Akha trail: 3-day / 2 –night
Akha villages & Gibbons in Nam Ha Protected Area

Operated by: Vieng Phoukha Ecoguide Service Vieng Phoukha District,
Luang Namtha Province

Supported by theLNTA-ADB Mekong Tourism Development Project

Description

This 3-day / 2-night trek is located in Vieng Phoukha district in Luang Namtha Province and covers an important area in the Nam Ha Protected Area known for one of the world's last remaining populations of Black-cheeked Crested Gibbons. Trekkers will have a chance to hear the Gibbons call in the morning, as well as see/hear other signs of wildlife in the area. The trek is led by local Khamu and Akha guides who will teach you about local plants and animals. Overnight stay is in traditional Akha villages. The trek also includes a visit to a series of caves known for plentiful population of bats.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Depart at 8:30 from the Eco-Guide Service office. Transfer by pick-up (or tak-tak) to Ban Nam O, a traditional village of the Khamu 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 in a verdant valley. A Lao-style picnic lunch is taken on the way. Hike across several ridges offering panoramic views of the forests of the Nam Ha NPA. The first lodge on the top of a mountain in the Akha Phouli village of Ban Nam Lo is reached by late afternoon. A traditional dinner hosted by the village marks the end of the  first day.

Day 2:

Rising early in the cool season, is your best opportunity to hear the Gibbons calling. Tour the village and its unspoiled spring before setting off to a second Akha village, Ban Phouyae. The Akha group in this village is called Akha Pii, and the women wear a distinct headdress. Walk a number of steep ascents and descents in between upland fields and old growth forest before arriving at an tranquil spot for bathing on the Nam Mai River. Both the Nam Mai and a tributary are crossed on two striking bamboo and wood bridges. The lodge at Ban Thong Lat is reached by late afternoon, where a sociable evening with the villagers is an opportunity for a unique cultural experience.

Day 3:

Follow the rough road following the Nam Mai and winding its way down from Ban Thong Lat is a pleasant and easy walk passing through 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 us to the Prasat Cave . The limestone cave is the final stop on this tour before returning to Vieng Phoukha in the mid-afternoon.

Booking

• Contact the Vieng Phoukha Guide Service Unit at +856-81-212-400

Accommodation & Food

• Lodges with one common room.
• Common bathroom facilities available. Public bathing (women need a sarong)
• Akha cuisine. Typical meal includes chicken, soup, plain rice, vegetables and chili.
• Vegetarian food is available upon request.

Level of Difficulty & Safety

Advanced - Difficult: along a well-worn forest trail, long days with some steep ascents/descents; first day passes through rivers many times (take rubber sandals)

Distance – approximately 40 km (6 hours per day)

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). Please wear long pants and shirt with sleeves during the trek.

Includes

local meals prepared by villagers, water, 2 local guides from town, village guides,
accommodation, forest conservation permit, transport, local taxes