The Protected Area of Phou Khao Khouay is a mountain range about 40 km northeast of Vientiane as the crow flies. It encompasses an area of around 2000 sqkm with the highest peak of up to 1671m above sea level. The area is drained by three rivers: the Nam Mang in the central and eastern part, the Nam Leuk and the Nam Gnong in the western part. On the northwest lies the Ang Nam Ngum reservoir, the largest artificial lake in Southeast Asia . A smaller reservoir, the Ang Nam Leuk is located in the centre-north of the National Park. Both of these reservoirs are consequences of dams for hydro-power projects. The lakes cover vast formerly forested areas. Even today, wood is taken from the bottom of the Ang Nam Ngum reservoir as it is scattered with teak trees that have hardened under water. This wood is even more valuable than freshly cut hard wood timber.

There are diverse vegetation types in the National Park such as:

dry evergreen dipterocarp forest; main tree genus is Dipterocarpaceae
mixed deciduous forest; main tree genus is Leguminosae
monospecific coniferous forest; main tree genus is Pinaceae
This latter is found on rough mountain slopes, steep sandstone cliffs, hilly terrains or flat uplands and it is typically drought resistant.  

All of these forests offer a wide range of habitats for wild animals, some of them of high conservation values such as the Asian Elephant, the Asiatic Black Bear, The White-cheeked Gibbon, the Douc Langur and the Tiger. Nevertheless, threats to these animals are becoming more and more serious because of hunting and also because of wildlife trade and logging. Smaller mammals like bats, squirrels, reptiles, amphibians and birds can be found there too, especially the much endangered Green Peafowl which is now confined to a small special protected zone on the southwestern border of the park.

The mountain range of Phou Khao Khouay is formerly layered sandstone which is still visible as linear outcrops or on large boulders. Most of the area is covered with the typical tropical red to brown soils which are very poor in organic matter. Richer soils can be found in valleys and gorges where the moisture level is high, these soils support the richest forest type usually called gallery evergreen forest with emergent trees up to 40m in height. Nowadays, extensive areas of such forest are non-existent as they have long since been converted to wet rice agriculture. Some remaining patches can still be found along rocky, inaccessible streams and in very well protected or sacred sites.

Although the park is a National Protected Area (NPA), there are some pressures which, even if there are light, can result in long term consequences, sometimes irreparable like the extinction of some endangered species of animals or plants. In Laos , the status of a National Park or National Protected Area is not the same as in Europe or other developed countries. Laos has still to undergo more development to be able to stop hunting and logging in NPAs. Both are more or less common practice to gain income. Hunting and logging pose serious threats for the wildlife and natural forests of Laos , deforestation is increasing and entire ecosystems are under threat.

In promoting eco-tourism in particular to protected areas, a chance for local awareness for the preservation and protection of natural environments is created. The more local communities are involved in tourism activities in their villages, the less they depend on subsistence farming and the collection of NTFPs (Non-Timber Forest Products).

Due to the pressures mentioned, it is very difficult to actually see wild animals even on a 2-3 day trip in an NPA. Nevertheless, the local guide will be eager to show you his detailed knowledge on trees, tracks, small animals and insects. The trekking experience is one of nature and Lao culture, the latter of which strongly depends on a healthy and diverse natural landscape.  

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