FAQ
- CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOUR
- BOOKING
- PAYMENT & TOUR CONFIRMATION
- INCLUDED/EXCLUDED
- PACKING LIST
- GETTING THERE
- ACCOMMODATION AROUND THE PARK
- WILDLIFE
DO I NEED TO BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION ?
We have welcomed visitors with infants as well as seniors 70+. It all depends on you. However, in general we would consider that:
- Nam Nern Night Safari – is for everyone!
- Trekking Tours – hard to challenging. Please see the elevation graphic on the itinerary page.
I wish to join the Night Safari & Trekking, is this possible?
Yes, this is a great idea! Please note that the Nam Nern Night Safari and the Trekking Tours are located in a different part of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. If you wish to do both the Night Safari and Trekking tour, please book the tours as separated and plan an overnight in Muang Hiam in between.
Should I book in advance?
Yes, please book in advance to ensure availability on your preferred date. If you are a solo traveler, booking in advance will increase the chances of other visitors joining your preferred tour, which can help reduce the tour costs per person.
Last minute booking or booking over the weekend?
Please note that the national park ecotourism staff is in the office Monday-Friday from 9 to 5pm, lunch break 12-1.30 pm. In case of any last minute bookings or booking over the weekend, please contact us by whatsapp on +856 20 28600038.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
To confirm your booking, you will receive a link to pay a deposit within the following 48h. If deposit is not paid, then tour is not confirmed.
The remaining amount must be paid in Lao Kip only when you arrive to NEPL NP at the National Park Office or to the National Park Guide. Payment in other currencies will not be accepted.
What currency can I pay?
Please pay in Lao Kip only. Payment in other currencies will not be accepted.
Is there an ATM?
There is one ATM machine in Muang Hiam, that works sometimes.
There is NO ATM machine in the tour starting villages so please prepare the necessary amount in advance or pay the full amount in advance. Payment must be done before the tour start. Late payments cannot be accepted as money is paid directly to the community for their services at the tour end.
Can I pay by a card before the tour start?
Payment by card is only possible at the National Park headquarters in Muang Hiam. Please inform reservation team in advance if you wish to use this option.
Do children have special rates?
Yes, children are eligible to discount:
- Ages 1-5: Free of charge if using the existing bedding as for parents
- Ages 6-10: 50% discount /person
- Ages 11 and above: Full price
Can I privatize a tour or accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to private a tour if no other visitors have booked the relevant dates.
- Private group surcharge: additional 1’000’000 Kip/per group/per night
- Accommodation privacy surcharge: additional 500’000 Kip/per person/per night
Where does the money go?
All National Park tours are non-profit ventures with the majority of the income from the tours directly benefiting the local communities. All earnings are reinvested back into the ecotourism and other National Park’s conservation projects.
What is included?
- National Park’s Entrance Fee
- Village Entrance Fee
- Village Ecotourism Benefit Fund Fee
- District Office of Information, Culture & Tourism Fee
- National Park’s English-Speaking Guide
- Community Services.
- Food and Water
- Sleeping Equipment
- Transportation between Muang Hiam and the Ecotourism Village.
Who will be my guide? Can they speak English?
All National Park wildlife tours are led by Lao English-speaking guides and the local village wildlife spotters (former hunters).
What to pack for Night Safari?
Please find a detailed packing list below each tour page. But in general, we recommend the following items:
- Light rain, wind jacket
- Warm fleece jacket
- Both sun hat for daytime and Wool hat for night
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers are most suitable
- Shoes for short walking and Sandals for the boat trip and bathing
- Clothes for bathing (shorts and t-shirt). Please, no nude/bikini bathing.
- Clothes for sleeping
- Insect repellent
- Snacks (Lao food is provided, but you might want to bring something to snack on)
- Towel and toiletries.
- Ear plugs. Boat engine and forest sounds at night can be quite loud.
- Reusable water bottle (help us to reduce waste)
- We have a few binoculars available to borrow.
What to pack for Treks?
Please find a detailed packing list below each tour page. But in general, we recommend the following items:
- Light rain jacket or poncho (strongly recommended)
- Warm fleece jacket
- Sun hat for daytime and Wool cap for night
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers are most suitable
- Good walking shoes and sandals for bathing
- Warm clothes for sleeping (November to February can get very cold)
- Clothes for bathing (shorts and t-shirt). Please no nude/bikini bathing.
- At least 2L reusable water bottle
- Water purification tablets (water is boiled)
- Snacks (food is provided, but you might want to bring something to snack on)
- Towel and toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Flashlight
- Ear plugs. Forest sounds at night can be quite loud.
- Binoculars. We have a few binoculars available to borrow.
Where can I leave my luggage during the tour?
The large luggage can be left either at the National Park headquarters or in the Nam Nern River Safari village.
Winter in Laos, seriously?
In December-January weather in north of Laos can be below 10’c nighttime, especially in higher elevation. A rare event, but a fact was the frost in 2016, read more on: https://www.namet.org/winter-in-laos-it-is/ .
Please ensure you have appropriate clothes. Please do not worry about sleeping equipment, we will provide everything to keep you warm.
Is water provided
Yes, water is provided on all tours, however:
- On Nam Nern River Tours, commercial filtered water is provided.
- On trekking tours, water is boiled. Please bring water purification tablets if you prefer. Please bring at least 2L reusable water bottle with you.
How to get to Muang Hiam?
Public buses leave Luang Prabang, Sam Neua and Phonsavan daily, with drop-offs along the entire route. However, getting to and from NEPL NP with public bus can be an adventure!
If you're an experienced driver, then you may prefer renting a motorbike or car for a more flexible, self-guided trip.
Otherwise, why not let a tour company take care of your travel arrangements? Rent a car with a driver or arrange travel with a guide through a reputable Lao tour operator.
To see the map & driving directions, please follow this link: Visit the park
Where is the tour meeting point?
Muang Hiam town is the meeting point for all the national park tours and transportation between Muang Hiam and the tour starting village is arranged by the national park and included in the tour price. However, if you are traveling from Phonesavan or Sam Neua for the Nam Nern River Experiences (Night Safari), then you might prefer to meet your guide directly at Ban Son Koua.
Where to sleep in Muang Hiam?
Most guesthouses in Muang Hiam are located along the main street. Muang Hiam town is very small, and everything is easily reachable on foot. To book, see the contact details on google maps and contact the accommodation in advance by WhatsApp or calling. If you don’t speak Lao language, please use google translator or kindly ask your previous accommodation to support you with the booking.
Where to sleep in Ban Son Khoua, the Nam Nern River Safari village?
PhouVun Guesthouse, 0304648579 is available in Ban Son Khoua village.
If you are travelling with private transportation, you might prefer to overnight in Ban SopLao village where more accommodation and restaurant options are available, located only 15min from Ban Son Khoua.
Where to sleep in Sam Neua.
There are plenty of guesthouses in Sam Neua city. See the accommodation that suits you the best on google maps. To book, see the contact details on google maps and contact the accommodation in advance by WhatsApp or calling. If you don’t speak Lao language, please use google translator or kindly ask your previous accommodation to support you with the booking.
What wildlife will I see?
The River Experiences offer the best direct wildlife sighting opportunities. Most common species to spot are Sambar Deer, Muntjacs, Civets and numerous bird species including several kingfisher species such as Common Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher and Blyth’s Kingfisher.
The wildlife sightings have increased from only 4 in 2010 to 11 animals per tour in average spotted by visitors in 2023.
24H TOUR
The pioneer wildlife tour in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. Travel by boat into the national park, spot wildlife, enjoy birdwatching and learn about the local history and culture. The highlight of this trip is a nighttime wildlife spotlighting: drift silently down the river looking for wildlife.
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
An extended version of the original Nam Nern Night Safari tour with additional morning river safari, a birdwatching hike and an opportunity to travel and overnight deeper inside the national park. More time for wildlife spotting, to enjoy the nature, and to relax.
2 days / 1 night
This out-and-back trek with an overnight at The Nests camp offers great birdwatching opportunities and a chance to spot wildlife at night from an observation tower located above a salt lick and near a ranger station.
3 days / 2 nights
A point-to-point version of The Nests tour. Trek higher, swim in pristine waterfalls and identify signs of wildlife along the trail with scenic views and a possibility to hear the critically endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons at sunrise.
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Trek up to the Phou Louey Mountain (elev.2257m) – the summit of the national park. No homestay experience. No Nest camp with wildlife observation tower.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Experience a homestay in an ethnic Khmu village bordering the national park prior to trekking up to the Phou Louey Mountain – the summit of the national park. No Nest camp with wildlife observation tower.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Immerse yourself fully in the wilderness by spending your entire time trekking through the national park, completing the full length of the trekking trail. No homestay experience.
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Experience it all! Begin with a homestay in an ethnic Khmu village on the edge of the national park, then complete the full length of the national park's trekking trail.