Empowering Female Hikers and Local Villages with Laos' New Soum-son Trail

Local villages are trained to support the new Soum-son Trail trek

A new trail in northern Laos is set to empower both female hikers and local villagers alike. The Soum-son Trail, created by Camino Women in Australia and Khiri Travel in Laos, is a community-based trekking route designed specifically for women. This exciting new addition to the region's tourism landscape not only offers an immersive trekking experience but also ensures that the benefits of tourism flow directly into the hands of the local communities.

The four-day trek forms part of a larger 13-day adventure through northern Laos. Participants will embark on a journey that includes a scenic slow boat ride on the Mekong River, visits to Buddhist caves, an elephant park, walks through lush paddy fields, and the opportunity to meet various ethnic group villagers. The route also takes visitors through the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, offering a perfect blend of cultural exploration and natural beauty.

A key aspect of the Soum-son Trail is the focus on empowering local communities. Before the trail opened, 26 men and women from three remote mountain villages participated in three days of training in Luang Prabang. The training, funded by Camino Women and Khiri Travel's charitable arm, Khiri Reach, covered a range of essential skills for community-based tourism, including safety standards, housekeeping, waste management, food preparation, and customer service. This training is designed to ensure the villages are well-equipped to support the new tourism venture and that visitors experience the best service possible.

Starting on February 16, the first group of six women from Australia will kick off the Soum-son Trail trek, marking the official launch of the program. Following this, five additional groups, each limited to 12 participants, will be welcomed throughout the year. Looking ahead to the high season between November 2025 and February 2026, Camino Women and Khiri Travel aim to lead two groups per month, ensuring a steady stream of tourism that benefits the local population.

Each trek will be led by a guide from the local villages, as well as a seasoned Laotian community guide from Khiri Travel, ensuring a unique and deeply local experience. By promoting female-only trekking groups, this initiative encourages women travelers to connect with nature and culture in a meaningful way while providing much-needed income and opportunities for local villagers.

The Soum-son Trail is more than just a trekking route—it's a step towards sustainable tourism that fosters community growth and provides female travelers with the chance to explore one of the world's most beautiful and untouched regions. With its emphasis on education, empowerment, and local involvement, this trail offers a fresh, exciting way to support the region's tourism while creating lasting positive impacts for all involved.

Web: https://www.tourismlaos.org/