LAOS - Destinations & Hotels
The Far North
The Akha Experience -3 Days / 2 Nights | $$$
Eco-friendly, Remote location
Tour route - Nam Tha - Muang Sing – Nam Keo Noi Waterfall – Ban Lao Khao – Ban Phou Yae – Ban Houeinagang – Ban Eu La – Ban Tamee – Ban Nam Hoo – Ban Phiyer – Muang Sing
This community-based tour, the "Akha Experience" is a genuine ecotourism trek run in Northern Laos. This tour is owned by the locals of 8 Akha villages and aims to improve their well-being, as well as to increase their incomes.
For each tour, over 50% of the money gets to the villagers and the village development fund. Moreover, a part of the money goes to the trails and forest maintenance. You will be lead by local guides throughout the entire tour.
Tour Highlights
- A 6 hour trek along the old French road through the jungle, pine forest and villages, enjoying a traditional Akha picnic lunch, collecting bamboo shoots and vegetables and bird watching.
- A 5 hour trek, passing different Akha villages learning about the forest’s spirits, taking a traditional tea break and joining local activities such as cotton spinning or pounding rice.
- A 3 hours trek to Ban Phiyer, en route getting the chance to chat with locals about Akha tribal tradition and experience paddy rice farming.
- Enjoy listening to traditional musical instruments, stories and legends, plus a massage by Akha villagers.
- Have an opportunity to contribute to the villages by purchasing some local handicrafts and help support local community economy.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Muang Sing - Nam Keo Noi Waterfall - Ban Lao Khao (6 Hours Trekking) L,D
epart from That Xieng Tueng following the old French road to Nam Keo Noi Waterfall.
After 3 hours trekking through primary and secondary forest, lunch is prepared by the villagers of 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 to the old village site and walk through pine forest and old growth forest before descending to Ban Lao Khao. On the trail, take part in forest activity such as bird watching and collecting bamboo shoots or medicinal plants.
While waiting for dinner, visit the village with the Ban Lao Khao village hosts. Walk around the village; listen to traditional musical instruments, stories, legends while watching the preparation of the evening meal. Learn about traditional Akha architecture and houses.
After dinner, enjoy a massage provided by the young women of the village before going off to listen to the courting songs of the youth at the courting grounds.
Overnight in the Ban Lao Khao Lodge.
Day 2
Ban Lao Khao - Ban Phou Yae - Ban Houeinagang - Ban Eu La - Ban Tamee (5 Hours Trekking) , B,L,D
After breakfast, start walking to Ban Phou Yae. The trail passes through secondary forest. Arrive in Ban Phou Yae and be the guest of a local family for lunch.
After lunch continue to Ban Houeinagang where you stop for an afternoon snack in and participate in village activities such as cotton spinning, making and playing with children’s toys or pounding rice. Continue to Ban Eu La. Along the way enjoy agricultural activities such as planting rice, riding a buffalo or gathering vegetables. Stop for another snack break and visit Eu La village (it is an Akha custom for visitors to stop in the village and chat before passing on through).
Continue to Ban Tamee. While waiting for dinner, visit the village with the Ban Lao Khao village hosts. Listen to traditional musical instruments, stories, legends while watching the preparation of the evening meal. Learn about home life and marriage customs.
Overnight in Ban Tamee Lodge.
Day 3
Ban Tamee - Ban Nam Hoo - Ban Phiyer B,L
After breakfast join the villagers in their everyday lives, they appreciate your attention and willingness to learn about Akha daily life. Spend some time with the children, teach them new games or learn theirs. Depart for Ban Nam Hou. Along the way enjoy agricultural activity with the villagers. Walk through the forest to see a magnificent view of Muang Sing. Participate in forest activity with the villagers. Lunch is served with a family in either Ban Mona and Ban Piyer villages. After lunch, visit the village handicraft shop in Ban Piyer and, if you wish, make a contribution to the village by purchasing some of the locally-made goods. Then take a truck back to Muang Sing and on to Boat Landing Guesthouse.
Accommodation:
Akha eco-lodges with common rooms sleeping up to 8 people in total (one for men and one for women). Mosquito net, blankets and sheets are provided. Common bathroom facilities equipped with solar energy.
Food:
Local Akha food. Meals on treks are prepared using simple foods purchased in villages, typically rice, vegetables and on occasion some meat or fish. Bring your own snacks/sweets if you require.
Vegetarian food is available upon request.
Group Size: A minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 8 guests.
Note: We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.
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