Day 1: Vieng Phoukha
– Ban Nam Lo (L,D)
We depart at 8:30, transfer by pick-up to
Ban Nam O, a traditional village of the Khmu
Kwaen ethnic group. This is where our first
village-based guide joins the group. The
first half of the day follows the meandering
Nam O River and its lush valley. A Lao-style
picnic lunch is taken on the way when hiking
across several ridges offering panoramic
views onto the forests of the Nam Ha NPA.
The well-worn Akha trail continues past a
temporary settlement of the upland rice
farmers of Ban Nam O. The first lodge on the
top of a mountain at the Akha Phouli village
of Ban Nam Lo is reached by late afternoon.
A traditional dinner hosted by the village
headman and his family marks the end of an
adventurous first day.
Day 2: Ban Nam Lo
– Ban Thong Lat (B, L, D)
Rising early, you may be able to hear the
calling sounds of rare black-cheeked
gibbons. Tour the village and its spring
before setting off to a second Akha village,
Ban Phouyae. The Akha group of this village
is called Akha Pii, the women wearing a
distinct headdress. A number of steep
ascents and descents in between upland
fields and old growth forest before arriving
at an idyllic spot for bathing on the Nam
Mai River. Both the Nam Mai and a tributary
are crossed on two impressive bamboo and
wood bridges. The lodge at Ban Thong Lat is
reached by late afternoon, where a sociable
evening with the villagers promises a
special cultural experience.
Day 3: Ban Thong
Lat, Vieng Phoukha (B, L)
The rough road following the Nam Mai and
winding its way down from Ban Thong Lat is a
pleasant and easy walk passing througha
scenery of 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.
