Trekking tour in Nam Ha National Protected Area, Luang Namtha, Laos

Day 1: Luang Namtha – Ban Sin Oudom – Forest Camp

Departing Luang Namtha by songthaew, we drive north into the Nam Ha Protected Area. We meet our local village guide at Sin Oudom village after crossing the Nam Tha river by boat. A hike on sometimes steep slopes leads us high into the mountains, while taking time to learn about plants and animals of the area.

The local guides will show you how to collect wild herbs and vegetables for our dinner which will later be prepared by all of us over an open fire. You may want to learn how to traditionally cook with bamboo tubes, which is a special experience.

Fall asleep in the darkness and to the sounds of the forest and the giggling stream nearby. If you like to go for wildlife spotting at night, this is the right place to do it. Our local guide will accompany you. Make sure to bring along a strong flashlight or head lamp.

Approximately: 60 minutes transfer/ 6 hours trekking

Day 2: Forest Camp – Khmu or Lanten Village

We wake up early today to see the many jungle birds around us. We re-ignite the camp fire to prepare a traditional breakfast, taking energy for the following trek over steep paths further up into the Nam Ha forest.

Deep in the woods we’ll have a break for lunch. Here we wish farewell to our local guide who returns to his village. Close to the river, this place boosts a wide variety of tree species in contrast to the more uniform bamboo groves, giving us a chance to hear or even see monkeys. If not, the guide will point out signs of wildlife including bears, civets and wild boars which are present in the area, though highly elusive.

Following a steep descent, we arrive either at Ban Namkoy of the Lanten tribe or Ban Nalantai, a Khmu village. The visits to these villages are alternating in order to spread income evenly to both. Once in the village, our hosts are ready to prepare a dinner in “local style” whilst you take time to swim and bathe in the river. After dinner we have time to explore the village and meet some of the locals. We may have some interaction with them in the evening or relax in the comfort of the wooden hut.

Approximately: 6-7 hours trekking

Day 3: Ban Namkoy or Nalantai Village – Luang Namtha

Again we get up early and have breakfast in the village before enjoying a relatively gentle walk along the river and through rice paddies before, once more, getting into the forest.

We have a break for lunch, provided for us by Khmu villagers at a fantastic viewpoint with incredible vistas across the valley. Our guide will point out how far we have walked!

After lunch, we make our last descent down from the mountains and up to Ban Chaluensouk, where our songthaew is waiting to bring us back to Luang Namtha

Approximately: 6 hours trekking/ 25 minutes transfer