One of the most hyped backpacker's adventures is the Gibbon Experience, which takes place in the Northernmost region of Laos, in the Nam Kan National Park. This project made ziplining through dense rainforests a form of wildlife protection.
In the mid-90s, French entrepreneur Jean Francois Reumaux came up with a brilliant idea of combining the protection of nature, local economic development, and adrenaline-filled tourism.
The namesake of this exciting project is the critically endangered black-crested gibbon. With less than 2,000 individuals living in the wild (in Laos, China, and Vietnam), poaching poses a significant threat to these human-like jungle apes.
One of the Gibbon Experience treehouses in the Nam Kan National Park
The Gibbon Experiences hired 80 locals, some ex and potential future poachers who now work as tour guides, cooks, builders, and forest rangers. By offering a source of income from tourism, suddenly, there was a viable alternative to making money from selling wild animals.
From a tourist perspective, this is a fantastic initiative, too. You can live high up in the tree canopies, zipline through the jungle, observe wildlife from above, and experience magical sunsets and sunrises from the world's highest treehouses.
The adventure begins in the town of Huay Xai, located on the border of Thailand. After a 1.5-hour drive in a minivan, you will arrive at the edge of Nam Kan National Park. Due to the rough terrain, the journey continues in a 4x4 jeep until the forest becomes so dense that you will need to get off and hike the rest of the way to the treehouse.
The world's highest treehouse
There are two types of adventures available: the Giant Loop and the Classic Tour. The Classic Tour includes a private treehouse for those who book the "Honeymoon Tour."
The Giant Loop is a two-day, one-night experience designed for hardcore hikers. During these two days, you will engage in challenging jungle hikes and soar through the green canopies on zip lines.
The Classic Tour gives more time to enjoy treehouse living with two nights spent in the treetops, easier hikes during the days, and an increased likelihood of spotting gibbons in the wild.
To be allowed to take part in this unique adventure, you have to be fit and agile like a gibbon. Okay, just kidding, but you should not be younger than 8 - 10 (depending on which trekking option you choose) and not older than 60 - 65 (again, depending on if it's the Classic or the more demanding Giant Loop). For safety reasons (zipline limitations), you cannot be over the weight of 110 kgs (243 lbs).
Photo by nirin333
The long hours of walking allow you to observe the fauna and flora of the reserve. This is the perfect opportunity to see various birds, mammals, and insects.
After long hours of sliding down on cables and walking, staying in a tree house is a comfy relief. The handcrafted multi-level treehouses are made from wood and palm leaves and take 3 to 6 months to build.
Open-air shower with a view of mother nature? It's part of the experience!
Each house has open-air rooms featuring thick mattresses, mosquito nets, and a thatched roof to protect you from the rain. There's running drinking water, and the outdoor shower offers a unique experience with spectacular horizon views. Each cabin also includes toilets and a kitchenette for making tea and coffee.
Open-air bedrooms
The guides prepare and serve the meals, and they "fly in" via the ziplines with hot dishes made from locally sourced ingredients like rice and vegetables.
Cozy beds - photo by awanderesss
Evenings are spent among fellow travelers, and early in the morning, you can experience a symphony of sounds, including the "singing" of the gibbons. The view of the sunrise and sunset from the canopy level is simply breathtaking.
Observing wildlife with binoculars from the treehouse's deck
Record high
The tree houses are constructed at an impressive height of 30 to 40 meters (100 to 130 feet), reaching over ten stories tall. Some of these tree houses are as spacious as mansions, with areas reaching up to 160 square meters (1,700 square feet)!
Ziplining
The ziplines of Gibbon Experience are a network of 15 kilometers (9 miles) of slides, with the longest stretching 600 meters (1969 feet) between two treetops.
You can reach up to 30 km/h (~20 mph) on these long zip lines.
Nam Kan National Park zipline - Photo by Nick Levin
Gibbons can still outpace you easily while you zoom through the dense green jungles at these seemingly high speeds.
Photo by Mike Bk
The knowledgeable guides will provide you with gloves and harnesses. After a safety training session, you will be ready to explore the jungle on these thrilling rides.
The biggest tree in Laos - Photo by Yann Gourmelon
Black-crested mother gibbon with her baby
Tips
Indochinese grey langur
• Book early
• Be in your best physical condition to enjoy the hikes rather than struggle through them.
Avoid the rainy season, as hiking becomes more challenging in the mud, and leeches love to jump on you.
• Bring your own meds, including antiseptic spray, if you get bitten by insects.
• Bring comfortable hiking clothes, mosquito spray, a flashlight, a water bottle, and a power bank if you need to charge your gadgets.
Main Street, Huay Xai 05000, Laos
