Trekking In Chomphet District
PHOU LONG TAI TREK - 1 night / 2 days

Operated by: Action Max

Chomphet District, Luang Prabang Province
Supported by the LNTA-ADB Mekong Tourism Development Project

 

Description

This two day trek, located across the river from Luang Prabang in the hills of Chomphet district, is ideal for people interested in exploring rural Luang Prabang. The trek offers a good variety of activities with its challenging climbs, green forests, views of Luang Prabang, agricultural fields, a cave, swimming and three ethnic groups: Hmong, Khamu and lowland Lao.

Itinerary

Day 1: Trek to Hmong Village - Phu Luang Tai.

Depart from Luang Prabang in the early morning, taking a 30-minute boat ride up the Mekong to Ban Moungkham in Chomphet District. From there, walk 2 hours on a forested trail to Ban Houaypong, a Khamu Rok village. Take a short break in Ban Houaypong, before continuing 15 minutes to Houaypong stream, to eat a picnic lunch.

After lunch, the trek begins an uphill climb to Ban Phuluang Tai. The trail is a steep climb for 2 hours, before reaching a ridge that is followed for 2 more hours, with sweeping views across the mountain ranges and valleys.

Arrive in Ban Phuluang Tai, a Hmong village, by the late afternoon. You can walk around the village, bathe at the local spring, or relax at the guesthouse, while the villagers prepare the evening meal. Phuluang Tai also has beautiful night views of the lights of Luang Prabang in the distance. You have the option of requesting additional services, such as drum and kaen musical performances, or buying traditional embroidery. Tourists spend the night in the village guest house, which is constructed in traditional Hmong-style and managed by the community.

Day 2: Cave - Ban Som

Eat breakfast in Ban Phuluang Tai, then depart early. The trek down to Ban Som takes a little over 1.5 hours, following a steep downhill trail, passing Ban Mok Prai – another Hmong village. In Ban Som, an idyllic Lao Loum village surrounded by rice paddies, a creek, and mountains, tourists can rest and refresh themselves, before leaving their bags to hike to Tam Nang Anh (a cave 30 minutes uphill), then swim by a small waterfall at the base of the mountain. A village guide will accompany the tourists on the trek and provide information on the cave. Returning to Ban Som, the villagers will serve lunch, before making the final hike 3 hours back to Ban Moungkham on an easy road and trail. Return to Luang Prabang by boat , arriving in the early evening.

Booking

• Contact Action Max at +856-71-252-417 actionmaxasie@yahoo.fr
• For more information contact the Provincial Tourism Office Luang Prabang at +856-71-212-487.

Accommodation & Food

• Village lodge with one common room.
• Common bathroom facilities available. Public bathing (women need a sarong)
• Hmong & Lao cuisine. Typical meal includes chicken, soup, sticky rice, vegetables and chili.
• Vegetarian food is available upon request.

Level of Difficulty & Safety

Moderate-Difficult: Steep climbs make this trail challenging. Trekkers must be in good physical shape and be able to walk 5 hours per day.

What to Bring

One change of clothes, sandals for village, good shoes for hiking, sandals and sarong for
bathing (required for women), mosquito repellent, flashlight, sunscreen/hat, camera, money to purchase handicrafts. Please wear long pants and a shirt with sleeves during the trek.

Includes

Local meals, water, accommodation, transport to/from Luang Prabang, local guide(s) &
English speaking guides, and permits.

Group Size

Group size is a minimum of two guests and a maximum of eight guests.