Muang Sing – Nam Keo Noi Waterfall – Ban Lao Khao – Ban Phou Yae – Ban Houeinagang – Ban Eu La – Ban Tamee – Ban Nam Hoo – Ban Phiyer – Muang Sing

The community-based tour, Akha Experience is a genuine and authentic ecotourism trek having been run in the Northern Laos. This tour is owned by the villagers of 8 Akha villages and aims to improve their well-being, as well as to increase their incomes. By the same way, the Akha Experience offers a tool for environmental and cultural awareness as well as preservation by involving several stakeholders:

• The villagers who are providing the tour and services such as activities, guiding, accommodation and food
• You as guests of the tour by integrating you to be part of supporting local community. You are not only a spectator but as well an actor.

For each tour, 75% of the money gets to the villagers and the village development fund. Moreover, a part of the money gets to the trails and forest maintenance. You will be guided by local guides all along the tour.

Tour Highlights

• Take a 6 hours trekking along the old French road through the jungle, pine forest and villages, enjoying traditional Akha picnic lunch, collecting bamboo shoots and vegetables and bird watching.
• Take a 5 hours trekking, passing different Akha villages, on the way learning about the forest’s spirits, having a rest with a traditional tea break, and joining local activities like cotton spinning or pounding rice.
• Take a 3 hours trekking to Ban Phiyer, on the way getting chance to chat with locals as Akha tribe tradition, and to share some of the agricultural activities with locals, learning and experiencing paddy rice farming.
• Enjoy listening to traditional musical instruments, stories and legends, plus a relaxing massage by Akha villagers.
• Have an opportunity to contribute to the villages by purchasing some local handicrafts, to support local community economy.
  

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1- Muang Sing - Nam Keo Noi Waterfall - Ban Lao Khao (6 Hours Trekking) L,D
Depart from That Xieng Tueng following the old French road to Nam Keo Noi Waterfall.

After 3 hours trekking through primary and secondary forest, lunch is prepared by the villagers of Lao Khao at the beautiful Nam Keo Noi Waterfall. Food is cooked in the traditional Akha way using local products, forest vegetables and ancient techniques.

After lunch carry on together with the villagers to the old village site and walk through pine forest and old growth forest before descending to Ban Lao Khao. On the trail, take part in forest activity such as birth watching, collecting bamboo shoots or medicinal plants.

While waiting for dinner, visit the village with the Ban Lao Khao village hosts. Walk around the village, listen to traditional musical instruments, stories, legends while watching the preparation of the evening meal. Learn about traditional Akha architecture and houses.

After dinner, enjoy a massage provided by the young women of the village before going off to listen to the courting songs of the youth at the courting grounds.

Overnight in the Ban Lao Khao Lodge.

Day 2 – Ban Lao Khao - Ban Phou Yae - Ban Houeinagang - Ban Eu La - Ban Tamee (5 Hours Trekking) , B,L,D
After breakfast, start walking to Ban Phou Yae. The trail passes through old secondary forest. During the trekking, participate in forest activity such as birth watching, collecting bamboo shoots and medicinal plants with the village guides.

Arrive in Ban Phou Yae and be the guest of a family for lunch.

After lunch continue to Ban Houeinagang. Stop for an afternoon snack in Ban Houeinagang and participate in the village activity such as cotton spinning, making and playing with children’s toys or pounding rice.

Continue to Ban Eu La. Along the way enjoy agricultural activity like planting rice, riding a buffalo or gathering vegetables. Stop for another snack break and visit Eu La village (it is an Akha custom for visitors to stop in the village and chat before passing on through).

Continue to Ban Tamee. While waiting for dinner, visit the village with the Ban Lao Khao village hosts. Listen to traditional musical instruments, stories, legends while watching the preparation of the evening meal. Learn about home life and marriage customs.

After dinner, enjoy a massage provided by the young women of the village before going off to listen to the courting songs of the youth at the courting grounds.

Overnight in Ban Tamee Lodge.

Day 3 - Ban Tamee - Ban Nam Hoo - Ban Phiyer B,L
After breakfast take part in village activity such as cotton spinning, pounding rice or feeding the pigs. Villagers will appreciate your attention and willingness to learn about Akha daily life. Spend some time with the children, teach them new games or learn theirs.

Depart for Ban Nam Hou. Along the way enjoy agricultural activity with the villagers. Take a break in Ban Nam Hoo.

Walk through the forest to see a magnificent view of Muang Sing. Participate in forest activity with the villagers.

Lunch is served in the family of one of the 2 villages of Ban Mona and Ban Piyer. After lunch, visit the village handicraft shop in Ban Piyer and, if you wish, make a contribution to the village by purchasing some of the locally-made handicraft. By doing so, you will support the local economy and have a beautiful souvenir or present from the Akha Experience.

Then take a truck back to Muang Sing.

Accomodation & Food:

• Akha eco lodges with common rooms fitting up to 8 people total (one for men and one for women). Mosquito net, blankets and sheets are provided.
• Common bathroom facilities equipped with solar energy.
• Local Akha food. Meals include sticky/plain rice, vegetables, meat, and chili sauce. Meals on overnight treks are prepared using simple foods purchased in villages, typically rice, vegetables and on occasion some meat or fish. Bring your own snacks/sweets if you'd like.
• Vegetarian food is available upon request.

Group Size: A minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 8 guests.

Note: We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.