The Gibbon Experience
The Gibbon Experience is a tourism-funded conservation project whose zipline-access treehouses helped create Nam Kan National Park.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.6/5 · 769 reviews
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Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
3.0/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 48.8%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 3/4.
The project area became the 136,000 ha Nam Kan National Park in 2008, and the Gibbon Experience funds nearly all costs of a forest patrol run jointly with the Lao Government, plus support for irrigated farming. The patrol figure (15 guards) dates from 2014 and no current outcome is published, so this is several systems rather than a measured result.
Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · Corroborating source - Energy and climate, level 3/4.
Treehouses have solar panels for light and charging, and newer solar systems now power electric cooking and water pumping, replacing firewood, generators and gas; electric 4x4 pickups are being tested.
Source · 2026-10-29
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 3/4 · Several evidenced systems, such as protected habitat on site, native restoration and a wildlife programme, with no synthetic pesticides on the land | 22.5 / 30 points | The project area became the 136,000 ha Nam Kan National Park in 2008, and the Gibbon Experience funds nearly all costs of a forest patrol run jointly with the Lao Government, plus support for irrigated farming. The patrol figure (15 guards) dates from 2014 and no current outcome is published, so this is several systems rather than a measured result. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source · Corroborating source |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 3/4 · Several systems, such as on site renewables plus at least 80% LED lighting, natural ventilation and metered monitoring; the stay's own vehicles and boats count here | 11.25 / 15 points | Treehouses have solar panels for light and charging, and newer solar systems now power electric cooking and water pumping, replacing firewood, generators and gas; electric 4x4 pickups are being tested. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Water | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as composting all organic waste or sorted recycling | 5 / 10 points | Worn zipline cables are reused to build suspension bridges in the national park. Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 2/4 · One specific practice, such as a historic building reused, local natural materials, or passive cooling design | 7.5 / 15 points | The treetop architecture page describes treehouses built into host trees using suspended platforms, wooden consoles or a geodesic core chosen to suit each tree. “Tree houses suspended on rope wires Tree houses set on wooden consoles Geodesic polyhedron laid in the fork” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 5% | 2/4 · Specific practices, systems and named suppliers published | 2.5 / 5 points | The sustainability pages publish specific results such as 90 hectares of land flattened for over 120 families and a funded patrol team, without a third party certificate. “we flattened a total of 90 hectares benefiting over 120 families” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Accommodation Eco Score weights: Nature, biodiversity and regeneration 30%, Energy and climate 15%, Water 10%, Waste and plastic 10%, Food, farming and sourcing 15%, Buildings, heritage reuse and land use 15%, Measurement, transparency and certification 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years. Guest travel is not scored; everyone gets there how they can.
Purity, what touches your body
1.9/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 23.7%
Green flags
- Water you drink and bathe in, level 3/4.
The FAQ says tree house tap water comes from a nearby spring and is filtered for drinking.
“Yes, tap water comes from a nearby spring and is filtered for drinking.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 3/4 · The stay's own natural source (spring, river, well or rain) for drinking and bathing, treated without chlorine | 18.75 / 25 points | The FAQ says tree house tap water comes from a nearby spring and is filtered for drinking. “Yes, tap water comes from a nearby spring and is filtered for drinking.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Food on your plate | 20% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 20 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 15% | 1/4 · Claim only, such as eco friendly products | 3.75 / 15 points | The FAQ says organic soap is provided, without describing cleaning or laundry products. “(Bed sheets, towels, organic soap, and meals are provided)” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Linen, towels and mattresses | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Air and quiet | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | Not applicable here | Excluded |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Purity Score weights: Water you drink and bathe in 25%, Food on your plate 20%, Grounds and pest control 15%, Cleaning, laundry and fragrance 15%, Linen, towels and mattresses 10%, Air and quiet 10%, Pool and bathing water 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
People, ownership, work and community
2.3/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 31.3%
Green flags
- Local work and fair pay, level 3/4.
The FAQ says staff are typically locals from the nearby village on formal contracts, paid two to three times typical Lao salaries.
“On average, this amounts to 300–500 USD per month, which is two to three times higher than typical salaries in Laos.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | 30% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 30 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 3/4 · A majority of local staff including management, and pay above the legal minimum | 18.75 / 25 points | The FAQ says staff are typically locals from the nearby village on formal contracts, paid two to three times typical Lao salaries. “On average, this amounts to 300–500 USD per month, which is two to three times higher than typical salaries in Laos.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 2/4 · A named community programme, such as a school, fund or training | 10 / 20 points | The sustainable agriculture page describes free or low cost land flattening for farmers switching from slash and burn, and the origin page says the project employs over 80 people. “the Gibbon Experience project has offered free or low-cost land flattening and irrigation services to farmers willing to switch to irrigated paddy rice cultivation.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Access to beach and land | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 1/4 · Claim only | 2.5 / 10 points | The protected by locals page says the project works to foster village economies while respecting local knowledge and traditions. “innovative way to foster the villages’ economy while respecting local knowledge and traditions” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. People Score weights: Ownership and control 30%, Local work and fair pay 25%, Community benefit 20%, Access to beach and land 15%, Culture and heritage 10%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
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Collected research sources
These source pages were captured on 2026-10-02. Capturing a page does not establish a rating or verify its claims. Only the reviewed pillar evidence above earns assessment points. Missing findings remain unavailable.
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