The far north - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 287

TREKKING AND BIKING FROM MUANG SING
The flat, triangular plain in which Muang Sing is located is watered by the Nam Youan
River, which flows down from China, along with numerous other streams. Scores of hill-
tribe settlements are located in the valley basin and all through the surrounding moun-
tains; ethnic groups in the region include Tai Leu, Tai Dam, Akha, Mien, Hmong and oth-
ers.
There are several reliable agencies in town, offering a range of treks in the area, plus one-
and two-day biking trips on the flat valley roads. As ever, you will probably find that what
trip you do is dependent on what other people are signed up for, and prices vary according
to the number of people - if you can get a group of four or more together in advance your
options will be greater.
TOUR OPERATORS
The Akha Experience Next to the tourist office 020 5535 3318,
[e-mail] . Newly set up by former Exotissimo guide Xay, this small agency of-
fers a well-thought-out, activity-filled three-day trek, staying in local Akha villages (from
$108/person).
Muang Sing Tourism Office Trips include a two-day trek, staying a night in an Akha vil-
lage, costing 380,000-600,000K, plus a one-day trip to Xieng Kok (from 200,000K).
PhouIuTravel Phou Iu II Guesthouse 020 2239 0195, phouiu-ecotourism-laos.com .
The best established of the local tour operators, with a fine range of treks, of one (from
170,000K) to three days' (from 620,000K) duration, and bike tours, including a one-day,
30km ride to visit several ethnic tribes (from 280,000K). Their moderately challenging
two-day “Old Falang's Trail” trek (from 450,000K) climbs through forested mountains in
the Nam Ha NBCA, ending in Luang Namtha.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Muang Sing's guesthouses were in a state of flux at the time of writing, with several having
recently shut and others block-booked to Chinese workers. The choice of places to eat is far
from overwhelming, though there are a couple of simple noodle places on the main street.
During the day, your best bet is at the morning market , where you can get decent bowls of
fõe and stock up on snacks for bus journeys. An unsuccessful attempt to copy the project in
Luang Namtha, the moribund nightmarket (daily 5-10pm) in the centre of town occupies a
far bigger plot than it requires (the site of the original fresh market), but is useful for its small
collection of grilled meat, noodle and drinks stalls.
Adima 8km north of town, on the road to the Chinese frontier 020 5519 7768, adima-
guesthouse.com . The nicest place to stay around Muang Sing, with big, brick A-frame bun-