The Gibbon Experience - Laos
If you do one thing on your trip to South East Asia, make it the Gibbon Experience. Without doubt this was one of the most unique and rewarding travel experiences of my life to date.
So what is it?
The Gibbon Experience is an innovative conservation initiative run in the Bokeo nature reserve in North West Laos. The experience involves trekking through thick jungle and using zip lines to explore the reserve and hopefully spot Gibbons in their natural environment.
The experience has been set up to raise funds to secure the vast Bokeo nature reserve and protect its wildlife. Funds are also used to help local farmers develop sustainable farming practices.
What is zip lining?
The closest thing I can describe zip lining to is like riding a giant flying fox. The picture below will help to give you an idea of what you’re in for. The whole experience of zip lining and staying in tree houses is inspired by the movement of Gibbons in their natural environment. There are multiple zip lines within the reserve and they can reach heights of 150 meters and be up to 800 meters long.
Tour Options
Travelers can choose between the classic and waterfall experiences.
The Classic Gibbon Experience
Is perfect for the relaxed traveler who wants to choose how they spend their time. With only an hour’s essential walking to arrive at your tree house accommodation, what you do from then on is completely up to you. Whether it’s lounging around the tree house or zip lining around the forest the choice is yours, and the guides will always be nearby.
Group size is limited to twelve and departs on alternate days at 8:30am from Houayxay.
The Waterfall Gibbon Experience
Will take you deeper into the reserve and involves trekking for 2-3 hours per day along the Nam Nga Valley. A highlight is the swimming hole complete with waterfall that is close to the tree house you will be staying in.
Group size is limited to eight and departs on alternate days at 8:30am and 9:00 am.
What does it cost?
The cost is 170,000 KIP, that’s about $268 AUD at the time of writing.
Here’s what you get:
- Exclusive access to the Bokeo Nature Reserve
- Local guides eager to show you the forest and its inhabitants
- Transportation to and from the Reserve - the 4×4 trip alone is worth the money!
- Two night’s accommodation in a canopy level tree house complete with running water, shower, clean toilet (a rarity in Laos), bedding, deck chairs and mosquito nets.
- Delicious, fire cooked meals.
- Unlimited access to an extensive canopy cable-gliding network for exploring the treetops.
How do I book?
The Gibbon Experience is gaining in popularity so I recommend booking ahead at www.gibbonx.org. Alternatively you can turn up to the office in Houayxay and wait for cancellations. Due to the difficulty of travelling within Laos, I imagine cancellations are quite common and at worst you may have to spend a few days relaxing by the Mekong.
What to take?
- First and foremost you will need mosquito repellent. I recommend using Bushman’s Insect Repellent which contains 80% DEET.
- Perhaps a few bottles of Lao Lao Rice whiskey to get the tree house party started.
- Good comfortable hiking shoes. I did the trek in Dunlop Volleys and came to grief on several occasions.
- Chocolate bars and snacks. Dinner is served early at 5:30 and a few nighttime treats will ensure your popularity in the tree house.
- Sun protection! A good hat, sunglasses and sunscreen is a good start.
- Headlamp or torch
- Water bottles – you will easily drink 2 litres of water a day.
- Gloves to protect your hands when zip lining. You can buy a cheap pair in Houayxay.
How to get there?
- From Luang Prabang you have three options:
- Fast boat – 6-7 hours to Houayxay
- Slow boat – 2 days to Houayxay with an overnight stop in Pakbeng
- Overnight bus – 17 hours to Houayxay
- All options can be booked from one of the numerous travel agencies in Luang Prabang.
- From Thailand:
- Catch the ferry across the Mekong from Chiangkhong (Thailand) to Houayxay. Ferries operate from 8am to 6pm.
We wanted the first contributed review published on Holidaytips to be something special and we believe this Guest Review from Jonathan Ingram fits the bill. Special thanks to Jonathan for taking the time to compile this review. 
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