Muang Hiam
Muang Hiam
The National Park Headquarters and Visitor Center are located in Muang Hiam town in Houaphan Province, situated between Luang Prabang, Sam Neua, and Phonsavanh. The national park headquarters is the meeting point for all the national park tours.
Muang Hiam is famous for its hot springs and calm rural atmosphere, and various restaurants and accommodation options are available in town. The Nam Khan River in Muang Hiam is the same river that shapes the Luang Prabang UNESCO peninsula before flowing into the Mekong River.
NATIONAL PARK HEADQUARTERS AND VISITOR CENTER
The National Park Headquarters and Visitor Center is located in Muang Hiam town, nearby the junction to the hot springs.
Free. Open Monday-Friday from 9-5pm.
Lunch break: 12-1.30 pm.
HOT SPRINGS
Muang Hiam town is famou for its hotsprings, located just 10-min walk from the main road (passing the national park’s office on the left).
Located in a peacefull forest park, these are one of the hoottst natural springs in the country; in fact you can boil an egg in it, so be careful!
Great place to enjoy bathing, relax at the bamboo huts or enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Possibility to camp if you have your own tent. Please remember to wear appropriate clothing.
Open every day, 6am-11pm.
Birdwatching around the Hotspring Forest
The forest park of the Muang Hiam hot springs offers nice birdwatching opportunities. Walk around the hotspring park or hike up the short trail for a better view. Best time for birdwatching is early morning and late afternoon.
Some of the highlight species in this area to see include Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina), Orange-headed Trogon (Harpactes oreskios), Hogdson’s frogmouth (Batrachostomus hodgsoni), Manchurian Bush Warbler (Horornis canturians), White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus), Claudia’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus claudiae).
See our bird list in below and let us know if you find new species from this area 🙏
See what others have spotted on Ebird – “Maung Hiam Hot springs”.
Crested Bunting
Black Bulbul
Blue Winged Leafbird
Brown Breasted Bulbul
WHERE TO SLEEP IN MUANG HIAM
Most guesthouses in Muang Hiam are located along the main street. The town is very small and everything is easily reachable on foot.
To book, contact the accommodation in advance by WhatsApp or calling.
Wildlife Ecotourism
To provide wildlife-friendly livelihood opportunities for local people, the National Park established an ecotourism program in 2010.
Visitors can enter the national park by participating in the park's tours. Currently, two type of wildlife experiences are available in the national park: Nam Nern River Experiences and Mountain Experiences.
All tours are designed to create a direct link between conservation and tourism, ensuring that visitor fees positively impact local efforts to protect endangered wildlife. All tours are led by English-speaking national park guides together with the community team.
GETTING TO THE PARK
The roads are narrow and winding, and the views are scenic. Public buses depart daily from Luang Prabang, Sam Neua, and Phonsavan, though the journey can be quite an adventure due to the flexible timetable.
If you're an experienced driver, you may prefer renting a motorbike or car for a more flexible, self-guided trip. For a more comfortable and hassle-free option, consider renting a car with a driver or arranging transportation through a reputable Lao tour operator.
CULTURAL GUIDELINES
- Please take off your shoes when entering a house.
- If you want to take pictures of people, please ask for permission first.
- Smiles beget smiles. Be patient and kind.
- Please dress appropriately.
- Please do not buy any wildlife or wildlife products. Selling & Buying wildlife is illegal in Lao PDR.
FAQ
Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions. Should I book in advance? How to get to the park? Where to sleep in Muang Hiam? Where can I store my luggage? Who will be my guide? Do I need to be in good physical condition? Will I see wildilfe?
