FAQ

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.

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.

Please pay in Lao Kip only. Payment in other currencies will not be accepted.

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.

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.

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

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

 

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.

All National Park wildlife tours are led by Lao English-speaking guides and the local village wildlife spotters (former hunters).

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.

The large luggage can be left either at the National Park headquarters or in the Nam Nern River Safari village.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.

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.