5-Day Jungle Adventure: Trekking, Rapids & Khmu Village Homestay

• Morning: Wake up to the enchanting sounds of the jungle with a delicious and authentic Lao breakfast. Around 10:00 am we begin hiking through old-growth forest, totally immersed in the wild natural landscape as the trail leads us over rugged hills​ and across verdant valleys. All the while shaded from the sun by the canopies of tall and ancient trees. We stop at a suitably scenic location in the depths of the forest to enjoy an authentic picnic - Lao style!

• Afternoon: After lunch we continue hiking on the trail through old-growth forest, eventually reaching an oasis of cultivated land comprising rice paddies, banana trees and fields of tall slender grasses. Soon after, we reach the Nalan village, a timeless refuge at the heart of the jungle preserving the unique culture of the Khmu people. 

• Evening: After arriving, take time to relax and enjoy a swim in the pristine Nam Ha River. After a delicious dinner, laid out by our guides, enjoy a few drinks with the locals or retire early to bed in the comfort of your homestay in Nalan village. 

Departure: 10:00 AM
Finish: 15:00 - 16:00 PM (namlan village)
Duration: 5-6 hours trek

• Morning: Wake up to the sounds of village life with a tasty Lao breakfast and hot drink. At 10:00 am, following basic instructions on paddling techniques and safety, we begin paddling downriver, easing ourselves into the day with a couple of short visits to Khmu riverside villages of Nalan Tai and Lantan village of Namkoy. Soon after we find ourselves paddling through a dramatic cascade of roaring rapids.  

• Afternoon: Around lunchtime we find a calm stretch of water and stop at a scenic spot for another delicious Lao picnic. We continue paddling downriver, the stunning beauty of the Nam Ha landscape opens before us, as stretches of calm water offer the chance to spot tropical birds and aquatic wildlife. Before long the current grows in strength. We speed through a series of rapids and fast-flowing channels before joining the mighty Namtha River. By 3-4:00 pm we reach ​Houey Leuat village our place to stay for the night. Meet the locals, explore the surrounding area and take a refreshing dip in the river. 

• Evening: At 7:00 pm our guides will have prepared and be ready to serve an authentic Lao dinner. Later that night, depending on your chosen experience, drift to sleep in our eco-lodge, or village family homestay,  to the ​sounds of the jungle and village life. ​

Departure: 10:00 AM
Finish: 16:00 PM (Jungle campsite)
Duration: 5-6 hours Kayak/Raft

• Morning: Wake up to the sounds of the jungle and daily village life with a hot drink and a tasty Lao breakfast. After breakfast at around 10:00 am we begin hiking on the trail up through hills enveloped in groves of bamboo. Enjoy the tranquil hike listening to the magical sounds of the rainforest. 

• Afternoon: As lunch time approaches you are joined by a guide from one of the local villages. Watch and learn as your guides collect resources​ from the jungle for an authentic Lao lunch using traditional cooking techniques. 

• Evening: Back on the river through an alternating landscape of exquisitely cultivated lands and dense tropical jungle. Before long we reach the beautifully farmed hillsides of Hat Yong village. Then head back to Houay Leuat​ village our place to stay for the night again. 

Departure: 10:00 AM
Finish: 15:00 - 16:00 PM (Houay Leaut village)
Duration: 5-6 hours trek

• Morning: Wake up to a Lao breakfast and drinks, freshly prepared by our ever-attentive guides. At 10:00 am we start paddling downriver past a rustic landscape carved into a rich mosaic of cultivated jungles. 

• Afternoon: After stopping off to visit a couple of quaint Khmu villages we find a perfect location on the river for a lunchtime picnic. Leaving behind the rice paddies and cultivated hinges, the river suddenly widens and the steep hills rising above become dense with lush tropical forest. Soon after we are tackling a dizzying number of exciting rapids, before reaching Hat Naleng village and the end of our river adventure. A tuk-tuk awaits our arrival and drops us off at the Discovering Laos office for approximately ​4-5 pm. 

Departure: 09:00 AM
Finish: 18:00 PM (Discovering Laos office)
Duration: 4-5 hours Kayak/Raft