A mosaic of traditional ethnic tribes, Laos is home to 130 different recognised groups divided into 4 main language groups. Some of these tribes only have a few hundred people and some are only found in Laos. The minorities that do not have a written history are at the biggest risk of disappearing completely.

At Muang La Lodge, we designed some of our excursions to allow you to meet and learn about the typical ethnic communities of the region. Originally from Yunnan in China & Tibet, these tribes of “hunter-gatherers” are called the “people of heaven” by the Lao people living on the plains. Their villages are found above 1,000m above sea level, built on the side of the mountains, where the villagers retain their centuries old, traditions and customs. Among these groups are the Ikhos, Akha and Hmong people.

Access to the villages can be difficult, so we use a 4×4 to follow the twisting mountain trails with some breathtaking views of the valleys and mountains. Some of our excursions include a walk of between 30 mins. to an hour, which is a small price to pay to experience a different world of small, teak houses where tourists are hardly ever seen!

Experienced hikers will choose this excursion of around 6 hours to meet the Khamu people. A trek of 2½ hours, along a forest trail to an isolated village where the houses are built on stilts. The remote villagers’ traditions and beliefs include respect for the wisdom of the elders, the innocence of youth and the solidarity of the community. The trek continues to some immense caves.

Easier to reach, the villages of the Ikhos seem as if they are in a different world! Meeting this ethnic group reveals a way of life centred on belief in the spirit world, time-honoured customs and people in traditional dress dyed with plant extracts harvested from the forest.

Includes a stop in an Hmong village where you have time to learn about their way of life and the importance of their livestock (pigs, buffalos…) A short optional walk (of 30 min) will bring you to the first Ikho village, here you can enjoy your picnic lunch while enjoying the amazing surroundings. You will return to the Lodge at the end of the afternoon.

Is a full day spent in the Phouhipi National Park. Roughly 17km from our Lodge, are Khamu and Hmong villages set in the luxuriant forests of the mountains. There are plenty of great photo opportunities. The last village is reached after a 1½ walk through the forest and you can climb the huge rocks for some more stunning views.

Back at our Lodge, you can enjoy a display of traditional Khamu music and dance. The villagers may ask you to join in!