LAOS – Ban Kietngong – Trekking in Xepian National Park with a Local Expert

Description

Xepian Natural Protected Area is one of most important nature reserves in Laos. It is home to an abundant wildlife and rare flora and fauna. The inhabitants of the area use the plants from the semi-evergreen forest covering about 80% of park area to eat, treat illnesses and craft objects for use in their daily life. A local guide will take the lead for a nature walk leaving from his village Ban Kietngong at the edge of the Xepian National Protected Area into the tropical forest. During the walk, this expert in the local flora will identify wild plants that are used for food or traditional medicine, point out animal tracks and show travelers unusual insects.

Can be combined with

Thematic Leisure

• LAOS – Ban Kietngong – Full Immersion in the Wetlands

Selling points

• Easy nature walks with a local from the area who shares his knowledge and secrets about the dense forest.
  
• An occasion to discover how the locals use foraged products from the jungle.

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Additional Information

The “Xepian Natural Protected Area” experience directly connects to sustainability in these ways:

• Conservation Awareness: Highlighting the Xepian National Protected Area as a vital nature reserve with abundant wildlife and rare flora and fauna raises awareness about biodiversity conservation and the importance of protecting such areas.
• Supports Local Expertise: Employing a local guide from Ban Kietngong empowers the community and utilizes their traditional knowledge of the forest and its resources. This validates and reinforces the value of local expertise in conservation efforts.
• Promotes Ecotourism: The guided nature walk is a form of ecotourism that emphasizes responsible travel to natural areas. It aims to minimize environmental impact while educating visitors about the ecosystem.
• Educational Value: The guide’s expertise in identifying plants used for food and medicine, as well as animal tracks and insects, provides valuable educational content for visitors. This fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the natural environment and traditional ecological knowledge.
• Sustainable Use of Resources: The experience demonstrates the sustainable use of forest resources by local inhabitants for food, medicine, and crafts. This showcases a traditional way of life that is in harmony with nature.
• Supports Conservation Efforts: By promoting tourism in the protected area, the experience can generate revenue that can be used to support conservation efforts and the livelihoods of local communities, creating a direct link between tourism and conservation.

Time And Transportation

Duration

• Half day or Full day

Min pax

1

Max pax

8

How to sell it

• Local guide with deep knowledge ensures more than a hike: a really interesting discovery of the protected area.
• An outdoor activity for nature lovers.
• For FIT active guests and nature lovers.

Why this activity

• An opportunity to see rare flora and fauna at a beautiful national park. 
• The chance to learn about wild foraging and edible and medicinal plants. 
• A unique authentic encounter with a local. 

Good to combine with

• Transfer after the activity possible to: Don Khone; Don Khone; Don Daeng; Champasak; Pakse.

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

• Other DMCs can sell this product. 

Pros

• The whole trail is an easy walk with no elevation and is shaded by many ancient trees.
• Inexpensive activity with a great added value.

Information

• Advise the guests to bring walking shoes and mosquito repellent.

Important information

• Guests have to travel responsibly: do not buy or consume wildlife products, do not take any plants out of the Protected Area and carry all garbage out of the Protected Area.

Quotation guideline

On ERP:

• LAOS > Champasak > Xepian National Park with a Local Expert (lunch not included)
  

Inclusion

• Local guide.
• English speaking guide
• Drinking water and snacks.

Exclusion

• Transfer to Ban Kietngong.
• Guide.
• Meals.

Possible Extra

• Possible to arrange a lunch at local home after/before the activity with our homestay suppliers in Kietngong Village.

Contact

• English Speaking Guide: Mr. Soukaserm
• Phone: (+856) 2056846914 (can provide contact of local guides)
• Local Guide: (+856) 020 9109 9203

English

Xepian Natural Protected Area is one of the most important nature reserves in Laos. It is home to abundant wildlife and rare flora species. The inhabitants of the area use the plants from the semi-evergreen forest covering about 80% of the park area to eat, cure and craft objects for their daily life. Your local guide will take you for a nature walk departing from his village, Ban Kiet Ngong, at the edge of the Xepian NPA into the tropical forest. Strolling along the trail, your guide who is expert in the local flora will identify wild plants that are used for food and medicine, point out animal tracks and show you unusual insects.

Distance and duration of the walk: 3-4 kilometers, slight elevation gain, approximately 2h 30min

French

La zone naturelle protégée de Xepian est l’une des plus importantes réserves naturelles du Laos. Elle abrite une faune abondante et des espèces de flore rares. Les habitants de la région utilisent les plantes de la forêt semi-verte qui couvre environ 80 % de la superficie du parc pour se nourrir, se soigner et fabriquer des objets pour leur vie quotidienne. Votre guide local vous emmènera pour une promenade dans la nature en partant de son village, Ban Kiet Ngong, à la lisière de la zone naturelle protégée de Xepian, dans la forêt tropicale. En se promenant le long du sentier, votre guide, expert de la flore locale, identifiera les plantes sauvages utilisées pour l’alimentation et la médecine, indiquera les traces d’animaux et vous montrera des insectes inhabituels.

Distance et durée de la marche: 3-4 kilomètres, léger dénivelé positif, environ 2h 30min

Spanish

El Área Natural Protegida de Xepian es una de las reservas naturales más importantes de Laos. Alberga abundante vida salvaje y especies raras de flora. Los habitantes de la zona utilizan las plantas del bosque semiperennifolio que cubre alrededor del 80% de la superficie del parque para alimentarse, curarse y fabricar objetos para su vida cotidiana. Su guía local le llevará a dar un paseo por la naturaleza partiendo de su aldea, Ban Kiet Ngong, en el límite del ANP de Xepian, adentrándose en el bosque tropical. A lo largo del sendero, su guía, experto en la flora local, identificará plantas silvestres que se utilizan como alimento y medicina, señalará huellas de animales y le mostrará insectos poco comunes.

Distancia y duración de la caminata: 3-4 kilómetros, ligera subida, aproximadamente 2h 30min

Italian

L’area naturale protetta di Xepian è una delle più importanti riserve naturali del Laos. Ospita un’abbondante fauna selvatica e rare specie di flora. Gli abitanti della zona utilizzano le piante della foresta semisempreverde che copre circa l’80% dell’area del parco per nutrirsi, curarsi e fabbricare oggetti per la loro vita quotidiana. La guida locale vi accompagnerà in una passeggiata naturalistica partendo dal suo villaggio, Ban Kiet Ngong, ai margini dell’APS Xepian, nella foresta tropicale. Passeggiando lungo il sentiero, la guida, esperta della flora locale, identificherà le piante selvatiche utilizzate per l’alimentazione e la medicina, indicherà le tracce degli animali e vi mostrerà insetti insoliti.

Distanza e durata della camminata: 3-4 chilometri, leggero dislivello, circa 2h 30min

German

Das Xepian-Schutzgebiet ist eines der wichtigsten Naturschutzgebiete in Laos. Es beherbergt eine reiche Tierwelt und seltene Pflanzenarten. Die Bewohner des Gebiets nutzen die Pflanzen des halbimmergrünen Waldes, der etwa 80 % des Parkgebiets bedeckt, als Nahrungsmittel, Heilmittel und zur Herstellung von Gegenständen des täglichen Lebens. Ihr einheimischer Führer nimmt Sie mit auf eine Naturwanderung, die von seinem Dorf Ban Kiet Ngong am Rande des Xepian NPA in den tropischen Wald führt. Bei einem Spaziergang entlang des Weges wird Ihr Führer, der ein Experte für die lokale Flora ist, Wildpflanzen bestimmen, die als Nahrung und Medizin verwendet werden, auf Tierspuren hinweisen und Ihnen ungewöhnliche Insekten zeigen.

Entfernung der Wanderung: bis zu 3-4 Kilometers, leichter Höhenunterschied, ungefähr 2 Stunden und 30 Minuten

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