Getting there

Getting to Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park

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Nam Et-Phou Louey Headquarters & Visitor Centre

Muang Hiam (formerly Viengthong) is the location of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park headquarters and Visitor Center. Basic accommodation is available in town, as well as a handful of restaurants serving Lao food. The town is a rural paradise, with one of the best hot springs in the country.

NEPLNPA_Namet_ProtectedArea_MuangHiam_office

Nam Nern Night Safari

The start of the Nam Nern Night Safari is at a small Khmu village called Ban Son Koua, near to the intersection with the road from Phonesavan.

If you are traveling from Phonesavan or Sam Neua, you can meet your guide directly at Ban Son Koua.

If you are traveling from Luang Prabang or Nong Khiaw, you can either meet your guide in Muang Hiam (Viengthong) and then travel to the start next morning, or you can travel to Ban Son Koua independently and meet your guide there. For driving directions, click here.

Wildlife Trekking Tours

The start of the wildlife trekking tours is at small Khmu villages depending on the itinerary.

Muang Hiam (Viengthong) is the meeting point for all trekking villages.

The Northern Heritage Route

Nam Et-Phou Louey is situated midway between the ancient royal capital of Luang Prabang and the Secret War-era Viengxai Cave complex near the Vietnamese border. The winding ribbon of a road between the two showcases centuries of history with the remnants of stone age cultures, surprising ethnic diversity, and view upon view of rugged mountains and misty valleys. This route into a remote and forgotten world is studded with hot springs, gushing waterfalls, traditional craft villages and mysterious ancient standing stones, with the Plain of Jars and Phonesavan not far away. Read more about the Northern Heritage Route.

Travel options include:

Car or motorcycle

The roads are narrow and winding, and the views are scenic. Rent a car with a driver or self-drive. For driving directions, click here.

Public bus

Public buses leave Luang Prabang, Sam Neua and Phonsavan daily, with drop-offs along the entire route. For directions, click here.

Join a group tour

Why not let a tour company take care of your travel arrangements? Many of SE Asia’s leading tour companies include the Nam Nern Night Safari in their existing itineraries (listed alphabetically):

DISCOVA Tours offers a 3-day Lao Jungle Safari round-trip from Luang Prabang.

Easia Travel offers both Night Safari 24h and Night Safari 3 days tour.

EXO Travel offers an epic 22-day Journey Within tour that showcases all the best of Laos, including Luang Prabang, Wat Phou, Bolavan Plateau and 4000 Islands. And a 9-day Trekking the NEPL Cloud Forest Challenge tour.

Green Discovery specializes in Adventure and Eco-tourism and will tailor-make a trip for you.

ICS Travel Group specializes in tailor-made programs to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and India.

Jewel Travel offers a 7-day Northern Laos Wildlife Discovery tour starting and ending in Luang Prabang and taking in the Plain of Jars and Viengxai.

Khiri Travel offers tours with sustainable travel in the heart of their business.

Nakarath Travel offers a 12-day Heritage Trail starting and ending in Luang Prabang and and including the Plain of Jars and the Viengxai Caves.

Tiger Trails offers a 4-day Nam Nern Night Safari tour that starts and finishes in Luang Prabang and includes the Plain of Jars.