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 Nature 
Ban Pako is an excellent place to experience nature
 The lodge itself has the river as its central theme and is surrounded by a 128-hectare regenerative woodland. The view across the river from the lodge looks into a 40-hectare Lagerstroemia-dominated mature forest with magnificent trees and lush, thick, green under-storey. Planted Eucalyptus (River Red Gum) trees are used by the lodge for building and to minimize pressure on the native trees in the regenerative forest. Leaves from Eucalyptus are used for the steam bath (see Health).
There are a number of different landscapes in and around the lodge,
each with its own
distinctive flora and fauna . The woodland supplies a number of products that help the lodge without damaging the jungle. The herbs for the steam bath are all collected locally.
There are 32 different local herbs
used in the steam bath, with different varieties being used according
to the season . Local medicinal rice whiskies called Lao Khao are also made from trees and herbs that grow within the lodge. It is worth a "shot" and claims to help with everything from
impotency
to dizziness.
The area surrounding Ban Pako
supplies an large amount of bamboo which is used for just about
everything from building materials to food. Certain dishes prepared by
our kitchen use local herbs gathered from the forest and riverside and
a delicious bamboo soup is available from May to November .
In the grounds surrounding Ban
Pako there are a lot of plants and animals which at first may not be so
easy to see, as many of them only come out at night, but in the morning
you can see footprints The lodge also has a high variety of birds living within its protection.
Many of the
birds visit in April or October, showing how popular Ban Pako is with
migrant species. To the avid birdwatcher these are the best months to visit. Butterflies abound in the lodge all year but the best months to see the greatest variety are from April to July. Predictably, this is also a good time for flowering plants.
Accompanied or unaccompanied tours are available at the lodge. All our guides speak good English and have a solid knowledge of the natural history of the area. Both sides of the river have walking trails that are easy to follow and not too strenuous. Maps are provided along with an information pack for the walks and things of interest are clearly marked along the routes.
Accompanied 1-3 day
tours to Phou Khao Khouai or tours to places of interest closer to Ban
Pako, can be arranged at the reception desk.
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