wwaegemn
longtail driver
Posts: 6

#1 Posted: 14/5/2008 - 23:34


Hello,

We are a group of 4 Belgians that are travelling to south east asia from July 15 to August 6 for three weeks. We are thinking of spending most of our time in Laos. Our itenerary in Laos looks as follows:

16 bangkok (arrival noon + night train to Vientiane)
17 Vientiane (arrival + visit city)
18 Vientiane (trekking)
19 Vientiane (trekking)
20 Vientiane (trekking)
21 Vientiane – Luang Prabang (10h bus)
22 Luang Prabang (visit city)
23 Luang Prabang – Nong Khiaw – Viang Khuam – Viang Thong (several busses)
24 Viang Thong (dag in reserve + day hike hot springs)
25 Viang Thong – Nam Neum - Sam Neua
26 Sam Neua (visit cave city)
27 Sam Neua – border Na Meo – Moc Chau - Mai Chau

We have scheduled a three-day trekking in Vientiane with greendiscoverylaos ("Tad Leuk Adventure"), but I read that it would be more advisable to do a trekking further north. Since we are going to Sam Neua, I wondered whether their are opportunities to organzie a trekking in that region or in the protected areas around Vieng Thong? We prefer to do a "nature" trekking instead of staying in villages, because we are going to do that kind of stuff in Mai Chau, Vietnam. Any tips?

Greetz,

Willem

packtoofull
flashpacker
Posts: 34

Located in:
Indonesia

#2 Posted: 18/5/2008 - 07:05


I think in Sam Neua and thereabouts the trekking industry is best described as "Extremely undeveloped". A Travelfish poster, Somsai, runs an excellent blog with some trekking info in northern Laos (though mostly focussed in the northwest rather than northeast), so you may want to take a read of his blog: Lao Bumpkin.

Sorry can't be much more help at this stage...

wanderingcat
noodle lady
Posts: 42

#3 Posted: 18/5/2008 - 10:10


according to http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/phouloei.htm , seems that organised treks in the Nam Et-Phou Loei NBCA aren't available yet. if there are any, greendiscovery would probably know about it. you could also ask at the tourist info hut at the top of Nong Khiaw boat landing.

when you get to Laos, no harm expressing your interest in that area to tour operators & tourism authorities. for all we know they have yet to go ahead because so few tourists explore the area east of Nong Khiaw, if they know that there is a demand they might get things started in future. & if they can get tourist income from conserving the area they would be more likely to give it better protection.