Full Day Hiking Along the Orchids’ Path

Full Day Hiking Along the Orchids’ Path

Described as Laos’ largest natural depository of wild orchids, hiking Phou Khao Khouay is a sheer pleasure
for all senses. Within reach of Vientiane, and guided by local villagers with
the aim to sustain, this full day hike is pure, floral pleasure.

WHY THIS TOUR?

Away from city life in the Laotian capital, nature still rules with a green fist. Protected by locals who have called this part of the world their home for generations, the Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area is a rustic region, filled with nature and eco-friendly initiatives to keep it that way.

Officially labelled as a Biodiversity Conservation Area by the Laotian government, the unique flora and fauna of Phou Khao Khouay is that juxtaposition compared to the Vientiane way of living that drives visitors out of the city and into the untouched wild life side of Laos. Orchid lovers will certainly get their money’s worth as the Phou Khao Khouay is known nation for contributing close to 50% of all the wild orchids in Laos.

Laos

Vientiane

1 Day

Active Trails

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TRAIL ITINERARY

Full Day Hiking Along the Orchids’ Path

07:30 - 17:30

The 1:30 hour journey from your Vientiane hotel to the main entrance of Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area commences when your English-speaking guide and driver accompany you in north-eastern direction of the city. As part of an eco-tourism initiative, local hiking experts of the region will take over the guiding baton once you reach Ban Hatkhay. The full day eco-trek is an initiative set up by the villagers of this settlement to educate, protect and create awareness of the fragile state of the orchid species and its means to show it to the world.

The hike starts along well-chosen paths through the jungle to the Pha Say waterfall. Carefully following in the footsteps of your native guide, the landscape changes with almost every corner you take. Pointing out the orchids left and right, from species that feel right at home on rocks to floral examples clinging to tree trunks, the overflow of information assures that the morning passes by before one knows it. This Biodiversity Conservation Area also is home of some medicinal plants which will, too, be pointed out by your guide towards your picnic lunch spot. Depending on the season, various species of orchids may not bloom to capacity yet still make the hike as memorable until the very end.

The morning ends with a simple picnic lunch along the banks of a local stream (subject to water levels) before continuing on the journey towards another waterfall of impressive proportions; the Tad Say Waterfall. Its location and more gentle flow of water from its source to the pool makes it an ideal place to swim and cool down after hiking through the pristine natural side of Laos.

Our journey ends with a final hike back to Ban Hatkhay from where you will be brought back to Vientiane.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

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INCLUSIONS

  • A full day tour with a professional English-speaking local hiking guide
  • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
  • All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the description
  • All applicable taxes and service charges
  • Picnic lunch is included

EXCLUSIONS

  • Tours, inclusions of any kind and other services that are not outlined in the tour description
  • Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours, unless otherwise stated
  • Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement
  • Compulsory Christmas, country-specific festival and/or New Year dinner at included hotels
  • Single supplement charges for single travelers, where applicable
  • Any airline tickets, visa fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general meeting point
  • Supplements for transfers for customers arriving or departing from any airport or resorts located outside the general pick-up and drop-off locations
  • Hotel expenses of a personal nature, should an overnight be included: this includes mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the program
  • Travel insurance coverage for customers (highly recommendable)

GOOD TO KNOW

  • This tour is operated on full private basis with English-speaking local hiking guide only.
  • Return transfers for this excursion apply only / are inclusive for customers staying in and inside Vientiane.
  • Transfers outside these areas, including any accommodation outside this area such as Ngam Num Lake, Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, and Vientiane International Airport are excluded. Supplements apply for customers who want to join this excursion outside one of these regions.
  • Customers are reminded to submit their passport number and expiration date with their reservation. These are essential requirements as outlined by local immigration regulations
  • We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this excursion; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of picnic lunch menu.
  • Part of this excursion includes walking over unpaved roads and paths. This may not suit guests with walking issues. Bear in mind that such paths may turn slippery / muddy after a rain shower. We suggest wearing good walking shoes, preferred closed shoes, when booking this tour.
  • As we trek through pristine parts of the rainforest, we are obliged to inform you in advance that there are no sanitary facilities en route to your final destination available.
  • We always will make efforts to confirm the exact pick-up time upon reservation. For any operational issues in which are not able to confirm the exact pick-up time in advance, we reserve the right to inform you the day before the departure of the tour
  • Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this.
  • Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us on this tour – even when it is cloudy, the sunrays still have an immense power; we reserve the right to make necessary changes to the excursion in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests.
  • The protection of the country’s flora and fauna is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities for guests that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to provide us with the correct hotel information, should pick-up and drop-off services be included in the package. Any changes in accommodation outside 24 hours will be handled accordingly: changes within 24 hours may be on request.
  • In the event of no-show or change of accommodation without prior consent and confirmation from us within 24 hours may result in the applicable cancellation charges as outlined in the terms and conditions.

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