Laos

Important note: all travelers should arrive on the same flight. Vientiane – Luang Nam Tha by Laos Airlines, QV603B VTELXG 14:00-15:00 (flight cost is not included in the price). Upon your arrival at Luang Nam Tha in Laos, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative and, all together, you will drive to Houayxay: a town by the Chiang Khong borders with Thailand (a 4-hour drive). Once there, you will spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing or exploring the neighborhood at your own pace. Accommodation: Houayxay- Mone Thong Hotel **** or similar.

After an early breakfast, you will check out and proceed to the Gibbon Office, where you should arrive by 8:00am at the latest. However, the actual starting point of your Gibbon Experience (a unique adventure, like no other in the world) is still many kilometers away. You will drive from Houayxayto Baan Toup (83 km, around 2.5 hours), on a road that can be quite rough depending on the weather. At the village, local guides will welcome you, leading you through an uphill hiking trail (1 hour) to the canopy infrastructure. There, you will split up in small groups, put on a harness, and glide across the first cable. You will continue gliding and trekking until you reach your treehouse (1 to 3 hours depending on your treehouse). In the afternoon, the guides will take you on a two-hour hike to familiarize yourselves with the cable network. Overnight in a canopy-level treehouse. Note: Although the landscape is of 5-star quality, the accommodation is rather basic. For three days, you will be surrounded by the jungle, protected by an exceptional canopy, and, at night, by millions of stars, but your tree house (accessible only by ziplines) must be shared with other guests. Each mosquito net provides a semi-private room for two people, and when a treehouse is at full capacity, solo travelers may end up sharing a mosquito net canopy.

Today, you will spend the full day in the jungle, using the cable system to soar through the rich canopy, surrounded by peace, mountains and the dense jungle. You may also choose to relax in your treehouse or go for short hikes on your own to observe the wildlife of the area. Dawn is the best time for wildlife encounters, and you may even get lucky to spot the famous black gibbons (Nomascusconcolorlu) in their natural environment. On most days, you can hear their territorial hooting. However, sightings of the endangered black gibbon cannot be guaranteed. Important notes to best enjoy the Classic Gibbon Experience:

• For safety reasons, people weighing over 110 kg / 243 lbs will not be allowed on the cable system.
• The Classic Gibbon Experience is relaxing and peaceful, with only an hour of necessary walking. There is no strict schedule, and it is up to you to decide how to use your time so that you get the best out of this experience. Food will be served when you are hungry, and the guides will escort you to your treehouse and around. This option usually enables gibbon encounters with little effort.
• The Gibbon Office makes sure that the area does not get overpopulated by tourists, which would disturb the wildlife and the quality of the overall experience. As such, up to three groups of eight people depart on alternate days at 8 am for three days and two nights, accommodated in treehouses scattered within the Nam Kan National Park.
• During the Gibbon Experience, you will be asked to keep your personal items to a minimum as you will have to carry them throughout your trip in the jungle. Bedsheets and towels are provided in your treehouse. You will need a daypack, gloves or old socks, a water bottle, mosquito repellent (and long-sleeved shirt and pants to avoid bites and stings), a camera and a headtorch.

Overnight in a canopy-level treehouse.

You will spend the morning enjoying the last hours of the Gibbon Experience before being transferred back to Houayxay by bus (leaving at around 03.00pm). In the afternoon, you can explore the city of Houayxay, strolling around, visiting the local market and the ruins of the French colonial-era Fort Carnot and making sure to check the sunset over the Mekong River. Accommodation: Houayxay- Mone Thong Hotel **** or similar.

This morning, you'll embark on a traditional slow boat for a leisurely cruise downstream along the Mekong River to the charming river town of Pakbeng. As you journey, you'll be treated to some of the most breathtaking scenery the Mekong has to offer. Along the way, you'll stop at a Khmu ethnic minority village, where you can observe and experience their traditional way of life. Lunch will be served on board as you continue your cruise. In the late afternoon, you'll arrive in Pakbeng, where you'll check into your hotel. Spend the evening relaxing with a drink on the terrace by the pool, enjoying the sunset over the mountains and the Mekong River. Accommodation: Pakbeng Le Grand Pakbeng **** or similar.

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the boarding pier, with your departure set for 7:30 AM. This morning, you continue the second leg of our journey downstream, passing through areas of pristine forest dotted with small villages along the riverbanks. Keep an eye out—you might even spot an elephant or two with their mahout. Along the way, you’ll visit a Hmong village, giving you the chance to explore local life and visit some of the area's old temples. Lunch will be served on board as we enjoy the leisurely cruise. You’ll also stop to explore the Pak-Ou Caves, an ancient pilgrimage site filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha images that have been left there over the centuries. Arriving in Luang Prabang around sunset, you’ll disembark at Le Calao pier, where you'll meet your tour guide and be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Accommodation: Luang Prabang Le Bel Air **** or similar.

This morning, rise before dawn to witness and take part in the awe-inspiring ritual of offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks. If you wish to make an offering, please inform your guide the day before so they can prepare food for you to give to the monks. This early morning tradition has been passed down through generations in Laos. After the alms-giving ceremony, you can either return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup. (If you prefer not to participate, please observe the ritual from a respectful distance in silence. Be sure to dress appropriately, with shoulders, chest, and legs covered.) Following this, we'll visit the Morning Market, where you'll have the chance to see the diverse array of mountain and river products offered by local vendors. Afterward, return to the hotel for breakfast and pack your luggage. Later in the morning, we’ll embark on a short-guided tour, starting with the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, known for its classical Laotian architecture with sweeping roofs that nearly touch the ground. Next, we’ll visit Wat Mai, a revered temple, and the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which houses a beautiful collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture from the early kings to the last sovereign. Finally, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Recommended departure flight: after 18:00 pm