Nov
01
2011
Apr
30
2012
Nov
01
2012
Apr
30
2013
Nov
01
2013
Apr
30
2014
Nov
01
2014
Apr
30
2015
Nov
01
2015
Apr
30
2016
Trek Back in Time to a Hmong Village in Lao
Published by Deanna Pagnan, Writer
Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic 
The Experience
The lush mountains of Laos are home to the Hmong people, who migrated from China during the eighteenth century due to political unrest. The Hmong people live simply off the land, preserving their ancient culture and way of life. A trek from Luang Prabang into the surrounding mountains allows a glimpse into the lives of the Hmong villagers, who are kind enough to share their way of life with visitors.
Setting out bright and early from Luang Prabang, we drove into the hills, towards Ban Long Lao, home of Lao’s villagers. The early morning air was dewy and fresh, with a hint of smoke from fires burning in nearby villages. Upon reaching the base of the mountain, vehicles were abandoned and the hiking began. Trekking through the abundant forest, the towering canopy of leaves are pierced by sunlight casting a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes down to the earth. The dense trees recede as we reach the Hmong village, giving way to groups of small, makeshift homes, animal pens and fields of crops tended to by the villagers.
The Hmong people are very spiritual, and they traditionally worship many gods found in nature. Despite efforts that converted many Hmong to Christianity, villagers here in Ban Long Lao still subscribe to their traditional form of worship. The village also retains a shaman, who the Hmong believe possesses healing powers and can communicate with the spiritual world. Rather than relying on more modern forms of healing, such as medicines that could be found in Luang Prabang, the Hmong people prefer to visit their shaman to cure illnesses.
If you are lucky, you will be invited to enter a home of a Hmong family, and see how they live. Their dwellings consist of one large room, with a kitchen, sleeping quarters and a common area. Surprisingly, twelve people share this room, and very few have the luxury of a bed, leaving the rest to sleep on the dirt floor.
Traditionally, the Hmong people practice slash-and-burn agriculture, which explains the smoky smell you encounter when trekking. Unfortunately, this method of farming has resulted in some deforestation in the area, but the Hmong villagers are slowly changing their agricultural practices to ones that are more sustainable. While the Hmong used to grow fields of opium, the villagers here now tend to crops of rubber tree and corn.
Trekking onwards and upwards, we reached the top of the mountain and began our descent down to the sounds of the Kuang Si Waterfall. Many of the tours offered to the Hmong village in Ban Long Lao include a stop at Kuang Si Waterfall. After several hours of hiking, the sight of Kuang Si's cool cascades surrounded by colourful flowers was enthusiastically welcomed.
This glimpse into Hmong life affords rare perspective and insight into the lives of the rural Lao, and the unfounded connection of happiness to wealth. This is a much-needed reminder for some, as to how different life is lived around the world.
Setting out bright and early from Luang Prabang, we drove into the hills, towards Ban Long Lao, home of Lao’s villagers. The early morning air was dewy and fresh, with a hint of smoke from fires burning in nearby villages. Upon reaching the base of the mountain, vehicles were abandoned and the hiking began. Trekking through the abundant forest, the towering canopy of leaves are pierced by sunlight casting a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes down to the earth. The dense trees recede as we reach the Hmong village, giving way to groups of small, makeshift homes, animal pens and fields of crops tended to by the villagers.
The Hmong people are very spiritual, and they traditionally worship many gods found in nature. Despite efforts that converted many Hmong to Christianity, villagers here in Ban Long Lao still subscribe to their traditional form of worship. The village also retains a shaman, who the Hmong believe possesses healing powers and can communicate with the spiritual world. Rather than relying on more modern forms of healing, such as medicines that could be found in Luang Prabang, the Hmong people prefer to visit their shaman to cure illnesses.
If you are lucky, you will be invited to enter a home of a Hmong family, and see how they live. Their dwellings consist of one large room, with a kitchen, sleeping quarters and a common area. Surprisingly, twelve people share this room, and very few have the luxury of a bed, leaving the rest to sleep on the dirt floor.
Traditionally, the Hmong people practice slash-and-burn agriculture, which explains the smoky smell you encounter when trekking. Unfortunately, this method of farming has resulted in some deforestation in the area, but the Hmong villagers are slowly changing their agricultural practices to ones that are more sustainable. While the Hmong used to grow fields of opium, the villagers here now tend to crops of rubber tree and corn.
Trekking onwards and upwards, we reached the top of the mountain and began our descent down to the sounds of the Kuang Si Waterfall. Many of the tours offered to the Hmong village in Ban Long Lao include a stop at Kuang Si Waterfall. After several hours of hiking, the sight of Kuang Si's cool cascades surrounded by colourful flowers was enthusiastically welcomed.
This glimpse into Hmong life affords rare perspective and insight into the lives of the rural Lao, and the unfounded connection of happiness to wealth. This is a much-needed reminder for some, as to how different life is lived around the world.
When to Go to Hmong Lao
The best time of year to visit the Hmong villagers is during Lao's dry season, which runs from November to April. It is also possible to do this experience during the wet season, but keep in mind that transportation and hiking might be slow and sloppy due to the weather.
Odds n' Ends
While you can take a tuk tuk from Luang Prabang to the Kuang Si Waterfalls for a few dollars, the Hmong Village tour is best taken with a local tour operator. Many of the trails are winding and are overgrown, making them difficult to navigate. Also consider that fact that a Lao native will be necessary to communicate with the local Hmong.
Want a Guide?
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
Located in Chiang Rai, Greater Mekong Lodge is well-placed such that guests could visit the top attractions of the city such as Mae Kok River, ... 32 miles away
$1050 THB+
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Thailand's rugged hill country, Anantara's Golden Triangle resort is a luxury nature retreat set amidst 160 acres of ... 32 miles away
$5745 THB+
+ 8 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- Experience Life in a Jungle Tree House with the Gibbon Experience, Laos
- Set deep in the Bokeo Nature Reserve in Northern Laos, The Gibbon Experience uses its funding to help protect the region's wildlife and jungle. What this means for participants is three days living with nature, trekking and zip-lining through the jungle, and two nights sleeping in a tree house at canopy-level, some 50 metres above ground. On day one of the Gibbon Experience, seven of us packed into the back of a truck and were taken one hour north of the border city of Houei Xai. We then bounced around for another hour, along winding dirt roads deep into the ...8 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
Drive on to the Golden Triangle area, where the borders of Thailand, Burma, and Laos convene, Visit the Opium Museum. Continue to the old city ...35.49 miles away via Chiang Rai.
$54+
The many hilltribes who inhabit the area have long trudged the mountain passes between Northern Thailand and their home villages in Burma and China. Each ...35.49 miles away via Chiang Rai.
$70+
+ 3 others. Show all.
Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
Enquire now
Trek to Hmong villages, green forests and mountain tops before arriving at the Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Starting from $37.00 per person.
Starting from $37.00 per person.
Books and DVDs
Elsewhere on the Web
Media References
- Introduction to Laos - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Lao 
,
Mandarin
,
Vietnamese
are some of the languages spoken in Lao People's Democratic Republic. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
People who wish to experience
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "hmong lao":
