3 Days 2 Nights 'Cloud Forest Challenge' Trek (No Nests & No Homestay)

Shorter version of the full 5 Days 4 Nights Cloud Forest Challenge Trek. Excludes first and last day of the 5 day Cloud Forest Challenge. No homestay at the Khmu village, no PhouPaMai Mountain pass and viewpoint, no wildlife observation tower, no Nests camp.

This trek offers a unique opportunity to enter one of the most important wildlife habitats of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. Feel as field biologist for few days as you track and identify proof of wildlife along the trekking trail. Direct wildlife observations are difficult on the trekking tour, but if lucky you can spot giant flying squirrels, various civet species, macaques, serow, muntjacs, and birdlife including silver pheasants and hornbills, as well as hear the beautiful morning calls of the critically endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons. Thus, you might notice wild cat, wild dog and bear presence, as you identify the footprints, scratches, scat, and view camera trap images set along the trail. The data from the camera traps is further incorporated into the national park’s wildlife-monitoring program.

Accommodation on tour: 2 nights in jungle huts. All camps are located inside the National Park and nearby a stream or a waterfall.

Seasonality: Dry season only – October to May/June (depending on the rainy season).

Difficulty: Difficult to Challenging. Please be aware that this has been found to be a very difficult trek.  It involves full days of climbing up steep hills and other difficulties associated with thick jungle. Please sign up for this tour only if you have experience with difficult trekking and if you are in very good level of physical fitness.

• Please note that the itinerary below is approximate. Small change can occur as we are in remote and wild Laos and it is impossible to predict everything. However, please trust that the National Park’s guide will do the most to ensure you have the best possible wildlife experience.

>>Please find detailed information for each day of the itinerary below<<

• National Park’s Conservation Fund Fee,

• Ecotourism Benefit Fund Fee for wildlife sighting bonus,

• District Office of Information, Culture & Tourism Fee

• National Park’s Tour Guide (Lao, English, Khmu, Hmong speaking)

• Village team services: wildlife spotter, boatmen, porters, cooks, cleaning, handicraft group (depending on tour type)

• Transportation from Muang Hiam to the village where the tour start and back to Muang Hiam

• Food and water

• Sleeping equipment

• Leech Socks

• Long pants/sleeves and trekking shoes

Weather note – Weather can be both very hot during the daytime and very cold at night. It is recommended that you bring clothes for both extremes.

Water note – Please note that we provide boiled stream water on the multiple day trekking tours. Please take your own water purification tablets.

We ask that you please bring just one small backpack and leave large suitcases or long‐haul backpacks in the village or your car.

Please bring the following:

Please bring the following:

• light rain jacket or poncho (strongly recommended)
• fleece jacket (strongly recommended as November to February can be very cold)
• both sun hat for daytime and wool cap for night
• long pants for walking in the forest
• good walking shoes and sandals for bathing
• clothes for bathing (shorts and t-shirt). Please no nude/bikini bathing.
• Warm clothes for sleeping (as November to February can be very cold)
• snacks (food is provided, but you might want to bring something to snack on)
• water purification tablets (for multi-day treks the water is boiled)
• towel and toiletries
• insect repellent
• flashlight
• binoculars
• reusable water bottle (help us reduce waste)

• Please note that we provide boiled stream water on the multiple-day trekking tours. Please take your own water purification tablets.

Optional:

• Your own sleeping bag and/or sleeping sheet (we provide a sleeping bag, but you can use your own if you have)
• Our porters will carry all camping equipment, however if you would like someone to carry your personal items for you, you may pay extra for an additional porter. Please ask our staff about this.

Cancellation Policy

• 100% refund at least 7 days before the tour date
• 50% refund at least 5 days before the tour
• 0% refund if least than 3 days before the tour date

Refund Policy

• Kindly be advised that only tour/activity fees are refundable; Bank fees cannot be refunded under any circumstances.

• If you have questions or encounter problems with the tour, please contact WhatsApp/Tel: +856 20 59 533 720