Half
Day
Roundtrip boat trip
Fishing & Picnic at Lan Hai
Half day trip for fishing and picnic at Lan Hai along the Nam Theun 2 Reservoir. Start and end at Thalang.
Red-shanked Douc Trekking & Camping at Nam Chae (2-3 Days)
Red-shanked Douc Trek & Camping at Nam Chae (2-3 Days)
2-3 Days
Long Trek
Boat Travel
1-10 passengers
Red-shanked Douc Trek & Camping at Nam Chae (2/3-Day)
This 2-3 day trek takes you to the the Nam Chae area of Nakai Nam Theun National Park, which has the best opportunities for seeing Red-shanked Doucs. The trip starts from Thalang by boat to Nahao Village, followed by a walk or motorbike/tractor transfer to Navang Village--an ethnic Makong Village where you stay in a homestay with local families if arriving by foot. The trek follows a 35km+ loop through fields and forests, camping along the Nam Chae River. Listen for gibbons in the early morning. Walk quietly along the Nam Chae River in the morning or late afternoon to look for Doucs in the canopy above (seen with some patience and luck). The trek can be shortened to 2 days with a very early start and roundtrip motorbike transfers to/from Navang village and the trailhead. This tour is arranged by the Phosy Thalang Guesthouse.
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Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
This trip requires 35-45km of trekking with some moderate to steep climbs. Trekkers should be fit.
Local Guides Required
The guesthouse will arrange for local guides from Navange Village, which are required.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
Red-shanked Douc, gibbon calls (in the early morning), giant squirrel, birds, macaques, reptiles.
Booking with Local Guesthouses
Book with Phosy Thalang or other local guesthouses in Nakai District.
3-Day Itinerary
This is a sample itinerary. Contact the Phosy Thalang Guesthouse for more information.
D1 7:00 AM - Breakfast at your guesthouse
Pre-book your breakfast to get an earlier start.
D1 7:30 AM - Depart Thalang by boat
Take a traditional long-tail boat to Ban Nahao up across the Nam Theun 2 Reservoir and up the Nam Xot River.
D1 10:00 AM - Nahao - Navang villages
Check in at the visitor center in Nahao Village. Depart for Navang Village by foot through fields and forest (8km).
D1 11:30 AM - Arrive in Navang Village.
Meet your local guide. Enjoy a local lunch in the village.
D1 12:30 PM - Trek to Nam Chae Camp
Trek from Ban Navang to Nam Chae Camp, passing through Fan Daeng and Thongsaat villages. The trail goes through fields, jungle and pine forests. The total distance is 14.2km. (For those who are not fast walkers or are behind schedule, take a motorbike or tractor transfer from Ban Navang to the start of the forest trail for 5.7km.)
D1 5:00 PM - Arrive at Nam Chae Camp
Set up tents or hammocks at the Nam Chae camp. Enjoy a barbecue dinner made by local guides. Sit around the campfire and enjoy the stars above.
D2 5:30 AM - Listen for gibbon calls
Listen for the beautiful calls of the endangered white-cheeked gibbon from the surrounding jungles.
D2 7:00 AM - Breakfast
Itinerary Content
D2 8:00 AM - Look for Red-shanked Doucs
Trek along the Nam Chae River looking for Red-shanked Doucs in the canopy. The trail leads to Ban Hang-Nam Chae Substation, 9.8km.
D2 12:00 PM - Lunch at Ban Hang - Nam Chae Substation
Have a lunch at the Ban Hang-Nam Chae Substation (patrol unit base).
D2 1:00PM - Mountain Hike to Navang
Hike the last leg of the trail, with a steep mountain climb before passing through fields to Ban Navang.
Option: Trekkers can choose to camp an extra night at the Ban Hang Substation and spend the afternoon looking for Doucs and other wildlife.
D2 5:00PM Homestay in Navang Village (or camp at Ban Hang Substation)
Option 1: Stay overnight in a homestay in Navang Village, an ethnic Makong community.
Option 2: Camp at Ban Hang-Nam Chae Substation.
D3: Return to Thalang
Walk back to Ban Nahao after breakfast and boat back to Thalang, arriving by noon.
2-Day Itinerary
This is a sample itinerary. Contact the Phosy Thalang Guesthouse for more information.
D1 5:00 AM - Depart Thalang by boat
Take a traditional long-tail boat to Ban Nahao up across the Nam Theun 2 Reservoir and up the Nam Xot River. Have coffee and snacks on the boat.
D1 7:30 AM - Nahao - Navang villages
Check in at the visitor center in Nahao Village. Depart for Navang Village by motorbike or tractor (8km).
D1 8:30 AM - Arrive in Navang Village.
Meet your local guide. Take a break before starting your trek.
D1 9:00 AM - Trek to Nam Chae Camp
Trek from Ban Navang to Nam Chae Camp, passing through Fan Daeng and Thongsaat villages. The trail goes through fields, jungle and pine forests. The total distance is 14.2km. (For those who are not fast walkers or are behind schedule, take a motorbike or tractor transfer from Ban Navang to the start of the forest trail for 5.7km.)
D1 12:00 PM - Picnic Lunch in the Forest
Have a picnic lunch in the forest on the trail to Nam Chae camp.
D1 5:00 PM - Arrive at Nam Chae Camp
Set up tents or hammocks at the Nam Chae camp. Enjoy a barbecue dinner made by local guides. Sit around the campfire and enjoy the stars above.
D2 5:30 AM - Listen for gibbon calls
Listen for the beautiful calls of the endangered white-cheeked gibbon from the surrounding jungles.
D2 6:00 AM - Breakfast
Have an early breakfast to save time.
D2 6:30 AM - Look for Red-shanked Doucs
Trek along the Nam Chae River looking for Red-shanked Doucs in the canopy. The trail leads to Ban Hang-Nam Chae Substation, 9.8km.
D2 10:30 AM - Lunch at Ban Hang - Nam Chae Substation
Have a lunch at the Ban Hang-Nam Chae Substation (patrol unit base).
D2 11:30AM - Mountain Hike to Navang
Hike the last leg of the trail, with a steep mountain climb before passing through fields to Ban Navang.
D2 3:30PM Transfer from Navang to Nahao
Transfer by motorbike or tractor from Navang to Nahao village.
D2 4:30PM Return to Thalang
Return to Thalang by boat, arriving around 6:30pm.
“This was quite an adventure! We saw Doucs in the morning on the second day. We could see them sitting and jumping in the trees above. The trek wasn't too difficult, but it was long. ”
Colin Johnson
Photographer
More Things to Do
Check out other things to do in Nakai Nam Theun National Park
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