3 Days Trek Gibbon Trail in Vieng Phoukha

Trip Overview
Challenging trek from Vieng Phoukha to explore an important area in the Nam Ha National Protected Area for one of the world’s last remaining populations of black-cheeked crested gibbons. With Khmu and Akha guides, visit caves inhabited by bats and perhaps hear the gibbons’ magical morning calls.

Itinerary
Day 1: Vieng Phoukha-Ban Tah Long. Approx. 4-5 hours
Start from our office by Tuk Tuk 15 minutes to drop-off point just outside of the town of Vieng Phoukha, near the forest’s edge, where the trek will begin.

The first day’s pace is easy, and much of the guides’ knowledge of edible and medicinal plants will be demonstrated in the forest. You will be hiking uphill towards the Khmu village of Ban Tah Long, where you should arrive around 3 pm.

After arriving at Tah Long, you will rest for a while and then you may choose to take part in an activity. The Khmu people have been crafting their own blades, those same ones the guides use for cooking and clearing brush, for many years. You will be invited to participate in the forging process, using fantastically simple technology. This night you will spend at the homestay in Tah Long.
[Meals: Lunch, Dinner].

Day 2: Ban Tah Long-Ban Tah Leng. Approx. 5-6 hours
After waking and enjoying the traditional Khmu breakfast around 8 am, you will begin walking. You will soon reach a Khmu village along the uphill. Later, you will encounter the Maamaint cave (Khmu ethnic name), several massive old trees, many types of bamboo and good thick forest. If you are stealthy you may see some wild animals such as monkeys, wild goats, wild pigs, etc. Later, you will have a traditional lunch with the guides and then continue to Tah Leng village Akha where you will overnight.

Upon arrival, you may well want to have a cold shower from the traditional bamboo tap, which channels water running off the mountain, followed by the evening meal. A few of the locals may have dinner with you, as it is customary to share, especially with the younger kids who will want to help in the meal’s preparation sand.

After dinner, you will receive an Akha ethnic massage from the women of the tribe. The giving of massage to visitors of the village is an Akha tradition.
[Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner].

Day 3: Ban Tah Leng-Vieng Phoukha. Approx. 5-6 hours
Before breakfast, if the weather is good and you are a bit of a morning person, feel free to take a walk around the village to see Akha preparing to work in the fields. In the morning there is sometimes a sea of fog hanging over the landscape, amongst which the villagers will be feeding their animals.

Lunch will be prepared in the traditional way in the forest along the path. The guides know how to boil water and make soup within vessels made of bamboo. They will encourage you to take part in the preparation of the meal, showing you how to construct simple spoons and chopsticks from leaves and cups from bamboo. They will also brew a medicinal tea from wild plants collected along the way.

Around 9 am, you will have a good two hours hike down the mountain before lunch, and then you will continue the trek until you arrive at the Vieng Phoukha valley. Here the trek concludes and a driver will be waiting to transport you back to town. There should be enough time in the day to travel onwards to the Thai border at Huay Xai if you choose.
[Meals: Breakfast, Lunch]
– End of tour-.

Details & Pricing:

• Tour ID: VPK-TK-04.
• Start-Finish: Vieng Phoukha town or Luang Namtha town.
• Duration: 3 days / 2 nights.
• Departure: 9:00 AM daily from Vieng Phoukha; 8:00 from Luang Namtha town.
• Difficulty: Moderate, short hill climbs and descents walks up and down of hills

Pricing:
The price ranges from US$85/Person for 8 + Pax to US$231/Person for 1 Pax.

The price varies according to the number of participants. The price decreases as more tourists book the same trek!

Please contact us to check the availability of a tour & the number of people who have already signed up for the tour for an accurate pricing.

Price Includes:

• English speaking / Local guide tour guide.
• Transportation as mentioned (only start from Vieng Phoukha town).
• Accommodation in local villages.
• Food and water as mentioned.
• Nam Ha National Protected Area entry fee.
• Community distribution.
• Government Taxes and charges.

Remark: the price above non-include transportation if you start the trek from Luang Namtha. If you start the tour from Luang Namtha you will pay more 80-100 US$ depend on transportations.

Optional:

• Pocket money.
• Snacks, fruit, your own bottle of water.
• Your own medicine if you need it.
• Sandals or flip flops. 

Other:

• Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian or other allergic.
• Please be at our office at 8:30 AM if you start trek in Vieng Phoukha and 7:30 if you start in Luang Namtha town.
• You are welcome to contact us beforehand if you have any questions.

What to bring:

• A good pair of shoes for walking.
• A hat or cap.
• Sunglasses.
• Mosquito repellent/Insect repellent.
• Sunscreen.
• Raincoat (in rainy season, June-Sep).
• Pocket money etc.
• Please wear appropriate suits during the trek. 

Important Do’s & Don’ts:

• Do not give individual gifts or money to children.
• Ask before taking photos of people or spiritual items.
• Help keep the trails clean by not littering.
• Please purchase handicrafts but do not purchase antiques.
• Do not remove any archeological remains from the site of the ancient temples.
• Always stay with the guides.
• Do not use drugs.

Contact Us via Phone/WhatsApp +856-20-2299 6166; +856-20-2881 9198 for Booking the tour, Asking the Price, or Contact us for tour information and further inquiries.

You’ll receive a quick response from our staff, the manager of Phou Iu Travel & Eco-tourism. There is also a contact request form down below if you prefer to send us an email.