National park · Laos
Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park
Enter Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park for about 30,000 LAK (≈ $1.5) per adult; hike to Phou Louey peak (2‑3 h) in dry season or take the Nam Nern night‑boat (≈ 2 h). Avoid the wet months May‑Oct.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,100 km² (1,583 sq mi)1,583 sq mi (4,100 km²)
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Laos ↗Get the visa only from the official government e-visa portal or at the airport or border desk; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Laos ↗Carry Lao kip in small notes; small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash-only, and Thai baht or US dollars are only accepted at some tourist businesses.
- Laos ↗At dawn alms-giving, watch from across the street, keep quiet, never use flash and never touch a monk.
- Central Laos ↗Parts of Xaisomboun Province need prior permission from local authorities; some governments advise against non-essential travel there.
- Central Laos ↗A 22:30 curfew applies along the Vientiane riverbank; being out there after it can mean questioning or detention.
- Central Laos ↗Unexploded ordnance remains in parts of Xiang Khouang and Huaphan; stay on marked paths and use local guides at jar sites.
At a glance
- Country
- Laos
- Area
- 4,100 km² (1,583 sq mi)1,583 sq mi (4,100 km²)
- Approximate; official figure not found (check).
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park protects remote Annamite forest, offers night‑boat wildlife spotting on the Nam Nern River and guided treks to Phou Louey summit and ethnic villages.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1993.
Size and age
4,100 km² (1,583 sq mi)1,583 sq mi (4,100 km²) · national park since 1993
Approximate; official figure not found (check).
Why go
- Remote Annamite forest with high biodiversity.
- Night‑boat safari on the Nam Nern River for wildlife spotting.
- Guided multi‑day treks to Phou Louey summit and ethnic villages.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; good trekking.
- FebCool, dry; clear skies.
- MarDry, warming.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains; trails muddy.
- JunHeavy rain, river high.
- JulWet, possible landslides.
- AugPeak monsoon.
- SepRain decreasing.
- OctDrying, cooler.
- NovDry, cool nights.
- DecDry, pleasant.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clouded leopard (rare sightings)Nov–Apr · Spotting unlikely; guides may know signs. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Asiatic black bearNov–Apr · Tracks near river valleys. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| HornbillsOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Sambar deerOct–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Luang Prabang
Bus or private minivan via Route 13, 8–10 h; road may be rough in wet season.
8–10 h
Open the page →
From Sam Neua
Minivan or shared taxi, 3–4 h; road improves after dry season.
3–4 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Viengthong gateway | Park entrance, visitor centre, ticket office, short trails. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Nam Nern River corridor | Night‑boat route, wildlife spotting points. | Guided only. |
| Phou Louey trekking area | High‑altitude forest, villages, ranger camps. | Guided treks only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; central point of park used for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | LAK 30,000 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Nam Nern night‑boat safari | LAK 50,000–70,000 | person | Includes guide and boat. |
| Guided multi‑day trek (per day) | LAK 80,000–120,000 | person | Accommodation in villages included. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Night‑boat safari permit or guide
Multi‑day trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- LAK 30,000
- LAK 50,000–70,000
- LAK 80,000–120,000
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for night‑boat and all treks beyond the gateway area.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.
- Hunting
- Strictly forbidden; heavy fines.
- Camping
- Only in designated village homestays or ranger camps; wild camping not allowed.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; bins limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Viengthong guesthouses
Basic rooms, 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) from gate.Basic rooms, 1.2–1.9 mi (2–3 km) from gate.
In the park
Village homestays
Family rooms in Khmu/Hmong villages, includes meals.
Safety
River currents at night medium
Monsoon landslides high
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gateway area reachable by car; short walks are level.
- Trek to summit and night‑boat involve uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑based tourism; guides share revenue with villages.
- Choose operators that follow park’s permitted night‑boat routes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park?
Entry is 30,000 LAK per adult (≈ $1.5). Night‑boat safari and guided treks have additional fees.
What are the best hikes in Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park?
The Phou Louey summit trek (2–3 h) and multi‑day village treks are popular; the night‑boat on the Nam Nern River is a special wildlife walk.
When is the best time to visit Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park?
The dry season, November to April, offers clear trails and good wildlife viewing; avoid May‑Oct due to heavy rain.
Do I need a guide for the night‑boat safari?
Yes. The park requires a licensed guide for all night‑boat trips.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Yes, homestays in ethnic villages and ranger camps; basic guesthouses are available in Viengthong town.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Nam Et – Phou Louey National Park
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