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Cloud Forest Climb, the Phou Louey Mountain summit trek

3 Days Itinerary (No homestay & No Nests).

In brief: Shorter version of the full 5 Day Cloud Forest Challenge. Excludes first and last day of the 5 day Cloud Forest Challenge. No homestay at the Khmu village, no PhouPaMai Mountain pass and viewpoint, no wildlife observation tower, no Nests camp.

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.

Accommodation on tour: 2 nights in jungle huts. All camps are located inside the National Park and nearby a stream or a waterfall.

Seasonality: Dry season only – October to May/June (depending on the rainy season).

Difficulty: Difficult to Challenging. Please be aware that this has been found to be a very difficult trek.  It involves full days of climbing up steep hills and other difficulties associated with thick jungle. Please sign up for this tour only if you have experience with difficult trekking and if you are in very good level of physical fitness.

For trekking tour bookings, please contact info@namet.org

Itinerary:

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 itinerary-

Departure suggestion (If travel with local transport)

Overnight in Village home stay or in Muang Hiem after the tour.

The local bus to Sam Neau and Phonsavan junction departs at 8am every morning from the Muang Hiam bus station.

The local bus to Nong Khiaw and Luang Prabang passes through Muang Hiem every day at approximately 12pm -1pm.
In the morning go for walking through the school forest trail and/or enjoy the Muang Hiem Hot Springs before getting the bus at noon at the bus station.

What to bring?

Weather note – Weather can be both very hot during the daytime and very cold at night. It is recommended that you bring clothes for both extremes.

Water note – Please note that we provide boiled stream water on the multiple day trekking tours. Please take your own water purification tablets.

We ask that you please bring just one small backpack and leave large suitcases or long‐haul backpacks in the village or your car.

Please bring the following:

• light rain jacket or poncho (strongly recommended)
• fleece jacket (strongly recommended as November to February can be very cold)
• both sun hat for daytime and wool cap for night
• long pants for walking in the forest
• good walking shoes and sandals for bathing
• clothes for bathing (shorts and t-shirt). Please no nude/bikini bathing.
• Warm clothes for sleeping (as November to February can be very cold)
• snacks (food is provided, but you might want to bring something to snack on)
• water purification tablets (for multi-day treks the water is boiled)
• towel and toiletries
• insect repellent
• flashlight
• binoculars
• reusable water bottle (help us reduce waste)

What is included:

• National Park’s Entrance Fee
• Village Ecotourism Benefit Fund Fee
• District Office of Information, Culture & Tourism Fee
• National Park’s English Speaking Guide
• Village team services: village guide/wildlife spotter, porters, cooks, cleaning and handicraft group
• Transport Muang Hiam-Village-Muang Hiam
• Food and water
• Sleeping equipment (Mattress, Mosquito net, Pillow and Sleeping Bag)
• Leech Socks

Optional:

• Your own sleeping bag and/or sleeping sheet (we provide a sleeping bag, but you can use your own if you have)
• Our porters will carry all camping equipment, however if you would like someone to carry your personal items for you, you may pay extra for an additional porter. Please ask our staff about this.

Packing list recommendations from a former visitor, please follow this link: https://www.faces2hearts.eu/asia-pacific/to-the-jungle-travel-tips-for-trekking-in-nam-et-phou-louey/

For more information, please contact info@namet.org