Operated by: Muang Sing Guide Service
For booking contact Mr. Bounlouam Tel:+856-20-570-8138
Muang Sing District, Luang Namtha Province
Muang Sing Guide Service:
The trekking service is a cooperative run by the local guides and the provincial tourism office of Luang Namtha. All of our guides are local. Your guide will help interpret the local culture and environment; instruct you on important cultural do's and don'ts; look after your safety; ensure that your visit to villages is beneficial for both tourists and villagers ; arrange for food, water and sleeping in the village. The guides do speak English (& other foreign and local languages), however, many are still learning and improving. We ask that you take the time and effort to help them out. When possible, guides who are fluent in relevant tribal languages will accompany you.
ITINERARIES
This one day walk is ideal for those who are interested in visiting ethnic villages and want to walk a trail with easy to moderate difficulty. The trek goes to seven different villages located in the Muang Sing Valley including the major hill tribe groups: Hmong, Akha (Pouli, Dtee Jaw, and Pian), and Khamu. The landscape is a variety of forests, agricultural fields and typical footpaths used by the villagers.
Time: Full day. Leave 9:00 am/Return 4:30pm. Approx. 5 1/2 hours walking.
Difficulty: Moderate (difficult bridge crossing, mild uphill)
Terrain: Shaded footpath, healthy forests, variety of agricultural fields
Ethnic Groups: Hmong, Akha Pouli, Khamu
Number of Villages: 7
Food: Lunch included
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This full day hike is ideal for those looking for a challenging one-day mountain hike to the peak of a mountain, passing through ethnic villages along the way. The landscape on the trip includes valleys, steep mountain inclines, views of Muang Sing from above, forests and rice fields. The trip passes through the major ethnic groups in Muang Sing: Tai Lue, Tai Neua, Akha and Hmong.
Time: Full day. Leave 9:00 am/Return 5:30pm.
Difficulty: Difficult (long day and steep incline)
Terrain: Hike to top of nearby mountain and down. Agricultural fields, some forests, excellent views, path is steep but in good condition
Ethnic Groups: Hmong, Akha Dtee Jaw, Akha Pouli, Lue, Tai Neua
Number of Villages: 6
Food: Lunch included
Transportation: return trip from the last village is included
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This 2-day trek is ideal for those looking for a moderate trek with overnight stay in an Akha village. The trek follows the same route as the Pawai Kao 1-day Mountain Hike with overnight in the Akha village located on the peak of the mountain (Pawai Kao village). Breaking the 1-day hike into two days gives trekkers the extra time to spend more time in villages and get to know the local culture. This trek has been one of the most popular treks since the opening of trekking in Muang Sing district.
Time: Day 1: 5 hours walking plus rests and breaks in villages. Day 2: 6 hours.
Difficulty: Moderately Difficult
Terrain: 3 hours of steep uphill. Climb a mountain peak. Beautiful views of Muang Sing. Some stream crossings. Alternating patches of upland rice fields and forests.
Ethnic Groups: Tai Lue, Hmong, Akha Pfien, Akha Puree Nyai, Akha Puree Noy, Tai Neua
Number of Villages: 6
Overnight Village : Pawai Kao, Akha Pouli
Food: 4 meals. Day 1: Lao-style picnic in the fields; dinner in the village. Day 2: Breakfast in village; picnic on trail
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This 2-day trek offers a unique overnight stay in a remote Akha village deep into the hills of Muang Sing. This 2-day trek, in comparison with the Pawai Kao 2-day trek, is a longer walk and takes trekkers to a destination further away from the center of town. The Akha village where trekkers stay overnight is known for its tea tree plantation as well as its idyllic and peaceful location. This trek is also appropriate for those who would like to visit the various Akha subgroups of Muang Sing district.
Time: Day 1: 5-6 hours walking plus rests and breaks in villages. Day 2: approx. 6 hours through forests.
Difficulty: Moderately Difficult
Terrain: 1st day uphill through villages; 2nd day downhill; beautiful forests; mixed agricultural fields
Ethnic Groups: Hmong, Akha Puree Nyai, Akha Puree Noy, Akha Pfian
Number of Villages: 4
Overnight Villag: Sop Ee Kao, Akha Pouli
Food: 4 meals. Day 1: Lao-style picnic in on trail; dinner in the village. Day 2: Breakfast in village; picnic on trail.
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The Muang Sing Guide Service unit operates two different 3-day treks. The treks combine some of the villages from the two day trek to extend for a second night and third day. The Pawai Kao-Sop Ee Kao 3-day trek treks to the peak of Pawai Kao for the first night and then traverses the mountain range to Sop Ee Kao for the second night, before returning via Akha and Hmong villages through the valley on the third day. The Sop Ee Kao-Saen Aen 3-day trek follows a similar type of itinerary, with a more challenging hike on the 2nd day.
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FOOD
Food is included in the price of all treks. LAO FOOD AVAILABLE ONLY: sticky/plain rice, vegetables, meat, chili sauce. Meals on overnight treks are prepared using simple foods purchased in villages, typically rice, vegetables and on occasion some meat or fish. Purchasing food in villages helps generate income for villagers. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary restrictions can be accommodated: LET US KNOW WHEN YOU SIGN UP and REMIND YOUR GUIDE DURING THE TREK. Bring your own snacks/sweets if you'd like.
WATER
Water is provided on the trek and included in the price. We recommend that you take at least 2-3 litres-- don't forget to drink a lot while you're on the trail! Reusable water bottles are provided to reduce plastic waste. You may use your own water bottle if you'd like, instead. On overnight treks water is available in the villages and from streams. To reduce the amount of fuelwood used in the village, we recommend that you use water purification droplets. If you do not have any with you, you can purchase Providone Iodine, available at most local pharmacies in Laos . Add 8 drops of providone iodine to 1 litre of water. Let it stand for at least 30 minutes before drinking. Using iodine on a short-term basis is safe. If you cannot use iodine, water can be boiled in the village. Remember that this takes time and consumes precious fuelwood.
SLEEPING
Sleeping is included in the cost of the trek. The village benefits from a sleeping fee charged for each tourist on the trip. Often the sleeping fee is put into a general fund managed by the village itself for festivals, medicine, rice shortages and other needs. Please, bring your sleeping bag if you have one, as blankets in the villages are limited. If you don't have a sleeping bag, we will either provide you with one or with a blanket in the village.
AKHA MASSAGE
It is traditional for guests to receive a massage upon arriving to an Akha village. As we are paying guests and come on a more frequent basis than normal guests, a small fee is paid directly to the women and young girls who give the massage. This is yet another way that the village can benefit from tourism. PLEASE, DON'T PAY EXTRA FOR THE MASSAGE. This is included in the price. Your guide will pay in a discreet and fair manner to avoid confusion and to avoid over-commercialization of this tradition.
