• Rafting
  • Luang Namtha
  • Luang Prabang
  • Vang Vieng
  • Champassak
• Kayaking
  • Luang Namtha
  • Luang Prabang
  • Vang Vieng
  • Khammouane
  • Champassak
• Trekking
  • Luang Namtha
  • Luang Prabang
  • Vang Vieng
  • Vientiane
  • Khammouane
  • Champassak
• Mountain Biking
  • Luang Namtha
  • Luang Prabang
  • Vang Vieng
  • Vientiane
  • Khammouane
  • Champassak
• Rock Climbing
  • Luang Prabang
  • Vang Vieng
• Motorbike
  • Motorbike Tour

Enjoy a trek through lush forest and explore the many orchids the inexperienced eye may not be able to spot and to identify. Start your trip at Ban Hatkhai in the south-eastern part of the Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area. Spend most of the time in one of the prime areas of the park with mixed deciduous and evergreen forest. Beautiful waterfalls are inviting you for a refreshing swim – a trip not only for the serious botanist but for everyone who loves nature.

Itinerary: Ban Hatkhai – Tad Xay

This tour starts in Vientiane at 7.30 in the morning and you will be picked up at your hotel or any other place of your convenience. We travel about 90 km along Highway No. 13 (south) until we get close to Ban Thabok (Bolikhamsay Province), where we turn left and follow a dirt road for another 7 km before reaching Ban Hatkhai. Here is the actual starting point of our trip. Our truck brings you directly to Pha Xay, passing rice fields and beautiful forest. We then trek along a network of trails. Orchids will be spotted all along the way but particularly in the area around the waterfalls. You are guided by local villagers and an orchid expert and you will not only be surprised about the abundance of orchids but get insights into their specific biology and ecology. You will also have the opportunity of getting introduced to many other plants used by the local people for medical purposes or as food supplement. A picnic lunch awaits you in the midst of the forest. We return to the access road where our car will wait to bring us back the eight kilometer to Ban Hatkhai. We expect to finally arrive in Vientiane in the late afternoon at around 6.30 p.m.

Time frame: approximately 4 hours drive (from/to Vientiane) / 4 hours walking
Accommodation: None
Transportation: Ford Everest or pick-up truck
Meals: (picnic style) Lunch
Guides: 2 local guides
Information: 1 orchid expert (English or French speaking)
Tip: bring along appropriate clothes for swimming/change of dress

Note: Please keep in mind that orchids are rare plants, even in a National Park! Do not pick any flower you will find. Just enjoy their beauty at their natural place and not in your hand. Taking photos is allowed, though… Thank you for your understanding!

Our Price (in US Dollars)

* With a rented car (usually Ford Everest),
otherwise with the pick-up truck (Ford Ranger,
smaller) of ‘Vientiane Orchidees’, depending
on the number of passengers