Living 3 days in a treehouse deep in the jungle
That was probably one of our best experiences on our trip so far: Living 3 days in a treehouse, built into a 400–600 year old giant ficus tree, deep in the jungle, watching gibbon monkeys move through the canopy. We booked this tour with THE GIBBON EXPERIENCE ...
The Gibbon Experience is a project takes its name from the endangered black-crested gibbon, native to Nam Khan Nationalpark in Northern Laos. It is a conservation helping to protect the rainforest and its endangered wildlife, especially the black-crested gibbons, while providing sustainable income for local communities. It combines jungle trekking, high-canopy zip lining, and overnight stays in treehouses high up in the forest. Of course we wanted to support and experience it.
Getting there was an adventure itself and for once, we had to leave our Landy behind. We had to hike our way into the jungle of the Nam Kan National Park in northwestern Laos: 136,000 hectares of wild rainforest and home to the critically endangered black-crested gibbon.
Did you know that bananas from wild jungle banana trees aren’t edible? Instead, locals eat the banana flowers.
Slippery slides through the mud on the way into the jungle.
Always on the hunt to spot animals in the trees. But wildlife has shrunk to a very small amount, you have to be lucky to see.
Above the trees
Then it was time for the first zipline drop-ins. Scary shit at the beginning, especially if you’re afraid of heights (Stéphanie is 😅) but soon pure fun flying through the canopy. A network of ~15 km of ziplines connects platforms and houses, letting you “fly” through the forest canopy with views over pristine jungle, views we’ll never forget.
We had to get used to the dropins on the zipline, some were quite high up.
Stéphanie was brave, she’s still afraid of heights but managed to overcome her fear on the zipline.
Our guide Khamala
Khamala showed us how to survive in the jungle and which trees and plants you can eat. First time eating a tree and it actually tasted pretty good.
Our Tree House
Our tree house is built high up in the canopy, around 30 meters above the ground, attached to a ficus tree that is more than 400 years old. It is integrated into a 15-kilometer-long zipline network and can only be reached by zipline, making the journey in part of the experience.
The tree house features a small kitchen, an open-air shower and toilet, and a combined living and sleeping space, all designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding jungle. It’s equipped with all the essentials you need for life in the wild: simple, functional, and close to nature. Up here, we really felt like becoming part of the jungle.
136,000 hectares⚬
136,000 hectares⚬
136,000 hectares⚬
136,000 hectares⚬
136,000 hectares⚬
136,000 hectares⚬
136,000 hectares⚬
136,000 hectares⚬
Food was delivered to us three times a day – of course by zipline courier. Each meal was prepared at a nearby ranger station and sent through the jungle straight to our tree house. It wasn’t just good, it was some of the best food we had in Laos. Every single meal came with three to four different dishes, freshly cooked, generous, full of flavor and sooo good. A real hightlight eating up in the trees.
If you wanna experience it yourself or wanna know more about the project, HERE you’ll find all the information.
of wild rainforest⚬
of wild rainforest⚬
of wild rainforest⚬
of wild rainforest⚬
of wild rainforest⚬
of wild rainforest⚬
of wild rainforest⚬
of wild rainforest⚬
Our tree house built up on a ficus tree.
A huge Nephila pilipes or giant golden orb weaver spider. Adult females are very large, with a body length of 25 to 50 mm, males are dwarfs, measuring only 4 to 6 mm. They are not dangerous at all, just big.
Our bed and living space was really cozy and completely wild at the same time. At night, we pulled the mosquito net around the bed, protecting us from mosquitoes and other bugs.
So happy to be here!
On every adventures with us @nonormal coffee.
Coffees in the morning in the wild are our favorit.
The food we got served every day was so delicious and one of the best we had in Laos.
Food was cooked in a ranger hut in the jungle close by, delivered via zipline.
The open-air outdoor shower was the best. High up in the trees, with nothing but leaves, sky, and jungle sounds around you, it felt so natural in the simplest way.
In the morning, thick fog surrounded us, drifting through the trees and wrapping the jungle in silence.
Under this shower you feel so wild and free.
On the first morning, the gibbons came close to our tree house, and for the first time we heard them sing. Their sounds are impossible to describe, wild and incredibly beautiful. We sat there in silence, listening to their calls through the forest, fully present in the moment. Knowing that our stay somehow helped support the protection of these critically endangered black-crested gibbons and their home made it even more special.
Tune in and watch it with sound!
