Cloud Forest & The Nests
12 December 2024Homestay & Full Trail
Homestay & Full Trail
Experience it all! Begin with a homestay in an ethnic Khmu village on the edge of the national park, then complete the full length of the national park's trekking trail.
Difficulty
Elevation range
Rates 2024-2025 in LAK
This is the price per visitor per group size
| 1 Visitor | 2 Visitors | 3 Visitors | 4+ Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAK 16,000,000 | LAK 10,000,000 | LAK 9,000,000 | LAK 8,000,000 |
Join a group
- 11 November 2025
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3D2N CFC Trek(2booked/4available)
10 November 2025 - 13 November 2025
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- 12 November 2025
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5D4N CFC Trek(4booked/2availble)
11 November 2025 - 16 November 2025
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- 14 February 2026
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Nest 2D1N Trek(2booked/4available)
13 February 2026 - 15 February 2026
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Highlights
- Homestay in a Khmu village
- The summit of the national park - Phou Louey Mountain (elev. 2257m)
- Birdwatching
- Camera Trapping
- Waterfalls
- Viewpoints
- Possibility to hear the Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons at sunrise
- Wildlife observation tower
- Overnight at The Nests
- Ranger station
Wildlife species
This trek offers wonderful birdwatching opportunities to spot species within 600-2257m elevation range. You might see beautiful nuthatch, rufous-throated partridge, silver-eared laughingthrush, grey-bellied tesias, rufous-necked and great hornbills (rare), and many more. See what others have seen on E-bird.
You might spot giant black squirrels, various civet species, macaques, serow, muntjac as well as see and identify proof of many more species along the way and in the wildlife monitoring camera traps. There are also several locations along this route where you can hear the early morning duets of the critically endangered northern white-cheeked gibbon.
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- Long-tailed broadbill
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- Red Headed Trogon
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- Greater racket-tailed drongo
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- Blyth’s paradise flycatcher
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- Silver breasted broadbill
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- Sultan tit
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- Silver-eared laughingthrush
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- Scarlet-faced liocichla
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- Great hornbill
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- Beautiful nuthatch
Itinerary
Please note that the itinerary below is approximate. Small change can occur as we are in remote and wild Laos and it is impossible to predict everything. However, please trust that the National Park guide will do the most to ensure you have the best possible wildlife experience.
Day 1: Travel to a Khmu village. Village life, Birdwatching and Homestay.
Meals: L/D
Accommodation: Homestay
At 8am, meet your guide at the national park visitor center for a brief orientation. Then, travel for about 1h30 to a remote Khmu village situated on the edge of the National Park, where you’ll meet the community ecotourism team. Experience the tranquility of rural life and an opportunity to learn about Khmu culture. Overnight at homestay.
Day 2: Enter the National Park. Waterfalls, Birdwatching & Camera Traps.
Distance: 8,5 km trek
Time estimation: 7 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: +850m / -275m
Meals: B/L/D
Accommodation: Forest hut (2 persons per hut)
For the first part of the trail, hike through a mosaic of agricultural fields to the park boundary, then trek through the national park identifying signs of wildlife along the way and stopping for a refreshing swim in the waterfalls.
Once at camp, relax, bath at yet another waterfall, enjoy afternoon birdwatching and verify wildlife camera trap. Campfire dinner and optional nighttime wildlife spotting. Overnight in a forest hut (2 persons per hut).
Day 3: The Phou Louey Mountain Challenge
Distance: 12 km trek
Time estimation: 10+ hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: +1270m / -1250m
Meals: B/L/D
Accommodation: Forest hut (2 persons per hut)
Today is a demanding 12 km trek to the summit of Phou Louey Mountain, one of the few Cloud Forests in the region and one of the most important wildlife biodiversity areas in the park.
Please be prepared to wake up early and get ready promptly. The trek includes a 5-6 hour climb with an average slope of +18% to the summit, followed by a steep 4-5 hour descent with an average slope of -17%. The summit, a Cloud Forest, is often shrouded in mist but offers breathtaking views on clear days. Enjoy birdwatching and check camera traps along the way. Once at camp, relax in the afternoon and evening.
Day 4: Mountain Pass and Viewpoint. The Nests Wildlife Observation Tower
Distance: 10 km trek
Time estimation: 7 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: +700m / -900m
Meals: B/L/D
Accommodation: The Nests (2 persons per Nest)
Wake up before sunrise, and trek up to the 1’500m Phou Pha Mai mountain pass to enjoy sunrise over the national park with a possibility to hear the critically endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons.
After picnic brekfast, trek for 10 km through a healthy forest to The Nests camp, identifying signs of wildlife along the way.
Once at The Nests camp, relax, and enjoy late afternoon birdwatching. After a campfire dinner, head to the observation tower located next to a salt lick for nighttime wildlife spotting. Overnight in The Nests (2 persons per Nest).
Day 5: Morning Birdwatching and Wildlife Camera Traps. Return to Muang Hiam.
Distance: 7.5 km trek & 5 km tok-tok (hand tractor)
Time estimation: 4h trek & 1h tok-tok
Elevation Gain/Loss: +420m / -460m
Meals: B/L
Start the day with birdwatching and verifying the wildlife camera traps. Twelve surrounding villages involved in the ecotourism program receive monetary bonuses through the ecotourism benefit fund that is based on the wildlife spotted on the tours and in the camera traps.
Trek out from the national park and enjoy birdwatching along the way, then ride a tok-tok (hand tractor) back to the village. Return to Muang Hiam in the mid-afternoon. Recommendation: spend the afternoon relaxing at the hot springs.
What is included
- National Park Entrance Fee
- Village Entrance Fee
- Village Ecotourism Benefit Fund
- District Tourism Fee
- English-speaking guide
- Community Services: wildlife spotter, porters, cooks, cleaning, handicraft group, etc.
- Transport from Muang Hiam to the tour
- Food and water (boiled)
- Sleeping equipment
- Leech Socks
Packing List
Bag note. Please pack light, bring only one backpack. You can leave large bags in the national park office, in the village or in your car.
Weather note. Weather can be both hot (30'c +) during the daytime and cold (below 10'c) at night. It is recommended that you bring clothes for both extremes.
Water note. Please note that we provide boiled stream water on the multiple day trekking tours. Please take your own water purification tablets.
Please pack the following items:
- Light rain jacket or poncho (strongly recommended)
- Warm fleece jacket
- Sun hat for daytime and Wool cap for night
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers are most suitable
- Good walking shoes and sandals for bathing
- Warm clothes for sleeping (November to February can get very cold)
- Clothes for bathing (shorts and t-shirt). Please no nude/bikini bathing.
- At least 2L reusable water bottle
- Water purification tablets (water is boiled)
- Snacks (food is provided, but you might want to bring something to snack on)
- Towel and toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Flashlight
- Ear plugs. Forest sounds at night can be quite loud.
- Binoculars. We have a few binoculars available to borrow.
Other Tours
24H TOUR
The pioneer wildlife tour in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. Travel by boat into the national park, spot wildlife, enjoy birdwatching and learn about the local history and culture. The highlight of this trip is a nighttime wildlife spotlighting: drift silently down the river looking for wildlife.
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
An extended version of the original Nam Nern Night Safari tour with additional morning river safari, a birdwatching hike and an opportunity to travel and overnight deeper inside the national park. More time for wildlife spotting, to enjoy the nature, and to relax.
2 days / 1 night
This out-and-back trek with an overnight at The Nests camp offers great birdwatching opportunities and a chance to spot wildlife at night from an observation tower located above a salt lick and near a ranger station.
3 days / 2 nights
A point-to-point version of The Nests tour. Trek higher, swim in pristine waterfalls and identify signs of wildlife along the trail with scenic views and a possibility to hear the critically endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons at sunrise.
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Trek up to the Phou Louey Mountain (elev.2257m) – the summit of the national park. No homestay experience. No Nest camp with wildlife observation tower.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Experience a homestay in an ethnic Khmu village bordering the national park prior to trekking up to the Phou Louey Mountain – the summit of the national park. No Nest camp with wildlife observation tower.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Immerse yourself fully in the wilderness by spending your entire time trekking through the national park, completing the full length of the trekking trail. No homestay experience.
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Experience it all! Begin with a homestay in an ethnic Khmu village on the edge of the national park, then complete the full length of the national park's trekking trail.
FAQ
Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions. Should I book in advance? How to get to the park? Where to sleep in Muang Hiam? Where can I store my luggage? Who will be my guide? Do I need to be in good physical condition? Will I see wildilfe?
