This trip takes us through three Lanten Villages and two Khmu villages. Ban Nalan Tai, a Khmu village, and Ban Nam Goy, a Lanten village, can only be accessed by foot or by boat. This trail climbs a ridge near the Nam Ha River and goes through forested areas bordering the Nam Ha National Protected Area. On the second day the trail crosses over the Nam Ha River to cut through a section of old growth forest with abundant signs of wildlife before we pass through rice paddies and finally cross the Nam Tha River to Ban Hat Yawng. The overnight stay alternates from trip to trip between Ban Nam Goy or Ban Nalan Tai. On this trip we will learn about the upland agricultural practices, the uses of the forest and we’ll enjoy the hospitality and food of the Lanten.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Luang Namtha- Ban Nam Leu - Ban Nalan - Ban Nam Goy
The trek starts in the village of Ban Nam Leu, a Lanten village. The trail ascends from here to the ridge line. Along the trail we will pass through forest in various stages of regeneration as well as some upland fields. Ask the guide to tell you how we are working with the villagers to conserve and regenerate the forest. We will meet local villagers along the trail coming from or going to the market. Descend from the ridge down to the village of Ban Nalan Tai on the banks of the Nam Ha. In order to distribute evenly the benefit between villagers, trips alternate overnight stays between the lodges of Ban Nam Goy (Lanten) and Ban Nalan Tai (Khmu). If you are staying in Ban Nam Goy you will walk another 40 minutes along the bank of the Nam Ha River from Ban Nalan Tai.

Approximately: 1 hour transfer / 6 hours trekking

Day 2: Ban Nam Goy - Ban Hat Yawng – Luang Namtha
Today we continue trekking through the forest along the banks of the Nam Ha. Monkeys have been reported in this area. If we walk quietly and luck is on our side, we may hear them. Meet the villagers in the forest along the way for a picnic. We will cross the Nam Ha River on a bamboo raft before entering the Nam Ha National Protected Area. Here the trail traverses old growth forests, follows streams along which we will notice signs of the abundant wildlife in the area. If we are lucky, we may even see some. We continue over the ridge passing through rice paddy before reaching the banks of the Nam Tha and crossing by boat to Ban Hat Yawng.

From here, we will return to Luang Namtha either by boat motor or pick-up truck. The optional return by river is in a traditional motor boat operated by local villagers. On your way up the river you may see water birds along the banks and make your last pass along the border of the Nam Ha Protected Area. If returning by pick-up truck, the road may be a bit rough and a little dusty.

Approximately: 5 hours trekking / 1 ½ hours boat or 1 hour transfer

Note: Return by boat may not be possible from March-June and a return by pick-up may not be possible July–September.

1 day tours cannot be booked in advance by Email. Please visit our respective branch office directly.

* Maximum of 8 per tour | Booking »

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Where does your money go?
From 8 people Nam Ha Valley 2 Day Trip in 2007
Actual distribution may differ slightly from trip to trip due to exchange rates, changing costs and specific conditions of a particular tour

From 8 people Nam Ha Valley 2 Day Trip in 2007 return by truck
	: Green Discovery, overhead, equipment costs, marketing, product development, profit 23%
	: Villager 25%
	: Guides, drivers, restaurant, boat 25%
	: Nam Ha NPA 8%
	: Community-based Tourism Development Fund 6%
	: Taxes 13%

From 8 people Nam Ha Valley 2 Day Trip in 2007 return by boat
	: Green Discovery, overhead, equipment costs, marketing, product development, profit 23%
	: Villager 20%
	: Guides, drivers, restaurant, boat 31%
	: Nam Ha NPA 7%
	: 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 vendors 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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