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Luang Namtha – Laos’ Best Trekking Destination
Landlocked country Laos, might not have the stunning beaches of its neighbours but it boasts a unique and beautiful ecosystem all the same. Visitors travelling here come to explore epic rivers, authentic culture and in particular, Laos’ wild forests. Luang Namtha province, in the northwestern reaches of Laos, is a tiny region that’s beginning to make a big name for itself amongst the adventurous as one of the top destinations for wilderness forest trekking. Being intrepid travellers ourselves, we decided to challenge ourselves to trek the trails of the Nam Ha National Protected Area (NPA).The Hiker
Out of the handful of eco-trekking companies in the town of Luang Namtha, The Hiker is relatively new on the block, yet it has already firmly cemented itself as the number one adventure tour agency in the area. It’s easy to see why too! This professional company pride themselves on giving back to the local community, both environmentally and by creating opportunities for education and sustainable income. Founded and run by a team of eco-tourism specialists and experienced local guides, many from the surrounding ethnic minority villages, The Hiker offers a huge variety of treks. There is everything from hiking day trips to multi-day rainforest treks and kayaking adventures so there’s something for everyone!How Do I Choose a Luang Namtha Trek?
When it comes to choosing a trek, the first thing to consider is your physical fitness. The Nam Oun Wilderness trek is rated as moderate on the difficulty scale, whereas the standard Nam Ha trek is moderate to difficult. Although you will spend the majority of the day hiking on both trips, Nam Ha does have slightly less active hours than Nam Oun. In some places, the treks overlap and visit some of the same areas, however, they do take different routes. If you are unsure of which one to go for, we recommend the two day, one night Nam Oun Wilderness Trail Trek as it is more suitable for beginners with a decent level of fitness. This is the trek we decided to do and it was certainly an adventure! For travellers looking for a varied experience, also check out the combo options offered by the Hiker. These provide the challenge of a trek as well as the fun of kayaking and the authenticity of meeting the people of the ethnic villages.The Local Market and The Start of the Trek
We began day one at The Hiker headquarters in Luang Namtha town, where we met our guide for the trek, Pheng. Growing up in Ban Luang Village, home to the Phou Noy ethnic minority, Pheng has been tour guiding in this region since 2015.Into the Jungle
Soon after our pit stop, we ventured from open rice fields into the dense jungle which is where the trek really began. Out of the sun and into the humid shade, we followed the river, winding our way through the leaf-strewn forest until we reached a small waterfall. Here, Pheng and the local guide washed the fish that we had previously seen swimming around at the local market that morning. We sat down for a rest and watched Pheng expertly gut and clean the fish. The cool river water was just thing we needed to splash on our necks and the break also gave us the chance to watch some dragonflies flitting around on the surface of the river.Lunch Time!
After an extremely sweaty climb, we reached the top of the hill, probably just in time as the heat was starting to make our heads swim! We perched on some wooden benches under a grass hut for a breather and soon Pheng and the local guide began to prepare a fire for lunch. Once it was hot enough, they grilled the fish from earlier, balanced with sticks. The fish looked amazing and we couldn’t wait to tuck in!A Night in the Jungle
After we’d eaten our fill, it was time to walk on and the path took us down the other side of the hill. A few hours and a couple of tumbles later, we crossed a little stream and emerged into a clearing to find our jungle home for the night.Butterflies and Cardamon Walkways
After a good night’s sleep, we woke to a refreshingly cool morning. Pheng prepared us all a huge breakfast of sticky rice and scrambled eggs with tomatoes which were just the thing to get us ready for the long day of trekking ahead. We packed up the camp, said goodbye to our local guide (who was heading back to his village) and set out on a different route to the day before. Today’s trail was much flatter and soon we became engulfed in the trees as we followed the river down the valley.Ban Na Lan
Eventually, we came out of the trees onto some land owned by the nearby Ban Na Lan (or Na Lan Village). The trees here had been cleared and the ground burned to add nutrients back into the soil in preparation for rice planting. The hills were very steep and we wondered why the local people would choose to grow rice so high up. Pheng explained that rice grown in the mountains can be sold at the market for a higher price because it requires more work to harvest and is of better quality. He also told us that the village moves around every year to find new spots for rice planting, as they can only use the same patch of land to farm the crop once.Back on the Trail
Soon it was time to journey back into the undergrowth and we found ourselves marvelling at some of the biggest trees we’ve ever seen growing along the river’s edge.Centipede Encounters and The Final Descent
After eating our tasty final meal, it was time to make our way downhill; the final part of the trek. As we were walking along the path, we came across a huge brightly coloured centipede: the poisonous Asian Forest Centipede. We’ve had experience with these in Thailand and know a bite from them can be extremely painful! Everyone was suddenly very wary but to carry on down the path and make it to the end of the trek, we had to get past it. Pheng shouted “go quick otherwise it’ll run and jump on you!” and that was enough to kick us into gear. We ran around the edges before it had the chance to realise we were there! In what seemed like no time at all, we reached the last downhill slope and then we were out on the road where a car was waiting to pick us up. It’s definitely much faster going down than walking up!Our Thoughts on Trekking in Luang Namtha with The Hiker
Despite it being way too hot and humid (in theory) to go jungle trekking, we really enjoyed our two-day wilderness trek with The Hiker. It was amazing to immerse ourselves in the national park and also sleep overnight in the jungle. That was an unforgettable experience in itself! During the trip, we learnt an extraordinary amount about the local plants and wildlife, as well as the people who live in this region. It really was one of the most memorable treks we’ve taken part in.The Nam Oun Wilderness Trek – All You Need to Know!
Are you interested in taking on the Nam Oun Wilderness Trek with The Hiker? This is everything you need to know! This is a 2 day/1 night forest trek through the Nam Ha NPA in Luang Namtha, Northern Laos. It is perfect for people who love hiking, discovering new wildlife and want to experience what it is like to spend a night in the jungle.The Hiker provides trekkers with:
- Water (make sure you have enough room in your bag for it)
- Freshly prepared local meals, including 2 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast
- A friendly and knowledgable English speaking guide, as well as a local guide(s)
- Camping gear e.g sleeping bag
- Transport to and from the trekking trail
- Environmentally friendly accommodation in the heart of the jungle
- Government tax, village fund, NPA conservation fund and community-based ecotourism fund
- All entrance fees and travel permits
Things we recommend you bring along:
- Hiking boots (or sturdy travel shoes – we had our trainers and struggled a little on the steep ground but it’s doable)
- Hat
- Suncream
- Insect repellent
- Torch
- Change(s) of clothes
- Warm clothes
- Extra cash
- Raincoat (in the wet season)
- Portable charger
- Swim stuff (women need to also remember additional clothes to ‘cover-up’ whilst swimming)
- Small towel
- Camera
- Earplugs and eye mask
Will and Ellie are the UK travel bloggers behind Tapp and Bear Travel. Originally from Devon and The Cotswolds, they both graduated from Falmouth University with degrees in Marine and Natural History Photography and set off on the adventure of a lifetime! They are currently writing for South East Asia Backpacker reviewing trips and tours all over the continent. Interested in becoming a writer for us?