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3 Days Phou Louey Mountain Summit Trekking Tour

Phou Louey Mountain Summit Trekking Tour. This trek offers a unique opportunity to enter one of the most important wildlife habitats of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. Feel as field biologist for few days as you track and identify proof of wildlife along the trekking trail. Direct wildlife observations are difficult on the trekking tour, but if lucky you can spot giant flying squirrels, various civet species, macaques, serow, muntjacs, and birdlife including silver pheasants and hornbills, as well as hear the beautiful morning calls of the critically endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons. Thus, you might notice wild cat, wild dog and bear presence, as you identify the footprints, scratches, scat, and view camera trap images set along the trail. The data from the camera traps is further incorporated into the national park’s wildlife-monitoring program

Please note that the itinerary below is approximate. Small change can occur as we are in remote and wild Laos and it is impossible to predict everything. However, please trust that the National Park’s guide will do the most to ensure you have the best possible wildlife experience.

Day 1. Transfer to remote Khmu village. Enter the National Park and enjoy waterfalls along the way. Overnight in a jungle camp.
(10 km trek. 7 hours. Elev. Gain/Loss +850m/-275m. Avg. Slope +12%/-8%)
Morning

The National Park’s English-speaking guide and driver will meet clients at around 8:00am at the guesthouse in Muang Hiem.

First, visit the National Park’s headquarters and Visitor Center in Muang Hiam. The guide will share a presentation of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park and introduce the on-the-ground efforts in protecting wildlife.

After around 1.5-hour drive along curvy roads through mountainous landscape and villages surrounding the National Park, you will arrive at Ban Nam Soy village.

From Ban Nam Soy drive for 5 km on a narrow unsurfaced track (open dry season only) overlooking agricultural fields to Ban Navene, a remote Khmu village. Once in Ban Navane, meet with the village ecotourism team and guide and depart for the first of the two-day ascent to the peak of the Phou Louey Mountain.

The first 5 km of the trail climbs up through a mosaic of shifting agricultural fields. Your guide will explain about local agriculture, which villagers depend on for both their food and income.

Afternoon

After approximately a 2-hour walk, the trail enters the National Park. Trek through the forest for around 2 hours passing by the former ranger substation until arriving at Tad Ang Waterfall, an amazing waterfall that has bowl-like jungle infinity pool. Enjoy swimming while the village cook will prepare a lunch.

After lunch, the trail continues a gradual ascent until finally reaching the first campsite where you will stop for the night, Houay Kaneng camp. The camp is located nearby a waterfall where you can relax and refresh. Walk silently to the waterfall as you might spot some animals if you are lucky.

Evening

Follow the guide to the nearby camera trap to change the memory card. Once back at the camp see the camera trap photos and enjoy a traditional Khmu dinner by campfire prepared by the village cooks.

Night

Overnight in jungle huts (two person per hut).

Day 2. The Challenge day. Conquer the summit of Phou Louey Mountain.
(12 km trek. 10+ hours. Elev. Gain/Loss +1270m/-1250m. Avg. Slope +18%/-17%)
Morning

Wake up with the first light and enjoy breakfast to the sounds of early morning bird calls.

Please be prepared to wake up early and get prepared in a timely fashion as today is the challenge day! The final climb up to the Cloud Forest and Phou Louey Peak is a very steep 5-6 hour climb (average slope +18%), followed by a very steep 4-5 hour descent (average slope -17%). The relatively short 12 km trek of today can easily take 10 hours or more!

The Phou Louey summit is a Cloud Forest, and as the name states the peak is usually covered in clouds, however, if you are lucky with good weather conditions and clear sky, you may see a breathtaking view of thick, old growth forest covering “Forever Mountain” for as far as the eye can see. Please do not pick any plants from the Phou Louey Peak area and please stay on the trail to reduce the footprints on this rare plant community.

Afternoon

After 6.5km climb (5-6 hours), enjoy lunch nearby the summit. At the summit additional camera trap will be opened to change memory cards. Phou Louey is known for its abundance of wildlife, and so the chance to see some great camera trap photos of different species is quite high. Together with the guide view the wildlife camera trap images.

After enjoying the wonders of the cloud forest, the trail descends down to Tad Loy camp, which is 5.5km (4-5 hours) from the top.

Arrival to the camp in late afternoon. Enjoy free time to relax and bath in the nearby river.

Evening – Dinner

Enjoy a traditional Khmu dinner prepared by the village cook and porters.

Enjoy the dinner at the campfire and the wild outback of Nam Et-Phou Louey. Your guides may tell you some Khmu folktales and stories about dragons, wildlife and ghosts.

Night

Overnight in jungle huts (two person per hut).

Day 3. Last day. Morning Gibbon calls and Waterfalls. Exit the National Park.
(6 km trek. 4 hours. Elev. Gain/Loss: +550/-1225m. Avg. Slope: +7.5%/-11%)
Morning

Wake up early and before breakfast walk up to a nearby mountain to check for wildlife photos on camera traps set there, bird watch, and possibly have the opportunity to hear the calls of the rare Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons. After returning back to the campsite, enjoy breakfast.

After the breakfast, start the last day of trekking and visit the Tad Louey and Tad Loy waterfalls. Your final day of trekking is mostly a descent through mixed deciduous and bamboo forest.

At the edge of the forest and fields, enjoy a picnic overlooking fields and the backdrop of Phou Louey Mountain (Optionally, lunch can be hold at the village). If weather conditions allow and the sky is clear you may be able to see Phou Louey Mountain and the trail that you hiked over the past couple days. Hike through the village’s rice, tobacco, and cornfields until you arrive to Ban Sakok, an ethnic Khmu Village, situated on the edge of the national park boundary.

Once in the village your guides and village team will bid you goodbye and you will be transferred back to Muang Hiem by private truck or van. You will be transferred back to Muang Hiem by private truck or van, in an early afternoon.

-End of the Tour-

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