The Nests Wildlife Tower
10 December 2024
Express Cloud Forest
11 December 2024
Views & The Nests Wildlife Tower
Views & The Nests Wildlife Tower
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.
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 10,000,000 | LAK 6,500,000 | LAK 5,500,000 | LAK 4,500,000 |
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Highlights
- Wildlife observation tower
- Birdwatching
- Viewpoints
- Possibility to hear the Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons at sunrise
- Camera Trapping
- Waterfalls
- Ranger station
Wildlife species
This tour offers an opportunity to spot wildlife species up to 1500m and The Nests wildlife observation tower is located above a salt lick that offers excellent wildlife and birdwatching opportunities.
You may see Blyth’s paradise flycatcher, rufous-faced warbler, long-tailed and silver-breasted broadbills, pale-headed woodpecker, greater and lesser yellow napes, and many more. See what others have seen on E-bird.
You may also spot Sambar deer, muntjac, various species of civets, lorises, and many others in the wildlife monitoring camera traps. There are also several locations along this route where you might hear the early morning duets of the critically endangered northern white-cheeked gibbon.
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: Enter the National Park. Waterfalls & Birdwatching
Distance: 6.5 km
Duration: 4 hours trek
Elevation Gain/Loss: +608m / -173m.
Meals: L/D
Accommodation: Forest hut (2 persons per hut)
At 8am, meet your guide at the national park visitor center for a brief orientation. Then, travel for about 45 minutes to a small Khmu village situated on the edge of the National Park, where you’ll meet the community ecotourism team.
For the first part of the trail, hike through the village fields to the park boundary, then trek through the park to the camp, identifying signs of wildlife along the way.
Once at camp, relax, bath at the nearby waterfalls, and enjoy late afternoon birdwatching. After a campfire dinner, optional nighttime wildlife spotting. Overnight in a forest hut (2 persons per hut).
Day 2: 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 breakfast, 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 3: 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 tractor, and 30 min minivan.
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
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Village Entrance Fee
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Village Ecotourism Benefit Fund
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District Tourism Fee
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English-speaking guide
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Community Services: wildlife spotter, porters, cooks, cleaning, handicraft group, etc.
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Transport from Muang Hiam to the tour
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Food and water (boiled)
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Sleeping equipment
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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.