Operated by: Vieng Phoukha Ecoguide Service

Vieng Phoukha District, Luang Namtha Province

Day 1:
Meet at 8:30 at the Eco-Guide Service office for departure by pick-up or tok-tok to Ban Pa Daeng. Our first village-based guide joins the group in this traditional village of the Khmu Yuan and Khmu Kwaen ethnic groups. While traversing a sacred forest, the guides explain about medicinal plants, traditional forest use and point out wild animal tracks. We arrive at a giant strangler fig tree, where we take a break. The journey continues to a limestone crag, where we have a Lao-style picnic lunch. A short climb takes us through the cave-like crag. From the hilltop, we descend to the first Lahu and Khmu village Ban Nam Kap Tai, where our second village-based guide joins the group. After trekking through mainly bamboo forest, the final leg of the trail passes through mixed upland agricultural fields and some forest. Arrival at Ban Nam Paman and Ban Nam Noi in the late afternoon, two Lahu villages nestled in the hills. Eat dinner with villagers and stay overnight in the eco-lodge.

Day 2:
After sharing an early morning meal with our village hosts, embark on a hike through upland rice fields, following the same path traveled daily by locals on their way to work. From the hilltops enjoy panoramic views of the area. Passing through swidden fields and secondary growth forest, the guides explain traditional agricultural practices. The final descent ends at the Nam Fa River, a tributary to the Mekong River, where we take a relaxing lunch and swim in the mid-day sun. Situated nearby the river is Ban Vieng Mai, a Tai Lue village. We stop in this village before making our way to the road, where we are met by a pick-up (or tok-tok) for return to the Eco-Guide Service office in the afternoon.

Level of difficulty
Walking – moderate to advanced, moderately long days with some steep ascents/descents
Distance – 25 km (6 hours per day)

Includes
Local meals prepared by villagers, water, local guide from town, village guide, 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, money to purchase handicrafts, sleeping bag (optional – available to borrow if needed)

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 wander off designated trails. 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)