Phou Khao Khouay
National Park
Park Type
National Park
Year Established
1993
Total Area
200,000 ha
Provinces
Vientiane Province
Map
Things to See & Do
Important Visitor Information
Access
Phou Khao Khouay is easily accessible from Vientiane Capital, traveling south on Route 13 for an hour or two and turning off to whichever attraction is of interest.
Tours
Currently, most tours are booked directly with villages located at each attraction. You may also book through a tour operator based in Vientiane, who can contact the villages in advance. Village guides are required for all trekking and hiking tours.
Fees
Parks fees and fees for each attraction typically are a nominal fee, charged by the village managing the attraction. Fees are different at different attractions.
Biodiversity
The presence of white-cheeked gibbons is an indication of the rich wildlife found in the Eastern extensions of the reserve. Focused management activities directed at the green peafowl have assisted to increase bird numbers within the viable populations near Ban Nakhay and Ban Nakhan Thoung. Extensive tracts of pine forest dominated by Pinus merkusii stand on the western plateau. This habitat is poorly represented in the protected areas system. Stands of Fokienia hodgsonsii (Mai long leng) are found at two locations in the park. One site near Phou Kong Khao in the west of the park, the other to the north of the headwaters of the Huai Xay, near Phou Palok En. The western plateau is the best locality for the bamboo mai sanod.
Northern White-cheeked Gibbon
Hylobates leucogenys
This critically endangered primate can be found mainly along the Annamite range. Presence in Phou Khao Khouay indicates a healthy ecosystem.
Status:
Critically Endangered
Orchids
Variious species
Phou Khao Khouay is a : hotspot for orchids with 250 species and one endemic (Dendrobium lamyaiae) having been identified so far. Experts believe there may be up to 300 orchid species.
Status:
Unknown
Merkus Pine
Pinus merkusii
Pine forests are a unique feature of Phou Khao Khouay. This species is underrpresented in Lao parks and is, thus, important for protection.
Status:
Vulnerable
Green Peafowl
Pavo muticus
Phou Khao Khouay has one of the last remaining viable populations of green peafowl, which were once found throughout the country but are now limited to just a few, remote landscapes.
Status:
Endangered
Animal 5
Type of wildlife
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Status:
Locally Important
Topography, Climate & Forests
Topography: The steep, mountainous topography characterizing the area has been shaped by the uplifting and exposure of the underlying sedimentary (Indosinias schist-clay-sandstone) complex. Layered sandstones are visible throughout as linear outcrops and large boulders along steep slopes, and as shelves and water-carved blocks in the incised drainage courses. There are also extensive flat uplands of exposed sandstones with little or no soil development.
Climate: Phou Khao Khouay has a monsoonal climate similar to the rest of Central Laos. It has a pronounced rainy season beginning in May and lasting through to November, the mean annual rainfall in Ban Napheng, Thulakhom District is 1936.1 mm, although it should be expected that rainfall in the uplands to be markedly higher. There is a distinct dry season during November to April.
Forests and habitat: Upper dry evergreen forest is found throughout the central portion of the park, in the lower basins of the Nam Leuk and Nam Mang. This forest has plant families and genera typical for other parts of Southeast Asia. Commonly found species are members of the genera Dipterocarpus and Shorea. Mixed deciduous forest predominates on lighter, shallow soils. Large stands of coniferous forest, usually monospecific stands of Pinus merkusii, grow on shallow, nutrient deficient, sandy soils, particularly in the western portion of the park, where it occurs in association with extensive, fire-climax grasslands.
People & Culture
The communities living in and within close proximity to the protected area may be broadly separated into two ethnic groups, with the Lao Loum living on the floodplains to the south of the reserve, while the Lao Sung communities are found to the north and west, and in the interior. Forty-nine villages have been recognized by the park authorities as being located in the community development zone/buffer zone, on the Nam Ngum floodplains and the Mekong floodplains. All but the Lao Sung communities of Ban Nam Yam situated in Thulakhom District and Ban Thakokhai in Pak Ngum District are Lao Loum communities.
Conservation & Management
Since becoming designated as a national park and upgraded from a national protected area, Phou Khao Khouay has a park management authority that is has national approval from the Department of Forestry and with staff seconded from provincial and district Agriculture and Environment offices.There are rangers stations and checkpoints at different locations around the park, including Long Xan, Xaythany, Thulakhom, and Huay Huakham (Thaphabath). Visitor centres and toilet facilities at Tad Phou Khao Khouay and Tad Leuk.
Contact Information
+856-021-215000
laosnationalparks@gmail.com
Locations
📍Address: Protected Area Management Division, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Khouvieng Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR
📞 +856-021-215000
📩 laosnationalparks@gmail.com
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