Kong Lor Adventure 8 Days/7 Nights
| Kong
Lor Adenture 8 days/7 nights Tour Code: KLA6 Vientiane-Kong Lor-Thakek- Luang Prabang |
This week long tour enables you
to explore the must see sights of Vientiane and Luang Prabang, as well
as an off the beaten track adventure to the little visited and remote
Khammoune Province. Khammoune is most famous for the spectacular Kong
Lor Cave, over 7km long, as well as some of the most beautiful
limestone karst scnery in Southeast Asia.
Day
1. Arrival – Vientiane – half day city tour
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your half
day city tour, begin with the oldest, Wat Sisaket with thousands of
miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo,
which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. . Enroute to
Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred
structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take
some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as
Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
The final visit of the day will be the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a much overlooked aspect of Laos and a major problem many of the local people face on a day to day basis in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of heavy bombing campaigns during the Vietnam War era. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 2. Vientiane
– Hin Boun (B)
You will be picked up this morning from your hotel and transferred
south along route 13 to the central Lao province of Khammoune. En route
we stop at Prabaht Ponsan, a stupa dating back to the 15th Century. It
is also home to the Budhhas footprint, discovered in 1933, and now an
important religious site in Laos.
Following lunch we make s stop at the interesting Ban Ton Na Mae Hmong Market, then continue onwards into Khammoune province and into the mountainous area, where a stop at a view point near Khoun Kham offers a breathtaking view over the surrounding area. Our last stop of the day is Ban Thabuk, the ‘bomb boat village’ where they use old bomb casings from the Vietnam War as boats We eventually reach Hin Boun area by mid afternoon, where you have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Sala Hin Boun.
Day 3. Hin Boun
– Kong Lor – Thakek (B,L)
After breakfast your lodge, we drive to Kong Lor village and board a
small local boat into the famous Kong Lor Cave. We navigate through the
cave, which is over 7km long and includes a spectacular cavern over
100m high, as well as a breathtaking stalagmite gallery which you can
explore on foot.
On the other side of the cave, we take a short walk past some tobacco drying huts to Ban Pon Ngam, a remote village, where you can enjoy your picnic lunch. Following lunch, we return through the cave by boat, and transfer directly by car to Thakek, arriving there by late afternoon, in time for a stroll along the riverfront to enjoy a sunset over the Mekong. Overnight in Thakek.
Day 4. Thakek –
Buddha Cave and trekking (B,L)
We depart Thakek by Tuk-tuk, and follow the old French railway track
that was destined for Vietnam but was never finished. Continuing
through impressive scenery, you arrive in the village of Ban Nakhang
Xang and meet the village guides who will escort you on your trek.
Passing through secondary forest your guide will point out forest
products that form an important part of local people's food resources.
Going through a cave, you enter a striking valley with towering cliffs
and forest. The trail follows the shoreline of Nong Thao Lake where you
can see local fishermen at work.
On arrival at Tham Nong Paseum cave more adventurous swimmers can explore the cave. The cave is 400 metres long and contains dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. Back in daylight, the trip continues onto Khammouane's famous Buddha cave for a traditional Lao lunch of Mekong fish, sticky rice and spicy papaya salad. After lunch we visit Tham Pa Fa or Buddha cave, which was rediscovered in April 2004. The cave contains 229 bronze Buddhas that are said to be over 300 years old! Time permitting you will also be able to travel by local canoe into the water cave below. Your guide will now escort you back to the village following a different route through the forest, and you will return to Thakek in the late afternoon. Overnight in Thakek.
Note: Moderate trekking, a good standard of fitness is required. During rainy season (May-September) the programme may be changed without prior warning to accommodate the local conditions. Local style lunch and karst scenery.
Day 5. Thakek –
Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)
This morning we depart Thakek, heading north for the five hour drive to
Vientiane in time for your afternoon flight to Luang Prabang. Upon
arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in
Luang Prabang
Day 6. Luang Prabang
– city tour (B)
After breakfast we visit the Royal Palace Museum which hosts a range of
interesting artifacts and a guided audio tour. We then begin our temple
tour taking in some the cities most beautiful, including the
magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground,
representing the classical Luang Prabang style, as well as Wat Mai and
Wat Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to
its shape.
In the afternoon we visit the excellent Arts and Ethnology Centre which gives us a further insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. We then visit the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Our final stop of the day is a climb Mt Phousi, which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 7. Luang Prabang
– Hmong Experience and Kuang Si Waterfall (B,L)
After breakfast, we visit the local Phosi Market, this is the place
where all the locals shop and your guide will show you the diverse
offerings on display. We also stop at Ock Pop Tock, a silk weaving
centre. Here you will be given a guided tour and the silk weaving
process will be explained. Next we drive to Ban Thinkeo, a Hmong
village and start trekking with the villagers.
Your
guide will explain to you the common use of the plants for the Hmong
people. You will go to the garden and cut some vegetables and herbs
with the local people. We then continue to Kuang Si Waterfall, where
you will enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the beautiful multi tiered
falls. You also have the opportunity to cool off in the turquoise blue
pools. Afterwards you return to Luang Prabang in time to catch the sun
setting over the Mekong.
Day 8. Luang Prabang
– Departure (B)
Depending on your departing flight you may have time at leisure before
your transfer to the airport for departure.
Note: during rainy season the itinerary is subject to change due to the weather conditions, an alternative programme is available.
Prices: from just $US950 per person based on a 2 persons private tour
To make an enquiry about this tour with Viengchampa , e-mail the form below directly to them...Back to Top
