Visitors 

 
The Akha Experience

(3 days trekking, all seasons)
Akha's life in the foest

The Akha Experience is an experimental tour which takes the participants on a 3-day learning experience into the culture and daily life of the Akha in Muang Sing. The participants experience the Akha's life in the forest, in the fields and in the village.

Day 1 : Muang Sing - Nam Keo Noi Waterfall - Ban Lao Khao enjoy brid watching
Tour departs from That Xieng Tueng, Muang Sings most sacred Bhuddist site. For the first hour, the tour follows the old French road which was cut through the jungle in colonial times. You can still witness some remains of a soldier camp. The trail goes up and down, reaching about 1100 m altitude.

After three hours trekking through primary and secondary forest, lunch is prepared by the villagers of Ban Lao Khao at the beautiful Nam Keo Noi waterfall. Food is cooked in the traditional Akha way using local products, forest vegetables and ancient techniques.
After lunch, carry on together with the villagers of Ban Lao Khao to the old village site and walk through pine forest and old growth forest before descending to their village.
On the trail the guides have a forest activity such as bird watching, collecting bamboo shoots and medicinal plants, depending on season and villagers suggestions.
Stay overnight at the lodge in Ban Lao Khao.

While waiting for dinner, visit the village with Ban Lao Khao hosts. Walk around the village, observe how the villagers feed their husbandry and prepare for the day ending. Listen to traditional musical instruments, stories and legends while watching the preparation of the evening meal. You could also ask about traditional Akha architecture. After dinner you will receive a massage which is traditionally given to the guests staying overnight in the village. You can go off listening to the courting songs of the youth at the courting grounds.
This first day is a moderate to strenuous walk. It is the most exhausting of the three days trekking.

Approximately: 6 hours trekking

Day 2 : Ban Lao Khao - Ban Phou Yae - Ban Houeinagang - Ban Eu La - Ban Tamee Akha Village
After breakfast start walking to Ban Phou Yae. The trail passes through the old secondary forest. During the trek, the village guides can tell you about old trees inhabited by spirits and show you the place where wild animals come for drinking water. The forest also provides an abundance of wild fruits. Arrive in Ban Phou Yae where you will be the guest of a family for lunch. After lunch, continue to Ban Houeinagang. Stop for an a tea in Ban Houeinagang and do a village activity such as cotton spinning, making and playing with children’s toys, or pounding rice. Continue to Ban Eula. Along the way you can learn about upland rice cultivation and during planting season try it yourself. Continue to Ban Tamee where you will stay overnight.

After a nice hot shower tour the village and learn about home life and marriage customs. Dare riding on a buffalo! Enjoy the traditional massage before listening to the villagers playing traditional instruments. They will invite you to sing along or try out the instruments. This is also a good time to try Lao Lao, the Lao rice liquor, in case you have not done this before.

Approximately: 5 hours trekking

Day 3 : Ban Tamee - Ban Nam Hoo - Ban Phiyer – Muong Sing
After breakfast, do an activity with the Akha people such as cotton spinning, pounding rice or feeding the pigs. They will appreciate your attention and willingness to learn about the Akha daily life. Spend some time with the children, they will enjoy new games or you can learn theirs. Depart for Ban Nam Hoo. Along the way share some of the agricultural activities with locals. Learn and experience paddy rice farming and realize just how much work has to be done before you can eat your rice! Stop for a break in Ban Nam Hoo, where there is time for another village activity. Afterwards, walk through the forest to see a magnificent view of Muang Sing. Do a forest activity with the villagers. Lunch is served in Ban Mona.

Visit the village handicraft store in Ban Piyer and take the opportunity to buy some handicrafts. You will be supporting the local economy and can have a beautiful souvenir or present for friends and relatives. Take the truck back to Muang Sing in late after noon.

Approximately: 3 hours trekking
Akha's life in the foest

Note:
• Transfer by public bus or minivan to and from Green Discovery office in Luang Namtha is additional charge.
• If you wish to travel to Muang Sing one day in advance. Accommodation can be arranged as additional charge.
• This tour is shared, no private option is offeredAkha Village

Information  
   
Price per person NT-T-08
1 person 288 US$
2 persons 152 US$
3-5 persons 119 US$
6-8 persons 89 US$

* Maximum of 8 per tour | Booking »

Depart from:
The Muang Sing Tourism Office
Arrival at:
The Muang Sing Tourism Office
Start time:
8:00 am
End at:
5:00 pm
Duration:
3 days
Departure date:
Daily
Activities:
Trekking
Grade:
Moderate 5 to 6 hours of trekking per day. Some up hill climbs involved. Trekkers must be in good shape.
Transport:
-
Accommodation:
Village home-stay
Meals:

From lunch day 1 to lunch day 3

What to bring:
Hat, sun-screen, mosquito repellent, shoes to get wet, warm change of clothes for the evening and a sarong for bathing, 2 changes of clothes, long pants and shirt with sleeves during the trek, good hiking shoes, sunscreen/hat, mosquito repellent, sandals for village, sarong for bathing (required for women), camera.
What is included:
Water, meals, local English speaking guide, transport as listed above, trekking permit, accommodation and entrance fee, service charge, government tax

Top

Date:  

Vientiane
c Luang Prabang
d Savannakhet
Pakse
 
 


Receive our monthly
News Letter

Tell us your email:

 
 
Photo: Catterson oh
 
Traveling in the Lao People's Democratic Republic
Submitted by by Megan Lantz-Oh and Catterson Oh

 

 

 

| Home | Reservation | Latest News | About Us | Companyprofile | Contact us | Feed back | Employee |
Copyright © 2005 Green Discovery, Created by insmai.com