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Visitors 

The Namtha River begins approximately 15 kilometers north of Luang Namtha, at the confluence of the Nam Luang and Nam Thoung rivers. Both are fed by watersheds formed by the hills that make up the border between Laos and China. As the Namtha flows through Luang Namtha it is joined by the Nam Tateung River. Just south of the boat landing the Namtha is made stronger yet by the Nam Mien River which joins it from the west. For a while it forms the eastern border of the Nam Ha NBCA. The Nam Ha itself runs into the Namtha approximately 20 kilometers downstream from Luang Namtha. Although the Namtha gently meanders through the wide plains of the Namtha Valley, further south it is broken by rapids as it flows towards the Mekong at Paktha. During the late dry season (January to April), the river level may drop and make travel by boat difficult.

Itinerary: Luang Namtha - Ban Khon Kham - Ban Mai - Ban Sope Dute - Ban Sopsim - Luang Namtha
This one day boat trip takes us down the Namtha River. The boat is a traditional wooden boat of the villagers of Ban Khon Kham, one of the last villages to run these boats. We will visit three ethnic groups in the villages of Ban Mai (Black Tai), Ban Sope Dute (Lanten) and Ban Sopsim ( Khmu). The right bank of the river is the Nam Ha National Protected Area. The boat will go as far as the confluence of the Nam Ha River before turning around and coming back up river. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the river.

Villages and Ethnic Groups
Ban Mai (Tai Dam, "Black Tai")
The first village downstream is Ban Mai. Making up seven percent of the population of Luang Namtha Province, Tai Dam are a Tai speaking group whose homeland is Dien Bein Phu in Northern Vietnam. The first Tai Dam villages are believed to have been established here during the 1890s, in response to the devastation caused by marauding "Black Banner" Haw Chinese Bandits from Yunnan. Why they are called Black Tai is not agreed upon by scholars, but some believe the name was taken from the Black River in Vietnam. Boatmen sometimes stop here to take on other boatmen to help navigate the river. Silk is produced by some households in this village; look out for the bamboo baskets and trays containing worms and the bright yellow cocoons underneath some of the houses.

Ban Sopdtut, Ban Nam Tat (Lanten)
After leaving the plains, the river runs through forest-covered hills and passes several Lanten villages. Lanten people establish their villages near permanent streams and subsequently are sometimes referred to as Lao Huay, or "Stream" Lao. Luang Namtha is home to the largest concentration of Lanten villages in Laos, and counts about 4000 Lanten in its population. Like the closely-related Mein (Yao), the Lanten emigrated from China in search of stability and new mountain rice fields.
They are recognizable by their dark indigo clothing, which is woven and dyed in the village, the women’s and striking silver jewelry. Upon reaching the end of childhood, Lanten women wear their hair swept up in a traditional style and also shave their eyebrows.
The Lanten language is still strong, and male elders continue to read and write a Lanten script based on Chinese characters. They practice a synthesis of animism and Taoism, focused on the lineage of ancestors and on village spirits. Lanten rituals often use wooden masks and handmade bamboo-fiber paper. During the dry season, papermaking can often be seen along the river banks near Lanten villages.

Ban Sopsim (Khmu)
Part of the Mon-Khmer branch of the Austro-Asiatic linguistic family, the 500,000 Khmu represents one of the largest ethnic groups in Lao PDR. The Khmu settled the area of present-day Lao PDR several thousand years in advance of the Tai peoples who now dominate.
Like many of the ethnic groups in northern Laos, the Khmu are not Buddhist but practice their own form of animism. Although many traditional animist ceremonies are no longer performed, ritual meal offerings are often made to placate the spirits upon whom the rice harvest depends. When a traditional ceremony is underway, a woven bamboo tale will be placed at the entrance to the village. If you are permitted to enter, do not disturb people involved in the ceremonies or touch any alters or ritual items. Ask your guide if you are unsure.

Nam Ha NBCA
In 1993 the Government of Laos created the Nam Ha NBCA, one of 21 conservation areas around the country. Approximately twelve percent of the nation’s land is encompassed in these areas, a remarkably high percentage that represents a positive step towards the preservation of Lao PDR’s unique and valuable natural heritage. As you pass along the edge of the protected area watch out for sights of some of the 300 bird species that inhabit the NBCA.

Approximately: 15 minutes transfer/ 5 hours boat

Note: Low water levels may reduce the number of passengers the boats can carry. The trip maybe not be possible between February and June.

* Maximum of 6 per tour | Booking »

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Where does your money go?
From 8 people on the 1 Day Nam Tha River Day Trip 2008
Actual distribution may differ slightly from trip to trip due to exchange rates, changing costs and specific conditions of a particular tour

	: Green Discovery, overhead, equipment costs, marketing, product development, profit 23%
	: Villager 36%
	: Guides, drivers, restaurant 22%
	: Community Based Tourism Development Fund 6%
	: Taxes 13%

Green Discovery recognizes that the welfare of our business depends on the welfare of the people, communities and environment around us. It is for that reason that we take extra effort to ensure that benefits from our trips are distributed broadly. Each trip is a bit different but all trips benefit the local economy and contribute to protecting the environment. The guides, drivers, the food and most of the villagers benefit from your presence. Most notably you’ll see that every village we visit not only receives some of the money that you paid for the tour, they also are active business partners in the tour. We also pay $2 per day per person to the National Protected Area and set aside 10% of the above expenses for training of guides, villagers and development of more community-based tourism programs.

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