Laos Community Stay
Choose where you sleep
Trekking or hiking is still the best way to explore Laos and its broad ethnic diversity. This is the way to meet and interact with the local people, to observe their rural lifestyles, and experience how they manage their day to day lives.
If you are careful to join a responsibly organised trek, it is also the most direct way to contribute to the most needy people without the exploitation that so often accompanies attempts at development.
Most inhabitants of Laos live far away from modern civilisation, and they continue to live their lives much as they have done for generations. A rural trek will give you an extraordinary opportunity to "travel back in time" to communities that have been left 
behind by the rapidly developing world. Do not expect much in the way of comforts!
Northern Laos especially presents many great trekking opportunities. Not only is the terrain very mountainous and largely swathed in forest, it is also home to a dazzling array of highly colourful minority tribal people who still pursue the traditional slash and burn (swidden) farming methods, unchanged for a thousand years. They live without 
electricity or running water, and keep livestock in close proximity to their own living quarters.
We offer several treks and tour combinations that will bring you into great places and remote areas of Laos. Treks around the northern provinces can be from 4 to 5 days or longer, to a hearty walk out Luang Prabang, returning to the comfort of your hotel or guest house in the evening.
Treks can be orgainsed in Nong Khiaw, Phongsali, Luang Namtha and Luang Prabang. Phongsali is the most remote region and therefore for the really adventurous. Single day treks do still give a good impression of the life in the countryside of Laos and are mostly operated in Luang Prabang province.
On a longer wilderness trek expect to discover mystical 
waterfalls and hidden caves, jungle trails and rugged mountains. You will encounter local villagers and camp with them on the floors of their simple homes, in the evenings sharing stories around the central cooking fire.
Custom made treks and tours of any length can be designed upon request. We can plan expeditions in conjunction with boat rides, rafting or mountain biking. Multi-day treks into new areas can be arranged and will than be guided with a special team and supporting staff with GPS support.
Please note: Changes can occur due to weather and other unforeseen conditions on any trek at any time.
This sample three day trek has special focus on Hmong communities and culture and their way of life high up in the mountains around Luang Prabang. Visitors will experience a unique and great hospitality as well as great nature. 
Day 1: Depart Luang Prabang in the morning, preferably early at around 8.00 am, and head out north along the Mekong river road.
Spend the evening together with the families and the children of the village who will come to see the foreign long-nose 'falangs'. Take your time to relax and to ask questions or help your guide as he prepares a nice your dinner. You have time to take a bath from the small fresh water well. 
Day 2: After an early breakfast, say goodbye to your hosts and set off for the second day of your trek. Today is a longer hike, passing through hills that climb to the uplands where the Hmong like to live. Your village for this night is laid back but very poor, so you may bring some things for the school, such as books and pens. Once again the locals will be curious to meet yo, offering a warm welcome. Don;t be shy to ask the locals, though your guide, any questions you have about the fascinating 
beliefs and the Hmong people's animist religion, or just enjoy listening to the traditional Hmong chanting…
Day 3 or 4: On the last day of this trekking adventure your guide will lead you back down to road connected areas, passing through more tribal villages en route, before meeting your driver for the 2 hour journey by local Songthaew back to Luang Prabang.
