In a collaborative effort, Camino Women in Australia and Khiri Travel in Laos have developed a unique community-based trekking route in the remote northern region of Laos. This groundbreaking initiative stands out for its focus on female hikers and its commitment to driving tourism benefits directly into the hands of local villagers.
The four-day Soum-son Trail is part of a 13-day/12-night journey through northern Laos, which includes a slow boat ride on the Mekong River, a train ride, visits to Buddhist caves and an elephant park, walks in paddy fields, meetings with various ethnic group villagers, and an immersive experience in the UNESCO World Heritage township of Luang Prabang.
To prepare for this unique program, 26 women and men from three remote mountain hamlets joined a three-day training session in Luang Prabang last December. The villagers learned about community-based tourism, safety standards, housekeeping, waste management, food preparation, and customer service. The training was conducted by four community tourism experts from the Lao government and funded by both Camino Women and Khiri Travel’s charitable arm, Khiri Reach.
“The aim is for community tourism to enhance the locals’ quality of life,” said a spokesperson for the initiative.
Camino Women and Khiri Travel will kick off the program on February 16 with a group of six women from Australia. Following this, the trek will be conducted for five additional groups, each with no more than 12 female participants, throughout 2025. For the next high season between November 2025 and February 2026, the agencies plan on leading two groups per month.
Each trip will be supported by the same local guide from the villages and Khiri Travel’s own highly experienced Laotian community guide.
About Camino Women
Camino Women is a travel company based in Australia that specializes in designing and leading women-only hiking and trekking adventures around the world. Learn more.
About Khiri Travel
Khiri Travel is a leading destination management company in Southeast Asia with offices in Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, and other countries. Khiri Reach is the company’s charitable arm that supports community-based tourism initiatives. Learn more.
