Ladies, Check Out This New Mountain Community Trail In Laos For Female Hikers
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Female hikers now have an exclusive spot for them to enjoy in remote Laos
A new community-based trekking route has been introduced in the remote mountains of northern Laos, designed with responsible tourism in mind. The Soum-son Trail, which emphasizes cultural immersion and sustainable practices, offers a unique four-day trek through three mountain hamlets. 
For The Ladies
The inaugural trek, set to begin on 16 February, will feature a group of six women hikers from Australia, organized by Camino Women and Khiri Travel. This exclusive 12-day tour not only includes the Soum-son Trail but also a variety of other cultural and scenic experiences.
Participants will enjoy a tranquil slow boat ride along the Mekong River, travel by train, explore Buddhist caves, visit an elephant park, wander through lush paddy fields, and meet locals from diverse ethnic backgrounds. A visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Luang Prabang will also be part of the journey, showcasing the beauty and cultural richness of Laos.
Trekking For A Good Cause
What sets this trek apart is its emphasis on community development. The trail’s development has been a collaborative effort between local villagers, the Laos government, and the tour organizers. To prepare for the visitors, 26 villagers from three remote villages participated in a three-day training session in Luang Prabang last December.
The training covered essential skills such as hospitality, waste management, safety, and food preparation, all aimed at creating a welcoming and sustainable tourism experience. This initiative helps improve the quality of life for local villagers while preserving their traditional way of life.
Looking ahead, Camino Women and Khiri Travel plan to bring more trekking groups to the Soum-son Trail in 2025, with the aim of hosting two groups per month during the peak season (November 2025 to February 2026). Each group will be guided by a local villager alongside a highly trained Laotian community guide from Khiri Travel.
In addition to the training, Camino Women and Khiri Travel’s charitable arm, Khiri Reach, made generous donations to the three villages, including laptops, school supplies, and preserved foods. This initiative ensures that the benefits of tourism flow directly into the hands of the villagers.
