8 DAYS TREK IN LAOS

This itinerary starts in the center of the mountainous Phongsaly province in Northern Laos. The ethnic groups visited are the Akha divided in numerous sub-groups such as the Eupa, the Muchi, the Pala and finally the Khammu (Mon-Khmer). The Akha women largely wear traditional clothes in cotton, decorated with silver coins. The villages are very isolated, and live in subsistence regime.
The highest altitude of the trek is 1600 m. above sea level, the lowest 800m.
The arrival point is the Nam Ou river which allows us to travel by boat down to Luang Prabang.
I provide accurate maps (1: 100 000) during the trek. Your luggage will be carried by porters all the way who also prepare the meals in the village headman’s house. Duration of a day walk: 4 to 5 hours through deep valleys, fords, fields and tropical forests.


 Day 1: flight Bangkok- Luang Prabang on Bangkok airways. Visit of the historical center on foot (Vat Xieng Thong). Walk along the Mekong bank. Before sunset climb the Pusi hill for a general view of the town. Night in a comfortable guest house close to the former royal palace.

D2: Private bus to Udomsai (about 5 hours) by a mountainous road. Lunch at Udomsai market. Road to the porters’ home by the Nam Pak river. Home- stay in a house on stilt. Preparation of the rucksacks for the trek
D3: road direction North to the departure point of the trek. Hike through forest, paddy fields and streams. Night in a Pala village at the village chief’s house. Shower outside the village under a bamboo tube.

An Akha girl and a civet.
D4: hike to an Akha Eupa village. Bath in a river. Stops in Akha villages.  
 
D5 to D6: hike along a crest offering panoramic views. Observe the daily life of the hill tribes during the rice harvest. Nights in Akha Eupa villages.



D7: steep climb to a 1600m. high pass. Breathtaking views by clear day. Walk down to an Akha Muchi village. This Akha group is represented by 5 villages only in Northern Laos. Remarkable embroidery such as headbands, jackets and bags.


 
D8 to D9: hike to two Khamu villages. the Khamu are the first inhabitants of Laos living on houses on stilt. Some villages have dynamo-powered electricity provided by a stream. It’s always possible to donate school stationary to the teacher.
D 10: walk down the hills to the Nam Ou valley, a Mekong tributary. Night in a Khamu village.  
 
 D11: Last hike to the river by gentle hills. Boat to the little town of Muang Khua located 100 km away from the Vietnamese border (Dien Bien Phu).walk around Muang Khua. Cross the hanging bridge. Night in a guest house by the Nam Ou.

D12: Boat trip down the Nam Ou river on it’s most beautiful stretch. stops to see small markets and the life along the river. In New Muang Ngoy visit of a cave a former Pathet Lao (Communist army) stronghold. night at Sunset guest house by the Nam Ou. 
 
D13: bus to Luang Prabang (3 hours). Transfert to airport for the flight to Bangkok or extension of your stay in Laos.
   


RATE PER PERSON IF :
 2 persons   1700 €
4 persons   1200 €
6 persons   1000 €
7 persons     900 €
 

INCLUDES: flight Bangkok-Luang Prabang-Bangkok on Bangkok airways (ATR72 aircraft) - all meals- private bus and boat- porters/cook during the trek- accommodation: home-stay and guest house as mentioned- entry fees.

NOT INCLUDED: Lao visa- airport tax- drinks-insurance.