Akha villages & Gibbons in Nam Ha Protected Area
Operated by: Vieng Phoukha Ecoguide Service Vieng Phoukha District,
Luang Namtha Province
Supported by the LNTA-ADB Mekong Tourism Development Project
Description
We depart at 8:30 from the Eco-Guide Service office. Transfer by pick-up (or tok-tok) to Ban Nam O, a traditional village of the Khmu Kwaen ethnic groups. This is where our first village-based guide joins the group. The first half of the day follows the meandering Nam O River and its lush valley. A Lao-style picnic lunch is taken on the way when hiking across several ridges offering panoramic views onto the forests of the Nam Ha NPA. The well-worn Akha trail continues past a temporary settlement of the upland rice farmers of Ban Nam O.
The first lodge on the top of a mountain at the Akha Phouli village of Ban Nam Lo is reached by late afternoon. A traditional Akha dinner cooked by the villagers marks the end of an adventurous first day.
Day 2:
Rising early, you may be able to hear the sounds of the Black-Cheeked Gibbons. Tour of the village before setting off to a second Akha village, Ban Phouyae. The Akha group of this village is called Akha Pii, the women wearing a distinct headdress. Hike a number of steep ascents and descents in between upland fields and old growth forest before arriving at an idyllic spot for bathing on the Nam Mai River. Both the Nam Mai and a tributary are crossed on two impressive bamboo and wood bridges. You have a picnic lunch on the way before walking through the secondary forest. You will then discover “Pa Nokhom”, a kind of bamboo forest. The lodge at Ban Thong Lat is reached by late afternoon, and you are offered a traditional Akha massage. A sociable evening with the villagers promises a special cultural experience.
Day 3:
After breakfast you can have the opportunity to walk to the Phou Song Phan waterfall, located in the Nam Ha National Protected Area. If you chose this option, you have lunch back in Thong Lat village. If you prefer to go back earlier, walk on the rough road following the Nam Mai winding its way down from Ban Thong Lat. A pleasant and easy walk passing through a scenery of limestone mountains, bamboo forest and upland rice fields. Upon reaching the Nam Mai River, a Lao-style picnic lunch is served. The pick-up awaits the group on the other side of the river and takes you to the Prasat Cave. The limestone cave is the final stop on this tour before returning to Vieng Phoukha in the mid-afternoon.
Level of difficulty
Walking – advanced to difficult, along a well-worn villagers’ trail, long days with some steep ascents/descents; first day passing through the river many times (take rubber sandals)
Distance – approximately 40 km (6 hours per day)
Includes
Local meals prepared by villagers, water, 2 local guides from town, village guides, accommodation, forest conservation permit, transport, local taxes
What to bring
1 change of clothes, sandals for village, good shoes for hiking, sarong for bathing (required for women), mosquito repellent, flashlight, sunscreen/hat, camera, cotton sleeping sheet (optional)
How villages benefit
Local and village guide fees, food sales & preparation, accommodation fees
Important do’s & don’ts
Do not give individual gifts of sweets or money to children. Ask before taking photos of people or spiritual items. Ask your guide before entering a house or a room inside a house. Help keep the villages clean by not littering. Please purchase handicrafts but do not purchase antiques. Do not use drugs in villages.
Paying for your trek
All treks must be paid for in advance and in cash unless you are booking from elsewhere. Treks can be paid for in Lao kip, US dollars or Thai baht. As all local payments have to be made in kip, however, it would be much appreciated if you could pay in kip. Please be aware that there is nowhere to change money officially in Vieng Phoukha, and even unofficially you will find it difficult to change anything other than baht or yuan.
Contacts
With tourist numbers still low, there is no need to book your trek ahead unless you want to arrange a special package. Getting in touch can sometimes be a bit difficult, but try the following phone numbers:
020 5985289 Vongxay (English-speaking lead guide)
020 5101670 Somhak (English-speaking lead guide)
