Cloud Forest Challenge (No Nests & No Homestay)

(10 km trek. 7 hours. Elev. Gain/Loss +850m/-275m. Avg. Slope +12%/-8%)

Morning
After an early breakfast and saying your goodbyes to your homestay family, we depart for the first of the two-day ascent to the peak of the Phou Louey Mountain.

The first 5 km of the trail climbs up through a mosaic of shifting agricultural fields. Your guide will explain about local agriculture, which villagers depend on for both their food and income.

Afternoon
After approximately a 2-hour walk, the trail enters the National Park. Trek through the forest for around 2 hours passing by the former ranger substation until arriving at Tad Ang Waterfall, an amazing waterfall that has bowl-like jungle infinity pool. Enjoy swimming while the village cook will prepare a lunch.

After lunch, the trail continues a gradual ascent until finally reaching the first campsite where you will stop for the night, Houay Kaneng camp. The camp is located nearby a waterfall where you can relax and refresh. Walk silently to the waterfall as you might spot some animals if you are lucky.

Evening
Follow the guide to the nearby camera trap to change the memory card. Once back at the camp see the camera trap photos and enjoy a traditional Khmu dinner by campfire prepared by the village cooks.

Night
Overnight in hammocks (one person per hammock).

(6 km trek. 4 hours. Elev. Gain/Loss: +550/-1225m. Avg. Slope: +7.5%/-11%).

Morning

Wake up early and before breakfast walk up to a nearby mountain to check for wildlife photos on camera traps set there, bird watch, and possibly have the opportunity to hear the calls of the rare Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons. After returning back to the campsite, enjoy breakfast.

After the breakfast, start the last day of trekking and visit the Tad Louey and Tad Loy waterfalls. Your final day of trekking is mostly a descent through mixed deciduous and bamboo forest.

At the edge of the forest and fields, enjoy a picnic overlooking fields and the backdrop of Phou Louey Mountain (Optionally, lunch can be hold at the village). If weather conditions allow and the sky is clear you may be able to see Phou Louey Mountain and the trail that you hiked over the past couple days. Hike through the village’s rice, tobacco, and cornfields until you arrive to Ban Sakok, an ethnic Khmu Village, situated on the edge of the national park boundary.

Once in the village your guides and village team will bid you goodbye and you will be transferred back to Muang Hiem by private truck or van. You will be transferred back to Muang Hiem by private truck or van, in an early afternoon.

-end of the itinerary-

Departure suggestion (If travel with local transport)

Overnight in Village home stay or in Muang Hiem after the tour.

The local bus to Sam Neau and Phonsavan junction departs at 8am every morning from the Muang Hiam bus station.

The local bus to Nong Khiaw and Luang Prabang passes through Muang Hiem every day at approximately 12pm -1pm.
In the morning go for walking through the school forest trail and/or enjoy the Muang Hiem Hot Springs before getting the bus at noon at the bus station.