Laos forum

Trekking - Luang Prabang or Luang Nam Tha?

svichy

newbie
Posts: 3

Hi there,

I want to do some trekking while in Laos, and am not sure if I should go out of my way a bit and go to Luang Nam Tha, or if the trekking in LP is just as good. If I went to LNT, it would probably mean missing out on the mekong river slow boat cruise as well, which I had originally planned to do... but plans always change and I am open to suggestions!

Thanks in advance.

#1 Posted: 9/5/2008 - 17:23
wanderingcat

som tam seller
Posts: 673
Private message

Just for the heck of suggesting an alternative that isn't LNT or LPB...

If you really must do that Mekong slowboat cruise...do half of it (one day). If you're starting from Huayxai, boat to Pak Beng then head inland to Udomxai, trek in that area & then continue to LPB. If you're starting from LPB, get to Udomxai to trek & then move on to Pak Beng to get on the Mekong boat to Huayxai. Treks from Udomxai: http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/activities/trekoudomxay.htm
http://www.samlaancycling.com/en/tour-offers/ (run by a guy who comes from a village along the Pak Beng-Udomxai road)

For a more beautiful slowboat cruise, try the Nam Ou river :)

#2 Posted: 9/5/2008 - 23:41

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the_tundram-
an

backpacker
Posts: 11

Hi svichy,

I did some trekking in LNT, but havent done any in and around LP, so my answer may be biased.

Having said that, i'd recommend you go to LNT. The Nam Ha is an extremely diverse spot, offering some lovely views, diversity in plant and animal life (the number of colourful insects i found! Apologies for not being an etymologist, however that is spelt) and if you chose your trek you can also get to spend some nights in Khmu and Akha Villages. I did the 3-day akha trail, and spent one night in a Khmu village and the other in an Akha village. Rustic and enjoyable, if you are not used to the concept of Asian Village Life. If you are green, you can always do a pure forest trek. A botanist i met in LNT at the Boat Landing claimed he had the time of his life trekking through the Nam Ha. Green discovery's website has some treks listed in LNT provice which you can peruse.

I also thoroughly agree with wanderingcat, the Huay Xai LP trip is thorougly overrated. Hordes of people at Huay Xai discuss this trip, and signs all over the streets offer this slowboat package. One is supposed to come to Laos to Escape this commercialization which we find where we come from and live! That said, I met a Swiss person who was doing the trip on the Nam Ou from Nong Khiaw to LP, which should be do-able in the dry season, but you must research this. Nong khiaw should be 5-6 hours from LNT east by bus.

Also bear in mind that the Nam Ha NPA was one of the first "Scientifically crafted" eco-tourism regions in Laos, and the planet thinks it the best region for trekking in the north of Laos.

Cheerios.

#3 Posted: 19/5/2008 - 19:54