue to visit the village of hand noodle making, Tai Dam (the village of waving), Tai Nuea (the village of Lao rice whiskey), and visit the stupa of Xieng Tung, which is located on a mountain 900 meters above sea level. 

Back to Muang Sing for an overnight stay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Muang Sing

8:00 AM: Start from our office in Muang Sing or 7:00 AM from Luang Namtha by 4-wheel drive. Short stop visit ethnic minority villages along the Off-Road, drive up to the higher mountain in Xieng Khaeng Region (more than 1,800 meters from the sea level). Visit Mueto Kao and Ja Phou Thon they are Akha, next start trek to Xieng Khaeng (Tai Lue Village) the village we stay overnight for today.

The Xieng Khaeng Village or the Old Kingdom Of Muang Sing.

Due to the fact that little is known of the history of Muang Sing prior to the late 18th century, we start this short excursion into the history of Muang Sing at the end of the 19th century. In 1887 Muang Sing was established and more than 1000 subjects had to move to the new capital of the principality of Chiang Khaeng and the surrounding plain. The relocation of the capital from Muang Yu became necessary to be better protected against a Burmese punitive expedition.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at a homestay in Ban Xay

The early morning is the best time to see Tai Lue daily work on the Mekong River, where the local people from Myanmar will cross the river to sell/exchange local food between the villages. After breakfast, start with a slow boat on the Mekong River and stop on the way to Pha Ngoua (Akha Village). The traditional lunch will eaten on the way. Next, continue walking to Sompan Mai (Akha Village), the village where you will stay overnight for this day. From the village, you will enjoy the stunning mountain. After dinner, you will enjoy a traditional Akha massage, which is traditionally given to the guests staying overnight in the village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at a homestay in Sompan Mai

In the morning, the weather is quite cool, so you will see Akha people sitting around the fire and cooking. After breakfast, walk on the small path with an excellent landscape and stunning mountain to Mai Khong (Akha Village), the village where you will sleep at night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight at a homestay in Mai Khong Village

After breakfast, start walking on the dirt road passing through the mountain landscape. The traditional picnic lunch will be eaten on the way. After lunch, continue walking to Ja Kuern (Akha Village), the village where you will stay the night. The Akha massage will be served after dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at a homestay in Ja Keun Village

You will have a traditional breakfast at the homestay. After preparing your bags, continue walking through agricultural fields, mountain landscapes and stunning views to where the Four Wheel Drives are waiting for you to transfer you to Luang Namtha.

The villages and the areas above are just open for tourists, all ethnic minority groups are Akha and Tai Lue, they are still living with their ancient culture and traditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight in Luang Namtha

Early morning, we will transfer to Vieng Phoukha, which will take about 1 hour.

Upon arrival, start the exploration of Vieng Phoukha and the surrounding area.

Stop at the Ban Nam Kap Nuea (Lahu Village) for 15 minutes to visit them, and continue the same Tuk Tuk about 15 minutes to Ban Tha Luang (Hmong Village) local guide from the village will join your group and start walking.

The trek leads up to the mountain and deep into the forest, you will be able to see many different kinds of NTFPs (Non Timber Forest Products) in the Nam Ha National Protected Area, your guide share his experience about traditional medicine with you after about 3 hours, stop for lunch with traditional food.

After lunch, 3 hours walk passes some excellent views landscape of the Nam Ha Protected Area and arrives in the Ban Tah Soom (Akha Village), finishing for the first day.

While your local hosts prepare your dinner, you can walk around the village to see and learn about the village's daily life. After dinner, you will receive an Akha woman's massage, which is traditionally given to guests.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at a homestay in Ban Tah Soom

After enjoying the traditional Akha breakfast around 8:30 am, start walking up and down to the waterfall 30 minutes break here for take bath if you want, continue to the small buffalo farm (Lahu people’s farm), walk through the upland agriculture field and then break for lunch with Lahu traditional on the trail. After lunch, walk one and a half hours to Ban Nam Kab Nuea. 

From there, we will hop on the minivan again to take the transfer to Huay Xay, which will take about 3 hours.

Upon arrival, we will take a short visit to the Gibbon Experience office to reconfirm your tour the following day. 

Then, check in at your hotel in town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight at a guesthouse in Huay Xay

In the morning, you will walk to the office of Gibbon Experience before transferring into the jungle for the Gibbon Experience.

We will arrive in Ban Toup at around 11:30 AM. From here, we will be taken care of by the local English-speaking guide.

After lunch in the village, we start our 02 hour skiing to become familiar with the cable network. At the end of the hike, you will arrive at your tree house.

The rest of the afternoon is your free time; you can keep hiking around or do some ziplining. Dinner will be served at around 05 PM or 06 PM. Overnight at your tree house.

SPECIALS NOTE:

• The Classic Tour is the best option to see or hear gibbons. It is also our easiest trek, with one to two hours of reasonably hilly access walk. It is therefore recommended for trekkers between 8 to 65 years old and in good physical condition.
• You will choose how you want to spend your time; there is no strict schedule, and guides will accompany you to your treehouse and around for trekking and ziplining. This option usually enables gibbon encounters when they are in the area.
• Your group of up to eight people depart the Houaysai office soon after 8 am for three days and two nights in treehouses scattered within the Nam Kan National Park. The return time on the last day is between 3 and 4 pm.
• In the rainy season (mostly from July to September), visitors should be in better physical condition as trekking is more challenging on muddy trails. Parts of some treehouses may also get occasionally wet. Finally, the time actually spent in the canopy will be shorter than in the dry season as a result of longer walks.
• The access walk to the treehouse can take up to five hours. During or after very heavy rain, the 4x4 might not make it to the end of the track. This additional walk actually happened only a few times over the years.
• However, the rainy season is the best season to explore and observe biodiversity with all its colors and sounds and to discover amazing flora and fauna species, mostly active during that time. Those who choose this period are always rewarded.

What to bring: head torch, walking shoes, mosquito repellent, binoculars, raincoat (rainy season)

• The Classic is unavailable for bookings between August 15th and September 15th.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at Tree House

06:30-07:00: Early wake up to seize the chance to hear the gibbons singing while enjoying tea or coffee.

08:00: Breakfast + Optional hiking and ziplining

09:30: departure for 02 hours trek to the next tree house

At about 12:00, arrive at the waterfalls where you can go for a swim. After lunch, you go by ziplines to your tree house.

03:00 PM, optional hiking and ziplining

05:00 Dinner; the rest of the night is your own free time

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight at Tree House

Early wake up again to enjoy the gibbon singing.

After breakfast at 08:00 AM, we will hike back to Ban Toup.

We arrive in the village around noon to have lunch.

After that, the car will come to transfer you back to Huayxay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight at a guesthouse in Huay Xay

In the morning, transfer to the slow boat pier to commence their river journey. During the morning, our guide will provide an engaging briefing on the Dos and Don’ts in Laos, along with intriguing fun facts about the country.

A delectable traditional Lao lunch set will be served on board the boat. Before reaching Pakbeng, we'll make a stop to visit a quaint Kamu village known as Ban Kang Lae. This charming hamlet is home to approximately 60 families, offering travelers a glimpse into rural life in a remote area. Our company is committed to supporting the village regularly and provides donations to aid its development.

The boat will arrive in Pakbeng before nightfall, where guests will spend the night at their hotel in Pakbeng.

Please note: We will arrange pickup from their hotel between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM. The boat will depart from Houay Xay no later than 9:45 AM.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight in Pakbeng

Departure schedule of Shompoo Cruise: 

• From October to March: Departure every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
• From April to September: Departure every Monday and Friday.

The boat will leave Pakbeng at 08. AM.

Enjoy the beautiful nature and jungle during your journey.

In the morning, our guide and crew will organize some short activities on board.

Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board.

The first stop will be at Ban Mouang village, famous for its lao lao whiskey making.

Just after the 1st visit, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its over two thousand Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage places for Lao people.

After the visit, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and the travelers.

The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 4:30 pm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. 

Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We then transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

You have the rest of the afternoon to refresh at the waterfalls. If you wish, we also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.

Arriving back in town, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour.

Transfer back to Luang Prabang, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River.

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill-tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning almsgiving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meals from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetables, to fish, or chicken. This is the best chance to experience the flavor of local life

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Nahm Dong Park, which is located in Ban Xiengmouk, 10Km from the city center.

Arriving at the park, we will have a short welcome by the park manager before joining the morning activities here.

We will first start with the Zipline flying over the jungle and the waterfalls admiring the amazing evergreen scenery. The zipline will take about 1 hour.

Then we will walk back via the jungle trail, crossing some flying bridges, small streams, and clear natural pools, where you can take a refreshing splash if you wish.

The picnic lunch will be served at the viewpoint where you can spread your view over the region, including the view of Mount Phousi in the city center.

You can either spend the rest of the afternoon strolling around the park, relax by one of the huts at the camp, or enjoy the fresh cool clear natural pools.

Note: Zipline in 1 hour, trekking min 1 hour - max 3 hours depending on the route that you choose

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight

Meals: Breakfast