Spend the night in the world’s tallest treehouses in Laos

A dream come true, just like in childhood fantasies.

As dawn breaks over Laos' Nam Kan National Park, the wild calls of black-crested gibbons fill the jungle air.

Emerging from our mosquito-netted beds, high above the jungle floor in towering wooden treehouses, we grab our binoculars to observe the energetic gibbons as they swing through the trees, sending leaves flying and branches swaying.

This once-in-a-lifetime travel experience, made possible by the Gibbon Experience, is a rare moment of wonder that combines adventure with conservation. Launched in the late 1990s to combat illegal logging, this unique project lets you witness nature like never before.

Soaring 30 to 40 meters (100 to 130 feet) above the ground, the Gibbon Experience’s eight treehouses hold the title of the tallest in the world, according to the staff.

Here’s the thrill of the adventure (or the challenge if heights aren’t your thing): the only way to reach these treehouses is by zipline.

“We’ve built a 15-kilometer network of ziplines,” says Yann Gourmelon, GIS specialist for the Gibbon Experience.

“This lets us quickly take visitors deep into the heart of the forest. The longest zipline stretches for about 600 meters, meaning you’ll be soaring at high speeds for around 50 seconds, all while taking in the breathtaking views.”

(Catch a glimpse of the high-speed action in the video above.)

The adventure

The Gibbon Experience offers three exciting tours, each combining both trekking and ziplining for a truly unique experience.

The Classic Tour and Waterfall Tour each span three days and two nights, while the Express Tour offers a quicker two-day, one-night adventure.

We chose the Classic Tour – the most laid-back option – because we had three kids under 12 and one teenager in our group.

(The minimum age to join the Waterfall and Classic tours is eight, while kids 12 and older are welcome on the more challenging Express Tour.)

On the first day, we traveled from the Gibbon Experience office in Ban Houayxay to Nam Kan National Park by truck, a journey that took about 2.5 hours. After a short trek to the equipment camp, we were outfitted with zipline harnesses and gloves.

With two guides leading the way, we trekked through well-worn jungle paths, zipping from tree to tree, and eventually reached our treehouse for the night. The kids were disappointed to stop, as they would have happily kept zipping until dark.

Day two followed a similar pattern – trekking through breathtaking jungle landscapes, experiencing thrilling (and occasionally nerve-wracking) zipline rides, and exploring more treehouses within the Gibbon Experience network.

The treehouses are constructed using wood salvaged from poachers’ activities and are equipped with electric lighting. The basic but cozy beds are covered with mosquito nets for protection.

Each treehouse features an open-air washroom (screened off from the rest of the structure) complete with a fresh water shower.

Laos-style meals are prepared in a nearby village and sent to the treehouses via zipline, along with fresh local fruits and snacks from the region.

Treehouse design and construction

So how are the trees chosen to support these remarkable treehouses?

According to Gourmelon, the selection process involves factors such as location, height, and proximity to gibbons. Too high, and it becomes challenging to provide fresh water; too low, and guests miss out on the stunning views.

“About two years ago, we changed the way we approach treehouse design,” he shares.

“Previously, we had to bring in an architect who would spend a lot of time in the tree. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, and getting accurate measurements of all the angles and curves was tricky. It wasn’t the most efficient method. While it produced beautiful treehouses, it was incredibly time-consuming.”

Today, he explains, they use drones to capture 360-degree images of the tree, taking photos from multiple angles, which saves them weeks of time that were previously spent drawing the details by hand.

Using photogrammetry software, they can then create a 3D model of the tree, which serves as the foundation for designing the treehouse.

When it comes to construction, various techniques are employed depending on the shape and structure of the tree. Some treehouses are suspended by rope wires, while others are supported by wooden consoles.

As for construction timelines, Gourmelon mentions that it varies based on the size of the treehouse, but on average, it takes about six months to build one.

Some treehouses are designed with multiple levels, providing added privacy at night, while others make up for their compact size with stunning views of the jungle canopy far below.

The tip of the iceberg

The Gibbon Experience was born out of a deep commitment to conserve the region’s fragile ecosystem and protect it from threats like illegal logging, commercial agriculture, and destructive slash-and-burn farming methods.

The journey began in 1996 when founder Jef Reumaux visited Laos and went trekking in the area. During his hike, he spotted black-crested gibbons and captured some photos.

It was then discovered that the gibbon species native to the area was critically endangered. This realization spurred them to find a way to protect the lush forests that the gibbons call home.

“But how do you raise the funds to protect the area, especially when you need to pay for forest rangers, and at that time, the government didn’t have the resources?” says Gourmelon.

That’s when the idea emerged to develop a network of trails, treehouses, and ziplines – “the visible part of the iceberg,” as Gourmelon describes it – to bring both people and funds to the forest.

The first treehouses and ziplines opened their doors in 2004.

By collaborating with local authorities, the Gibbon Experience’s project area, spanning 136,000 hectares of mixed deciduous forest, was officially designated a national park by the Lao National Assembly in 2008.

Today, the Gibbon Experience employs over 120 full-time staff, many of whom come from nearby villages.

Profits are directed towards various park initiatives, including funding the National Park Patrol team, which tackles illegal logging, hunting, bomb fishing, land use issues, and reforestation efforts in both the park and surrounding farmland.

What you should know before you go

Travelers should pack light, as they will need to carry their backpacks with them on both the first and final days of the trek.

Larger luggage can be securely stored back at the Gibbon Experience office.

Wear old shoes, as the trails can get extremely muddy.

Be sure to bring a large water bottle, which can be refilled at each treehouse along the way.

Make sure to charge all of your camera batteries and phone beforehand, as there are no electrical outlets available in the treehouses.

Additional items you might want to bring: binoculars, playing cards, and earplugs (for both jungle noises and potential snoring treehouse companions).

Zipline safety: Since the launch of zipline operations in 2004, there has been one reported fatality.

Guides are very diligent about ensuring the zipline is clear before the next person uses it by signaling across the cable. However, always double-check your equipment, ensuring all knots are secure, as guides may not always be with you.

Gourmelon explains that all the equipment is imported from France, undergoes thorough regular checks, and is replaced at the first sign of any wear or damage.

Gibbon Experience, Ban Houayxay, Bokeo Province, Laos; +856 84 21 20 21