Trekking

The trekking around Muang Khua is fantastic, mostly because of the lack of other tourists in the area. Foreigners rarely visit these villages, and they are delighted to welcome strangers with true Lao hospitality. A range of ethnic groups in the area (Khamu, Akha, Tai Dam), but not nearly as many as live further north in Phongsali or to the west in Muang Sing and Luang Nam Tha.

Muang Khua has no tourism organisations, but displayed on the balcony of the Nam Ou Guesthouse is a sign written by one of the teachers at the local school. His name is Khammane, and he can take visitors on local trekking trips for two or three days. During the school holidays from June to August he is free to take trips at any time, but during the school year, he is only available on weekends. Another teacher at the school, Boun Ma, is also available to take treks at the same time. They both have great English, and are very informative and good company.

They both can both design a trip around whatever you might find interesting and your trekking abilities. Most possible routes are described as 'moderate' standard, but this is very hard to judge. You can go for either two or three days, although it is possible to go for longer during the holiday period. Generally the trips involve several hours of trekking each day, visits to local ethnic hilltribe villages and possibly the sighting of some wildlife.

Accommodation is at the village headman's house, and food is all bought in the villages. Although a chicken will be bought and killed for the meal, vegetarians can be catered for. Vegetables are often scarce in small villages.

Contact the guides through the Nam Ou Guesthouse or by email at khammane@hotmail.com, or telephone (088) 210 829. They usually come to meet any guests and potential trekkers in the evenings at the restaurant.

Highly recommended.