6 Days Trek Golden Triangle through Authentic Ethnic Diversity

Trip Overview:
Explore the colourful of authentic ethnic minority groups, enjoy stunning view, mountain landscape in the GOLDEN TRIANGLE “Laos-Myanmar-China” northern of Laos. All ethnic villages “mainly Akha and Tai Lue” they are still keeping their culture & traditional. Enjoy an hour on a slow boat on the Mekong River and visit the old capital kingdom of Muang Sing.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Muang Sing-Bam Mom-Ban Xay. Approx. 5-6 hours
7:00 AM start from our office in Luang Namtha or Muang Sing 8:00 AM by 4 Wheel Drive. short stop visit ethnic minority villages along the Off-Road, visit Tai Lue village (Bam Mom), trekking for 3-4 hours visit Tai Lue village (Ban Xay) located on the bank of Mekong River opposite Myanmar, experience Tai Lue homestay. [Meals: Lunch and Dinner]

Day 2: Ban Xay-Xieng Khaeng-Ja Kham Lue. Approx. 5-6 hours
Visit the secret of Hin Fu Stupa, enjoy an hour slow boat down on the Mekong River and stop at Tai Lue village (Xieng Khaeng the old capital kingdom of Muang Sing), they are still very traditional; walking 4-5 hours visit Ja Phou Tone (Akha Village), Ja Kham Lue (Akha village) the village provided homestay. After dinner you will get Akha traditional massage. [Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner]

Day 3: Ja Kham Lue-Pha Ngoua-Nam Kong-Ban Don Chai. Approx. 5-6 hours
Moderate walking 5-6 hours visit Pha Ngoua (Akha Village), Pha Ya Lunag Kham Ping (Akha Village) and Nam Kong (Akha Village), an hour by slow boat down the Mekong River to Don Chai where Tai Doy and Akha stay together, stay overnight in the village homestay. [Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner]

Day 4: Ban Don Chai-Chavath-Pha Kham. Approx. 5-6 hours
Steep and adventure trek for 6-7 hours up the mountain where you will enjoy mountain and Mekong landscape until arrival Javath (Akha Village). After eaten traditional lunch continue walk to preserve area and agriculture field visit Pha Kham (Akha Village) the village you are sleeping for this night. [Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner]

Day 5: Pha Kham-Stunning Landscape-Som Phan Mai. Approx. 5-6 hours
The day moderate walking on the mountain landscape until arrival Som Phan Mai (Akha village) the centre of this area. The local people from around there coming for by food, clinic service, school, and police station… tonight you will sleeping with Akha family. The villages around the centre they are still keeping their living lifestyle. [Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner]

Day 6: Som Phan Mai-Mae Kong. Approx. 5-6 hours
This area the weather quite cool in the morning you will see Akha people sitting around the fire make the body warm and they will cooking also. The day moderate 3 hours walk on the mountain through excellent landscape and stunning view. You will arrival where the Four-Wheel Drives waiting you back to Muang Sing or Luang Namtha. [Meals: Breakfast, Lunch]

– End of tour –

Detailed info & Pricing:

• Tour ID: XK-TK-06
• Start-Finish: Muang Sing town or Luang Namtha town
• Season Departure: October to next year month June
• Duration: 6 days / 5 nights
• Departure: 7:00 AM from Luang Namtha town or 8:30 AM from Muang Sing town
• Difficulty: Moderate-difficulty, short hill climbs and descents

Pricing:
The price ranges from US$393/Person for 6 + Pax to US$707/Person for 2 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 Including:

• All transfer by covered pickup truck (4WD and boat only).
• English speaking tour guide.
• All visits/excursions as mentioned in tour itinerary.
• Accommodation in village family hut with toilet shower outside (Some villages they don’t have toilet and shower outside).
• Sleeping bags, foam mats and mosquito nets are supplied.
• Meals and drinking as mentioned.
• Trekking permit, entrance fees and government tax.
• Community distribution.
• Government Taxes and charges

Price Does Not Include:

• Extra activities you might choose to do in the village.
• Additional food, e.g., special kind of meat you might request.
• Insurance should you get sick. Please make sour you have a valid cover.

Note: The price above non-include transportation if you start the trek from Luang Namtha. If you would like to start the tour from Luang Namtha, you will pay more 100 US$.

Why is the trek Xieng Khaeng more expensive?
Compared to the trekking tours in other areas especially Luang Namtha, Trekking Xieng Khaeng or Goren Triangle are more expensive. The major reason is that transport is more expensive (only Four-Wheel Drives), the second reason we pay double for village services as accommodations, foods and the third reason the guide who speaking English and local guide also pay double because trekking in Xieng Khaeng are quite challenging and steep.

What to bring:

• A good pair of shoes for walking.
• A hat or cap/Sunglasses.
• Mosquito repellent/Insect repellent.
• Sunscreen.
• Raincoat (in the rainy season June-Sep).
• Some cash for handicrafts etc.
• Please wear long shirt and long pants.

Optional:

• Snacks, fruit, your own bottle of water.
• Your own medicine if you need it.
• Sandals.
• Flip-flops.

Other:

• Please let us know in advance if you are vegetarian.
• Please be at our office at 8:00 am.
• You are welcome to contact us beforehand if you have any questions.

Important Do’s & Don’ts:

• Do not give individual gifts of 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 temples.
• Always stay with the guides.
• Do not use drugs.

Remark
The treks only open from October to next year month June. During the cold season from December and January, we recommend a fleece and long pants as temperatures can drop down a lot at night. In the hills and mountain of Northern Laos especially Xieng Khaeng Region, Luang Namtha temperature can drop down as low as 5o Celsius (40 o Fahrenheit) at night or early morning hours, so be prepared!

The hike can be strenuous, therefore suitable for people in good physical condition. Expect to walk 5-6 hours per day during of the program.

Village accommodation: participants must be aware that there are no western-style toilets and washing facilities. Sleeping is on a bamboo floor, dormitory style. Sleeping bags, foam mats and mosquito nets are supplied.

Note: Trekking itinerary is a basic guideline only and subject to change. All trekking areas are supervised by Laos Tourism Administration, which means all areas are frequented by tourists.