This 4 day trek though the Phou Khao Khouy National Protected Area takes us into mountainous forest with great views from the top. We camp near at the river, in the forest and a village (home-stay) of the Yao ethnic minority. Here we learn about animals, plants, trees and unique culture of the Yao minority in the Long Xan valley north of Phou Khao Khouay.

Day1: Vientiane - Nam Mang – Camp Site 1
Trip starts from Vientiane. We head south by pick-up truck for 96 Km to Phou Khao Khouy National Protected Area. After preparing our equipment we start trekking though secondary forest up to the top of the mountain, where we can enjoy panoramic views of the park and a Lao style picnic lunch.

After lunch, 3 hours walking through forest and going down steep slopes with bamboo to the Nam Mang River where the camp site is located. There is time to refresh in the clean and cool water of the river.

Approximately: 2 hours transfer/5 hours trekking

Day 2: Camp Site 1 - Camp Site 2
Waking up early in the morning, we have chance to see the birds, squirrels even monkeys. After breakfast, a bamboo raft will take us across the Nam Mang river. On the other side, we start trekking for 6 hours up and down the bamboo and evergreen forest to the second camp site. A few stops will be made. Lunch will be taken whenever you feel hungry.

Approximately: 6 hours trekking

Day 3: Camp Site 2 - Nam Mang - Ban Pha Ann
Again we rise early. On a 5 hours easy walk in evergreen forest until we reach rice and corn fields, signalling to have reached Ban Pha Ann in the heart of the Long Xan valley. We will stay here overnight with families of the Yao minority and learn about their culture and daily life.

The Yao are related to the Hmong. They have a written language using Chinese characters. and a complex combination of a sacred spiritual doctrine and a Tao doctrine of their ancestors that comes from Chinese influence. It is a mix of magic, Confucianism and history. There is also a belief of animistic spirits that are part of daily life. They believe in seven principal sprits that represent humans, animals, fields, forests, the sky, water and the earth and village. Yao society is strongly patriarchal. The husband and father have the final say.

Approximately: 5 hours trekking

Day4: Ban Pha Ann – Ban Naxay - Long Xan - Vientiane
After breakfast, a tractor will take us along a dirt road for 3 hours to Ban Naxay, where the pick-up truck awaits. We stop for lunch at the local restaurant at Long Xan and then return to Vientiane by the afternoon.

Approximately: 6 hours transfer

Note: This trip is only feasible in the dry season (Oct to May)

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

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Maximum group size 1 to 8 pax | Booking »

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