I’m not sure about you, but as a kid I would often dream about living in a treehouse. Well, for a few days in the jungles of Laos that dream came true.

We booked a 3 day 2 night trek billed as the “Gibbon Experience”. The Gibbon Experience is an ecotourism project that was started to help protect the endangered black-cheeked gibbon in this remote jungle area of Laos. The money generated from the project goes back to the local communities and also helps to protect the Bokeo Nature Reserve by paying the salaries of 10 rangers who patrol the park to prevent poaching and illegal logging. The organization itself also employs 130 local people who are paid fair wages to support their families.

The trip started from Houay Xai, Laos where we took a bumpy 3 hour trip in the back of a small truck to reach our starting point in the jungle. We were all filled with anticipation, so the bumpy trip wasn’t much of a bother. It also helped that we had great views along the way as well!

After we got back on our feet, we spent a couple of more hours trekking into the serene jungle of Laos. The only sounds to be heard are the birds and frogs chirping along with the rustling of the leaves by the wind. No people yelling, no cars, no planes, no sounds of civilization whatsoever. For those who like to hike, you know what I’m talking about. After these couple of hours of hiking, we made it to the first zipline that would take us across one of the countless valleys in this mountainous jungle. We were all a little nervous because some of these ziplines are rather extreme (1500 feet long, 600 feet in the air for example). However, Kathy showed the courage of a true Austrian upon taking off on her first zipline:

After a few more hours of hiking and ziplining through this magical piece of wilderness, we finally made it to where we would spend the night: a treehouse built into an enormous tree, suspended 120 feet above the jungle floor! The treehouse had space for sleeping, running water, a shower (with cold, but refreshing water), a toilet with a stunning view, and perhaps the most exciting entrance and exit a house can possibly have. In order to reach the treehouse for the evening, we didn’t climb the 120 feet, we ziplined into it from the adjacent mountainside. Talk about making a grand entrance!

The sights and sounds we experienced while staying in this treehouse were magical. During the afternoon and evening we heard all sorts of birds calling to one another as we looked out upon the mountainous jungle terrain. At night, we heard owls cooing and bats flitting about. (there was also the occassional sound of tree rats trying to gnaw their way into our food). When we awoke in the morning, we lifted the mosquito net and were treated to a view unlike any other we’ve had on our trip so far.

The next day was filled with more jungle trekking and ziplining, as well as a short stop at a waterfall. The weather was warm, but man this water was cold! I also didn’t have swimming trunks, so down to my skivvies I stripped!

After the stop to swim at the waterfall, we continued our trek. The mountainous terrain of the jungles of northwestern Laos meant that we would trek uphill for 30 minutes or so, zipline across a valley, trek uphill again for 20-30 minutes, and zipline across another valley.  We did this for several hours on the second day, with every moment being just as exciting as the last. It was rather surreal. Every time we ziplined across a valley, we would stare in awe at the view. It never got old.

After several hours of ziplining and trekking on the second day we made it to our second treehouse. It wasn’t quite as epic as the first (only 75 feet off the ground…only), but nevertheless, it was still better than any hostel we’ve stayed in. This treehouse was also only accessible by zipline. Even our food and bedding would arrive via the zipline entrance.

We spent the evening chatting with our guides about the local wildlife, local culture, their amazing jobs, and other random things. As we’ve learned so far on our trip, there is so much more to learn about a place when you just stop and chat with the locals. Guidebooks can only teach you so much, and one thing they sorely lack is the feeling of immersion you get when spending time with the local people.

So, if you are ever in need of a little adventure, make your way to the northwestern corner of Laos and sign yourself up for a few days of the Gibbon Experience. While we didn’t actually see any Gibbons in our 3 days in the jungle (elusive little buggers), the trip was nevertheless worth it. If I have yet to prove this to you, then perhaps one more picture and video will convince you!