Nalan Homestay “Khmu Village”
Trip Overview:
Exploration Nam Ha National Protected Area-an ASEAN Heritage Site, trekking to the enchanting natural world hidden deep within the rainforests, Cross sparkling streams by fallen trees or stepping wood bridge under the canopies of mighty old-growth trees, visit the remote countryside of Khmu which the village awarded ASEAN Standard of Community Based Tourism 2018 to learn about their lifestye, culture, traditional and enjoy large of tourism activities offered by community and stay overnight in the Khmu homestay.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Doiluckkam–Nalan Village. Approx. 4-5 hours
The trail begins at Doiluckkham approximately 20 km from Laung Namtha town. From here the trail ascends through 10-20-year-old secondary forest until emerging into the upland jungle forest of Nam Ha NPA. The path offers great views as it levels out along a ridge before re-entering the forest. The trees here are much older having long being a major part of the natural history of the area you are trekking through. A tasty Lao-style picnic lunch is enjoyed in the cool upland forest or in the shade of a thatched farmer’s hut. Early afternoon will find the trekkers in the Nalan community forest. You will arrival Nalanwhich the village awarded ASEAN Standard of Community Based Tourism 2018. After check in your homestay you have time to walking around the village and learn about their lifestyle, culture and traditional. After dinner on local food you will enjoy tourism activities offered by community.
Day 2: Nalan Village- Chalernsoukor Nalue Village. Approx. 3-6 hours
In the morning you still have time to visit the village and test Lao Coffee by bamboo cups. After breakfast, on this day we have two option as:
The first option (3-4 hours hike) by hike uphill through forest. Traditional lunch will be prepared end route on the forest path. Thereafter, you will have an easy two-hour hike down the mountain slope until you arrive at the Chalernsouk village, where your driver will be waiting for you and shuttle you back to Luang Namtha.
The second option (5-6 hours hike) follow the Nam Ha River through the village of Nalan Tai Village and on through the open cultivated areas of the Lanten people, who are local village residents. We leave the Nam Ha River as the trail steadily climbs for a couple of hours. This is the most challenging section of the trail, but also the most beautiful, as it passes through stands of ancient trees, some five hundred years old, that create a high dense canopy rich in birdlife. We need only pause quietly to hear the forest come alive with a mixed chorus of birds and insects. From the top of the ridge, spectacular northern views lay before you, with Luang Namtha visible away in the distance. The final descent takes the group past upland rice fields and cultivated areas tended by the people of Namlue village. The trail steepens here and can be slippery after rainfall. But a careful pace with sound footwear will get you down safely to the village of Namlue village where Lantan and Khmu people live together. And that is where you end your trek, returning to Luang Namtha by Tuk Tuk late afternoon to round off a journey we trust you will fondly remember.
Detailed info & Prices:
Tour ID: LT-HS-10
Duration: 1 night/ 2 days
Operational: Daily, 09:00 AM
Difficulty: Moderate, short hill climbs and descents walks up and down of hills; Day 1 hike approx. 4-5 hours; Day 2: approx. 4-5 or 5-6 hours.
Highlights: Overnight Khmu Homestay; Hiking, Khmu Tribe & Nam Ha River; Hidden of big trees & Jungle and rain forest; Nam Ha National Protected Area- an ASEAN Heritage Site.
Join tourism activities as local foods, traditional performant, rice husking, bamboo baskets, bamboo cup, blacksmith, archery etc…
Price USD: The price ranges from US$62/Person for 8 + Pax to US$192/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 tour guide
- Local guide from the Khmu village
- Transportation from your hotel & back to hotel
- Accommodation (Khmu Homestay)
- Meals (4 meals covered) “Local food or Jungle style”
- Drinking water during the trip
- Nam Ha National Protected Area Fee
- All activities mention on itinerary
- Community distribution
- Government Taxes and charges
Not included: Elements not mentioned in “Tour includes”; All kind of soft drinks or alcohol during your tour.
Extra info:
More Information about Homestay
What is homestay accommodation?
Homestay is a popular form of hospitality and lodging whereby visitors sleep at the residence of a local of the town to which they are traveling. … Farm stays are a type of a homestay, in which the visitor stays on a working farm.
What is homestay Programme?
A homestay programme gives tourists the opportunity to stay with a chosen family, interact and experience the daily life of their homestay family and learn the culture and lifestyle of the rural community in Luang Namtha, Laos. … It focuses more on lifestyle and experience, including cultural and economic activities.
Do I have to be very fit to do a trek?
For the first day we have to trek 4-5 hours include relaxing along the trail. No transfers for pick up who can’t trek. If you can’t trek on the second day that we can use kayaks travel along the Nam Ha River. For the longer treks you need to be reasonably fit, but a lot depends on your own flexibility. You will not sleep as well as usual because of the primitive way of sleeping and the sounds of the village.
Nalan Homestay
All Khmu homestay in the village have been passed Luang Namtha Homestay Standard and ASEAN Community Based Tourism Standard. Homestay design look same Khmu’s house style some made by bamboo and woods. Each room in homestay include mattress, blanket, mosquito net, towel, pillows with clean toilet in outside.
Village Passing
Nalan Village the village award ASEAN Standard of Community Based Tourism 2018, where your will learn about Khmu lifestyle, culture, and traditions. The village started tourism since 1999 that you know Nam Ha Ecotourism the first project in Laos PDR. In the village they offer homestay, local foods, local guides and many activities as traditional performant, rice husking, bamboo baskets, bamboo cup, blacksmith, archery and etc.
What you should bring on a homestay
Small backpack, T-shirt, short pants, long pants, towel or sarong, pair of socks, long sleeve shirt, pair of slippers, pair of shoes, swimsuit, soap, shampoo, toothbrush & toothpaste, mosquito spray, sun cream, flashlight, 2 liter drinking water for the first day, hat or cap, first aid kit & toilet roll.
Extra in Rainy Season (June-October) = Raincoat and Hiking Boots
Extra in Cold Season (November-February) = (Jacket and Warm Pants)
The luggage you do not take on the tour you can leave in the storeroom at your hotel or our office (Please ask) as well as passport, ticket and travelers cheques which they will put in their safe. Some homestay we have to walk to there that good hiking boots are essential in the rainy season but also very handy in the other months.
Some of homestay located on the mountains it is a few degrees cooler than in Luang Namtha town. During winter it can even be cold, a few degrees Celsius above Zero. Please remember this when you do a homestay during this time.
What you should NOT take on a Homestay (Please Ask)
Passport, Flight ticket and Travelers Cheques. Whenever you lose your passport you have to go to Vientiane to get a new one. Also, a tropical shower can reduce your precious papers to something else. At the safe in your hotel your belongings will be safe!
Make sure that your photo or film camera is packed waterproof, nature here is unpredictable.
Candies for the children would be nice but they usually can’t go to the dentist easily. A donation for the village or village school is a better idea.
Bank notes in high denominations will be a problem changing them in smaller ones.
Important do’s & don’ts:
Do not give individual gifts, sweets 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 archaeological remains from the site of the ancient sites, stay with the guides all the time, do not use drugs.
