Gibbon_Experience

=Northern Laos **// - Gibbon Experience //**=
 * = [[image:P1040715-platform-sm.jpg width="208" height="276" align="center" caption="landing platform"]]

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(official site) We did the // Classic Experience . **..Fantastic!** //

 * Stay in tree houses 25+ m above the jungle floor
 * use zip-lines to fly above the tree canopy
 * listen to Gibbon songs in the early morning
 * see Gibbons in the wild (if you're lucky...some see 'em, some don't, but everyone hears them)
 * hike and zip and hike and zip around and above the Laotian jungle

Book ahead (online) as only a small number of people are allowed in at a time (conservation purposes). As of January 2010 it costs EU 180 for 2 days and nights in the jungle. We ended up in the big tree house, #1. It fits 6 people and was probably the best one to be in--quick access to lots of zipping, less uphill hiking with your backpack, and ya get to see everyone else as they travel through. Great way to meet new friends.

more info on the Classic Experience more good general info

Play to listen to the Gibbons' early morning Song media type="file" key="gibbons song2.mp3" width="240" height="20" align="center" ||= ||= media type="file" key="Laos-zipping2-expert2.mov" width="269" height="269" || "Black Gibbon." //Official Home of The Gibbon Experience//. Web. 12 Jan 2010. . ||= Zipping into our treehouse at the end of the day. This was our "shortest" zip. ||
 * =  ||= Shy Black Gibbon

How to get there
There's more than one way to get there but we chose to go via Chiang Mai, Thailand. This was quick and simple. BUT if you are traveling throughout Laos head North from Luang Prabang (bus or boat).

We took a public bus from Chiang Mai to the Lao Border crossing at **Chiang Khong**. Hop the boat across the Mekong River for 40 Baht (about a 5-minute ride). NOTE: the Laotian side of the border closes at 6PM (some days can be earlier...luck of the draw). You'll arrive in **Houay Xia,** Bokeo Province, Laos. The Gibbon Experience office is located here (3-minute walk from immigration). Sign in, get yourself a room for the night, then be prepared for the 8:30 departure--3.5 hours drive south to the last village before the 1-hr hike to the tree houses. Note, try to get inside the truck for the drive otherwise be certain to have sunglasses and a scarf to wrap around your face (keep the dust out), and be ready for a bumpy ride.
 * From Thailand:**


 * NOTE:** On the way back to Chiang Mai we took a 12-seater private van that departed at 6:30 p.m. (bought the tkts at the bus terminal but you can go directly to Nam Khong Travel as you'll depart from there anyway. Just ask where it is?). If I were to do this again, I'd take the van both ways. The advantages are: cheaper, faster ride (avoids all terminal bus stops), comfy seats that lean back, good location). At the Chiang Khong local we were given access to clean western toilets and clean big showers (no charge). These were a //necessary// bonus after hiking and zipping all morning.

The slow boat along the Mekong seems to be the best bet (speed boats are dangerous). It will take 2 days with an overnighter in Pakbeng. You can also bus through Luang Namtha.
 * From Luang Prabang, Laos:**

Lao Visa
You will need a visa to enter Lao. You can get this at the border crossing. Be certain to **bring one passport photo**. The cost of the visa varies depending on your country of citizenship. As of January 2010, costs were: United States of American US$30 Canada US$44 Other countries varied
 * Bring US dollars to pay for the Visa** and try to bring exact change. Tens and ones should serve you well.

**What to Bring to the Treehouse**
Bring only those personal belongings required for two nights as you must carry this in and out (1-hr hike, mostly uphill). Your other belongings, including passport, will be safely locked in the company's storage room. The following is what we needed for January (dry season-Nov-Feb) where mornings and evenings were coolish...however, morning hikes warm one up real quick. Wet season will require rain gear. Dress appropriately.


 * Bring:** small backpack, camera and charged batteries (no plug-ins in the jungle), no more than US$15 in Laotian kits (LAK) for two village stops (beverages, munchies) and tips for guides (January 2010, US$15=129,000 LAK), t-shirts, warm top/jacket, lg-sleeved shirt, long shorts &/or light pants (a change for evening after showers), toiletries (bug spray, sunblock), flashlight/headlamp, water bottle, good shoes for zipping & hiking (runners or enclosed-toe sport sandals, like Keens), socks and undies, toilet paper/tissues (Westerners will want these), book, cards--not much to do at night but Brenda taught us all how to play poker Vegas-style, and other card games...lots of fun. Buy gloves in Houay Xia (white cotton-knit work gloves with rubber bubbles on the palms) cheap and //**necessary**//. Mine saved my hands and fingers more than once.

What's Provided

 * You'll share (depending on group size) a treehouse to eat/shower/sleep
 * Bedding (double mattresses, pillows, warm duvets), towels, all meals, drinks (tea, coffee, Ovaltine, water), munchies, kitchen sink and burner per treehouse.
 * Fresh mountain-spring drinking water runs in all tree houses (available for ALL). You can top up anytime during the day as you zip along.
 * Toilet, shower, and bathroom sink in each treehouse (available for ALL).

by: Lori