Nam Ha Waterfall Trek (1 day)
An adventure and nature trek that takes you in to the darkest depths of the Nam Ha rainforest so you can get to experinence the sights and sounds of a real live rainforest.
From experiencing the daily life of a Khmu Keaun ethnic village, planting and learning about rice. Trekking over the peaks and valleys in to the depths of the Nam Ha Protected Area while absorbing the sights and sounds of a real rainforest, its plants and wildlife. Finally breaking through the undergrowth to emerge at the base of a waterfall and bathing in its cool turbulent waters. This trek covers it all and is a good way to experience the sights and sounds of a real rainforest.
The tour will depart from the Vieng Phouka Eco-Guide Trekking Office at 7:00am. You will then be taken by minivan to the Khmu Kuean ethnic minority village of Nam Eng where your guide for the day will join you. Your guide will teach you about the Nam Eng village and the Khmu Keuan people, their history, traditions and culture.
Continuing your trek over the Eng River, you will be taken to visit rice fields and rice storage facilities where you will be taught about rice and how and when to plant and store it. At this stage a rest stop is planned at which you can drink some water and have time to access what you have learnt.
Next stop are the peaks and valleys of the deep rainforest where you will have a chance to drink in the sights and sounds of its plants and wildlife. The wildlife of the Nam Ha Rainforest is varied and includes monkeys, bears, deer, different kinds of birds, mountain goats and even tigers. Your guide will also explain to you about the important plants of the rainforest.
Arriving at the waterfall you will eat lunch and have a chance to relax and swim in the waterfall and breathe in the rainforest around you. After lunch your guide will lead you up the mountains along the tiger trail and in to very deep, primary rainforest, before descending to some breathtaking views and to your minivan waiting to take you back to Vieng Phouka.
Participant Guidelines
Included in price is;
All transportation as stated, local English speaking guide, limited personal liability insurance, personal drinking water, local Vieng Phouka taxes, village guide, all accommodation stated, a contribution to the village and tourism development funds
You need to remember to take a few things with you. Most of these are not really necessary but will make your day more comfortable;
Good hiking shoes and for women a saraong for swimming, a cap or hat and a good camera, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a rain jacket in the rainy season (June - September), a warm coat in the cold season (October - April), torch, toilet paper, money to buy handicrafts, extra water, snacks, medical kit.
There are a one or two things that you should do to make the trek more memorable for you and the communities you visit;
Please respect local culture by dressing politely at all times, removing your shoes before entering a Lao house and asking before you take a picture. Also please help the local trekking agents improve the service they give to tourists by helping your guide speak English better and help them to improve the treks.
There also things that you should really NOT do when on a trek to local ethnic minorities and these are;
Please do not hug or kiss each other in public, eat wildlife, use illegal drugs of any kind or drink too much of the local rice alcohol, distribute religious or political propaganda in the villages and finally respect a villagers home by not entering a villagers bedroom.
Other Disclosures
The 1 day tours are only available for groups of 3 people and above.
Any participants in this trek should meet at the trekking agents at 6:45am.
At the time of booking please indicate whether you are vegetarian and a special meal will be prepared for you. Also on the trek please let your guide know how you would like your food prepared, for example if you like your food not to be spicy or you prefer normal rice to sticky rice.
