After two relaxing days in Luang Prabang, we embarked on a two day community-based trekking through Lao wilderness and small villages with the chance to experience the ‘real Laos’ with a village homestay.

After a 2 hour walk, we stopped at a small village, and we made our first Khmu hill tribe encounter. The kids seemed to be at the same time terrified and fascinated by the Westerners in the party…they followed us around to watch, but if any of the whitefolks moved or looked in their direction, they would hide…on the other hand, we couldn’t wander around without more than a curious glance or two. We took a couple of photos and gave them some polaroid shots. After this, the kids had no more fear of us.

Meet the cute kids in the below gallery. Lots of cute kids. About 50% of the population of Laos is under 15.