Visit the Park

The Heart of Northeastern Laos

THE HEART OF NORTHEASTERN LAOS

The Nam Et–Phou Louey National Park is one of the largest, most biodiverse protected areas in Laos, expanding throughout 3 provinces: Houaphan, Luang Prabang and Xiengkhouang.

The National Park headquarters and Visitor Center is located in Muang Hiam town. Visitors can enter the NEPL NP by participating in the park's award-winning wildlife eco-tours.

The roads to the park are narrow and winding, and the views are scenic.

MUANG HIAM

The National Park Headquarters and Visitor Center is located in Muang Hiam town in Houaphan Province, situated between Luang Prabang, Sam Neua, and Phonsavanh.

Muang Hiam is famous for its hot springs and calm rural atmosphere, and various restaurants and accommodation options are available in town.

The national park headquarters is the meeting point for all the national park tours.

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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.

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Getting to the park

PUBLIC BUS

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!

More details below.

SELF DRIVE

The roads are narrow and winding, and the views are scenic.

If you're an experienced driver, then you may prefer renting a motorbike or car for a more flexible, self-guided trip .

HASSLE FREE

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.

MUANG HIAM - Tour Meeting Point

Muang Hiam, the headquarters town of the National Park, is the meeting point for all tours. Transportation to the ecotourism villages is arranged by the National Park and is included in the tour price.

However, if you are traveling from Phonesavan or Sam Neua for the Nam Nern River Experiences, then you might prefer to meet your guide directly at Ban Son Koua.

From Luang Prabang, take the bus with destination to Sam Neua, which leaves daily at around noon from the Luang Prabang northern bus station and get off in Muang Hiam where the NEPL NP office is located.

The bus trip to Muang Hiam takes about 10-12 hours, passing Pak Mong and Nong Khiaw along the way. You will arrive in Muang Hiam by 10-11pm or sometimes even later depending on the driver.

Transportation between Muang Hiam and the tour starting village is arranged by the national park and included in the tour price. To travel from Muang Hiam to Luang Prabang, take the morning or evening bus.

In Nong Khiaw, catch the bus coming from Luang Prabang and heading to Sam Neua, which passes through Nong Khiaw daily around 5-6 pm. Local agencies in Nong Khiaw can help you to arrange a ticket and to inform the bus driver to stop to pick you up. Get off in Muang Hiam where the NEPL NP office is located. The bus trip to Muang Hiam is about 5-6 hours, you will arrive in Muang Hiam by 10-11pm or sometimes even later depending on the driver.

Transportation between Muang Hiam and the tour starting village is arranged by the national park and included in the tour price.

To travel from Muang Hiam to Nong Khiaw, take the morning or evening bus heading to Luang Prabang.

Buses leave from the Sam Neua bus station to Muang Hiam daily at around 8am and 4pm. The trip to the River Safari starting point, the Ban Son Khoua village, is about 3.5 to 4 hours and additional 1.5hour to Muang Hiam.

Note for River Safari guests. Please note that River Safari starts at 10.30am. If you travel by public bus, please arrive the day before and overnight in the village. Late start is possible only for private tours.

To travel from River Safari to Sam Neua, you can catch the bus travelling from Phonsavanh to Sam Neua at the Ko Hing junction daily at around 11:30 am. Transfer can be arranged to the Ko Hing junction. Please contact us for more details.

To travel from Muang Hiam to Sam Neua, you can catch the Luang Prabang-Sam Neua bus at around midnight or arrange a private transportation to Ko Hing junction to catch the Phonsavanh-SamNeua bus. Please contact us for more details.

There is no direct public transportation between Phonsavanh and Muang Hiam or the River Safari starting point, the Ban Son Khoua village.

To reach the River Safari starting point, the Ban Son Khoua village, you should take the 8am bus with destination “Sam Neua” and get out at the Ko Hing junction. The bus drive is around 3-4 hours. A pick-up can be arranged from the Ko Hing junction to the River Safari starting point. Please contact us for more details.

Please note that River Safari starts at 10.30am. If you travel by public bus, please arrive the day before and overnight in the village. Late start is possible only for private tours.

To travel from River Safari to Phonsavanh, you can catch the morning bus from Sam Neua with destination to Phonsavanh that stops at Ko Hing junction daily at around 10 am. Transfer can be arranged to the Ko Hing junction. Please contact us for more details.

To reach Muang Hiam from Phonsavanh, we recommend travelling to Sam Neua city first and visit the Viengxay Caves, and then to take the bus to Muang Hiam on the following days.

To travel from Muang Hiam to Phonsavanh, a private transportation can be arranged to the Ko Hing junction to catch the Sam Neua-Phonsavanh bus. Please contact us for more details.

Public Bus Timetable

Please kindly note that the bus timetable is only approximate and that the local bus departure, arrival times can change without notice. Thank you for your willingness to visit NEPL NP. We hope to see you soon!

Route: Luang Prabang-Sam Neua	Luang Prabang	Nong Khiaw	Muang Hiam	River Safari (Ban Son Khoua)	Kohing	Sam Neua	Contact Number
	11:30 AM	5-6 PM	1-2AM	3-30 AM	4 AM	6-7AM	071 252729
Route: SamNeua-Luang Prabang	Sam Neua	Kohing	River Safari (Ban Son Khoua)	Muang Hiam	Nong Khiaw	Luang Prabang	Contact Number
	4 PM	6 PM	6:30-7 PM	8:30-9 PM	2-3 AM	7-8 AM	064 314270
Route: Muang Hiam – Luang Prabang – Vientiane				Muang Hiam	Nong Khiaw	Luang Prabang	Contact Number
				8:30 AM	1 PM	6 PM	02055180142
Route: Phonsavanh-SamNeua	Phonsavanh	Kohing (pick up to River Safari possible)	Sam Neua				Contact Number
Time 1 Time 2	8:30 AM 6 PM	11:30 PM 10 PM	5 PM 2:30-3 AM				0305170148
Route: SamNeua–Phonsavanh	Sam Neua	Kohing (pick up to River Safari possible)	Phonsavanh				Contact Number
Time 1 Time 2	8:30AM 3:30 PM	10 AM 8 PM	3 PM 1 PM				064314270

Update made on: 1 October 2024.
Times are approximate and can change.

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