Full-day Guided Nature Walk

6.5 - 8 Hours, Moderately Difficult
Enjoy a full-day in the forest experiencing the local flora and fauna as you explore Xe Pian's dense tropical forest with a skilled nature guide from Kiet Ngong village. This trip starts with a moderately strenuous uphill climb to the mystical Vat Phou Asa archaeological site and then continues deeper into the forest to a site where wild elephants were once captured. Along the entire trail your local guide will identify wild plants that are used for food and medicine, point out animal tracks and show you unusual insects.

From the top of Phou Asa you will be treated to a spectacular view of the forest canopy and expansive wetlands below you. This trip also visits the sacred Buddha Cave and Buddha Footprint carved into the rock-face of Phou Asa.

Village Guides
A local guide is required on every tour. One guide is required for 1-4 tourists per group, and two guides for 5-8 tourists. There are twelve trained village guides who are very knowledgeable about the forest. They will accompany you on the trek and point out plants and other interesting natural, cultural and historical sites along the way. The guides do not speak English. However, you can do two things to improve communication: (1) Buy the booklet "A Guide to Nature Trails around Phou Asa Mountain", sold at the Kiet Ngong Village Information Centre and the Kingfisher Ecolodge; or (2) book your tour through a local tour company or the Kingfisher Ecolodge so that you also have an English-speaking guide to translate for the village guide.

The guides take turns providing guide services to tourists in order to fairly share the benefits from tourism. The fee that you pay for your guide goes directly to the guide, with a small portion being put into the guide association fund for management of the trails. Tipping is appreciated.

What to Bring
2 liters of drinking water, lunch & snacks, hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and mosquito repellant

Booking
You can go directly to the village to book the tour at the village information centre. If you book on your own, it is recommended that you also purchase a copy of "A Guide to Trekking around Phou Asa Mountain" available at the village information centre, as the village guides do not speak English.You can book in advance with a tour company or with the Kingfisher Ecolodge.